The Koreas

The Koreas It is currently divided into two political entities: South Korea, a capitalist liberal democracy, and North Korea, a totalitarian communist dictatorship. In 1910, Korea was annexed by Japan and remained a colony until the end of World War II. In 1945, American and Soviet troops occupied the country and helped establish governments sympathetic to their respective ideologies, leading to its current division.

North Korea

North Korea North Korea, officially the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, is an East Asian country in the northern half of the Korean Peninsula. North Korea is one of the world's last communist states. Amnesty International and other human rights organizations accuse North Korea of having one of the worst human rights records of any nation, severely restricting most freedoms, including freedom of speech and freedom of movement, both inside the country and abroad.

Tower of Juche Idea statue in central Pyongyang

North Korea: Geography & Climate North Korea is on the northern portion of the Korean Peninsula The local climate is relatively temperate, with precipitation heavier in summer during a short rainy season called jangma, and winters that can be bitterly cold on occasion The terrain consists mostly of hills and mountains separated by deep, narrow valleys. The coastal plains are wide in the west and discontinuous in the east.

North Korea: Economy North Korea's economy has been relatively stagnant since the 1970s The government continues to focus on heavy military industry. The agricultural outlook is poor North Korea has previously received international food and fuel aid from China, South Korea, and the United States in exchange for promises not to develop nuclear weapons

Liberation Street, Pyongyang.

North Korea: Demographics North Korea's population is one of the most ethnically and linguistically homogenous in the world, with only very small numbers of Chinese and Japanese minorities. Most others are temporary residents, mostly being Russians and other East Europeans, Chinese, and Vietnamese. North Korea shares with South Korea a Buddhist and Confucianist heritage and recent history of Christian and Chondogyo ("Heavenly Way") movements. North Korea shares the Korean language with South Korea.

Arirang Festival, Pyongyang. Dance and gymnastics extravaganza

South Korea

South Korea South Korea, officially known as the Republic of Korea, is an East Asian country on the southern half of the Korean Peninsula Approximately one-half of South Korea's population lives in or near the capital and largest city, Seoul, the third largest metropolitan area in the world South Korea is now a multi-party democracy

Won composite of images from Bank of Korea

South Korea: Geography & Climate South Korea's land is mountainous, and most of it is not arable South Korea can be divided into four general regions: an eastern region of high mountain ranges and narrow coastal plains; a western region of broad coastal plains, river basins, and rolling hills; a southwestern region of mountains and valleys and a southeastern region dominated by the broad basin of the Nakdong River The local climate is relatively temperate, with precipitation heavier in summer during a short rainy season called jangma, and winters that can be bitterly cold

Administrative district centered around Nam-daemun in Seoul metropolitan area

South Korea: Economy South Korea is the 10th largest economy in the world South Korea is also one of the world's most technologically advanced and digitally-connected countries. It has the highest number of broadband Internet connections per capita in the world and is a global leader in computer games, digital displays, and mobile phones

KTX train, DongDaegu Station

South Korea: Demographics Most South Koreans live in urban areas About 46% of South Korean citizens profess to follow no particular religion Of the remainder, Christians account for 27.3% of the population and Buddhists 25.3%

A Taekwondo sparring match

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