1. North and South Korea

2. Density and Distribution
Most people live in coastal plains
South Korean population increased between 1950 until 1990 to 48.8 million
North Korea has lower standard of living as compared to South Korea

3. North and South Korea are divided by a Demilitarized Zone (DMZ)

4. History Buddhism introduced by China
Confucianism introduced when China seized Korea in 1300
Japan invasion 1500
“Hermit Kingdom” – isolationist policy to keep foreign powers out

5. Wars to Control Korea Sino-Japanese War 1894-1895
Russo-Japanese War
Annexed by Japan 1910
WWII ended – Korea divided
North communist
South U.S. Backed

6. Korean War
North invades South 1950
War ends 1953
DMZ at 38th parallel

7. Cultural Divergence Growing apart of cultures
North and South grow apart because of different political and economic systems

8. South Korea Strict rule Political power changes
1960 Coup- General Park Chung-Hee
1979 Assassination
Now: A Democracy

9. North Korea Centralized government by Korean Workers’ Party
Only party
Kim Il Sung leader
Father of Kim Jong Il
Grand Father of Kim Jong Un
Strict rule results in food shortages – 2 million have died
200,000 political prisoners
Human rights abuses in labor camps

10. North Korea reactivated nuclear program
Tested nuclear weapons in 2006

11. Culture Education – communist ideology Government provided healthcare
Language Korean
Arts - influenced by communist ideology
Most attend middle and high school
University attendance increasing
modern healthcare
Language Korean
Arts influenced by western culture
North Korea
South Korea