Where in the World? You can’t go south. Your family may be in the south, but it doesn’t matter. The border is closed. You can’t cross the D.M.Z. (Demilitarized Zone). You hope one day you will be able to visit your relatives, but time is running out. Meanwhile, being in the mountainous north (80% of the country is mountainous), you concentrate on staying warm. Your house is built to keep out the cold: the rooms are small and there are few windows and doors. The floor is warm, though: a system of pipes that are connected to the kitchen stove pass under the floor, spreading the warm air. Whatever the temperature, you know the rule: always take off your shoes before entering the house.

Where on Earth are you? Can you find your place? North Korea

Welcome to North Korea

Korea was once one country. There was no North Korea or South Korea Korea was once one country. There was no North Korea or South Korea. The old problem of Japanese control ended when Japan was defeated and expelled by the Allies in WWII, but then came a new problem. The Soviet Union wanted Korea to be communist government, and the U.S. wanted Korea to be a capitalist democracy. An agreement was made to accept the 38th parallel, where Japanese troops surrendered, as a dividing line until the country could be reunited. The United Nations decided there should be an election, but only the south voted. The Soviet Union wouldn’t allow entry to the U.N. commission that over see the election. Instead, the Soviet Union formed North Korea with Kim II Sung, a Korean Communist general, as leader.

North Korea attacked South Korea, now a democratic capitalist country, in 1950. The U.S. sent soldiers, and the U.N. sent a force of soldiers from 16 nations. China entered the conflict to help the communists. Although a ceasefire agreement was signed in 1953, no permanent peace treaty has been signed. Kim II Sung held the highest ranking position in his government until his death in 1994. Power then passed to his son Kim Jong II. Many countries have term limits, meaning that one can only be elected to an office for a certain number of terms or years. Which system is better? In the United States who has term limits: the president or a senator?

North Korea is bordered on two sides by seas: the Sea of Japan lies to the east and the Yellow Sea is to the west. Much of the land consists of hills and low mountains, and very little of it is suitable for cultivation. Because of this, water and soil conservation are important for North Korea’s future.

What does the Japanese word kamikaze have to do with Korea What does the Japanese word kamikaze have to do with Korea? In 1281, The Mongrel Emperor of China Kublai Khan enlisted thousands of Korean men and ships to invade Japan. A typhoon destroyed the ships. The word kamikaze means “divine wind.” In WWII, this word was used for the name of any of the pilots who made deliberate suicide attacks into enemy targets. The pilots wanted to destroy their enemy, just as the divine wind had destroyed theirs.

What martial art originated in Korea more than 2,000 years ago? Tae kwon do is a form of Karate that has developed from a method of self-defense to a national sport.

FAST FACTS – North Korea In North Korea the culture of the state is highly controlled by the government.   Interesting Facts about North Korea  The capital of North Korea is Pyongyang, which is also its largest city. The official language of North Korea is Korean. The currency of North Korea is North Korean Won. The official name of North Korea is Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Baekdu Mountain, a volcanic mountain, is the highest point in North Korea. In contrast to the geographical conditions of its neighboring nations - Japan and China, North Korea is less prone to severe earthquakes. North Korea has the fourth largest military in the world. In the country, summers are hot, short, humid and rainy as well, while in winters, the country gets snowfall for as many as 37 days.

Where in the World? It’s your turn: Complete your “Where in the World?” page. 1 – fill in the country and continent. 2 – write a paragraph about North Korea with at least 5 interesting details (important details). 3 – colour in North Korea on the world map.