Portal:Korea

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The Korea Portal

Korea is a civilization and geographical area situated on the Korean Peninsula in East Asia, bordering China to the northwest and Russia to the northeast, with Japan situated to the southeast across the Korea Strait. It is often called the "Land of the Morning Calm".

One of the world's oldest civilizations, Korea has a recorded history dating back approximately 2,333 B.C.E. It enjoyed long periods of relative peace punctuated by foreign invasions. In 1905, Korea was occupied by Japan, becoming a colony in 1910. Following World War II, the Soviet Union and United States played a role in dividing the peninsula into two political entities, North Korea and South Korea.

North Korea is a communist state that is sometimes described as Stalinist and isolationist. South Korea is a capitalist liberal democracy, and its world economic ranking is 10th (based on GDP).

Korea is populated by a relatively homogeneous ethnic group, the Koreans, who speak a distinct language called Korean and use the unique, scientific script hangul.

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Selected article

Gyeongju is a city (see Administrative divisions of South Korea) and prominent tourist destination in eastern South Korea. It lies in the far southeastern corner of North Gyeongsang Province, on the coast of the East Sea(Sea of Japan). Nearby cities include the industrial centers Ulsan and Pohang. Numerous low mountains, outliers of the Taebaek range, are scattered throughout the city.

Gyeongju was the capital of the ancient kingdom of Silla, a fact to which it owes its present-day prominence. The Silla kingdom arose at the turn of the 1st millennium, and ruled most of the Korean Peninsula from the 7th to the 9th centuries. A vast number of sites from this period remain in the city today. After the kingdom fell, the city gradually declined in importance.

Today Gyeongju is a typical medium-sized city, having shared in the economic, demographic, and social trends that have shaped modern South Korea. However, amidst these trends the city has retained a distinctive identity. In tourism, it is one of South Korea's best-known destinations. In manufacturing, it profits from its proximity to major industrial centers such as Ulsan. Gyeongju is connected to nationwide rail and expressway networks, which facilitate both industrial and tourist traffic. (more...)

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Taepyeongmu (태평무), a Korean dance wishing a great peace for Korea. Its origin is unknown but the late Hahn Seungjun (한성준 韓成俊 1875-1941), a known dancer and drummer, rearranged it in the early 20th century. It is assumed to have been a court dance occasionally performed by kings during the Joseon dynasty of Korea. Therefore, the costumes used for dancers are almost similar to a king and queen's gwanbok (관복, official clothing). Taepyeongmu is designated as one of the Important Intangible Cultural Properties of South Korea.

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Things you can do

Kyungdong Presbyterian Church (designed by Kim Swoo Geun), create 2008-04-30
Kim Seong-su (journalist) (ko:김성수 (1891년), founder of Dong-a Ilbo, Korea University), create 2008-04-30
Lee Hyun-se (ko:이현세), top-rated manhwa artist, create 2008-05-01
Heo Yeong-man (ko:허영만), top-rated manhwa artist, create 2008-05-01
Lee Young Hee (이영희), hanbok designer, create 2008-05-01
Chunhyang jeon (ko:춘향전), create 2008-05-01
Sindansu (신단수; 神檀樹, "Divine Betula"), create 2008-05-01
Sport in Korea, create 2008-05-16
Korea Sports Council (대한체육회 大韓體育會), create 2008-05-16
Misu (미수, 米水) - a grain tea made from several grains such as rice, barley, beans, glutinous rice, brown rice, Job's tears, etc., which are roasted and then ground to be added to water, create 2008-06-14
Onmyeon (온면, 溫麵, buckwheat guksu warm noodle soup in beef broth), create 2008-06-18 (some information already at Korean royal court cuisine)
Dak bokkeumtang (hot and spicy chicken dish; also called dakdoritang), create 2008-06-19
Yeongchun - site of apparent U.S. killing of Korean civilians during the Korean War[1]
Sanseong-dong - site of apparent U.S. killing of Korean civilians during the Korean War[2]
Korean Patriotic Association (ko:한인애국단)
Munhwaeo or Munhwa language (ko:문화어, literally "culture language"), standard language of North Korea based on Pyongyang dialect.[3]
Korea National Arboretum (ko:국립수목원), previously called "Gwangneung Arboretum" (광릉수목원)[4][5][6]
Han Dae-soo, Korean folk singer [7]
Yeongsan Hoesang - composition in the jeongak genre
Daehanin-dongjihwe
Bangpaeyeon - kite
Ahn Sook-seon - pansori singer
Kim Deok-soo - Samulnori artist
Yurimjang Confucian funeral ceremony
Kwangbopsa North Korean Buddhist temple constructed in Goguryeo era, located in Pyongyang

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Korea news

From August 7 to August 12 : the most significant floods in North Korea for 40 years caused 300 dead and missing and 300,000 homeless
June 21, 2007: South Korean company Samsung launches the world's first oil carrier capable of breaking through polar ice. Korea.net
June 18, 2007: North Korea invites UN for nuclear inspection. Korea Herald
May 15, 2007: South Korea launches King-Sejong-the-Great–class KDX-III Aegis destroyers. Chosun Ilbo
April 2, 2007: South Korea and the United States reach a free trade agreement. International Herald Tribune
March 3, 2007: South Korea launches XK2 Black Panther in the main battle tank military industry. engadget

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Selected biography

Ban Ki-moon (born June 13, 1944 in Eumseong, North Chungcheong, Korea) is a South Korean diplomat and the current Secretary-General of the United Nations.

Before becoming Secretary-General, Ban was a career diplomat in South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and in the United Nations. He entered diplomatic service the year he graduated college, accepting his first post in New Delhi. In the foreign ministry he established a reputation for modesty and competence. (more...)

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