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{{about|the territory and civilization}}
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{{Infobox country
|conventional_long_name = <span style="line-height:1.33em;"> Korea
|Countries = {{flagicon|North Korea}} [[North Korea]] {{flagicon|South Korea}} [[South Korea]]
|common_name = Korea
|image_map = Korea (orthographic projection).svg
|admin_center_type = [[Capital (political)|Capitals]]
|admin_center = [[Pyongyang]], [[Seoul]]
|official_languages = [[Korean language|Korean]]
|area_rank = 84th if reunified
|area_km2 = 219,140
|area_footnote = <ref>{{cite encyclopedia
| encyclopedia = World Reference Atlas
| title = North Korea
| edition = 2nd American
| year = 1996
| publisher = Dorling Kindersley
| location = New York
| isbn = 0-7894-1085-0
| page = 413
}}</ref><ref>{{cite encyclopedia
| encyclopedia = World Reference Atlas
| title = South Korea
| edition = 2nd American
| year = 1996
| publisher = Dorling Kindersley
| location = New York
| isbn = 0-7894-1085-0
| page = 498
}}</ref>
|area_sq_mi = 84,610 <!--Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]]-->
|percent_water = 2.8
|population_estimate_rank = 18th if reunified
|population_estimate_year = 2010
|population_estimate = 73,000,000<ref>[http://www.mt.co.kr/view/mtview.php?type=1&no=2007111812563466492&outlink=1 MT.co.kr]</ref>
|population_density_km2 = 328.48
|population_density_sq_mi = 850.7 <!--Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]]-->
|currency = [[Korean won|Won]] ([[₩]]) ([[North Korean won|N]]/[[South Korean won|S]])
|time_zone = [[Korea Standard Time|KST]]
|utc_offset = +9
}}
{{Contains Korean text}}
'''Korea''' ({{IPAc-en|k|ə|ˈ|r|i:|ə}} {{respell|kə|REE|ə}}; {{lang-ko|한국}} ''Hanguk'' {{IPA-ko|hanɡuːk|}} or {{lang|ko|조선}} ''Joseon'' {{IPA-ko|tɕosʌn|}} – (see [[#Etymology|etymology]])<!--DON'T CHANGE!! 대한민국 is South Korea, 북조선 is North Korea. Korea is called 한국 by S Korea and 조선 by N Korea. Please don't change this beginning; details are below in the Names section.-->) is an [[East Asia]]n [[geographic region]] that is currently [[Division of Korea|divided]] into two separate [[sovereign state]]s — [[North Korea]] and [[South Korea]]. Located on the [[Korean Peninsula]], Korea is bordered by the [[People's Republic of China]] to the northwest, [[Russia]] to the northeast, and is separated from [[Japan]] to the east by the [[Korea Strait]] and the [[Sea of Japan]] (East Sea)<!--Please don't change. This has been discussed in the Talk section and the consensus is to leave as 'Sea of Japan' with East Sea added in parens. 감사합니다.-->, and separated from the [[Republic of China|Republic of China (Taiwan)]] to the south by the [[East China Sea]].

Archaeological and linguistic evidence suggest the origins of the [[Koreans|Korean people]] might have been [[Altaic language]]-speaking people from south-central [[Siberia]],{{dubious|date=January 2012}}<ref>''The Rise of Civilization in East Asia: the Archaeology of Korea'', pp. 165</ref> who populated [[History of Korea|ancient Korea]] in successive waves from the [[Neolithic]] age to the [[Bronze Age]].<ref>''뿌리 깊은 한국사, 샘이 깊은 이야기: 고조선, 삼국'', pp. 44–45</ref> The adoption of the [[Chinese writing system]] ("[[Hanja]]" in Korean) in the 2nd century BC, and [[Buddhism]] in the 4th century AD, had profound effects on the [[Three Kingdoms of Korea]].

The [[Three Kingdoms of Korea]] was first united during the Silla dynasty under the king [[Munmu of Silla]]. The united Silla dynasty fell to [[Goryeo Dynasty]] in 935 at the end of [[Later Three Kingdoms of Korea]] era. Goryeo was a highly cultural state and created the [[Jikji]] in the 14th century, using the world's first movable metal type printing press. The Mongol invasions in the 13th century, however, greatly weakened the nation which was forced to become a tributary state. After the [[Mongol Empire]]'s collapse, severe political strife followed and Goryeo was replaced by the [[Joseon Dynasty]] in 1388.

The first 200 years of Joseon were marked by relative peace and saw the creation of the Korean alphabet [[Hangul]] by [[King Sejong the Great]] in the 14th century and the rise in influence of [[Confucianism]] in the country. During the latter part of the dynasty, however, Korea's isolationist policy earned it the Western nickname the "[[Hermit kingdom]]". By the late 19th century, the country became the object of the colonial designs of [[Japan]]. In 1910, Korea was [[Korea under Japanese rule|invaded by Japan]] and remained so until the end of [[World War II]] in August 1945.

In 1945, the [[Soviet Union]] and the [[United States]] agreed on the [[surrender of Japan|surrender of Japanese forces]] in Korea and Soviet troops occupied [[38th parallel north#Korea|north of the 38th parallel]], while U.S. troops took surrender south of it. This decision by allied armies soon became the basis for the [[division of Korea]] by the two [[superpower]]s, exacerbated by their inability to agree on the terms of Korean independence. The two [[Cold War]] rivals then established governments sympathetic to their own ideologies, leading to Korea's current division into two political entities: North Korea and South Korea. The [[Korean War|ensuing conflict]] between the two was largely a [[proxy war]].

North Korea, officially the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, is a [[single-party state]] with a [[Planned economy|centrally planned]] industrial economy. South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea, is a [[capitalism|free market]], [[democracy|democratic]], and [[developed country]] with membership in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development ([[OECD]]) and the [[G-20 major economies|Group of Twenty]].

==Etymology==
{{Main|Names of Korea}}
{{See also|Korean romanisation}}
"Korea" derives from the [[Goryeo]] period of [[Korean history]], which in turn referred to the ancient kingdom of [[Goguryeo]], the first Korean dynasty visited by [[Persian people|Persian]] merchants who referred to Koryŏ (Goryeo) (고려) as Korea.<ref>Yunn Seung-Yong, 1996, Religious culture of Korea, Muslims earlier contact with Korea, Elizabeth NJ, Hollym International Corp, 99</ref> Koryŏ (Goryeo) is also the name of [[Goguryeo]], which changed its name to Koryŏ (Goryeo) in the 5th century (during the reign of King [[Jangsu of Goguryeo]]). Korea is now commonly used in English contexts by both North and South Korea. In the [[Korean language]], Korea as a whole is referred to as ''Han-guk'' (한국) in South Korea, and ''Chosŏn'' (조선) in North Korea. The latter name, also Romanised ''Joseon'', is from the [[Joseon Dynasty]] and the earlier [[Gojoseon]]. "The Land of the Morning Calm" is an [[English language]] title for the country loosely derived from the [[hanja]] characters for ''Joseon''.

==History==
{{Main|History of Korea}}
{{See also|History of North Korea|History of South Korea}}
<!--Note: this is a short summary. Do not add details here: please expand content in the main article (History of Korea) -->
{{History of Korea|left}}

===Prehistory and Gojoseon===
{{Main|Prehistoric Korea|Gojoseon}}
The Korean Academy of North America discovered ancient hominid fossils originating from about 100,000 BC in the lava at a stone city site in Korea. Fluorescent and high-magnetic analyses indicate the volcanic fossils may be from as early as 300,000 BC.<ref>{{cite web|author=Author:&nbsp; Li Jie |url=http://www.pureinsight.org/node/1065 |title=Some Discoveries of Fossils and Relics of Prehistoric Civilizations From Around the World |publisher=Pureinsight |date=2002-08-21 |accessdate=2009-11-03}}</ref> The best preserved Korean pottery goes back to the [[paleolithic]] times around 10,000 BC, and the [[Neolithic]] period begins around 6000 BC.

[[Gojoseon]]'s founding legend describes [[Dangun]], a descendent of heaven, as establishing the kingdom in 2333 BC<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.asianinfo.org/asianinfo/korea/history.htm |title=Go-Choson |publisher=Asianinfo.org |date= |accessdate=2009-11-03}}</ref> until the fall in 108 BC, although no evidence has been found that supports whatever facts may lie beneath this myth.<ref>Mary E. Connor, "The Korea, A global studies handbook", 2002, pp. 10</ref>

The original capital may have been at the [[Manchuria]]-Korea border,<ref>Kim Djun-Kil, 2005, The Greenwood histories of Modern nations; History of Korea, Westport CT, Greenwood publishing company, 15-16.</ref> but was later moved to what is today [[Pyongyang]], North Korea. In 108 BC, the Chinese [[Han Dynasty]] defeated [[Wiman Joseon]] and installed the [[Four Commanderies of Han]] in the area of the northwestern Korean Peninsula and part of the Liaodong Peninsula,<ref>http://www.chinaheritagequarterly.org/scholarship.php?searchterm=011_contested_domains.inc&issue=011</ref> leaving many smaller kingdoms and confederacies in the southern and eastern parts of the peninsula. By 75 BC, three of those commanderies had fallen, but the [[Lelang Commandery]] remained as a center of cultural and economic exchange with successive Chinese dynasties until 313, when it fell to [[Goguryeo]].<!--Note: this is a short summary. Do not add details here: please expand content on the main article (History of Korea) -->

===Proto–Three Kingdoms===
{{Main|Proto–Three Kingdoms of Korea}}
The Proto–Three Kingdoms period, sometimes called the Several States Period, is the earlier part of what is commonly called the [[Three Kingdoms of Korea|Three Kingdoms Period]], following the fall of [[Gojoseon]] but before [[Goguryeo]], [[Baekje]], and [[Silla]] fully developed into kingdoms.

This time period saw numerous states spring up from the former territories of Gojoseon. [[Buyeo Kingdom|Buyeo]] arose in today's North Korea and southern [[Manchuria]], from about the 2nd century BC to 494. Its remnants were absorbed by [[Goguryeo]] in 494, and both Goguryeo and [[Baekje]], two of the [[Three Kingdoms of Korea]], considered themselves its successor. [[Okjeo]] and [[Dongye]] of northern Korea were eventually absorbed into the growing [[Goguryeo]].

Located in the southern part of the [[Korean Peninsula]], [[Samhan]] refers to the three confederacies of [[Mahan confederacy|Mahan]], [[Jinhan confederacy|Jinhan]], and [[Byeonhan confederacy|Byeonhan]]. Mahan was the largest and consisted of 54 states. Byeonhan and Jinhan both consisted of twelve states, bringing a total of 78 states within the Samhan. These three confederacies eventually developed into [[Baekje]], [[Silla]], and [[Gaya confederacy|Gaya]].

===Three Kingdoms===
[[File:Anapji Pond-Gyeongju-Korea-2006-09.jpg|left|thumb|[[Anapji]] (Anap Pond) in [[Gyeongju Historic Areas]].]]
{{Main|Three Kingdoms of Korea}}
The [[Three Kingdoms of Korea]] ([[Goguryeo]], [[Silla]], and [[Baekje]]) dominated the peninsula and parts of Manchuria at beginning of the 1st century AD. They competed with each other both economically and militarily.

[[Goguryeo]] united [[Buyeo Kingdom|Buyeo]], [[Okjeo]], [[Dongye]] and other states in the former Gojoseon territory.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.asianinfo.org/asianinfo/korea/history.htm |title=Koguryo |publisher=Asianinfo.org |date= |accessdate=2009-11-03}}</ref> Goguryeo was the most dominant power; it reached its zenith in the 5th century, when reign of the [[Gwanggaeto the Great of Goguryeo|Gwanggaeto the Great]] and his son, [[Jangsu of Goguryeo|Jangsu]] expanded territory into almost all of Manchuria and part of inner Mongolia, and took the [[Seoul]] region from Baekje. Gwanggaeto and Jangsu subdued Baekje and Silla during their times. After the 7th century, Goguryeo was constantly at war with the [[Sui Dynasty|Sui]] and [[Tang Dynasty|Tang]] dynasties of China.

Founded around modern day [[Seoul]], the southwestern kingdom [[Baekje]] expanded far beyond [[Pyongyang]] during the peak of its powers in the 4th century. It had absorbed all of the Mahan states and subjugated most of the western Korean peninsula (including the modern provinces of [[Gyeonggi]], [[Chungcheong-do|Chungcheong]], and [[Jeolla]], as well as part of [[Hwanghae]] and [[Gangwon-do (South Korea)|Gangwon]]) to a centralised government. Baekje acquired Chinese culture and technology through contacts with the [[Southern Dynasties]] during the expansion of its territory. Historic evidence suggests that Japanese culture, art, and language was strongly influenced by the kingdom of Baekje and Korea itself.<ref>[[Metropolitan Museum of Art]] [http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/yayo/hd_yayo.htm] "Metallurgy was also introduced from the Asian mainland during this time. Bronze and iron were used to make weapons, armor, tools, and ritual implements such as bells (dotaku)"</ref><ref>[[Choson Sinbo]] "Kitora Tomb Originates in Koguryo Murals" By Chon Ho Chon [http://www1.korea-np.co.jp/pk/035th_issue/98032502.htm]</ref><ref>http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/prehistory/japan/yayoi/yayoi.html</ref><ref>http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2131.html</ref><ref>http://www.asiasocietymuseum.com/</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Pottery - MSN Encarta <!-- BOT GENERATED TITLE -->|url=http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761568150_4/Pottery.html|work=|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/query?id=1257012851343397|archivedate=2009-10-31|deadurl=yes}}</ref><ref>http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2046.html</ref><ref>http://books.google.com/books?vid=ISBN4770029780&id=hhOj8JrLQBMC&pg=PA218&lpg=PA218&q=korean&vq=korean&dq=japanese+pottery+sue&sig=qwA36UHFscvAvtia-F0_-RYycW8#PPA219,M1</ref><ref name="www2.kenyon.edu">http://www2.kenyon.edu/Depts/Religion/Fac/Adler/Reln275/Jap-Kor-art.htm</ref><ref name="www2.kenyon.edu"/><ref>http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/04/080428-ancient-tomb.html</ref>

Although later records claim that [[Silla]], in the southeast, was the oldest of the three kingdoms, it is now believed to have been the last kingdom to develop. By the 2nd century, Silla existed as a large state, occupying and influencing nearby city states. Silla began to gain power when it annexed the [[Gaya confederacy]] in AD 562. The Gaya confederacy was located between Baekje and Silla. The three kingdoms of Korea often warred with each other and Silla often faced pressure from Baekje and Goguryeo but at various times Silla also allied with Baekje and Goguryeo in order to gain dominance over the peninsula.

In 660, King [[Muyeol of Silla]] ordered his armies to attack [[Baekje]]. General [[Kim Yu-shin]] (Gim Yu-sin), aided by [[Tang dynasty|Tang]] forces, conquered Baekje. In 661, Silla and Tang moved on [[Goguryeo]] but were repelled. King [[Munmu of Silla|Munmu]], son of Muyeol and nephew of General Kim launched another campaign in 667 and Goguryeo fell in the following year.<!--Note: this is a short summary. Do not add details here: please expand content on the main article (History of Korea) -->

===North-South States Period===
{{Main|North South States Period|Unified Silla|Balhae}}
In the 5th, 6th, and 7th centuries, Silla's power gradually extended across the Korean Peninsula. Silla first annexed the adjacent [[Gaya confederacy]]. By the 660s, Silla formed an alliance with the Tang Dynasty of China to conquer Baekje and later Goguryeo. After repelling Chinese forces, Silla partially unified the Peninsula, beginning a period often called [[Unified Silla]].

In the north, former Goguryeo General [[Dae Joyeong]] led a group of Goguryeo refugees to the [[Jilin]] area in Manchuria and founded [[Balhae]] (698 - 926) as the successor to Goguryeo. At its height, Balhae's territory extended from northern Manchuria down to the northern provinces of modern-day Korea. Balhae was destroyed by the [[Khitan people|Khitan]]s in 926.

Unified Silla fell apart in the late 9th century, giving way to the tumultuous [[Later Three Kingdoms of Korea|Later Three Kingdoms period]] (892-935). [[Goryeo]] unified the Later Three Kingdoms and absorbed Balhae refugees.

===Goryeo===
{{Main|Goryeo}}
The country [[Goryeo]] was founded in 918 and replaced Silla as the ruling dynasty of Korea. ("Goryeo" is a short form of "Goguryeo" and the source of the English name "Korea".) The dynasty lasted until 1392.

During this period laws were codified, and a civil service system was introduced. [[Buddhism]] flourished, and spread throughout the peninsula. The development of [[celadon]] industry flourished in 12th and 13th century. The publication of [[Tripitaka Koreana]] onto 80,000 wooden blocks and the invention of the world's first movable-metal-type [[printing press]] in 13th century attest to Goryeo's cultural achievements.

Their dynasty was threatened by [[Mongol invasions of Korea|Mongol invasions]] from the 1230s into the 1270s, but the dynastic line continued to survive until 1392 since they negotiated a treaty with the Mongols that kept its sovereign power.

In 1350s, [[Gongmin of Goryeo|King Gongmin]] was free at last to reform a Goryeo government. Gongmin had various problems that needed to be dealt with, which included the removal of pro-Mongol aristocrats and military officials, the question of land holding, and quelling the growing animosity between the Buddhists and [[Confucian]] scholars.

===Joseon Dynasty===
[[File:Gyeongbok-gung palace-05 (xndr).jpg|thumb|The [[Gyeongbokgung]] Palace]]
{{Main|Joseon Dynasty}}
In 1392, the general [[Taejo of Joseon|Yi Seong-gye]] established the [[Joseon Dynasty]] (1392–1910) with a largely bloodless coup. He named it the [[Joseon Dynasty]] in honor of the previous Joseon before (Gojoseon is the first Joseon. "Go", meaning "old", was added to distinguish between the two).

[[Taejo of Joseon|King Taejo]] moved the capital to [[Hanseong]] (formerly Hanyang; modern-day [[Seoul]]) and built the [[Gyeongbokgung]] palace. In 1394 he adopted [[Confucianism]] as the country's official religion, resulting in much loss of power and wealth by the Buddhists. The prevailing philosophy was [[Neo-Confucianism]].

Joseon experienced advances in science and culture. [[Sejong the Great of Joseon|King Sejong the Great]] (1418–1450) promulgated [[hangul]], the Korean alphabet. The period saw various other cultural and technological advances as well as the dominance of neo-Confucianism over the entire peninsula. Slaves, ''[[nobi]]'', are estimated to have accounted for about one third of the population of Joseon Korea.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.britannica.com/blackhistory/article-24156 |title=Encyclopædia Britannica&nbsp;— Slavery |publisher=Britannica.com |date= |accessdate=2009-11-03}}</ref>

Between 1592 and 1598, the [[Imjin War|Japanese invaded Korea]]. [[Toyotomi Hideyoshi]] ordered the forces and tried to invade [[Asia|the Asian continent]] through Korea, but was completely defeated by a [[Righteous army]], Admiral [[Yi Sun-sin]] and assistance from [[Ming China]]. This war also saw the rise of the career of Admiral [[Yi Sun-sin]] with the "[[turtle ship]]". In the 1620s and 1630s Joseon suffered [[Manchu invasion of Korea|invasions by the Manchu]].

After [[Second Manchu invasion of Korea|invasions from Manchuria]], Joseon experienced a nearly 200-year period of peace. [[Yeongjo of Joseon|King Yeongjo]] and [[Jeongjo of Joseon|King Jeongjo]] led a new renaissance of the Joseon dynasty.

However, during the last years of the Joseon Dynasty, Korea's isolationist policy earned it the name the "[[Hermit Kingdom]]", primarily for protection against Western [[imperialism]] before it was forced to open trade beginning an era leading into [[Korea under Japanese rule|Japanese colonial rule]]. <!--Note: this is a short summary. Do not add details here: please expand content on the main article (History of Korea) -->

===Korean Empire===
[[File:Taegukgi.jpg|thumb|The earliest surviving depiction of the Korean / South Korean flag was printed in a US Navy book ''Flags of Maritime Nations'' in July 1889.]]
{{Main|Korean Empire}}
Beginning in the 1870s, Japan began to force Korea out of the Manchu Qing Dynasty's traditional sphere of influence into its own. As a result of the Sino-Japanese War (1894–1895), the Qing Dynasty had to give up such a position according to Article 1 of the [[Treaty of Shimonoseki]], which was concluded between China and Japan in 1895. That same year, [[Empress Myeongseong]] was assassinated by Japanese agents.<ref name="autogenerated3">[http://www.kimsoft.com/2002/jp-rape.htm Murder of Empress Myeongseong]</ref>

In 1897, the Joseon dynasty proclaimed the [[Korean Empire]] (1897–1910), and King Gojong became [[Gojong of the Korean Empire|Emperor Gojong]]. This brief period saw the partially successful modernisation of the military, economy, real property laws, education system, and various industries, influenced by the political encroachment into Korea of Russia, Japan, France, and the United States.

In 1904, the [[Russo-Japanese War]] pushed the Russians out of the fight for Korea. In [[Manchuria]] on October 26, 1909, [[An Jung-geun]] assassinated the former [[Governor-General of Korea|Resident-General of Korea]], [[Itō Hirobumi]] for his role in trying to force Korea into occupation.

===Japanese occupation===
[[File:March 1st movement.jpg|left|thumb|The memorial tablet for [[March 1st movement]] in Pagoda Park, Seoul.]]
{{Main|Korea under Japanese rule}}
{{See also|Japanese war crimes}}
In 1910, an already militarily occupied Korea was a forced party to the [[Japan-Korea Annexation Treaty]]. The treaty was signed by [[Lee Wan-Yong]], who was given the General Power of Attorney by the Emperor. However, the Emperor is said to have not actually ratified the treaty according to Yi Tae-jin.<ref>"서울대이태진교수의동경대생들에게들려준한국사 : 메이지일본의한국침략사", Yi Tae-jin (2005) ISBN 89-7626-999-3</ref> There is a long dispute whether this treaty was legal or illegal due to its signing under duress, threat of force and bribes.

Korean resistance to the brutal Japanese occupation<ref>[http://www.bartleby.com/67/2488.html 4. Korea, 1910–1945. 2001. The Encyclopedia of World History<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Korea&nbsp;— MSN Encarta<!-- Bot generated title -->|url=http://uk.encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761557519_2/Korea.html|work=|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5kwsOHE78|archivedate=2009-10-31|deadurl=yes}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Mar 10, 2005 |url=http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Japan/GC10Dh01.html |title=Asia Times Online :: Japan News and Japanese Business and Economy |publisher=Atimes.com |date=2005-03-10 |accessdate=2009-11-03}}</ref> was manifested in the nonviolent [[March 1st Movement]] of 1919, where 7,000 demonstrators were killed by Japanese police and military.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9050797?query=march%20first%20movement&ct= |title=March 1st Movement |publisher=Britannica.com |date=1919-03-01 |accessdate=2009-11-03}}</ref> The [[Korean independence movement|Korean liberation movement]] also spread to neighbouring [[Manchuria]] and [[Siberia]].

Over five million Koreans were conscripted for labour beginning in 1939,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hawaii.edu/powerkills/SOD.CHAP3.HTM |title=Statistics Of Japanese Genocide And Mass Murder |publisher=Hawaii.edu |date= |accessdate=2009-11-03}}</ref> and tens of thousands of men were forced into Japan's military.<ref>山脇 啓造 Yamawaki, Keizo. 近代日本と外国人労働者―1890年代後半と1920年代前半における中国人・朝鮮人労働者問題 ''Modern Japan and Foreign Laborers: Chinese and Korean Labourers in the late 1890s and early 1920s'', 明石書店 Akashi-shoten, 1994, et al. ISBN 9784750305684</ref> Close to 400,000 Korean labourers lost their lives due to the war.<ref>Werner Gruhl, ''[http://books.google.com/books?id=ow5Wlmu9MPQC&pg=PA111&dq&hl=en#v=onepage&q=&f=false Imperial Japan's World War Two, 1931-1945]'' Transaction Publishers, 2007 ISBN 978-0-7658-0352-8</ref> Approximately 200,000 girls and women,<ref>Yoshimi Yoshiaki, ''Comfort Women. Sexual Slavery in the Japanese Military During World War II''. Translated by Suzanne O'Brien. Columbia University Press, 2001, ISBN 0-231-12032-X, originally published by 岩波書店, 1995. ISBN 978-4004303848</ref> mostly from China and Korea, were forced into sexual slavery for the Japanese military.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://edition.cnn.com/2001/WORLD/asiapcf/east/03/29/japan.comfort.women.02/ | title= Japanese comfort women ruling overturned |date= March 29, 2001 |work=CNN |deadurl=yes}} {{Dead link|date=August 2010|bot=RjwilmsiBot}}</ref> In 1993, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary [[Yohei Kono]] acknowledged the terrible injustices faced by these euphemistically named "[[comfort women]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.comfort-women.org/ |title=Comfort-Women.org |publisher=Comfort-Women.org |date= |accessdate=2009-11-03}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/women/fund/state9308.html |title=Statement by the Chief Cabinet Secretary Yohei Kono on the result of the study on the issue of "comfort women" |publisher=MOFA |date=1993-08-04 |accessdate=2009-11-03}}</ref>

During the Japanese Colonial rule, the Korean language was suppressed in an effort to eradicate Korean national identity. Koreans were forced to take Japanese surnames, known as [[Sōshi-kaimei]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.han.org/a/fukuoka96a.html |title=Koreans in Japan: Past and Present |publisher=HAN |date= |accessdate=2009-11-03}}</ref> Traditional [[Korean culture]] suffered heavy losses, as numerous Korean cultural artifacts were destroyed<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lifeinkorea.com/Travel2/66 |title=Gyeongbok Palace &#124; Seoul City &#124; South Korea |publisher=Lifeinkorea.com |date= |accessdate=2009-11-03}}</ref> or taken to Japan.<ref name="Newsweek">{{cite web|url=http://www.newsweek.com/id/48765/output/print |title=Korea: A tussle over treasures&nbsp;— Who rightfully owns Korean artifacts looted by Japan? |publisher=[[Newsweek]] |accessdate=2008-06-06 |author=Kay Itoi |coauthors=B. J. Lee |date=2007-10-17}}</ref> To this day, valuable Korean artifacts can often be found in Japanese museums or among private collections.<ref>Newsweek.com. [http://msnbc.msn.com/id/6919593/site/newsweek/ Who rightfully owns Korean artifacts looted by Japan?]</ref> One investigation by the South Korean government identified 75,311 cultural assets that were taken from Korea, 34,369 in Japan and 17,803 in the [[United States]]. However, experts estimate that over 100,000 artifacts actually remain in Japan.<ref name="Newsweek" /><ref name="naver">
[http://news.naver.com/news/read.php?mode=LSD&office_id=001&article_id=0001429084 Naver.com]</ref> Japanese officials considered returning Korean cultural properties, but to date<ref name="Newsweek" /> this has not occurred.<ref name="naver" /> Korea and Japan still dispute the ownership of the [[Liancourt Rocks]], islets located east of the Korean Peninsula.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vop.co.kr/A00000206601.html |title=日독도 영유권 교육강화 방침, 2005년에 이미 발표 :: 한국의 대표 진보언론 민중의소리 |publisher=Vop.co.kr |date= |accessdate=2009-11-03}}</ref>

There was a significant level of emigration to the overseas territories of the [[Empire of Japan]] during the Japanese colonial period, including [[Korea under Japanese rule|Korea]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.columbia.edu/~hds2/BIB95/00korea_cohen.htm |title=Japanese Periodicals in Colonial Korea |publisher=Columbia.edu |date= |accessdate=2009-11-03}}</ref> By the end of [[World War II]], there were over 850,000 Japanese settlers in Korea.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.usc.edu/dept/LAS/CMTS/MonoPaper3-13.html |title=The Life Instability of Intermarried Japanese Women in Korea |publisher=Usc.edu |date= |accessdate=2009-11-03}}</ref> After World War II, most of these [[overseas Japanese]] repatriated to Japan.

===Korean War===
[[File:KoreanWar recover Seoul.jpg|thumb|Urban combat in Seoul, 1950, as US Marines fight North Koreans holding the city.]]
{{Main|Korean War}}
With the surrender of [[Japan]] in 1945 the [[United Nations]] developed plans for a trusteeship administration, the [[Soviet Union]] administering the peninsula north of the [[38th parallel north|38th parallel]] and the [[United States]] [[USAMGIK|administering the south]]. The politics of the [[Cold War]] resulted in the 1948 establishment of two separate governments, [[North Korea]] and [[South Korea]].

In June 1950 North Korea invaded the South, using Soviet tanks and weaponry. During the [[Korean War]] (1950–1953) millions of civilians died and the three years of fighting throughout the nation effectively destroyed most cities.<ref>[http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/322419/Korean-War Korean War (1950–53)]. Britannica Online Encyclopedia.</ref> Around 125,000 POWs were captured and held by the Americans and South Koreans on [[Geojedo]] (an island in the south).<ref>(Cumings 1997: 298)</ref> The war ended in an [[s:Korean Armistice Agreement|Armistice Agreement]] at approximately the [[Military Demarcation Line (Korea)|Military Demarcation Line]].

===Division of Korea===
[[File:Teheran Ave night.jpg|thumb|Gangnam-ro in [[South Korea]]]]
{{Main|Division of Korea|Korean reunification}}
The aftermath of World War II left Korea partitioned along the 38th parallel, with the north under Soviet occupation and the south under the occupation of other allied countries. Consequently, the [[Democratic People's Republic of Korea]], a Soviet-style socialist regime, was established in the north while the [[Republic of Korea]], a Western-style republic, was established in the south.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Division_of_Korea |title=Division of Korea&nbsp;— Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia |publisher=En.wikipedia.org |date= |accessdate=2009-11-03}}</ref> The Korean War broke out when Soviet-backed North Korea invaded South Korea, though neither side gained much territory as a result. The Korean Peninsula remains divided, the [[Korean Demilitarized Zone]] being the ''de facto'' border between the two states.

Since the 1960s, the South Korean economy has grown enormously and the economic structure was radically transformed. In 1957 South Korea had a lower per capita [[GDP]] than [[Ghana]],<ref>[http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/leading-article-africa-has-to-spend-carefully-407666.html Leading article: Africa has to spend carefully]. The Independent. July 13, 2006.</ref> and by 2008 it was 17 times as high as Ghana's.<ref>Data refer to the year 2008. $26,341 GDP for Korea, $1513 for Ghana. [http://imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2008/02/weodata/weorept.aspx?sy=2008&ey=2008&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&pr1.x=29&pr1.y=12&c=512%2C446%2C914%2C666%2C612%2C668%2C614%2C672%2C311%2C946%2C213%2C137%2C911%2C962%2C193%2C674%2C122%2C676%2C912%2C548%2C313%2C556%2C419%2C678%2C513%2C181%2C316%2C682%2C913%2C684%2C124%2C273%2C339%2C921%2C638%2C948%2C514%2C943%2C218%2C686%2C963%2C688%2C616%2C518%2C223%2C728%2C516%2C558%2C918%2C138%2C748%2C196%2C618%2C278%2C522%2C692%2C622%2C694%2C156%2C142%2C624%2C449%2C626%2C564%2C628%2C283%2C228%2C853%2C924%2C288%2C233%2C293%2C632%2C566%2C636%2C964%2C634%2C182%2C238%2C453%2C662%2C968%2C960%2C922%2C423%2C714%2C935%2C862%2C128%2C716%2C611%2C456%2C321%2C722%2C243%2C942%2C248%2C718%2C469%2C724%2C253%2C576%2C642%2C936%2C643%2C961%2C939%2C813%2C644%2C199%2C819%2C184%2C172%2C524%2C132%2C361%2C646%2C362%2C648%2C364%2C915%2C732%2C134%2C366%2C652%2C734%2C174%2C144%2C328%2C146%2C258%2C463%2C656%2C528%2C654%2C923%2C336%2C738%2C263%2C578%2C268%2C537%2C532%2C742%2C944%2C866%2C176%2C369%2C534%2C744%2C536%2C186%2C429%2C925%2C178%2C746%2C436%2C926%2C136%2C466%2C343%2C112%2C158%2C111%2C439%2C298%2C916%2C927%2C664%2C846%2C826%2C299%2C542%2C582%2C443%2C474%2C917%2C754%2C544%2C698%2C941&s=PPPPC&grp=0&a= World Economic Outlook Database-October 2008], [[International Monetary Fund]]. Accessed on February 14, 2009.</ref>

The [[North Korean famine]] began in 1995 and peaked in 1997. According to South Korea intelligence agency, an internal report by North Korea's Public Security Ministry estimates North Korea lost 2.5 million to 3 million lives from 1995 to March 1998.<ref>

{{Cite news|title = North Korea 'loses 3 million to famine'|newspaper = [[CNN]]|date = February 17, 1999|url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/281132.stm| work=BBC News | accessdate=2010-01-05|ref = harv|postscript = <!--None-->}}</ref>

Tensions continue to this day, but the political arena is a far more complicated one. Recently both China and Russia have expressed concerns over South Korea's provocation of North Korea by carrying out military drills on the island of [[Yeonpyeong]], which itself lies on a disputed sea border between the two countries.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-12029875 | work=BBC News | title=South Korea to go ahead with sensitive military drill | date=2010-12-19}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://articles.cnn.com/2010-11-23/world/koreas.clash.explainer_1_korean-tension-maritime-border-north-korea?_s=PM:WORLD | work=CNN | title=Report: Kim Jong Il meets Hyundai official | date=2009-08-16}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2010/11/23/us-north-korea-nuclear-idUSTRE6AM0RK20101123 | work=Reuters | title=Focus shifts to China as North Korea tensions escalate | date=2010-11-23}}</ref>

==Geography==
[[File:Korean.Seoraksan-Ulsanbawi-01.jpg|left|thumb|A view of [[Seoraksan|Mount Seorak]].]]
[[File:Daedongyeojido 1860.jpg|thumb|Daedongyeojijeondo, a map of Korea.]]
[[File:Korea-Jejudo-Coast-03.jpg|thumb|left|Jeju Island seashore.]]
{{Main|Korean Peninsula}}
{{See also|Geography of North Korea|Geography of South Korea|Provinces of Korea}}
Korea is located on the [[Korean Peninsula]] in [[North-East Asia]]. To the northwest, the Amnok River ([[Yalu River]]) separates Korea from China and to the northeast, the Duman River ([[Tumen River]]) separates Korea from China and Russia. The [[Yellow Sea]] is to the west, the [[East China Sea]] and Korea Strait is to the south, and the Sea of Japan is to the east.<ref>[http://www1.korea-np.co.jp/pk/064th_issue/98100708.htm Korean Map], The People's Korea, 1998.</ref> Notable islands include [[Jeju Island]] (Jejudo), [[Ulleung Island]] (Ulleungdo), and [[Liancourt Rocks]] (Dokdo).

The southern and western parts of the peninsula have well-developed plains, while the eastern and northern parts are mountainous. The highest mountain in Korea is [[Mount Paektu]] or Paektusan (2,744&nbsp;m), through which runs the border with China. The southern extension of Mount Paektu is a highland called [[Gaema Heights]]. This highland was mainly raised during the [[Cenozoic]] orogeny and partly covered by volcanic matter. To the south of Gaema Gowon, successive high mountains are located along the eastern coast of the peninsula. This mountain range is named [[Baekdudaegan]]. Some significant mountains include [[Sobaeksan|Mount Sobaek]] or Sobaeksan (1,439&nbsp;m), [[Mount Kumgang]] or Kumgangsan (1,638&nbsp;m), [[Seoraksan|Mount Seorak]] or Seoraksan (1,708&nbsp;m), [[Taebaeksan|Mount Taebaek]] or Taebaeksan (1,567&nbsp;m), and [[Mount Jiri]] or Jirisan (1,915&nbsp;m). There are several lower, secondary mountain series whose direction is almost perpendicular to that of Baekdudaegan. They are developed along the tectonic line of Mesozoic orogeny and their directions are basically northwest.

Unlike most ancient mountains on the mainland, many important islands in Korea were formed by volcanic activity in the Cenozoic orogeny. Jeju Island, situated off the southern coast, is a large volcanic island whose main mountain [[Mount Halla]] or Hallasan (1950&nbsp;m) is the highest in South Korea. Ulleung Island is a volcanic island in the Sea of Japan, whose composition is more felsic than Jeju-do. The volcanic islands tend to be younger, the more westward.

Because the mountainous region is mostly on the eastern part of the peninsula, the main [[Rivers of Korea|rivers]] tend to flow westwards. Two exceptions are the southward-flowing [[Nakdong River]] (Nakdonggang) and [[Seomjin River]] (Seomjingang). Important rivers running westward include the Amnok River, the [[Ch'ongch'on River|Chongchon River]] (Chongchongang), the [[Taedong River]] (Taedonggang), the [[Han River (Korea)|Han River]] (Hangang), the [[Geum River]] (Geumgang), and the [[Yeongsan River]] (Yeongsangang). These rivers have vast flood plains and provide an ideal environment for wet-rice cultivation.

The southern and southwestern coastlines of Korea form a well-developed [[ria]] coastline, known as ''Dadohae-jin'' in Korean. Its convoluted coastline provides mild seas, and the resulting calm environment allows for safe navigation, fishing, and seaweed farming. In addition to the complex coastline, the western coast of the Korean Peninsula has an extremely high tidal amplitude (at [[Incheon]], around the middle of the western coast. It can get as high as 9&nbsp;m). Vast tidal flats have been developing on the south and west coastlines.

==Demographics==
{{Main|Koreans|Demographics of South Korea|Demographics of North Korea}}
The combined population of the Koreans is about 73 million (North Korea: 23 million, South Korea: 50 million). Korea is chiefly populated by a highly [[wikt:homogeneous|homogeneous]] [[ethnic]] group, the [[Koreans]], who speak the [[Korean language]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://aparc.stanford.edu/news/koreas_ethnic_nationalism_is_a_source_of_both_pride_and_prejudice_according_to_giwook_shin_20060802/ |title=Korea's ethnic nationalism is a source of both pride and prejudice, according to Gi-Wook Shin |publisher=Aparc.stanford.edu |date= |accessdate=2009-11-03}}</ref> The number of foreigners living in Korea has also steadily increased since the late 20th century, particularly in South Korea, where more than 1 million foreigners currently reside.<ref>[http://articles.latimes.com/2009/feb/24/world/fg-korea-teach24 Trying to teach South Korea about discrimination]. Los Angeles Times. February 24, 2009.</ref> It is estimated that only 26,700 of the old [[Ethnic Chinese in Korea|Chinese community]] now remain in South Korea.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_national/152641.html|date=2006-08-29|accessdate=2006-12-08|title=No 'real' Chinatown in S. Korea, the result of xenophobic attitudes|last=Kim|first=Hyung-jin|publisher=Yonhap News}}</ref> However, in recent years, immigration from mainland China has increased; 624,994 persons of [[People's Republic of China|Chinese]] nationality have immigrated to South Korea, including 443,566 of [[Ethnic Koreans in China|ethnic Korean]] descent.<ref name="million">{{cite web|url=http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2009/08/06/2009080600243.html|title=More Than 1 Million Foreigners Live in Korea|work=Chosun Ilbo|date=2009-08-06|accessdate=2009-08-16}}</ref> Small communities of ethnic Chinese and [[Japanese people in North Korea|Japanese]] are also found in North Korea.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/kn.html |title=CIA&nbsp;— The World Factbook&nbsp;— Korea, North |publisher=Cia.gov |date= |accessdate=2009-11-03}}</ref>

===Language===
[[File:Hunmin jeong-eum.jpg|thumb|''[[Hunmin jeong-eum]]'', afterwards called [[Hangul]].]]
{{Main|Korean language|Hangul}}
[[Korean language|Korean]] is the official language of both North and South Korea, and (along with Mandarin) of [[Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture]] in Manchuria area of China. Worldwide, there are up to 80 million speakers of the Korean language. South Korea has around 50 million speakers while North Korea around 23 million. Other large groups of Korean speakers are found in [[People's Republic of China|China]] (around 1.8 million speakers), the [[United States]] (around 900,000 speakers), the former [[Soviet Union]] (around 350,000), [[Japan]] (around 700,000), [[Canada]] (100,000), [[Malaysia]] (70,000) and [[Australia]] (150,000). It is estimated that there are around 700,000 people scattered across the world who are able to speak Korean because of job requirements (for example, salespersons or businessmen with Korean contacts), marriages to Koreans or out of pure interest in the language. {{Citation needed|date=February 2008}}

The genealogical [[Korean language#Classification|classification]] of Korean is debated. Some linguists place it in the [[Altaic languages|Altaic]] language family; others consider it to be a [[language isolate]]. Korean is [[agglutinative language|agglutinative]] in its morphology and [[subject–object–verb|SOV]] in its [[syntax]]. Like [[Japanese language|Japanese]] and [[Vietnamese language|Vietnamese]], Korean has borrowed much vocabulary from the [[Chinese language|Chinese]] or created vocabulary on Chinese models.

Modern Korean is written almost exclusively in the [[Hangul]] script, which was invented in the 15th century. While Hangul may appear [[logographic]], it is actually a [[phonemic]] alphabet organised into [[syllable|syllabic]] blocks. Each block consists of at least two of the 24 hangul letters (''[[hangul#Jamo|jamo]]''): at least one each of the 14 [[consonant]]s and 10 [[vowel]]s. Historically, the alphabet had several additional letters (see [[hangul#Obsolete jamo|obsolete jamo]]). For a phonological description of the letters, see [[Korean phonology]]. [[Hanja]] (Chinese characters) and [[Latin alphabet]]s are sometimes included within Hangul texts, particularly in South Korea.

==Culture and arts==
[[File:Korea south kangnung kyongpodae.jpg|thumb|Korean Buddhist architecture]]
[[File:Korean sword dance-Jinju geommu-03.jpg|thumb|Traditional Korean dance (''Jinju geommu'')]]
{{Main|Culture of Korea|Korean art|Korean pottery|Korean martial arts|Korean dance|Korean bow|Korean architecture}}
In ancient Chinese texts, Korea is referred to as "Rivers and Mountains Embroidered on Silk" ({{lang|ko|금수강산}}, {{linktext|錦|繡|江|山}}) and "Eastern Nation of Decorum" ({{lang|ko|동방예의지국}}, {{linktext|東|方|禮|儀|之|國}}).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://100.naver.com/100.nhn?docid=714173|title=대한민국의 국호|work=Naver Encyclope]}}</ref> Individuals are regarded as one year old when they are born, as Koreans reckon the pregnancy period as one year of life for infants, and age increments increase on [[Korean New Year|New Year's Day]] rather than on the anniversary of birthdays. Thus, one born immediately before New Year's Day may only be a few days old in western reckoning, but two years old in Korea. Accordingly, a Korean person's stated age (at least among fellow Koreans) will be one or two years more than their age according to western reckoning. However, western reckoning is sometimes applied with regard to the concept of [[legal age]]; for example, the legal age for purchasing alcohol or cigarettes in the Republic of Korea is 19, which is measured according to western reckoning.

=== Literature ===
{{Main|Korean literature}}
Korean literature written before the end of the [[Joseon Dynasty]] is called "Classical" or "Traditional." Literature, written in Chinese characters ([[hanja]]), was established at the same time as the Chinese script arrived on the peninsula. Korean scholars were writing poetry in the classical Korean style as early as the 2nd century BC, reflecting Korean thoughts and experiences of that time. Classical Korean literature has its roots in traditional folk beliefs and folk tales of the peninsula, strongly influenced by [[Confucianism]], [[Buddhism]] and [[Taoism]].

Modern literature is often linked with the development of [[hangul]], which helped spread literacy from the aristocracy to the common people and women. Hangul, however, only reached a dominant position in Korean literature in the second half of the 19th century, resulting in a major growth in Korean literature. ''Sinsoseol'', for instance, are novels written in hangul.

The [[Korean War]] led to the development of literature centered on the wounds and chaos of [[war]]. Much of the post-war literature in South Korea deals with the daily lives of ordinary people, and their struggles with national pain. The collapse of the traditional Korean value system is another common theme of the time.

===Religion===
[[File:Goryeo Buddhist painting.jpg|thumb|''Amitabha and Eight Great Bodhisattvas'', Goryeo scroll from the 1300s]]
{{Main|Religion in Korea|Religion in South Korea|Religion in North Korea}}
{{See also|Korean shamanism|Korean Confucianism|Korean Buddhism|Taoism in Korea|Christianity in Korea|Islam in Korea}}
[[Confucian]] tradition has dominated Korean thought, along with contributions by [[Buddhism]], [[Taoism]], and [[Korean Shamanism]]. Since the middle of the 20th century, however, [[Christianity]] has competed with Buddhism in South Korea, while religious practice has been suppressed in North Korea. Throughout Korean history and culture, regardless of separation; the influence of traditional beliefs of Korean Shamanism, Mahayana Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism have remained an underlying religion of the Korean people as well as a vital aspect of their culture; all these traditions have coexisted peacefully for hundreds of years up to today despite strong Westernisation from [[Christian]] missionary conversions in the South<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.korea.net/korea/kor_loca.asp?code=U05 |title=About Korea&nbsp;— Religion |publisher=Korea.net |date= |accessdate=2009-11-03 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20080731234901/http://www.korea.net/korea/kor_loca.asp?code=U05 |archivedate = July 31, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.everyculture.com/wc/Japan-to-Mali/South-Koreans.html |title=South Koreans |publisher=Every Culture |date= |accessdate=2009-11-03}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.everyculture.com/Ja-Ma/South-Korea.html |title=Culture of South Korea |publisher=Every Culture |date= |accessdate=2009-11-03}}</ref> or the pressure from [[Communism]]'s [[Juche]] [[Government of North Korea|government]] in the North.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.everyculture.com/Ja-Ma/North-Korea.html |title=Culture of North Korea |publisher=Every Culture |date= |accessdate=2009-11-03}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/kn.html#People |title=CIA The World Factbook&nbsp;— North Korea |publisher=Cia.gov |date= |accessdate=2009-11-03}}</ref>

According to 2005 statistics compiled by the South Korean government, about 46% of citizens profess to follow no particular religion. [[Christianity in Korea|Christians]] account for 29.2% of the population (of which are Protestants 18.3% and Catholics 10.9%) and [[Korean Buddhism|Buddhists]] 22.8%.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2008/108411.htm |title=International Religious Freedom Report 2008 - Korea, Republic of |publisher=State.gov |date= |accessdate=2009-11-03}}</ref>

[[Islam in South Korea]] is practiced by about 45,000 natives (about 0.09% of the population) in addition to some 100,000 foreign workers from Muslim countries.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.islamawareness.net/Asia/KoreaSouth/ks_news002.html |title=The Korea Times:Islam takes root and blooms |publisher=Islamawareness.net |date=2002-11-22 |accessdate=2009-11-03}}</ref>

===Cuisine===
[[File:Korean cuisine-Bibimbap-08.jpg|thumb|left|[[dolsotbibimbap|Dolsot Bibimbab]]]]
{{Main|Korean cuisine}}
{{See also|Korean tea ceremony|Korean royal court cuisine}}
Korean cuisine is probably best known for [[kimchi]], a side dish which uses a distinctive [[fermentation (food)|fermentation]] process of preserving vegetables, most commonly cabbage. Kimchi is said to relieve the pores on the skin, thereby reducing wrinkles and providing nutrients to the skin naturally. It is also healthy, as it provides necessary vitamins and nutrients. [[Gochujang]] (Korean traditional sauce made of red pepper) is also commonly used, often as pepper (chilli) paste, earning the cuisine a reputation for being spicy.
{{Infobox Korean name|
img=Korean.food-Kimbap-03.jpg|caption=Platter of sliced gimbap|220px|
hangul=김밥|
rr=gimbap|
mr=kimbap|
}}
[[Bulgogi]] (roasted marinated meat, usually beef), [[galbi]] (marinated grilled short ribs), and [[samgyeopsal]] (pork belly) are popular meat entrees. Fish is also a popular commodity, as it is the traditional meat that Koreans eat. Meals are usually accompanied by a soup or stew, such as [[galbitang]] (stewed ribs) and [[doenjang jjigae]] (fermented bean paste soup). The center of the table is filled with a shared collection of sidedishes called [[banchan]].

Other popular dishes include [[bibimbap]] which literally means "mixed rice" (rice mixed with meat, vegetables, and red pepper paste) and [[naengmyeon]] (cold noodles).

A popular [[Korean cuisine#Korean snacks|Korean dish]]<ref>
[http://books.google.com/books?id=bXOkrgcMX6EC&pg=PA80&dq=kimbap+popular&sig=ACfU3U1djstrtqLc6W-02jSTH2ymJMnGsA Kimbap], excerpt from Andrew J. Luxner's ''American English: A Teachers's Journey in Seoul, South Korea''. Golden Hill Books, San Diego. ISBN 0-9760748-1-8
</ref> is '''''[[gimbab]]''''' (also '''''kimbap'''''), made from steamed white rice (''bap'') and various other ingredients including meat and vegetables. This is rolled in [[gim (food)|gim]] (sheets of dried laver seaweed) and served in bite-size slices.<ref name="gimbap doosan">{{ko}} [http://100.naver.com/100.nhn?docid=775335 Gimbap] at [[Doosan Encyclopedia]]</ref> Gimbap is often eaten during picnics or outdoor events, or as a light lunch, served with [[takuan|danmuji]] or [[kimchi]].<ref name="gimbap nate">{{ko}} [http://100.nate.com/dicsearch/pentry.html?s=K&i=244176&v=43 Gimbap] at Encyclopedia of Korean Culture</ref> While an increasingly wide variety of ingredients are used in gimbap, fish (raw or cooked) is rarely used, perhaps due to gimbap's origin as a portable, packable snack, as fish could quickly spoil if not refrigerated.

Instant noodles are also a very popular snack food. Koreans also enjoy food from ''[[pojangmacha]]s'' (street vendors), where one can buy [[tteokbokki]] (rice cake and fish cake with a spicy gochujang sauce), fried squid and glazed sweet potato. [[Sundae (Korean food)|Soondae]], a sausage made of cellophane noodles and pork blood, is widely eaten. There is also an instant noodle called "Ramyun" which is spicy for non-Koreans.

Additionally, some of other common snacks includes "[[Choco Pie]]", shrimp cracker, "bbungtigi" (fried rice cracker), and "nu lung ji" (slightly burnt rice). Nu lung ji can be eaten as it is or boiled with water to make a soup. Nu lung ji can be eaten as a snack or a dessert.

==Education==
{{Main|Education in North Korea|Education in South Korea}}
The modern Korean school system consists of six years in elementary school, three years in middle school, and three years in high school. Students are required to go to elementary and middle school, and do not have to pay for their education, except for a small fee called a "School Operation Support Fee" that differs from school to school. The [[Programme for International Student Assessment]], coordinated by the [[OECD]], currently ranks South Korea's science education as the third best in the world and being significantly higher than the OECD average.<ref>[http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/42/8/39700724.pdf OECD.org]</ref>

Korea also ranks second on math and literature and first in problem solving. Although South Korean students often rank high on international comparative tests, the education system is sometimes criticised for its emphasis on passive learning and memorization. The Korean education system is much more strict and structured than the education systems of most Western societies. Also, high cost and dependence on non-school private institutions ([[Hagwon]] (학원)), a for-profit private institute, academy or cram-school prevalent in South Korea, is criticised as a major social problem. After students enter university, however, the situation is markedly reversed.

==Science and technology==
[[File:SelectedTeachingsofBuddhistSagesandSonMasters1377.jpg|thumb|''[[Jikji]]'', ''Selected Teachings of Buddhist Sages and Seon Masters'', the earliest known book printed with movable metal type, 1377. Bibliothèque Nationale de Paris.]]
{{Main|Science and technology in Korea}}
One of the best known artifacts of Korea's history of science and technology is [[Cheomseongdae]] (첨성대, {{linktext|瞻|星|臺}}), a 9.4-meter high observatory built in 634.

The earliest known surviving Korean example of woodblock printing is the [[Seokgatap#National treasure No.126|Mugujeonggwang Great Dharani Sutra]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cha.go.kr/english/search_plaza/ECulresult_Db_View.jsp?VdkVgwKey=11,01260000,37 |title=Cultural Heritage, the source for Koreans' Strength and Dream |publisher=Cha.go.kr |date= |accessdate=2009-11-03}}</ref> It is believed to have been printed in Korea in 750-751 AD which, if correct, would make it older than the [[Diamond Sutra]]. Goryeo silk was highly regarded by Westerners and Korean [[pottery]] made with blue-green [[celadon]] was of the highest quality and sought after by even Arabian merchants. Goryeo had a bustling economy with a capital that was frequented by merchants from all over the known world.

During the [[Joseon Dynasty|Joseon]] period the [[Geobukseon]] ([[turtle Ship]]) was invented, which were covered by a wooden deck and iron with thorns,<ref name="Hawley 2005, 195f.">{{cite book |last=Hawley |first=Samuel |title=The Imjin War. Japan's Sixteenth-Century Invasion of Korea and Attempt to Conquer China |publisher=The Royal Asiatic Society, Korea Branch |location=Seoul |year=2005 |isbn=89-954424-2-5 |pages=195f }}</ref><ref name="Turnbull 2002, 244">{{cite book |last=Turnbull |first=Stephen |title=Samurai Invasion. Japan’s Korean War 1592-98 |location=London |year=2002 |publisher=Cassell & Co |isbn=0-304-35948-3 |page=244 }}</ref><ref name="Roh 2004, 13">{{cite journal |last=Roh |first=Young-koo |title=Yi Sun-shin, an Admiral Who Became a Myth |journal=The Review of Korean Studies |volume=7 |issue=3 |year=2004 |pages=15–36 |url=http://review.aks.ac.kr/AttachedFiles/7-3-1-Yi%20Sun-shin,%20an%20Admiral%20Who%20Became%20a%20Myth.pdf }}</ref> as well as other weapons such as the [[Korean cannon|bigyeokjincheolloe cannon]] (비격진천뢰, {{linktext|飛|擊|震|天|雷}}) and the [[hwacha]].

The Korean alphabet [[hangul]] was also invented during this time by [[Sejong the Great of Joseon|King Sejong the Great]].

==Sport==
{{Main|Sport in South Korea|Sport in North Korea}}
While [[association football]] remains one of the most popular sports in Korea, the martial art of [[taekwondo]] is still considered to be the national traditional sport. [[Baseball]] is also increasing in popularity.

===Taekwondo===
{{Main|Taekwondo}}
[[Taekwondo]] is the national sport of Korea and one of the country's most famous sports. According to ancient Korean history, soldiers learned taekwondo as a principal source of physical training. It combines combat techniques, self-defense, sport, exercise and in some cases meditation and philosophy. Taekwondo has become an official Olympic sport, starting as a demonstration event in 1988 and becoming an official medal event in 2000.

===Hapkido===
{{Main|Hapkido}}
Hapkido is a [[Korean martial arts|Korean martial art]] similar to [[Jujutsu]] that employs joint locks, throws, kicks, punches and other striking attacks like attacks against pressure points. Hapkido emphasizes circular motion, non-resisting movements and control of the opponent. Practitioners seek to gain advantage through footwork and body positioning to employ leverage, avoiding the pure use of strength against strength.

===Ssireum===
{{Main|Ssireum}}
[[Ssireum]] is a form of wrestling that has been practiced in Korea for thousands of years, with evidence discovered from the Three Kingdoms Period (57 BC to 688). Ssireum is the traditional national sport of Korea. During a match, opponents grip each other by sash belts wrapped around the waist and the thigh, attempting to throw their competitor to the sandy ground of the ring. The first opponent to touch the ground with any body part above the knee or to lose hold of their opponent loses the round.

Ssireum competitions are traditionally held twice a year, during the [[Dano (Korean festival)|Tano Festival]] (the 5th day of the fifth lunar month) and [[Chuseok]] (the 15th day of the 8th lunar month). Competitions are also held throughout the year as a part of festivals and other events.

==See also==
{{satop|Geography|Eurasia|Asia|East Asia|Korea}}
*[[Famous Korean people]]
*[[Inter-Korean Summit]]
*[[Korean name]]
*[[List of rulers of Korea]]
*[[National treasures of North Korea]]
*[[National treasures of South Korea]]
{{clear}}

== Notes ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

== References ==

{{Refbegin}}
*Cumings, Bruce. ''Korea's Place in the Sun'', Norton, 1997. ISBN 0-393-31681-5
*Kim, et al. ''Women of Korea: A History from Ancient Times to 1945'', Ewha Women's University Press, 1976. ISBN 89-7300-116-7.
*[http://www.asianinfo.org/asianinfo/korea/history.htm Asian Info website]
*[http://www.parksassociates.com/press/press_releases/2005/gdl6.html Park's Associates]
*[http://ed.sjtu.edu.cn/rank/2007/ARWU2007TOP500list.htm STJI.edu.cn]
*[http://www.umsl.edu/services/govdocs/wofact2005/geos/ks.html#People UMSL.edu]
*[http://www.diamond-dilemma.com/kor/doc/TariqHussain_KoreaHerald_5Mar2007.pdf Diamond-dilemma.com]
*[http://www.worknplay.co.kr/korea-information/ Korea Expat Community WorknPlay's Korea information page]
*{{Cite journal | last = Mitchell | first = Richard H | title = George Hicks. The Comfort Women: Japan's Brutal Regime of Enforced Prostitution in the Second World War | journal = The American Historical Review | volume = 102 | issue = [http://www.historycooperative.org/journals/jstor/ahr/ahr–102–2–toc.html 2] | month = April | year = 1997 | page = 503 | doi = 10.2307/2170934 | publisher = American Historical Association | last2 = Hicks | first2 = George | ref = harv | postscript = <!--None--> | jstor = 2170934}} (Review of {{Harvnb|Hicks|1997}}).
{{Refend}}

==Further reading==
*Chun, Tuk Chu. "Korea in the Pacific Community". ''Social Education'' 52 (March 1988), 182. EJ 368 177.
*[[Bruce Cumings|Cumings, Bruce]]. ''The Two Koreas''. New York: Foreign Policy Association, 1984.
*''Focus On Asian Studies''. Special Issue: "Korea: A Teacher's Guide". No. 1, Fall 1986.
*Gi-Wook Shin/Michael Robinson (Ed.). ''Colonial modernity in Korea,'' Cambridge, Mass. [u.a.]: Harvard University, Asia Center; Distributed by Harvard Univ. Press 1999. ISBN 0-674-14255-1.
*Hart, Dennis. ''From Tradition to Consumption: Construction of a Capitalist Culture in South Korea''. Seoul: Jimoondang Pub., 2003.
*Joe, W.J. & Choe, H.A. ''Traditional Korea: A Cultural History'', Seoul: Hollym, 1997.
*Joungwon, A.K. ''Divided Korea: The Politics of Development'', Harvard University Press, 1975.
*Lee Ki-baik. ''A New History of Korea''. Cambridge: Harvard UP, 1984.
*Lee Sang-sup. "The Arts and Literature of Korea". ''The Social Studies'' 79 (July–August 1988): 153–60. EJ 376 894.
*Tae-Jin, Y. "The Illegality of the Forced Treaties Leading to Japan's Annexation of the Great Han Empire", In the ''Korean National Commission for UNESCO'', Vol. 36, No. 4, 1996.
*[http://www.glosters.org.uk/textonly_timeline/7 The Gloucestershire Regiment and The Battle of the Imjin River, Korean War]
*[http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/46/10/38979986.pdf Briefing note for OECD Health Data 2009: How Does Korea Compare]: Organisation For Economic Co-operation and Development. (2009).

==External links==
{{Wiktionary|Korea}}
*[http://www.korea.net/ The official website of the Republic of Korea (Korea.net)]
*{{wikia|Korea|Korea}}
*{{Wikitravel|North Korea}}
*{{Wikitravel|South Korea}}
*{{dmoz|Regional/Asia/Regions/Korean_Peninsula|Korea}}
*{{Wikisource-inline|list=
**{{Cite Collier's|Korea|noicon=x}}
**{{Cite Americana|Korea|year=1920|noicon=x}}
}}

{{Korea topics}}
{{Coord|38|19|N|127|14|E|type:country_region:KR|display=title}}

[[Category:Korea]]
[[Category:East Asia]]
[[Category:Disputed territories in Asia]]
[[Category:Divided regions]]

[[af:Korea]]
[[ang:Corēa]]
[[ar:كوريا]]
[[ast:Corea]]
[[bg:Корея]]
[[bo:ཀོ་རི་ཡ།]]
[[bs:Koreja]]
[[br:Korea]]
[[ca:Corea]]
[[cs:Korea]]
[[cbk-zam:Corea]]
[[cy:Corea]]
[[da:Korea]]
[[de:Korea]]
[[et:Korea]]
[[es:Corea]]
[[eo:Koreio]]
[[eu:Korea]]
[[fa:کره (کشور)]]
[[fr:Corée]]
[[gl:Corea]]
[[xal:Солңһудин Орн]]
[[ko:한국]]
[[hy:Կորեա]]
[[hi:कोरिया]]
[[hr:Koreja]]
[[io:Korea]]
[[id:Korea]]
[[ia:Corea]]
[[os:Корей]]
[[it:Corea]]
[[he:קוריאה]]
[[jv:Koréa]]
[[krc:Корея]]
[[csb:Kòreja]]
[[sw:Rasi ya Korea]]
[[la:Corea]]
[[lv:Koreja]]
[[lt:Korėja]]
[[jbo:dcosyn/xanguk]]
[[hu:Korea (történelmi)]]
[[mk:Кореја]]
[[mr:कोरिया]]
[[ms:Korea]]
[[mn:Солонгос]]
[[nl:Korea]]
[[ne:कोरिया]]
[[ja:朝鮮]]
[[no:Korea]]
[[nn:Korea]]
[[oc:Corèa]]
[[tpi:Koria]]
[[nds:Korea]]
[[pl:Korea]]
[[pt:Coreia]]
[[ro:Coreea]]
[[qu:Kuriya]]
[[ru:Корея]]
[[sm:Kolea]]
[[sa:कोरिया]]
[[sc:Corèa]]
[[sco:Korea]]
[[scn:Corea]]
[[simple:Korea]]
[[sk:Kórea]]
[[sl:Koreja]]
[[so:Kuuriya]]
[[sr:Кореја (држава)]]
[[fi:Korea]]
[[sv:Korea]]
[[tl:Korea]]
[[ta:கொரியா]]
[[kab:Kurya]]
[[roa-tara:Coree]]
[[th:ประเทศเกาหลี]]
[[tr:Kore]]
[[uk:Корея]]
[[ug:چاۋشيەن]]
[[vi:Triều Tiên]]
[[fiu-vro:Korea]]
[[war:Korea]]
[[yi:קארעע]]
[[yo:Korea]]
[[zh-yue:朝鮮]]
[[bat-smg:Kuoriejė]]
[[zh:朝鲜 (称谓)]]

Revision as of 11:20, 19 March 2012

Korea
Location of Korea
CapitalsPyongyang, Seoul
Official languagesKorean
Area
• Total
219,140 km2 (84,610 sq mi)[1][2] (84th if reunified)
• Water (%)
2.8
Population
• 2010 estimate
73,000,000[3] (18th if reunified)
• Density
328.48/km2 (850.8/sq mi)
CurrencyWon () (N/S)
Time zoneUTC+9 (KST)

Template:Contains Korean text Korea (/kəˈrə/ kə-REE; Korean: 한국 Hanguk [hanɡuːk] or 조선 Joseon [tɕosʌn] – (see etymology)) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign statesNorth Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the east by the Korea Strait and the Sea of Japan (East Sea), and separated from the Republic of China (Taiwan) to the south by the East China Sea.

Archaeological and linguistic evidence suggest the origins of the Korean people might have been Altaic language-speaking people from south-central Siberia,[dubiousdiscuss][4] who populated ancient Korea in successive waves from the Neolithic age to the Bronze Age.[5] The adoption of the Chinese writing system ("Hanja" in Korean) in the 2nd century BC, and Buddhism in the 4th century AD, had profound effects on the Three Kingdoms of Korea.

The Three Kingdoms of Korea was first united during the Silla dynasty under the king Munmu of Silla. The united Silla dynasty fell to Goryeo Dynasty in 935 at the end of Later Three Kingdoms of Korea era. Goryeo was a highly cultural state and created the Jikji in the 14th century, using the world's first movable metal type printing press. The Mongol invasions in the 13th century, however, greatly weakened the nation which was forced to become a tributary state. After the Mongol Empire's collapse, severe political strife followed and Goryeo was replaced by the Joseon Dynasty in 1388.

The first 200 years of Joseon were marked by relative peace and saw the creation of the Korean alphabet Hangul by King Sejong the Great in the 14th century and the rise in influence of Confucianism in the country. During the latter part of the dynasty, however, Korea's isolationist policy earned it the Western nickname the "Hermit kingdom". By the late 19th century, the country became the object of the colonial designs of Japan. In 1910, Korea was invaded by Japan and remained so until the end of World War II in August 1945.

In 1945, the Soviet Union and the United States agreed on the surrender of Japanese forces in Korea and Soviet troops occupied north of the 38th parallel, while U.S. troops took surrender south of it. This decision by allied armies soon became the basis for the division of Korea by the two superpowers, exacerbated by their inability to agree on the terms of Korean independence. The two Cold War rivals then established governments sympathetic to their own ideologies, leading to Korea's current division into two political entities: North Korea and South Korea. The ensuing conflict between the two was largely a proxy war.

North Korea, officially the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, is a single-party state with a centrally planned industrial economy. South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea, is a free market, democratic, and developed country with membership in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the Group of Twenty.

Etymology

"Korea" derives from the Goryeo period of Korean history, which in turn referred to the ancient kingdom of Goguryeo, the first Korean dynasty visited by Persian merchants who referred to Koryŏ (Goryeo) (고려) as Korea.[6] Koryŏ (Goryeo) is also the name of Goguryeo, which changed its name to Koryŏ (Goryeo) in the 5th century (during the reign of King Jangsu of Goguryeo). Korea is now commonly used in English contexts by both North and South Korea. In the Korean language, Korea as a whole is referred to as Han-guk (한국) in South Korea, and Chosŏn (조선) in North Korea. The latter name, also Romanised Joseon, is from the Joseon Dynasty and the earlier Gojoseon. "The Land of the Morning Calm" is an English language title for the country loosely derived from the hanja characters for Joseon.

History

Prehistory and Gojoseon

The Korean Academy of North America discovered ancient hominid fossils originating from about 100,000 BC in the lava at a stone city site in Korea. Fluorescent and high-magnetic analyses indicate the volcanic fossils may be from as early as 300,000 BC.[7] The best preserved Korean pottery goes back to the paleolithic times around 10,000 BC, and the Neolithic period begins around 6000 BC.

Gojoseon's founding legend describes Dangun, a descendent of heaven, as establishing the kingdom in 2333 BC[8] until the fall in 108 BC, although no evidence has been found that supports whatever facts may lie beneath this myth.[9]

The original capital may have been at the Manchuria-Korea border,[10] but was later moved to what is today Pyongyang, North Korea. In 108 BC, the Chinese Han Dynasty defeated Wiman Joseon and installed the Four Commanderies of Han in the area of the northwestern Korean Peninsula and part of the Liaodong Peninsula,[11] leaving many smaller kingdoms and confederacies in the southern and eastern parts of the peninsula. By 75 BC, three of those commanderies had fallen, but the Lelang Commandery remained as a center of cultural and economic exchange with successive Chinese dynasties until 313, when it fell to Goguryeo.

Proto–Three Kingdoms

The Proto–Three Kingdoms period, sometimes called the Several States Period, is the earlier part of what is commonly called the Three Kingdoms Period, following the fall of Gojoseon but before Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla fully developed into kingdoms.

This time period saw numerous states spring up from the former territories of Gojoseon. Buyeo arose in today's North Korea and southern Manchuria, from about the 2nd century BC to 494. Its remnants were absorbed by Goguryeo in 494, and both Goguryeo and Baekje, two of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, considered themselves its successor. Okjeo and Dongye of northern Korea were eventually absorbed into the growing Goguryeo.

Located in the southern part of the Korean Peninsula, Samhan refers to the three confederacies of Mahan, Jinhan, and Byeonhan. Mahan was the largest and consisted of 54 states. Byeonhan and Jinhan both consisted of twelve states, bringing a total of 78 states within the Samhan. These three confederacies eventually developed into Baekje, Silla, and Gaya.

Three Kingdoms

Anapji (Anap Pond) in Gyeongju Historic Areas.

The Three Kingdoms of Korea (Goguryeo, Silla, and Baekje) dominated the peninsula and parts of Manchuria at beginning of the 1st century AD. They competed with each other both economically and militarily.

Goguryeo united Buyeo, Okjeo, Dongye and other states in the former Gojoseon territory.[12] Goguryeo was the most dominant power; it reached its zenith in the 5th century, when reign of the Gwanggaeto the Great and his son, Jangsu expanded territory into almost all of Manchuria and part of inner Mongolia, and took the Seoul region from Baekje. Gwanggaeto and Jangsu subdued Baekje and Silla during their times. After the 7th century, Goguryeo was constantly at war with the Sui and Tang dynasties of China.

Founded around modern day Seoul, the southwestern kingdom Baekje expanded far beyond Pyongyang during the peak of its powers in the 4th century. It had absorbed all of the Mahan states and subjugated most of the western Korean peninsula (including the modern provinces of Gyeonggi, Chungcheong, and Jeolla, as well as part of Hwanghae and Gangwon) to a centralised government. Baekje acquired Chinese culture and technology through contacts with the Southern Dynasties during the expansion of its territory. Historic evidence suggests that Japanese culture, art, and language was strongly influenced by the kingdom of Baekje and Korea itself.[13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][21][22]

Although later records claim that Silla, in the southeast, was the oldest of the three kingdoms, it is now believed to have been the last kingdom to develop. By the 2nd century, Silla existed as a large state, occupying and influencing nearby city states. Silla began to gain power when it annexed the Gaya confederacy in AD 562. The Gaya confederacy was located between Baekje and Silla. The three kingdoms of Korea often warred with each other and Silla often faced pressure from Baekje and Goguryeo but at various times Silla also allied with Baekje and Goguryeo in order to gain dominance over the peninsula.

In 660, King Muyeol of Silla ordered his armies to attack Baekje. General Kim Yu-shin (Gim Yu-sin), aided by Tang forces, conquered Baekje. In 661, Silla and Tang moved on Goguryeo but were repelled. King Munmu, son of Muyeol and nephew of General Kim launched another campaign in 667 and Goguryeo fell in the following year.

North-South States Period

In the 5th, 6th, and 7th centuries, Silla's power gradually extended across the Korean Peninsula. Silla first annexed the adjacent Gaya confederacy. By the 660s, Silla formed an alliance with the Tang Dynasty of China to conquer Baekje and later Goguryeo. After repelling Chinese forces, Silla partially unified the Peninsula, beginning a period often called Unified Silla.

In the north, former Goguryeo General Dae Joyeong led a group of Goguryeo refugees to the Jilin area in Manchuria and founded Balhae (698 - 926) as the successor to Goguryeo. At its height, Balhae's territory extended from northern Manchuria down to the northern provinces of modern-day Korea. Balhae was destroyed by the Khitans in 926.

Unified Silla fell apart in the late 9th century, giving way to the tumultuous Later Three Kingdoms period (892-935). Goryeo unified the Later Three Kingdoms and absorbed Balhae refugees.

Goryeo

The country Goryeo was founded in 918 and replaced Silla as the ruling dynasty of Korea. ("Goryeo" is a short form of "Goguryeo" and the source of the English name "Korea".) The dynasty lasted until 1392.

During this period laws were codified, and a civil service system was introduced. Buddhism flourished, and spread throughout the peninsula. The development of celadon industry flourished in 12th and 13th century. The publication of Tripitaka Koreana onto 80,000 wooden blocks and the invention of the world's first movable-metal-type printing press in 13th century attest to Goryeo's cultural achievements.

Their dynasty was threatened by Mongol invasions from the 1230s into the 1270s, but the dynastic line continued to survive until 1392 since they negotiated a treaty with the Mongols that kept its sovereign power.

In 1350s, King Gongmin was free at last to reform a Goryeo government. Gongmin had various problems that needed to be dealt with, which included the removal of pro-Mongol aristocrats and military officials, the question of land holding, and quelling the growing animosity between the Buddhists and Confucian scholars.

Joseon Dynasty

The Gyeongbokgung Palace

In 1392, the general Yi Seong-gye established the Joseon Dynasty (1392–1910) with a largely bloodless coup. He named it the Joseon Dynasty in honor of the previous Joseon before (Gojoseon is the first Joseon. "Go", meaning "old", was added to distinguish between the two).

King Taejo moved the capital to Hanseong (formerly Hanyang; modern-day Seoul) and built the Gyeongbokgung palace. In 1394 he adopted Confucianism as the country's official religion, resulting in much loss of power and wealth by the Buddhists. The prevailing philosophy was Neo-Confucianism.

Joseon experienced advances in science and culture. King Sejong the Great (1418–1450) promulgated hangul, the Korean alphabet. The period saw various other cultural and technological advances as well as the dominance of neo-Confucianism over the entire peninsula. Slaves, nobi, are estimated to have accounted for about one third of the population of Joseon Korea.[23]

Between 1592 and 1598, the Japanese invaded Korea. Toyotomi Hideyoshi ordered the forces and tried to invade the Asian continent through Korea, but was completely defeated by a Righteous army, Admiral Yi Sun-sin and assistance from Ming China. This war also saw the rise of the career of Admiral Yi Sun-sin with the "turtle ship". In the 1620s and 1630s Joseon suffered invasions by the Manchu.

After invasions from Manchuria, Joseon experienced a nearly 200-year period of peace. King Yeongjo and King Jeongjo led a new renaissance of the Joseon dynasty.

However, during the last years of the Joseon Dynasty, Korea's isolationist policy earned it the name the "Hermit Kingdom", primarily for protection against Western imperialism before it was forced to open trade beginning an era leading into Japanese colonial rule.

Korean Empire

The earliest surviving depiction of the Korean / South Korean flag was printed in a US Navy book Flags of Maritime Nations in July 1889.

Beginning in the 1870s, Japan began to force Korea out of the Manchu Qing Dynasty's traditional sphere of influence into its own. As a result of the Sino-Japanese War (1894–1895), the Qing Dynasty had to give up such a position according to Article 1 of the Treaty of Shimonoseki, which was concluded between China and Japan in 1895. That same year, Empress Myeongseong was assassinated by Japanese agents.[24]

In 1897, the Joseon dynasty proclaimed the Korean Empire (1897–1910), and King Gojong became Emperor Gojong. This brief period saw the partially successful modernisation of the military, economy, real property laws, education system, and various industries, influenced by the political encroachment into Korea of Russia, Japan, France, and the United States.

In 1904, the Russo-Japanese War pushed the Russians out of the fight for Korea. In Manchuria on October 26, 1909, An Jung-geun assassinated the former Resident-General of Korea, Itō Hirobumi for his role in trying to force Korea into occupation.

Japanese occupation

The memorial tablet for March 1st movement in Pagoda Park, Seoul.

In 1910, an already militarily occupied Korea was a forced party to the Japan-Korea Annexation Treaty. The treaty was signed by Lee Wan-Yong, who was given the General Power of Attorney by the Emperor. However, the Emperor is said to have not actually ratified the treaty according to Yi Tae-jin.[25] There is a long dispute whether this treaty was legal or illegal due to its signing under duress, threat of force and bribes.

Korean resistance to the brutal Japanese occupation[26][27][28] was manifested in the nonviolent March 1st Movement of 1919, where 7,000 demonstrators were killed by Japanese police and military.[29] The Korean liberation movement also spread to neighbouring Manchuria and Siberia.

Over five million Koreans were conscripted for labour beginning in 1939,[30] and tens of thousands of men were forced into Japan's military.[31] Close to 400,000 Korean labourers lost their lives due to the war.[32] Approximately 200,000 girls and women,[33] mostly from China and Korea, were forced into sexual slavery for the Japanese military.[34] In 1993, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yohei Kono acknowledged the terrible injustices faced by these euphemistically named "comfort women".[35][36]

During the Japanese Colonial rule, the Korean language was suppressed in an effort to eradicate Korean national identity. Koreans were forced to take Japanese surnames, known as Sōshi-kaimei.[37] Traditional Korean culture suffered heavy losses, as numerous Korean cultural artifacts were destroyed[38] or taken to Japan.[39] To this day, valuable Korean artifacts can often be found in Japanese museums or among private collections.[40] One investigation by the South Korean government identified 75,311 cultural assets that were taken from Korea, 34,369 in Japan and 17,803 in the United States. However, experts estimate that over 100,000 artifacts actually remain in Japan.[39][41] Japanese officials considered returning Korean cultural properties, but to date[39] this has not occurred.[41] Korea and Japan still dispute the ownership of the Liancourt Rocks, islets located east of the Korean Peninsula.[42]

There was a significant level of emigration to the overseas territories of the Empire of Japan during the Japanese colonial period, including Korea.[43] By the end of World War II, there were over 850,000 Japanese settlers in Korea.[44] After World War II, most of these overseas Japanese repatriated to Japan.

Korean War

Urban combat in Seoul, 1950, as US Marines fight North Koreans holding the city.

With the surrender of Japan in 1945 the United Nations developed plans for a trusteeship administration, the Soviet Union administering the peninsula north of the 38th parallel and the United States administering the south. The politics of the Cold War resulted in the 1948 establishment of two separate governments, North Korea and South Korea.

In June 1950 North Korea invaded the South, using Soviet tanks and weaponry. During the Korean War (1950–1953) millions of civilians died and the three years of fighting throughout the nation effectively destroyed most cities.[45] Around 125,000 POWs were captured and held by the Americans and South Koreans on Geojedo (an island in the south).[46] The war ended in an Armistice Agreement at approximately the Military Demarcation Line.

Division of Korea

File:Teheran Ave night.jpg
Gangnam-ro in South Korea

The aftermath of World War II left Korea partitioned along the 38th parallel, with the north under Soviet occupation and the south under the occupation of other allied countries. Consequently, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, a Soviet-style socialist regime, was established in the north while the Republic of Korea, a Western-style republic, was established in the south.[47] The Korean War broke out when Soviet-backed North Korea invaded South Korea, though neither side gained much territory as a result. The Korean Peninsula remains divided, the Korean Demilitarized Zone being the de facto border between the two states.

Since the 1960s, the South Korean economy has grown enormously and the economic structure was radically transformed. In 1957 South Korea had a lower per capita GDP than Ghana,[48] and by 2008 it was 17 times as high as Ghana's.[49]

The North Korean famine began in 1995 and peaked in 1997. According to South Korea intelligence agency, an internal report by North Korea's Public Security Ministry estimates North Korea lost 2.5 million to 3 million lives from 1995 to March 1998.[50]

Tensions continue to this day, but the political arena is a far more complicated one. Recently both China and Russia have expressed concerns over South Korea's provocation of North Korea by carrying out military drills on the island of Yeonpyeong, which itself lies on a disputed sea border between the two countries.[51][52][53]

Geography

A view of Mount Seorak.
Daedongyeojijeondo, a map of Korea.
Jeju Island seashore.

Korea is located on the Korean Peninsula in North-East Asia. To the northwest, the Amnok River (Yalu River) separates Korea from China and to the northeast, the Duman River (Tumen River) separates Korea from China and Russia. The Yellow Sea is to the west, the East China Sea and Korea Strait is to the south, and the Sea of Japan is to the east.[54] Notable islands include Jeju Island (Jejudo), Ulleung Island (Ulleungdo), and Liancourt Rocks (Dokdo).

The southern and western parts of the peninsula have well-developed plains, while the eastern and northern parts are mountainous. The highest mountain in Korea is Mount Paektu or Paektusan (2,744 m), through which runs the border with China. The southern extension of Mount Paektu is a highland called Gaema Heights. This highland was mainly raised during the Cenozoic orogeny and partly covered by volcanic matter. To the south of Gaema Gowon, successive high mountains are located along the eastern coast of the peninsula. This mountain range is named Baekdudaegan. Some significant mountains include Mount Sobaek or Sobaeksan (1,439 m), Mount Kumgang or Kumgangsan (1,638 m), Mount Seorak or Seoraksan (1,708 m), Mount Taebaek or Taebaeksan (1,567 m), and Mount Jiri or Jirisan (1,915 m). There are several lower, secondary mountain series whose direction is almost perpendicular to that of Baekdudaegan. They are developed along the tectonic line of Mesozoic orogeny and their directions are basically northwest.

Unlike most ancient mountains on the mainland, many important islands in Korea were formed by volcanic activity in the Cenozoic orogeny. Jeju Island, situated off the southern coast, is a large volcanic island whose main mountain Mount Halla or Hallasan (1950 m) is the highest in South Korea. Ulleung Island is a volcanic island in the Sea of Japan, whose composition is more felsic than Jeju-do. The volcanic islands tend to be younger, the more westward.

Because the mountainous region is mostly on the eastern part of the peninsula, the main rivers tend to flow westwards. Two exceptions are the southward-flowing Nakdong River (Nakdonggang) and Seomjin River (Seomjingang). Important rivers running westward include the Amnok River, the Chongchon River (Chongchongang), the Taedong River (Taedonggang), the Han River (Hangang), the Geum River (Geumgang), and the Yeongsan River (Yeongsangang). These rivers have vast flood plains and provide an ideal environment for wet-rice cultivation.

The southern and southwestern coastlines of Korea form a well-developed ria coastline, known as Dadohae-jin in Korean. Its convoluted coastline provides mild seas, and the resulting calm environment allows for safe navigation, fishing, and seaweed farming. In addition to the complex coastline, the western coast of the Korean Peninsula has an extremely high tidal amplitude (at Incheon, around the middle of the western coast. It can get as high as 9 m). Vast tidal flats have been developing on the south and west coastlines.

Demographics

The combined population of the Koreans is about 73 million (North Korea: 23 million, South Korea: 50 million). Korea is chiefly populated by a highly homogeneous ethnic group, the Koreans, who speak the Korean language.[55] The number of foreigners living in Korea has also steadily increased since the late 20th century, particularly in South Korea, where more than 1 million foreigners currently reside.[56] It is estimated that only 26,700 of the old Chinese community now remain in South Korea.[57] However, in recent years, immigration from mainland China has increased; 624,994 persons of Chinese nationality have immigrated to South Korea, including 443,566 of ethnic Korean descent.[58] Small communities of ethnic Chinese and Japanese are also found in North Korea.[59]

Language

Hunmin jeong-eum, afterwards called Hangul.

Korean is the official language of both North and South Korea, and (along with Mandarin) of Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture in Manchuria area of China. Worldwide, there are up to 80 million speakers of the Korean language. South Korea has around 50 million speakers while North Korea around 23 million. Other large groups of Korean speakers are found in China (around 1.8 million speakers), the United States (around 900,000 speakers), the former Soviet Union (around 350,000), Japan (around 700,000), Canada (100,000), Malaysia (70,000) and Australia (150,000). It is estimated that there are around 700,000 people scattered across the world who are able to speak Korean because of job requirements (for example, salespersons or businessmen with Korean contacts), marriages to Koreans or out of pure interest in the language. [citation needed]

The genealogical classification of Korean is debated. Some linguists place it in the Altaic language family; others consider it to be a language isolate. Korean is agglutinative in its morphology and SOV in its syntax. Like Japanese and Vietnamese, Korean has borrowed much vocabulary from the Chinese or created vocabulary on Chinese models.

Modern Korean is written almost exclusively in the Hangul script, which was invented in the 15th century. While Hangul may appear logographic, it is actually a phonemic alphabet organised into syllabic blocks. Each block consists of at least two of the 24 hangul letters (jamo): at least one each of the 14 consonants and 10 vowels. Historically, the alphabet had several additional letters (see obsolete jamo). For a phonological description of the letters, see Korean phonology. Hanja (Chinese characters) and Latin alphabets are sometimes included within Hangul texts, particularly in South Korea.

Culture and arts

Korean Buddhist architecture
Traditional Korean dance (Jinju geommu)

In ancient Chinese texts, Korea is referred to as "Rivers and Mountains Embroidered on Silk" (금수강산, ) and "Eastern Nation of Decorum" (동방예의지국, ).[60] Individuals are regarded as one year old when they are born, as Koreans reckon the pregnancy period as one year of life for infants, and age increments increase on New Year's Day rather than on the anniversary of birthdays. Thus, one born immediately before New Year's Day may only be a few days old in western reckoning, but two years old in Korea. Accordingly, a Korean person's stated age (at least among fellow Koreans) will be one or two years more than their age according to western reckoning. However, western reckoning is sometimes applied with regard to the concept of legal age; for example, the legal age for purchasing alcohol or cigarettes in the Republic of Korea is 19, which is measured according to western reckoning.

Literature

Korean literature written before the end of the Joseon Dynasty is called "Classical" or "Traditional." Literature, written in Chinese characters (hanja), was established at the same time as the Chinese script arrived on the peninsula. Korean scholars were writing poetry in the classical Korean style as early as the 2nd century BC, reflecting Korean thoughts and experiences of that time. Classical Korean literature has its roots in traditional folk beliefs and folk tales of the peninsula, strongly influenced by Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism.

Modern literature is often linked with the development of hangul, which helped spread literacy from the aristocracy to the common people and women. Hangul, however, only reached a dominant position in Korean literature in the second half of the 19th century, resulting in a major growth in Korean literature. Sinsoseol, for instance, are novels written in hangul.

The Korean War led to the development of literature centered on the wounds and chaos of war. Much of the post-war literature in South Korea deals with the daily lives of ordinary people, and their struggles with national pain. The collapse of the traditional Korean value system is another common theme of the time.

Religion

Amitabha and Eight Great Bodhisattvas, Goryeo scroll from the 1300s

Confucian tradition has dominated Korean thought, along with contributions by Buddhism, Taoism, and Korean Shamanism. Since the middle of the 20th century, however, Christianity has competed with Buddhism in South Korea, while religious practice has been suppressed in North Korea. Throughout Korean history and culture, regardless of separation; the influence of traditional beliefs of Korean Shamanism, Mahayana Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism have remained an underlying religion of the Korean people as well as a vital aspect of their culture; all these traditions have coexisted peacefully for hundreds of years up to today despite strong Westernisation from Christian missionary conversions in the South[61][62][63] or the pressure from Communism's Juche government in the North.[64][65]

According to 2005 statistics compiled by the South Korean government, about 46% of citizens profess to follow no particular religion. Christians account for 29.2% of the population (of which are Protestants 18.3% and Catholics 10.9%) and Buddhists 22.8%.[66]

Islam in South Korea is practiced by about 45,000 natives (about 0.09% of the population) in addition to some 100,000 foreign workers from Muslim countries.[67]

Cuisine

Dolsot Bibimbab

Korean cuisine is probably best known for kimchi, a side dish which uses a distinctive fermentation process of preserving vegetables, most commonly cabbage. Kimchi is said to relieve the pores on the skin, thereby reducing wrinkles and providing nutrients to the skin naturally. It is also healthy, as it provides necessary vitamins and nutrients. Gochujang (Korean traditional sauce made of red pepper) is also commonly used, often as pepper (chilli) paste, earning the cuisine a reputation for being spicy.

Korea
Platter of sliced gimbap
Korean name
Hangul
김밥
Revised Romanizationgimbap
McCune–Reischauerkimbap

Bulgogi (roasted marinated meat, usually beef), galbi (marinated grilled short ribs), and samgyeopsal (pork belly) are popular meat entrees. Fish is also a popular commodity, as it is the traditional meat that Koreans eat. Meals are usually accompanied by a soup or stew, such as galbitang (stewed ribs) and doenjang jjigae (fermented bean paste soup). The center of the table is filled with a shared collection of sidedishes called banchan.

Other popular dishes include bibimbap which literally means "mixed rice" (rice mixed with meat, vegetables, and red pepper paste) and naengmyeon (cold noodles).

A popular Korean dish[68] is gimbab (also kimbap), made from steamed white rice (bap) and various other ingredients including meat and vegetables. This is rolled in gim (sheets of dried laver seaweed) and served in bite-size slices.[69] Gimbap is often eaten during picnics or outdoor events, or as a light lunch, served with danmuji or kimchi.[70] While an increasingly wide variety of ingredients are used in gimbap, fish (raw or cooked) is rarely used, perhaps due to gimbap's origin as a portable, packable snack, as fish could quickly spoil if not refrigerated.

Instant noodles are also a very popular snack food. Koreans also enjoy food from pojangmachas (street vendors), where one can buy tteokbokki (rice cake and fish cake with a spicy gochujang sauce), fried squid and glazed sweet potato. Soondae, a sausage made of cellophane noodles and pork blood, is widely eaten. There is also an instant noodle called "Ramyun" which is spicy for non-Koreans.

Additionally, some of other common snacks includes "Choco Pie", shrimp cracker, "bbungtigi" (fried rice cracker), and "nu lung ji" (slightly burnt rice). Nu lung ji can be eaten as it is or boiled with water to make a soup. Nu lung ji can be eaten as a snack or a dessert.

Education

The modern Korean school system consists of six years in elementary school, three years in middle school, and three years in high school. Students are required to go to elementary and middle school, and do not have to pay for their education, except for a small fee called a "School Operation Support Fee" that differs from school to school. The Programme for International Student Assessment, coordinated by the OECD, currently ranks South Korea's science education as the third best in the world and being significantly higher than the OECD average.[71]

Korea also ranks second on math and literature and first in problem solving. Although South Korean students often rank high on international comparative tests, the education system is sometimes criticised for its emphasis on passive learning and memorization. The Korean education system is much more strict and structured than the education systems of most Western societies. Also, high cost and dependence on non-school private institutions (Hagwon (학원)), a for-profit private institute, academy or cram-school prevalent in South Korea, is criticised as a major social problem. After students enter university, however, the situation is markedly reversed.

Science and technology

Jikji, Selected Teachings of Buddhist Sages and Seon Masters, the earliest known book printed with movable metal type, 1377. Bibliothèque Nationale de Paris.

One of the best known artifacts of Korea's history of science and technology is Cheomseongdae (첨성대, ), a 9.4-meter high observatory built in 634.

The earliest known surviving Korean example of woodblock printing is the Mugujeonggwang Great Dharani Sutra.[72] It is believed to have been printed in Korea in 750-751 AD which, if correct, would make it older than the Diamond Sutra. Goryeo silk was highly regarded by Westerners and Korean pottery made with blue-green celadon was of the highest quality and sought after by even Arabian merchants. Goryeo had a bustling economy with a capital that was frequented by merchants from all over the known world.

During the Joseon period the Geobukseon (turtle Ship) was invented, which were covered by a wooden deck and iron with thorns,[73][74][75] as well as other weapons such as the bigyeokjincheolloe cannon (비격진천뢰, ) and the hwacha.

The Korean alphabet hangul was also invented during this time by King Sejong the Great.

Sport

While association football remains one of the most popular sports in Korea, the martial art of taekwondo is still considered to be the national traditional sport. Baseball is also increasing in popularity.

Taekwondo

Taekwondo is the national sport of Korea and one of the country's most famous sports. According to ancient Korean history, soldiers learned taekwondo as a principal source of physical training. It combines combat techniques, self-defense, sport, exercise and in some cases meditation and philosophy. Taekwondo has become an official Olympic sport, starting as a demonstration event in 1988 and becoming an official medal event in 2000.

Hapkido

Hapkido is a Korean martial art similar to Jujutsu that employs joint locks, throws, kicks, punches and other striking attacks like attacks against pressure points. Hapkido emphasizes circular motion, non-resisting movements and control of the opponent. Practitioners seek to gain advantage through footwork and body positioning to employ leverage, avoiding the pure use of strength against strength.

Ssireum

Ssireum is a form of wrestling that has been practiced in Korea for thousands of years, with evidence discovered from the Three Kingdoms Period (57 BC to 688). Ssireum is the traditional national sport of Korea. During a match, opponents grip each other by sash belts wrapped around the waist and the thigh, attempting to throw their competitor to the sandy ground of the ring. The first opponent to touch the ground with any body part above the knee or to lose hold of their opponent loses the round.

Ssireum competitions are traditionally held twice a year, during the Tano Festival (the 5th day of the fifth lunar month) and Chuseok (the 15th day of the 8th lunar month). Competitions are also held throughout the year as a part of festivals and other events.

See also

Template:Satop

Notes

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  2. ^ "South Korea". World Reference Atlas (2nd American ed.). New York: Dorling Kindersley. 1996. p. 498. ISBN 0-7894-1085-0.
  3. ^ MT.co.kr
  4. ^ The Rise of Civilization in East Asia: the Archaeology of Korea, pp. 165
  5. ^ 뿌리 깊은 한국사, 샘이 깊은 이야기: 고조선, 삼국, pp. 44–45
  6. ^ Yunn Seung-Yong, 1996, Religious culture of Korea, Muslims earlier contact with Korea, Elizabeth NJ, Hollym International Corp, 99
  7. ^ Author:  Li Jie (2002-08-21). "Some Discoveries of Fossils and Relics of Prehistoric Civilizations From Around the World". Pureinsight. Retrieved 2009-11-03. {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  8. ^ "Go-Choson". Asianinfo.org. Retrieved 2009-11-03.
  9. ^ Mary E. Connor, "The Korea, A global studies handbook", 2002, pp. 10
  10. ^ Kim Djun-Kil, 2005, The Greenwood histories of Modern nations; History of Korea, Westport CT, Greenwood publishing company, 15-16.
  11. ^ http://www.chinaheritagequarterly.org/scholarship.php?searchterm=011_contested_domains.inc&issue=011
  12. ^ "Koguryo". Asianinfo.org. Retrieved 2009-11-03.
  13. ^ Metropolitan Museum of Art [1] "Metallurgy was also introduced from the Asian mainland during this time. Bronze and iron were used to make weapons, armor, tools, and ritual implements such as bells (dotaku)"
  14. ^ Choson Sinbo "Kitora Tomb Originates in Koguryo Murals" By Chon Ho Chon [2]
  15. ^ http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/prehistory/japan/yayoi/yayoi.html
  16. ^ http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2131.html
  17. ^ http://www.asiasocietymuseum.com/
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  21. ^ a b http://www2.kenyon.edu/Depts/Religion/Fac/Adler/Reln275/Jap-Kor-art.htm
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  23. ^ "Encyclopædia Britannica — Slavery". Britannica.com. Retrieved 2009-11-03.
  24. ^ Murder of Empress Myeongseong
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  29. ^ "March 1st Movement". Britannica.com. 1919-03-01. Retrieved 2009-11-03.
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  31. ^ 山脇 啓造 Yamawaki, Keizo. 近代日本と外国人労働者―1890年代後半と1920年代前半における中国人・朝鮮人労働者問題 Modern Japan and Foreign Laborers: Chinese and Korean Labourers in the late 1890s and early 1920s, 明石書店 Akashi-shoten, 1994, et al. ISBN 9784750305684
  32. ^ Werner Gruhl, Imperial Japan's World War Two, 1931-1945 Transaction Publishers, 2007 ISBN 978-0-7658-0352-8
  33. ^ Yoshimi Yoshiaki, Comfort Women. Sexual Slavery in the Japanese Military During World War II. Translated by Suzanne O'Brien. Columbia University Press, 2001, ISBN 0-231-12032-X, originally published by 岩波書店, 1995. ISBN 978-4004303848
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  41. ^ a b Naver.com
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  46. ^ (Cumings 1997: 298)
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  48. ^ Leading article: Africa has to spend carefully. The Independent. July 13, 2006.
  49. ^ Data refer to the year 2008. $26,341 GDP for Korea, $1513 for Ghana. World Economic Outlook Database-October 2008, International Monetary Fund. Accessed on February 14, 2009.
  50. ^ "North Korea 'loses 3 million to famine'". CNN. February 17, 1999. Retrieved 2010-01-05. {{cite news}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help); More than one of |work= and |newspaper= specified (help)
  51. ^ "South Korea to go ahead with sensitive military drill". BBC News. 2010-12-19.
  52. ^ "Report: Kim Jong Il meets Hyundai official". CNN. 2009-08-16.
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  68. ^ Kimbap, excerpt from Andrew J. Luxner's American English: A Teachers's Journey in Seoul, South Korea. Golden Hill Books, San Diego. ISBN 0-9760748-1-8
  69. ^ Template:Ko Gimbap at Doosan Encyclopedia
  70. ^ Template:Ko Gimbap at Encyclopedia of Korean Culture
  71. ^ OECD.org
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References

Further reading

  • Chun, Tuk Chu. "Korea in the Pacific Community". Social Education 52 (March 1988), 182. EJ 368 177.
  • Cumings, Bruce. The Two Koreas. New York: Foreign Policy Association, 1984.
  • Focus On Asian Studies. Special Issue: "Korea: A Teacher's Guide". No. 1, Fall 1986.
  • Gi-Wook Shin/Michael Robinson (Ed.). Colonial modernity in Korea, Cambridge, Mass. [u.a.]: Harvard University, Asia Center; Distributed by Harvard Univ. Press 1999. ISBN 0-674-14255-1.
  • Hart, Dennis. From Tradition to Consumption: Construction of a Capitalist Culture in South Korea. Seoul: Jimoondang Pub., 2003.
  • Joe, W.J. & Choe, H.A. Traditional Korea: A Cultural History, Seoul: Hollym, 1997.
  • Joungwon, A.K. Divided Korea: The Politics of Development, Harvard University Press, 1975.
  • Lee Ki-baik. A New History of Korea. Cambridge: Harvard UP, 1984.
  • Lee Sang-sup. "The Arts and Literature of Korea". The Social Studies 79 (July–August 1988): 153–60. EJ 376 894.
  • Tae-Jin, Y. "The Illegality of the Forced Treaties Leading to Japan's Annexation of the Great Han Empire", In the Korean National Commission for UNESCO, Vol. 36, No. 4, 1996.
  • The Gloucestershire Regiment and The Battle of the Imjin River, Korean War
  • Briefing note for OECD Health Data 2009: How Does Korea Compare: Organisation For Economic Co-operation and Development. (2009).

External links

38°19′N 127°14′E / 38.317°N 127.233°E / 38.317; 127.233