The Koreas: North and South Korea

History Called the “Hermit Kingdom” – Surrounded by water on 3 sides – Mountains on northern border – Self-protected isolation Ancient Korea and Foreign Influences – People came from Manchuria and Northern China – Series of clans: Choson was the first state – Invaded by China and Japan Korea was a buffer between the two countries. Three Kingdoms: created around the 300’s – Koguryo – Paelkche – Silla: 660’s conquered the other two kingdoms Yi Songgye: ruler of Korea. His dynasty lasted until 1910 Japan took control of the peninsula

History Two Koreas – Japan was defeated in WWII North: controlled by Soviet Union South: United States Korean War – 1950: North invades South – 1953: treaty divides the country North: Communist state South: Democracy

Economics/ Government Armed Societies South Korea has 600,000 soldiers and sailors North has over 1 million Also, has chemical weapons and tested nuclear weapons Gov’t : North Korea: is a Communist state Leader: Kim Jung-un Gov’t: South Korea: is a republic is an Economic tiger, like Taiwan One of world’s largest ship building industries One of world’s top trading nations

Economics/Government Before the Korean War both were agricultural countries North Korea: high military spending – Food shortages (only the state can provided food) Reunification: – Economic powerhouse – N-has the raw materials and resources – S- has the industry

Culture/ Current Issues Chinese: Confucianism: system of teachings based on the Chinese scholar, Confucius – Stress social order Buddhism came from China – Korean influenced Japan by spreading Buddhism to it Other Influences: Communism shaped Western Influences – Art that glorifies Communism or folk tradition South Korea influenced by Western Influences Reunification: War has been threat between the 2 countries DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) guarded by 2 million troops Reunification talks began in 2000

Culture/Current Trends Reunification continued: – Marched under same flag in Olympics – 2007: train sent over the border North: – Human rights issues (lack freedom of information, speech, movement, religion) Human rights – Food Crisis: daily rations are 50% of world’s survival allotment South: – Environmental issues: industry caused pollution, they are increasing coal usage