Korea - wikipedia Korea For the peninsula where the territory is situated, see Korean Peninsula. For other uses, see Korea ( disambiguation ). Korea 한국 ( S. Korean ) 조선 ( N. Korean ) Flag National seal ( 1903 -- 1910 ) Capitals and largest cities Seoul ( largest overall ) Pyongyang Language ( s ) Korean Demonym Korean Sovereign states Democratic People 's Republic of Korea Republic of Korea Leaders President of the ROK Moon Jae - in Supreme Leader of the DPRK Kim Jong - un Area Total 219,155 km ( 84,616 sq mi ) Water ( % ) 2.8 Population 2015 estimate 76,497,881 Density 349.06 / km ( 904.1 / sq mi ) Currency North Korean won ( ₩ ) South Korean won ( ₩ ) Time zone KST ( UTC + 9 ( South Korea ) ) PYT ( UTC + 8 : 30 ( North Korea ) ) ISO 3166 code KR / KP This article contains Korean text. Without proper rendering support, you may see question marks, boxes, or other symbols instead of Hangul and Hanja. Korea is a historic country in East Asia ; since 1945 it has been divided into two distinct sovereign states : North Korea ( officially the `` Democratic People 's Republic of Korea '' ) and South Korea ( officially the `` Republic of Korea '' ). Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by China to the northwest and Russia to the northeast. It is separated from Japan to the east by the Korea Strait and the Sea of Japan ( East Sea ). Korea emerged as a singular political entity in 936CE after centuries of conflict among the Three Kingdoms of Korea, which were unified as Later Silla to the south and Balhae to the north. Later Silla divided into three separate states during the Later Three Kingdoms period. Goryeo, which had succeeded Goguryeo, defeated the two other states and united the Korean Peninsula. Around the same time, Balhae collapsed and its last crown prince fled south to Goryeo. Goryeo ( also spelled as Koryŏ ), whose name developed into the modern exonym `` Korea '', was a highly cultured state that created the world 's first metal movable type in 1234. However, multiple invasions by the Mongol Yuan Dynasty during the 13th century greatly weakened the nation, which eventually agreed to become a vassal state after decades of fighting. Following the Yuan Dynasty 's collapse, severe political strife followed, and Goryeo eventually fell to a coup led by General Yi Seong - gye, who established Joseon in 1392. The first 200 years of Joseon were marked by relative peace. During this period, the Korean alphabet was created by Sejong the Great in the 15th century and there was increasing influence of Confucianism. During the later part of the dynasty, Korea 's isolationist policy earned it the Western nickname of the `` Hermit Kingdom ''. By the late 19th century, the country became the object of imperial design by the Empire of Japan. After the First Sino - Japanese War, despite the Korean Empire 's effort to modernize, it was annexed by Japan in 1910 and ruled by Imperial Japan 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 in the aftermath of World War II, leaving Korea partitioned along the 38th parallel. The North was under Soviet occupation and the South under U.S. occupation. These circumstances soon became the basis for the division of Korea by the two superpowers, exacerbated by their incapability to agree on the terms of Korean independence. The Communist - inspired government in the North received backing from the Soviet Union in opposition to the pro-Western government in the South, leading to Korea 's division into two political entities : North Korea ( formally the Democratic People 's Republic of Korea ), and South Korea ( formally the Republic of Korea ). Tensions between the two resulted in the outbreak of the Korean War in 1950. With involvement by foreign troops, the war ended in a stalemate in 1953, but without a formalized peace treaty. This status contributes to the high tensions that continue to divide the peninsula. To date, each country contends that it is the sole legitimate government of all of Korea ; they refuse to recognize the other as legitimate. Contents 1 Etymology 2 History 2.1 Prehistory and Gojoseon 2.2 Proto -- Three Kingdoms 2.3 Three Kingdoms 2.4 North - South States Period 2.5 Goryeo dynasty 2.6 Joseon dynasty 2.7 Korean Empire 2.8 Japanese occupation and Japan - Korea Annexation 2.9 Division 2.10 Korean War 3 Geography 4 Wildlife 5 Demographics 5.1 Language 6 Culture and arts 6.1 Literature 6.2 Music 6.3 Religion 6.4 Cuisine 6.5 Television 7 Education 8 Science and technology 9 Sport 9.1 Taekwondo 9.2 Hapkido 9.3 Ssireum 10 Notable public holidays in South Korea 10.1 Independence Movement Day, March 1st 10.2 Memorial day, June 6th 10.3 National Liberation Day, August 15th 10.4 Hangul Day, October 9th 11 See also 12 Notes 13 References 14 Further reading 15 External links Etymology Main article : Names of Korea See also : Korean romanization `` Korea '' is the modern spelling of `` Corea '' ( 고려 ), a name attested in English as early as 1614. Korea was transliterated as Cauli in The Travels of Marco Polo, based on the kingdom of Goryeo ( Koryŏ ), which ruled most of the Korean peninsula during Marco Polo 's time. Korea 's introduction to the West resulted from trade and contact with merchants from Arabic lands, with some records dating back as far as the 9th century. Goryeo 's name was a continuation of Goguryeo ( Koguryŏ ) the northernmost of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, which was officially known as Goryeo beginning in the 5th century. The original name was a combination of the adjective go ( `` high, lofty '' ) with the name of a local Yemaek tribe, whose original name is thought to have been either * Guru ( 溝 樓, `` walled city, '' inferred from some toponyms in Chinese historical documents ) or * Gauri ( 가우리, `` center '' ). With expanding British and American trade following the opening of Korea in the late 19th century, the spelling `` Korea '' appeared and gradually grew in popularity ; its use in transcribing East Asian languages avoids the issues caused by the separate hard and soft Cs existing in English vocabulary derived from the Romance languages. The name Korea is now commonly used in English contexts by both North and South Korea. In South Korea, Korea as a whole is referred to as Hanguk ( 한국, ( haːnɡuk ), lit. `` country of the Han '' ). The name references the Samhan -- Ma, Jin, and Byeon -- who preceded the Three Kingdoms in the southern and central end of the peninsula during the 1st centuries BC and AD. Although written in Hanja as 韓, 幹, or 刊, this Han has no relation to the Chinese place names or peoples who used those characters but was a phonetic transcription ( OC : * Gar, MC Han or Gan ) of a native Korean word that seems to have had the meaning `` big '' or `` great '', particularly in reference to leaders. It has been tentatively linked with the title khan used by the nomads of Manchuria and Central Asia. In North Korea, China, Japan, Vietnam, and Chinese and Vietnamese - speaking areas, Korea as a whole is referred to as Chosŏn ( 조선, Joseon, ( tɕoshʌn ),, ( 朝鲜 ), Cháoxiǎn, ( 朝鮮 ), Chōsen, Triều Tiên ( 朝鮮 ) lit. `` ( land of the ) Morning Calm '' ). `` Great Joseon '' was the name of the kingdom ruled by the Joseon dynasty from 1393 until their declaration of the short - lived Great Korean Empire in 1897. King Taejo had named them for the earlier Kojoseon ( 고조선 ), who ruled northern Korea from its legendary prehistory until their conquest in 108 BC by China 's Han Empire. This go is the Hanja 古 and simply means `` ancient '' or `` old '' ; it is a modern usage to distinguish the ancient Joseon from the later dynasty. Joseon itself is the modern Korean pronunciation of the Hanja 朝鮮 but it is unclear whether this was a transcription of a native Korean name ( OC * T ( r ) awser, MC Trjewsjen ) or a partial translation into Chinese of the Korean capital Asadal ( 아사달 ), whose meaning has been reconstructed as `` Morning Land '' or `` Mountain ''. History Main article : History of Korea See also : History of North Korea and History of South Korea Part of a series on the History of Korea Prehistory Jeulmun Mumun Ancient Gojoseon ? -- 108 BC Jin state Proto -- Three Kingdoms Buyeo Goguryeo Okjeo Dongye Samhan Ma Byeon Jin Han Commanderies Three Kingdoms Goguryeo 37 BC -- 668 AD Baekje 18 BC -- 660 AD Silla 57 BC -- 935 AD Gaya confederacy 42 -- 562 North -- South States Later Silla ( Unified Silla ) 668 -- 935 Balhae 698 -- 926 Later Three Kingdoms Later Baekje 892 -- 936 Taebong ( Later Goguryeo ) 901 -- 918 Later Silla 668 -- 935 Unitary dynastic period Goryeo 918 -- 1392 Joseon 1392 -- 1897 Korean Empire 1897 -- 1910 Colonial period Japanese rule 1910 -- 1945 Provisional Government 1919 -- 1948 Division of Korea Military Governments 1945 -- 1948 North Korea 1948 -- present South Korea 1948 -- present By topic Art Language Military ( Goguryeo ) Monarchs Naval Science and technology Timeline Korea portal Prehistory and Gojoseon Main articles : Prehistoric Korea and Gojoseon The Korean Academy claimed 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. The best preserved Korean pottery goes back to the paleolithic times around 10,000 BC and the Neolithic period begins around 6000 BC. According to legend, Dangun, a descendant of Heaven, established Gojoseon in 2333 BC. In 108 BC, the Han dynasty defeated Gojoseon and installed four commanderies in the northern Korean peninsula. Three of the commanderies fell or retreated westward within a few decades, but the Lelang commandery remained as a center of cultural and economic exchange with successive Chinese dynasties for four centuries. By 313, Goguryeo annexed all of the Chinese commanderies. Proto -- Three Kingdoms Main article : Proto -- Three Kingdoms of Korea The Proto -- Three Kingdoms period, sometimes called the Multiple 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, which encompassed northern Korea and southern Manchuria. With the fall of Gojoseon, southern Korea entered the Samhan period. 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 Main articles : Three Kingdoms of Korea, Baekje, Goguryeo, and Silla 7th century Tang dynasty painting of envoys from the Three Kingdoms of Korea : Baekje, Goguryeo, and Silla The Three Kingdoms of Korea consisted of Goguryeo, Silla, and Baekje. Silla and Baekje controlled the southern half of the Korean Peninsula, maintaining the former Samhan territories, while Goguryeo controlled the northern half of the Korean Peninsula, Manchuria and the Liaodong Peninsula, uniting Buyeo, Okjeo, Dongye, and other states in the former Gojoseon territories. Goguryeo was a highly militaristic state ; it was a powerful empire and one of the great powers in East Asia, reaching its zenith in the 5th century when its territories expanded to encompass most of Manchuria to the north, parts of Inner Mongolia to the west, parts of Russia to the east, and the Seoul region to the south. Goguryeo experienced a golden age under Gwanggaeto the Great and his son Jangsu, who both subdued Baekje and Silla during their times, achieving a brief unification of the Three Kingdoms of Korea and becoming the most dominant power on the Korean Peninsula. In addition to contesting for control of the Korean Peninsula, Goguryeo had many military conflicts with various Chinese dynasties, most notably the Goguryeo - Sui War, in which Goguryeo defeated a huge force said to number over a million men. In 642, the powerful general Yeon Gaesomun led a coup and gained complete control over Goguryeo. In response, Emperor Tang Taizong of China led a campaign against Goguryeo, but was defeated and retreated. After the death of Tang Taizong, his son Emperor Tang Gaozong allied with the Korean kingdom of Silla and invaded Goguryeo again, but was unable to overcome Goguryeo 's stalwart defenses and was defeated in 662. However, Yeon Gaesomun died of a natural cause in 666 and Goguryeo was thrown into chaos and weakened by a succession struggle among his sons and younger brother, with his eldest son defecting to Tang and his younger brother defecting to Silla. The Tang - Silla alliance finally conquered Goguryeo in 668. After the collapse of Goguryeo, Tang and Silla ended their alliance and fought over control of the Korean Peninsula. Silla succeeded in gaining control over most of the Korean Peninsula, while Tang gained control over Goguryeo 's northern territories. However, 30 years after the fall of Goguryeo, a Goguryeo general by the name of Dae Joyeong founded the Korean - Mohe state of Balhae and successfully expelled the Tang presence from much of the former Goguryeo territories. Seokguram Grotto from the Silla era, a UNESCO World Heritage Site The southwestern Korean kingdom of Baekje was founded around modern - day Seoul by a Goguryeo prince, a son of the founder of Goguryeo. Baekje 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 parts of Hwanghae and Gangwon ) to a centralised government ; during the expansion of its territory, Baekje acquired Chinese culture and technology through maritime contacts with the Southern Dynasties. Baekje was a great maritime power ; its nautical skill, which made it the Phoenicia of East Asia, was instrumental in the dissemination of Buddhism throughout East Asia and continental culture to Japan. Historic evidence suggests that Japanese culture, art, and language were influenced by the kingdom of Baekje and Korea itself ; Baekje also played an important role in transmitting advanced Chinese culture to the Japanese archipelago. Baekje was once a great military power on the Korean Peninsula, most notably in the 4th century during the rule of Geunchogo when its influence extended across the sea to Liaoxi and Shandong in China, taking advantage of the weakened state of Former Qin, and Kyushu in the Japanese archipelago ; however, Baekje was critically defeated by Gwanggaeto the Great and declined. Although later records claim that Silla was the oldest of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, it is now believed to have been the last kingdom to develop. By the 2nd century, Silla existed as a large state in the southeast, occupying and influencing its neighboring city - states. In 562, Silla annexed the Gaya confederacy which was located between Baekje and Silla. The Three Kingdoms of Korea often warred with each other and Silla was often dominated by Baekje and Goguryeo. Silla was the smallest and weakest of the three, but it used cunning diplomatic means to make opportunistic pacts and alliances with the more powerful Korean kingdoms, and eventually Tang China, to its great advantage. In 660, King Muyeol ordered his armies to attack Baekje. General Kim Yu - shin, aided by Tang forces, conquered Baekje after defeating General Gyebaek at the Battle of Hwangsanbeol. In 661, Silla and Tang attacked Goguryeo but were repelled. King Munmu, son of Muyeol and nephew of General Kim Yu - shin, launched another campaign in 667 and Goguryeo fell in the following year. North - South states period Main articles : North South States Period, Later Silla, and Balhae Beginning in the 6th century, Silla 's power gradually extended across the Korean Peninsula. Silla first annexed the adjacent Gaya confederacy in 562. By the 640s, Silla formed an alliance with the Tang Dynasty of China to conquer Baekje and later Goguryeo. After conquering Baekje and Goguryeo, Silla repulsed Tang China from the Korean peninsula in 676. Even though Silla unified most of the Korean Peninsula, most of the Goguryeo territories to the north of the Korean Peninsula were ruled by Balhae. Former Goguryeo general Dae Jo - yeong led a group of Goguryeo and Mohe refugees to the Jilin and founded the kingdom of Balhae, 30 years after the collapse of Goguryeo, as the successor to Goguryeo. At its height, Balhae 's territories extended from southern Manchuria down to the northern Korean peninsula. Balhae was called the `` Prosperous Country in the East ''. Later Silla carried on the maritime prowess of Baekje, which acted like the Phoenicia of medieval East Asia, and during the 8th and 9th centuries dominated the seas of East Asia and the trade between China, Korea and Japan, most notably during the time of Jang Bogo ; in addition, Silla people made overseas communities in China on the Shandong Peninsula and the mouth of the Yangtze River. Later Silla was a prosperous and wealthy country, and its metropolitan capital of Gyeongju was the fourth largest city in the world. Later Silla was a golden age of art and culture, as evidenced by the Hwangnyongsa, Seokguram, and Emille Bell. Buddhism flourished during this time, and many Korean Buddhists gained great fame among Chinese Buddhists and contributed to Chinese Buddhism, including : Woncheuk, Wonhyo, Uisang, Musang, and Kim Gyo - gak, a Silla prince whose influence made Mount Jiuhua one of the Four Sacred Mountains of Chinese Buddhism. Later Silla fell apart in the late 9th century, giving way to the tumultuous Later Three Kingdoms period ( 892 -- 935 ), and Balhae was destroyed by the Khitans in 926. Goryeo unified the Later Three Kingdoms and received the last crown prince and much of the ruling class of Balhae, thus bringing about a unification of the two successor nations of Goguryeo. Goryeo dynasty Main article : Goryeo Goryeo was founded in 918 and replaced Silla as the ruling dynasty of Korea. Goryeo 's land was at first what is now South Korea and about 1 / 3 of North Korea, but later on managed to recover most of the Korean peninsula. Momentarily, Goryeo advanced to parts of Jiandao while conquering the Jurchens, but returned the territories due to the harsh climate and difficulties in defending them. The name `` Goryeo '' ( 高麗 ) is a short form of `` Goguryeo '' ( 高句麗 ) and was first used during the time of King Jangsu. Goryeo regarded itself as the successor of Goguryeo, hence its name and efforts to recover the former territories of Goguryeo. Wang Geon, the founder of Goryeo, was of Goguryeo descent, and traced his ancestry to a noble Goguryeo clan. He made Kaesong, his hometown, the capital. During this period, laws were codified and a civil service system was introduced. Buddhism flourished and spread throughout the peninsula. The development of celadon industries flourished in the 12th and 13th centuries. The publication of the Tripitaka Koreana onto more than 80,000 wooden blocks and the invention of the world 's first metal movable type in the 13th century attest to Goryeo 's cultural achievements. Goryeo had to defend frequently against attacks by nomadic empires, especially the Khitans and the Mongols. Goryeo had a hostile relationship with the Khitans, because the Khitan Empire had destroyed Balhae, also a successor state of Goguryeo. In 993, the Khitans, who had established the Liao dynasty in 907, invaded Goryeo, demanding that it make amity with them. Goryeo sent the diplomat Seo Hui to negotiate, who successfully persuaded the Khitans to let Goryeo expand to the banks of the Amnok River, citing that in the past the land belonged to Goguryeo, the predecessor of Goryeo. During the Goryeo -- Khitan War, the Khitan Empire invaded Korea twice more in 1009 and 1018, but was defeated. After defeating the Khitan Empire, which was the most powerful empire of its time, Goryeo experienced a golden age that lasted a century, during which the Tripitaka Koreana was completed, and there were great developments in printing and publishing, promoting learning and dispersing knowledge on philosophy, literature, religion, and science ; by 1100, there were 12 universities that produced famous scholars and scientists. Goryeo was invaded by the Mongols in seven major campaigns from the 1230s until the 1270s, but was never conquered. Exhausted after decades of fighting, Goryeo sent its crown prince to the Yuan capital to swear allegiance to the Mongols ; Kublai Khan accepted, and married one of his daughters to the Korean crown prince, and the dynastic line of Goryeo continued to survive under the overlordship of the Mongol Yuan dynasty as a semi-autonomous vassal state and compulsory ally. The two nations became intertwined for 80 years as all subsequent Korean kings married Mongol princesses, and the last empress of the Yuan dynasty was a Korean princess. In the 1350s, King Gongmin was free at last to reform the Goryeo government when the Yuan dynasty began to crumble. 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. During this tumultuous period, Goryeo momentarily conquered Liaoyang in 1356, repulsed two large invasions by the Red Turbans in 1359 and 1360, and defeated the final attempt by the Yuan to dominate Goryeo when General Choe Yeong defeated a Mongol tumen in 1364. During the 1380s, Goryeo turned its attention to the Wokou threat and used naval artillery created by Choe Museon to annihilate hundreds of pirate ships. Joseon dynasty Main article : Joseon The Gyeongbokgung Palace Korean plated mail In 1392, the general Yi Seong - gye overthrew the Goryeo dynasty after he staged a coup and defeated General Choe Yeong. Yi Seong - gye named his new dynasty Joseon and moved the capital from Kaesong to Hanseong ( formerly Hanyang ; modern - day Seoul ) and built the Gyeongbokgung palace. In 1394, he adopted Confucianism as the country 's official ideology, resulting in much loss of power and wealth by the Buddhists. The prevailing philosophy of the Joseon dynasty was Neo-Confucianism, which was epitomized by the seonbi class, scholars who passed up positions of wealth and power to lead lives of study and integrity. Joseon was a nominal tributary state of China but exercised full sovereignty, and maintained the highest position among China 's tributary states, which also included countries such as the Ryukyu Kingdom, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Burma, Laos, among others. In addition, Joseon received tribute from Jurchens and Japanese until the 17th century, and had a small enclave in the Ryukyu Kingdom that engaged in trade with Siam and Java. During the 15th and 16th centuries, Joseon enjoyed many benevolent rulers who promoted education and science. Most notable among them was Sejong the Great ( r. 1418 -- 50 ), who promulgated Hangul, the Korean alphabet. This golden age saw great cultural and scientific advancements, including in printing, meteorological observation, astronomy, calendar science, ceramics, military technology, geography, cartography, medicine, and agricultural technology, some of which were unrivaled elsewhere. Joseon implemented a class system that consisted of yangban the noble class, jungin the middle class, yangin the common class, and cheonin the lowest class, which included occupations such as butchers, tanners, shamans, entertainers, and nobi, the equivalent of slaves, bondservants, or serfs. In 1592 and again in 1597, the Japanese invaded Korea ; the Korean military at the time was unprepared and untrained, due to two centuries of peace on the Korean Peninsula. Toyotomi Hideyoshi intended to conquer China and India through the Korean Peninsula, but was defeated by strong resistance from the Righteous Army, the naval superiority of Admiral Yi Sun - sin and his turtle ships, and assistance from Wanli Emperor of Ming China. However, Joseon experienced great destruction, including a tremendous loss of cultural sites such as temples and palaces to Japanese pillaging, and the Japanese brought back to Japan an estimated 100,000 -- 200,000 noses cut from Korean victims. Less than 30 years after the Japanese invasions, the Manchus took advantage of Joseon 's war - weakened state and invaded in 1627 and 1637, and then went on to conquer the destabilized Ming dynasty. After normalizing relations with the new Qing dynasty, Joseon experienced a nearly 200 - year period of peace. Kings Yeongjo and Jeongjo led a new renaissance of the Joseon dynasty during the 18th century. In the 19th century, the royal in - law families gained control of the government, leading to mass corruption and weakening of the state, and severe poverty and peasant rebellions throughout the country. Furthermore, the Joseon government adopted a strict isolationist policy, earning the nickname `` the hermit kingdom '', but ultimately failed to protect itself against imperialism and was forced to open its borders, beginning an era leading into Japanese imperial rule. Korean Empire Main article : Korean Empire The earliest surviving depiction of the Korean flag was printed in a US Navy book Flags of Maritime Nations in July 1889. Beginning in 1871, Japan began to exert more influence in Korea, forcing it out of China 's traditional sphere of influence. As a result of the Sino - Japanese War ( 1894 -- 95 ), 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 of Korea was assassinated by Japanese agents. In 1897, the Joseon dynasty proclaimed the Korean Empire ( 1897 -- 1910 ). King Gojong became an emperor. During this brief period, Korea had some success in modernizing the military, economy, real property laws, education system, and various industries. Russia, Japan, France, and the United States all invested in the country and sought to influence it politically. In 1904, the Russo - Japanese War pushed the Russians out of the fight for Korea. In Manchuria on 26 October 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 and Japan - Korea Annexation Main article : Korea under Japanese rule See also : Japanese war crimes The memorial tablet for the 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. 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 was manifested in the nonviolent March 1st Movement of 1919, during which 7,000 demonstrators were killed by Japanese police and military. The Korean liberation movement also spread to neighbouring Manchuria and Siberia. Over five million Koreans were conscripted for labour beginning in 1939, and tens of thousands of men were forced into Japan 's military. Nearly 400,000 Korean labourers died. Approximately 200,000 girls and women, mostly from China and Korea, were forced into sexual slavery for the Japanese military. In 1993, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yohei Kono acknowledged the terrible injustices faced by these euphemistically named `` comfort women ''. During the Japanese annexation, the Korean language was suppressed in an effort to eradicate Korean national identity. Koreans were forced to take Japanese surnames, known as Sōshi - kaimei. Traditional Korean culture suffered heavy losses, as numerous Korean cultural artifacts were destroyed or taken to Japan. To this day, valuable Korean artifacts can often be found in Japanese museums or among private collections. 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. Japanese officials considered returning Korean cultural properties, but to date this has not occurred. Korea and Japan still dispute the ownership of the Dokdo, islets located east of the Korean Peninsula. There was a significant level of emigration to the overseas territories of the Empire of Japan during the Japanese occupation period, including Korea. By the end of World War II, there were over 850,000 Japanese settlers in Korea. After World War II, most of these overseas Japanese repatriated to Japan. Division Main articles : Division of Korea, Korean conflict, and Korean reunification Flag of North Korea Flag of South Korea In 1945, with the surrender of Japan, 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. The aftermath of World War II left Korea partitioned along the 38th parallel, with the north under Soviet occupation and the south under US occupation supported by other allied states. Consequently, the Democratic People 's Republic of Korea, a Soviet - style socialist republic, was established in the north while the Republic of Korea, a Western - style regime, was established in the South. 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, and by 2008 it was 17 times as high as Ghana 's. North Korea, officially the Democratic People 's Republic of Korea, is a one - party state, now centred on Kim Il - sung 's Juche ideology, with a centrally planned industrial economy. South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea, is a multi-party state with a capitalist market economy, alongside membership in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the Group of Twenty. The two states have greatly diverged both culturally and economically since their partition, though they still share a common traditional culture and pre-Cold War history. According to R.J. Rummel, forced labor, executions, and concentration camps were responsible for over one million deaths in North Korea from 1948 to 1987 ; others have estimated 400,000 deaths in concentration camps alone. Estimates based on the most recent North Korean census suggest that 240,000 to 420,000 people died as a result of the 1990s famine and that there were 600,000 to 850,000 unnatural deaths in North Korea from 1993 to 2008. Korean War Main article : Korean War Urban combat in Seoul, 1950, as US Marines fight North Koreans holding the city. 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 remained divided, the Korean Demilitarized Zone being the de facto border between the two states. In June 1950 North Korea invaded the South, using Soviet tanks and weaponry. During the Korean War ( 1950 -- 53 ) more than 1.2 million people died and the three years of fighting throughout the nation effectively destroyed most cities. The war ended in an Armistice Agreement at approximately the Military Demarcation Line. Geography Main article : Geography of Korea See also : Geography of North Korea, Geography of South Korea, and Provinces of Korea A neighborhood in North Gyeongsang Province A view of Mount Seorak Daedongyeojijeondo, a map of Korea Jeju Island seashore Korea is located on the Korean Peninsula in East Asia. To the northwest, the Amnok River separates Korea from China and to the northeast, the Duman River separates Korea from China and Russia. The peninsula is surrounded by the Yellow Sea to the west, the East China Sea and Korea Strait to the south, and the East Sea ( Sea of Japan ). Notable islands include Jeju Island, Ulleung Island, 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 ( 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 ( 1,638 m ), Mount Seorak ( 1,708 m ), Mount Taebaek ( 1,567 m ), and Mount Jiri ( 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 East Sea, 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 and Seomjin River. Important rivers running westward include the Amnok River, the Chongchon River, the Taedong River, the Han River, the Geum River, and the Yeongsan River. 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. Wildlife Main article : Wildlife of Korea Animal life of Korea includes a considerable number of bird species and native freshwater fish. Native or endemic species of the Korean Peninsula include Korean hare, Korean water deer, Korean field mouse, Korean brown frog, Korean pine and Korean spruce. The Korean Demilitarized Zone ( DMZ ) with its forest and natural wetlands is a unique biodiversity spot, which harbours eighty two endangered species. There are also approximately 3,034 species of vascular plants. Demographics Main articles : Koreans, Demographics of South Korea, and Demographics of North Korea The combined population of the Koreans is about 76 million ( North Korea : 25 million, South Korea : 51 million ). Korea is chiefly populated by a highly homogeneous ethnic group, the Koreans, who speak the Korean language. 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 reside. It was estimated in 2006 that only 26,700 of the old Chinese community now remain in South Korea. 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. Small communities of ethnic Chinese and Japanese are also found in North Korea. Language Main articles : Korean language and Korean Sign Language Hunminjeongeum, afterwards called Hangul. Korean is the official language of both North and South Korea, and ( along with Mandarin ) of Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture in the 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 25 million. Other large groups of Korean speakers through Korean diaspora are found in China, the United States, Japan, former Soviet Union and elsewhere. The 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 script of the Korean alphabet ( known as Hangul in South Korea and Chosungul in China and North Korea ), which was invented in the 15th century. Korean is sometimes written with the addition of some Chinese characters called Hanja ; however, this is only occasionally seen nowadays. 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. Culture and Arts Main articles : Culture of Korea, Korean art, Korean pottery and porcelain, Korean martial arts, Korean dance, Korean bow, and Korean architecture Korean Buddhist architecture Traditional Korean dance ( Jinju geommu ) In ancient Chinese texts, Korea is referred to as `` Rivers and Mountains Embroidered on Silk '' ( 금수 강산, 錦 繡 江 山 ) and `` Eastern Nation of Decorum '' ( 동방 예의 지국, 東 方 禮 儀 之 國 ). 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 Main article : 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 men 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. Music Main article : Music of Korea Traditional Korean music includes combinations of the folk, vocal, religious and ritual music styles of the Korean people. Korean music has been practiced since prehistoric times. Korean music falls into two broad categories. The first, Hyangak, literally means The local music or Music native to Korea of which example is Sujecheon, a piece of instrumental music as old as 1,300 years. The second, yangak, represent a more Western style. Religion Main articles : Religion in Korea, Religion in South Korea, and Religion in North Korea See also : Korean shamanism, Korean Confucianism, Korean Buddhism, Taoism in Korea, Christianity in Korea, and Islam in Korea 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 or the pressure from the Juche government in the North. 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 %. 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. Cuisine Main article : Korean cuisine See also : Korean tea ceremony and Korean royal court cuisine Tteokbokki, rice cakes with spicy gochujang sauce. Koreans traditionally believe that the taste and quality of food depend on its spices and sauces, the essential ingredients to making a delicious meal. Therefore, soybean paste, soy sauce, gochujang or red pepper paste and kimchi are some of the most important staples in a Korean household. Korean cuisine was greatly influenced by the geography and climate of the Korean Peninsula, which is known for its cold autumns and winters, therefore there are many fermented dishes and hot soups and stews. 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, a traditional Korean sauce made of red pepper is also commonly used, often as pepper ( chilli ) paste, earning the cuisine a reputation for spiciness. 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 ) or 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 ). Instant noodles or ramyeon are a popular snack food and Koreans also enjoy food from pojangmachas ( street vendors ), where customers can buy tteokbokki ( rice cake and fish cake with a spicy gochujang sauce ), gimbap made of steamed white rice wrapped in dried laver seaweed as well as fried squid and glazed sweet potato. Soondae, a sausage made of cellophane noodles and pork blood, is widely eaten. Additionally, some other common snacks include `` Choco Pie '', shrimp crackers, `` bbeongtwigi '' ( puffed rice grains ), and `` nurungji '' ( slightly burnt rice ). Nurungji can be eaten as it is or boiled with water to make a soup. Nurungji can also be eaten as a snack or a dessert. Korea is unique among Asian countries in its use of metal chopsticks. Metal chopsticks have been discovered in archaeological sites belonging to the ancient Korean kingdoms of Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla. Television Korean television dramas ( `` K - dramas '' ) have become popular in many countries, and as a result outdoor locations featured in K - dramas have become popular stops for international tourists. Product placements in the dramas have proven effective in advertising ; for example, sales of cosmetics, clothing and food favored by the female lead played by actress Jun Ji - hyun in the drama My Love from the Star rose significantly after the relevant episodes aired. In one notorious case it was reported that a woman in China became ill after consuming nothing but fried chicken and beer -- the character 's favorite snack -- for several days. Education Main articles : Education in North Korea and Education in South Korea The modern South 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, ranks South Korea 's science education as the third best in the world and being significantly higher than the OECD average. South Korea ranks second on math and literature and first in problem solving. Although South Korean students often rank high on international comparative assessments, the education system is criticised for emphasising too much upon passive learning and memorization. The South Korean education system is rather notably strict and structured as compared to its counterparts in most Western societies. Also, the prevalence of non-school for - profit private institutes such as academies or cram schools ( Hagwon ( 학원 ) ), which too emphasise passive memorisation, as opposed to conceptual understanding, in students are criticised as a major social problem. After students enter university, however, the situation is markedly reversed In Korea, university is hard to enter, and graduation is comparatively easier than entry. The North Korean education system consists primarily of universal and state funded schooling by the government. The national literacy rate for citizens 15 years of age and above is over 99 percent. Children go through one year of kindergarten, four years of primary education, six years of secondary education, and then on to universities. The most prestigious university in the DPRK is Kim Il - sung University. Other notable universities include Kim Chaek University of Technology, which focuses on computer science, Pyongyang University of Foreign Studies, which trains working level diplomats and trade officials, and Kim Hyong Jik University, which trains teachers. Outside the formal structure of schools and classrooms in the north is the extremely important `` social education ''. This education includes not only extracurricular activities but also family life and the broadest range of human relationships within society. There is great sensitivity to the influence of the social environment on the growing child and its role in the development of his or her character. The ideal of social education is to provide a carefully controlled environment in which children are exposed only to pro-Juche and anti-south influences. According to a North Korean official interviewed in 1990, ' School education is not enough to turn the rising generation into men of knowledge, virtue, and physical fitness. After school, our children have many spare hours. So it 's important to efficiently organise their afterschool education '. Science and technology Main article : History of science and technology in Korea See also : List of Korean inventions and discoveries 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 the Cheomseongdae ( 첨성대, 瞻 星 臺 ), a 9.4 - meter high observatory built in 634. The earliest known surviving Korean example of woodblock printing is the Mugujeonggwang Great Dharani Sutra. It is believed to have been printed in Korea in 750 -- 51, which if correct, would make it older than the Diamond Sutra. During the Goryeo Dynasty, metal movable type printing was invented by Choe Yun - ui in 1234. This invention made printing easier, more efficient and also increased literacy, which observed by Chinese visitors was seen to be so important where it was considered to be shameful to not be able to read. The Mongol Empire later adopted Korea 's movable type printing and spread as far as Central Asia. There is conjecture as to whether or not Choe 's invention had any influence on later printing inventions such as Gutenberg 's Printing press. When the Mongols invaded Europe they inadvertently introduced different kinds of Asian technology. During the Joseon period, the Turtle Ship was invented, which were covered by a wooden deck and iron with thorns, as well as other weapons such as the bigyeokjincheolloe cannon ( 비격 진천뢰, 飛 擊 震 天 雷 ) and the hwacha. The Korean alphabet hangul was also invented during this time by King Sejong the Great. Sport Main articles : Sport in South Korea and Sport in North Korea While association football remains one of the most popular sports in South Korea, the martial art of taekwondo is considered to be the national sport. Baseball and golf are also popular. Taekwondo Main article : Taekwondo Taekwondo is one of Korea 's most famous sports. 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 ( when South Korea hosted the Games in Seoul ) and becoming an official medal event in 2000. There are two main authoritative Taekwondo organizations in the world. One is World Taekwondo ( formerly World Taekwondo Federation and the larger of the two ) and the other is ITF ( International Taekwondo Federation ). Hapkido Main article : Hapkido Hapkido is a modern Korean martial art with a grappling focus 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 article : Ssireum Ssireum is a traditional form of wrestling that has been practiced in Korea for thousands of years, with evidence discovered from Goguryeo of Korea 's 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 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. Notable public holidays in South Korea Main article : List of public holidays in South Korea Independence Movement day, March 1st Samiljeol, Independence Movement Day, commemorates Korea 's declaration of independence from Japanese occupation on March 1, 1919. The name is derived from Korean 삼 `` sam '' ' three ', 일 `` il '' ' one, ' and 절 `` jeol '' ' day ', the date of the uprising in 1919. Korea was annexed to the Empire of Japan on August 29, 1910 following the imposed Japan - Korea Treaty. On March 1, 1919, Korean presented their resistance towards Japan and Japanese occupation with a declaration of independence. Following the conclusion of World War II, Korea was liberated from Japan and its independence restored. The newly established Korean government set aside March 1 as a national holiday to commemorate the sacrifices borne in the long struggle for Korean independence. Memorial day, June 6th Hyunchoongil is the national holiday in Korea commemorating those who fought and died for the nation. In August 1948, only a few years after Korea achieved its independence from Japan, the Korean War, in Korea also known as the 6.25 war, broke out between North and South Korea. During this war, approximately 400,000 soldiers and some one million citizens were killed or injured. In 1953, North and South Korea agreed to a cease - fire, and three years later the Korean government established Hyungchoogil to commemorate the soldiers who fought in the Korean War. Subsequent to its establishment, Hyungchoogil was reinterpreted as a day of remembrance for those who died defending Korea in all conflicts, not only during the Korean War. National liberation day, August 15th Gwangbokjeol is the day for celebrating liberation of the country from Japan in 1945 as well as celebrating the establishment of Korean government in 1948. Gwangbok means `` returned light '' representing gaining national sovereignty from Japan. It was first declared to be national holiday in 1949 October 1. On this date every year, the president of Korea visits Independence Hall, and invites diplomatic envoys from many countries and all social standings in countries to Cheongwadae ( the Blue House, the Korean presidential residence ). Hangul day, October 9th Hangul Day ( also spelled as Hangeul Day ) is a day that celebrates the creation of the Hunminjeongeum ( Hangul, Korean alphabet ), which was inscribed to the UNESCO Memory of the World Register in 1997. Hangul was created by Sejong the Great in 1443 and proclaimed in 1446. Before the creation of Hangul, people in Korea ( known as Joseon at the time ) primarily wrote using Classical Chinese alongside native phonetic writing systems that predate Hangul by hundreds of years, including idu, hyangchal, gugyeol, and gakpil. However, due to the fundamental differences between the Korean and Chinese languages, and the large number of characters needed to be learned, there was much difficulty in learning how to write using Chinese characters for the lower classes, who often did n't have the privilege of education. To assuage this problem, King Sejong created the unique alphabet known as Hangul to promote literacy among the common people. Hangul Day was founded in 1926 during the Japanese occupation by members of the Korean Language Society, whose goal was to preserve the Korean language during a time of rapid forced Japanization. Today, both South Korea and North Korea celebrate Hangul Day as a national holiday. See also Korea portal Geography portal Asia portal Book : Korea Index of Korea - related articles Anti-Japanese sentiment in Korea Inter-Korean summit Korean name List of people of Korean descent National Treasures of North Korea National Treasures of South Korea Korean natural farming Korean cuisine List of Korean inventions and discoveries Korean War Notes Jump up ^ $26,341 GDP for Korea, $1513 for Ghana. References Jump up ^ Castello - Cortes 1996, p. 413, North Korea. Jump up ^ Castello - Cortes 1996, p. 498, South Korea. Jump up ^ Novak, Cathy ( August 13, 2015 ). `` North Korea sets clocks back 30 minutes creating its own time zone ''. CNN. Retrieved 4 May 2016. ^ Jump up to : `` World Treasures : Beginnings ''. Library of Congress. United States Congress. 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Jump up ^ Ring, Trudy ; Watson, Noelle ; Schellinger, Paul. Asia and Oceania : International Dictionary of Historic Places. Routledge. p. 486. ISBN 9781136639791. Retrieved 16 July 2016. Jump up ^ Injae, Lee ; Miller, Owen ; Jinhoon, Park ; Hyun - Hae, Yi. Korean History in Maps. Cambridge University Press. p. 29. ISBN 9781107098466. Retrieved 17 July 2016. Jump up ^ Yi, Ki - baek. A New History of Korea. Harvard University Press. p. 67. ISBN 9780674615762. Retrieved 2 August 2016. Jump up ^ Kim, Djun Kil. The History of Korea, 2nd Edition. ABC - CLIO. p. 49. ISBN 9781610695824. Retrieved 17 July 2016. Jump up ^ Pratt, Chairman Department of East Asian Studies Keith ; Pratt, Keith ; Rutt, Richard. Korea : A Historical and Cultural Dictionary. Routledge. p. 135. ISBN 9781136793936. Retrieved 22 July 2016. Jump up ^ Yu, Chai - Shin. The New History of Korean Civilization. iUniverse. p. 27. ISBN 9781462055593. Retrieved 22 July 2016. Jump up ^ Kim, Jinwung. A History of Korea : From `` Land of the Morning Calm '' to States in Conflict. Indiana University Press. p. 28. ISBN 0253000785. Retrieved 22 July 2016. Jump up ^ Ebrey, Patricia Buckley ; Walthall, Anne ; Palais, James B. East Asia : A Cultural, Social, and Political History. Houghton Mifflin. p. 123. ISBN 9780618133840. Retrieved 12 September 2016. Jump up ^ Kitagawa, Joseph. The Religious Traditions of Asia : Religion, History, and Culture. Routledge. p. 348. ISBN 9781136875908. Retrieved 29 July 2016. Jump up ^ Ebrey, Patricia Buckley ; Walthall, Anne ; Palais, James B. East Asia : A Cultural, Social, and Political History, Volume I : To 1800. Cengage Learning. p. 104. ISBN 1111808155. Retrieved 12 September 2016. Jump up ^ Griffis, William Elliot. Corea, Without and Within : Chapters on Corean History, Manners and Religion. Presbyterian Board of Publication. Retrieved 25 September 2016. Jump up ^ Yayo, Metropolitan Museum of Art, 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 ) Jump up ^ Chon, Ho Chon. `` Kitora Tomb Originates in Koguryo Murals ''. Choson Sinbo ( 35 ). JP : Korea NP. Jump up ^ `` Yayoi '', eMuseum, MNSU, archived from the original on 26 February 2011 Jump up ^ `` Japanese history : Jomon, Yayoi, Kofun ''. Japan guide. 9 June 2002. Retrieved 21 May 2012. Jump up ^ `` Asia Society : The Collection In Context ''. Asia society museum. Archived from the original on 19 September 2009. Retrieved 21 May 2012. Jump up ^ Pottery -- MSN Encarta. Archived from the original on 31 October 2009. `` The pottery of the Yayoi culture ( c. 300 BC -- AD c. 250 ), made by a Mongol people who came from Korea to Kyūshū, has been found throughout Japan. '' Jump up ^ `` Kanji ''. Japan guide. 25 November 2010. Retrieved 21 May 2012. Jump up ^ Noma, Seiroku ( 2003 ). The Arts of Japan : Late Medieval to Modern. Kodansha International. ISBN 978 - 4 - 7700 - 2978 - 2. Retrieved 21 May 2012. Jump up ^ `` Japanese Art and Its Korean Secret ''. Kenyon. 6 April 2003. Retrieved 21 May 2012. Jump up ^ `` Japanese Royal Tomb Opened to Scholars for First Time ''. National geographic. 28 October 2010. Retrieved 21 May 2012. Jump up ^ A Brief History of Korea. Ewha Womans University Press. pp. 29 -- 30. ISBN 9788973006199. Retrieved 21 November 2016. Jump up ^ Yu, Chai - Shin. The New History of Korean Civilization. iUniverse. p. 27. ISBN 9781462055593. Retrieved 21 November 2016. Jump up ^ Kim, Jinwung. A History of Korea : From `` Land of the Morning Calm '' to States in Conflict. Indiana University Press. pp. 44 -- 45. ISBN 0253000246. Retrieved 12 September 2016. Jump up ^ Wells, Kenneth M. Korea : Outline of a Civilisation. BRILL. pp. 18 -- 19. ISBN 9789004300057. Retrieved 12 September 2016. Jump up ^ Injae, Lee ; Miller, Owen ; Jinhoon, Park ; Hyun - Hae, Yi. Korean History in Maps. Cambridge University Press. pp. 64 -- 65. ISBN 9781107098466. Retrieved 24 February 2017. Jump up ^ Kitagawa, Joseph. The Religious Traditions of Asia : Religion, History, and Culture. Routledge. p. 348. ISBN 9781136875908. Retrieved 21 July 2016. Jump up ^ Gernet, Jacques. A History of Chinese Civilization. Cambridge University Press. p. 291. ISBN 9780521497817. Retrieved 21 July 2016. Jump up ^ Reischauer, Edwin Oldfather. Ennins Travels in Tang China. John Wiley & Sons Canada, Limited. pp. 276 -- 283. ISBN 9780471070535. Retrieved 21 July 2016. `` From what Ennin tells us, it seems that commerce between East China, Korea and Japan was, for the most part, in the hands of men from Silla. Here in the relatively dangerous waters on the eastern fringes of the world, they performed the same functions as did the traders of the placid Mediterranean on the western fringes. This is a historical fact of considerable significance but one which has received virtually no attention in the standard historical compilations of that period or in the modern books based on these sources... While there were limits to the influence of the Koreans along the eastern coast of China, there can be no doubt of their dominance over the waters off these shores... The days of Korean maritime dominance in the Far East actually were numbered, but in Ennin 's time the men of Silla were still the masters of the seas in their part of the world. '' Jump up ^ Kim, Djun Kil. The History of Korea, 2nd Edition. ABC - CLIO. p. 3. ISBN 9781610695824. Retrieved 21 July 2016. Jump up ^ Seth, Michael J. A Concise History of Korea : From the Neolithic Period Through the Nineteenth Century. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 65. ISBN 9780742540057. Retrieved 21 July 2016. Jump up ^ MacGregor, Neil. A History of the World in 100 Objects. Penguin UK. ISBN 9780141966830. Retrieved 30 September 2016. Jump up ^ Chŏng, Yang - mo ; Smith, Judith G. ; Metropolitan Museum of Art ( New York, N.Y. ). Arts of Korea. Metropolitan Museum of Art. p. 230. ISBN 9780870998508. Retrieved 30 September 2016. Jump up ^ International, Rotary. The Rotarian. Rotary International. p. 28. Retrieved 30 September 2016. Jump up ^ Ross, Alan. After Pusan. Faber & Faber. ISBN 9780571299355. Retrieved 30 September 2016. Jump up ^ Mason, David A. `` Gyeongju, Korea 's treasure house ''. Korea.net. Korean Culture and Information Service ( KOCIS ). Retrieved 30 September 2016. Jump up ^ Adams, Edward Ben. Koreaʾs pottery heritage. Seoul International Pub. House. p. 53. Retrieved 30 September 2016. Jump up ^ DuBois, Jill. Korea. Marshall Cavendish. p. 22. ISBN 9780761417866. Retrieved 29 July 2016. Jump up ^ Randel, Don Michael. The Harvard Dictionary of Music. Harvard University Press. p. 273. ISBN 9780674011632. Retrieved 29 July 2016. Jump up ^ Hopfner, Jonathan. Moon Living Abroad in South Korea. Avalon Travel. p. 21. ISBN 9781612386324. Retrieved 29 July 2016. Jump up ^ Kim, Djun Kil. The History of Korea. ABC - CLIO. p. 47. ISBN 9780313038532. Retrieved 30 September 2016. Jump up ^ Mun, Chanju ; Green, Ronald S. Buddhist Exploration of Peace and Justice. Blue Pine Books. p. 147. ISBN 9780977755301. Retrieved 29 July 2016. Jump up ^ McIntire, Suzanne ; Burns, William E. Speeches in World History. Infobase Publishing. p. 87. ISBN 9781438126807. Retrieved 29 July 2016. Jump up ^ Jr, Robert E. Buswell ; Jr, Donald S. Lopez. The Princeton Dictionary of Buddhism. Princeton University Press. p. 187. ISBN 9781400848058. Retrieved 29 July 2016. Jump up ^ Poceski, Mario. Ordinary Mind as the Way : The Hongzhou School and the Growth of Chan Buddhism. Oxford University Press. p. 24. ISBN 9780198043201. Retrieved 29 July 2016. Jump up ^ Wu, Jiang ; Chia, Lucille. Spreading Buddha 's Word in East Asia : The Formation and Transformation of the Chinese Buddhist Canon. Columbia University Press. p. 155. ISBN 9780231540193. Retrieved 29 July 2016. Jump up ^ Wright, Dale S. The Zen Canon : Understanding the Classic Texts. Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780199882182. Retrieved 29 July 2016. Jump up ^ Su - il, Jeong. The Silk Road Encyclopedia. Seoul Selection. ISBN 9781624120763. Retrieved 29 July 2016. Jump up ^ Nikaido, Yoshihiro. Asian Folk Religion and Cultural Interaction. Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht. p. 137. ISBN 9783847004851. Retrieved 29 July 2016. Jump up ^ Leffman, David ; Lewis, Simon ; Atiyah, Jeremy. China. Rough Guides. p. 519. ISBN 9781843530190. Retrieved 29 July 2016. Jump up ^ Leffman, David. The Rough Guide to China. Penguin. ISBN 9780241010372. Retrieved 29 July 2016. Jump up ^ DK Eyewitness Travel Guide : China. Penguin. p. 240. ISBN 9781465455673. Retrieved 29 July 2016. Jump up ^ Lee, Ki - Baik ( 1984 ). A New History of Korea. Cambridge, Massachusetts : Harvard University Press. p. 103. ISBN 067461576X. When Parhae perished at the hands of the Khitan around this same time, much of its ruling class, who were of Koguryŏ descent, fled to Koryŏ. Wang Kŏn warmly welcomed them and generously gave them land. Along with bestowing the name Wang Kye ( `` Successor of the Royal Wang '' ) on the Parhae crown prince, Tae Kwang - hyŏn, Wang Kŏn entered his name in the royal household register, thus clearly conveying the idea that they belonged to the same lineage, and also had rituals performed in honor of his progenitor. Thus Koryŏ achieved a true national unification that embraced not only the Later Three Kingdoms but even survivors of Koguryŏ lineage from the Parhae kingdom. Jump up ^ Rossabi, Morris. China Among Equals : The Middle Kingdom and Its Neighbors, 10th -- 14th Centuries. University of California Press. p. 323. ISBN 9780520045620. Retrieved 1 August 2016. Jump up ^ Yi, Ki - baek. A New History of Korea. Harvard University Press. p. 103. ISBN 9780674615762. Retrieved 20 October 2016. 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East Asia at the Center : Four Thousand Years of Engagement with the World. Columbia University Press. p. 107. ISBN 9780231502511. Retrieved 12 September 2016. Jump up ^ Lee, Kenneth B. Korea and East Asia : The Story of a Phoenix. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 61. ISBN 9780275958237. Retrieved 28 July 2016. Jump up ^ Bowman, John. Columbia Chronologies of Asian History and Culture. Columbia University Press. p. 202. ISBN 9780231500043. Retrieved 1 August 2016. ^ Jump up to : Lee, Kenneth B. Korea and East Asia : The Story of a Phoenix. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 72. ISBN 9780275958237. Retrieved 28 July 2016. Jump up ^ Currie, Lorenzo. Through the Eyes of the Pack. Xlibris Corporation. p. 181. ISBN 9781493145164. Retrieved 28 July 2016. Jump up ^ Yi, Ki - baek. A New History of Korea. Harvard University Press. p. 165. ISBN 9780674615762. Retrieved 27 July 2016. Jump up ^ Em, Henry. The Great Enterprise : Sovereignty and Historiography in Modern Korea. Duke University Press. p. 23. ISBN 0822353725. Retrieved 28 July 2016. Jump up ^ Lee, Seokwoo ; Lee, Hee Eun. The Making of International Law in Korea : From Colony to Asian Power. BRILL. p. 21. ISBN 9789004315754. Retrieved 28 July 2016. Jump up ^ Wang, Yuan - kang. Harmony and War : Confucian Culture and Chinese Power Politics. Columbia University Press. ISBN 9780231522403. Retrieved 20 July 2016. Jump up ^ Seth, Michael J. A History of Korea : From Antiquity to the Present. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. p. 144. ISBN 9780742567177. Retrieved 28 July 2016. Jump up ^ Gambe, Annabelle R. Overseas Chinese Entrepreneurship and Capitalist Development in Southeast Asia. LIT Verlag Münster. p. 99. ISBN 9783825843861. Retrieved 19 July 2016. Jump up ^ Chinvanno, Anuson. Thailand 's Policies towards China, 1949 -- 54. Springer. p. 24. ISBN 9781349124305. Retrieved 19 July 2016. Jump up ^ Leonard, Jane Kate. Wei Yuan and China 's Rediscovery of the Maritime World. Harvard Univ Asia Center. pp. 137 -- 138. ISBN 9780674948556. Retrieved 19 July 2016. Jump up ^ Tsai, Shih - shan Henry. The Eunuchs in the Ming Dynasty. SUNY Press. pp. 119 -- 120. ISBN 9780791426876. Retrieved 20 July 2016. Jump up ^ Eisemann, Joshua ; Heginbotham, Eric ; Mitchell, Derek. China and the Developing World : Beijing 's Strategy for the Twenty - first Century. Routledge. p. 23. ISBN 9781317282945. Retrieved 20 July 2016. Jump up ^ Lewis, James B. Frontier Contact Between Choson Korea and Tokugawa Japan. Routledge. ISBN 9781135795986. Retrieved 20 July 2016. `` Tribute trade was the oldest and most important component of the trade structure, not for its volume or content, but for its symbolism. Japanese brought items to `` offer '' to Korea and received in exchange `` gifts '' of higher value, since Korea was a greater land receiving supplicants. Koreans viewed tribute trade as a `` burden '' and a favor extended to needy islanders ; the significance was diplomatic not economic. '' Jump up ^ Kang, David C. East Asia Before the West : Five Centuries of Trade and Tribute. Columbia University Press. p. 122. ISBN 9780231153195. Retrieved 20 July 2016. Jump up ^ Kayoko, Fujita ; Momoki, Shiro ; Reid, Anthony. Offshore Asia : Maritime Interactions in Eastern Asia Before Steamships. Institute of Southeast Asian Studies. p. 198. ISBN 9789814311779. Retrieved 20 July 2016. Jump up ^ Kim, Chun - gil. The History of Korea. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 77. ISBN 9780313332968. Retrieved 28 July 2016. ^ Jump up to : Lee, Kenneth B. Korea and East Asia : The Story of a Phoenix. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 86. ISBN 9780275958237. Retrieved 27 July 2016. Jump up ^ Haralambous, Yannis ; Horne, P. Scott. Fonts & Encodings. `` O'Reilly Media, Inc. ''. p. 155. ISBN 9780596102425. Retrieved 8 October 2016. Jump up ^ Selin, Helaine. Encyclopaedia of the History of Science, Technology, and Medicine in Non-Westen Cultures. Springer Science & Business Media. pp. 505 -- 506. ISBN 9789401714167. Retrieved 27 July 2016. Jump up ^ Kim, Djun Kil. The History of Korea, 2nd Edition. ABC - CLIO. ISBN 9781610695824. Retrieved 27 July 2016. Jump up ^ Campbell, Gwyn. Structure of Slavery in Indian Ocean Africa and Asia. Routledge. pp. 153 -- 157. ISBN 9781135759179. Retrieved 14 February 2017. Jump up ^ Kang, David C. East Asia Before the West : Five Centuries of Trade and Tribute. Columbia University Press. pp. 93 -- 94. ISBN 9780231153195. Retrieved 27 July 2016. Jump up ^ Black, Jeremy. War in the World : A Comparative History, 1450 -- 1600. Palgrave Macmillan. ISBN 9780230345515. Retrieved 27 July 2016. Jump up ^ Kiernan, Ben ( 2007 ). Blood and soil : a world history of genocide and extermination from Sparta to Darfur. Yale University Press. ISBN 978 - 0 - 300 - 10098 - 3. Jump up ^ 신형식. A Brief History of Korea. Ewha Womans University Press. ISBN 9788973006199. Retrieved 8 November 2016. Jump up ^ Beirne, Paul. Su - un and His World of Symbols : The Founder of Korea 's First Indigenous Religion. Routledge. ISBN 9781317047490. Retrieved 8 November 2016. Jump up ^ `` Murder of Empress Myeongseong '', Japan rape, Kim soft, 2002, archived from the original on 9 October 2004 Jump up ^ Yi, Tae - jin ( 2005 ), 서울대 이태진 교수 의 동경대생 들 에게 들려 준 한국사 : 메이지 일본 의 한국 침략 사, ISBN 89 - 7626 - 999 - 3 Jump up ^ `` 4. Korea, 1910 -- 1945 '', The Encyclopedia of World History, Bartleby, 2001, archived from the original on 4 March 2009 Jump up ^ `` Korea ''. Encarta. MSN. Archived from the original on 1 November 2009. Jump up ^ `` Japan News and Japanese Business and Economy ''. Asia Times ( online ed. ). 10 March 2005. Retrieved 3 November 2009. Jump up ^ `` March 1st Movement ''. Encyclopædia Britannica. 1 March 1919. Retrieved 3 November 2009. Jump up ^ `` Statistics of Japanese Genocide And Mass Murder ''. Hawaii. Retrieved 3 November 2009. Jump up ^ 山脇 Yamawaki, 啓造 Keizo ( 1994 ), 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 ), et al., 明石 書店 Akashi - shoten, ISBN 978 - 4 - 7503 - 0568 - 4 Jump up ^ Gruhl, Werner ( 2007 ). Imperial Japan 's World War Two : 1931 -- 1945. Transaction Publishers. p. 111. ISBN 978 - 1 - 4128 - 0926 - 9. Jump up ^ Yoshiaki, Yoshimi ( 2001 ) ( 岩波 書店, 1995 ), Comfort Women : Sexual Slavery in the Japanese Military During World War II, O'Brien, Suzanne transl, Columbia University Press, ISBN 0 - 231 - 12032 - X Jump up ^ `` Japanese comfort women ruling overturned ''. CNN. 29 March 2001. Archived from the original on 16 December 2008. Jump up ^ `` Comfort Women ''. Retrieved 3 November 2009. Jump up ^ Kono, Yohei ( 4 August 1993 ). `` Statement by the Chief Cabinet Secretary on the result of the study on the issue of `` comfort women '' ``. MOFA. Archived from the original on 9 July 2014. Retrieved 3 November 2009. Jump up ^ `` Koreans in Japan : Past and Present ''. HAN. Retrieved 3 November 2009. Jump up ^ `` Gyeongbok Palace ''. Seoul City. South Korea : Life in Korea. Archived from the original on 26 September 2009. Retrieved 3 November 2009. ^ Jump up to : Itoi, Kay ; Lee, BJ ( 17 October 2007 ). `` Korea : A tussle over treasures -- Who rightfully owns Korean artifacts looted by Japan ? ''. Newsweek. Retrieved 6 June 2008. Jump up ^ `` Who rightfully owns Korean artifacts looted by Japan ? '', Newsweek, MSNBC, archived from the original on 25 September 2010 ^ Jump up to : News, Naver Jump up ^ `` 日 독도 영유권 교육 강화 방침, 2005 년 에 이미 발표 : : 한국 의 대표 진보 언론 민중 의 소리 ''. KR : Vop. Retrieved 3 November 2009. Jump up ^ `` Japanese Periodicals in Colonial Korea ''. Columbia. Retrieved 3 November 2009. Jump up ^ `` The Life Instability of Intermarried Japanese Women in Korea ''. USC. Archived from the original on 13 October 1999. Retrieved 3 November 2009. Jump up ^ `` Africa has to spend carefully '', The Independent ( leading article ), UK, 13 July 2006 Jump up ^ World Economic Outlook Database, International Monetary Fund, October 2008, archived from the original on 2009 - 12 - 23, retrieved 14 February 2009 Jump up ^ Rummel, RJ ( 1997 ), `` 10. Statistics of North Korean Democide : Estimates, Calculations, and Sources '', Statistics of Democide, Hawaii Jump up ^ Omestad, Thomas, `` Gulag Nation '' Archived 9 May 2005 at the Wayback Machine., U.S. News & World Report, 23 June 2003. Jump up ^ Spoorenberg, Thomas ; Schwekendiek, Daniel, `` Demographic Changes in North Korea : 1993 -- 2008 '' ( PDF ), Population and Development Review ( online ed. ), Wiley, 38 ( 1 ) : 133 -- 58, doi : 10.1111 / j. 1728 - 4457.2012. 00475. x Jump up ^ Lacina, Bethany ; Gleditsch, Nils Petter ( 2005 ), `` Monitoring Trends in Global Combat : A New Dataset of Battle Deaths '' ( PDF ), European Journal of Population, 21 : 154, doi : 10.1007 / s10680 - 005 - 6851 - 6 Jump up ^ Korean Map Archived 23 July 2013 at the Wayback Machine., The People 's Korea, 1998. Jump up ^ `` Korea 's ethnic nationalism is a source of both pride and prejudice, according to Gi - Wook Shin ''. Aparc. Stanford. Retrieved 3 November 2009. Jump up ^ Glionna, John M. ( 24 February 2009 ), `` Trying to teach South Korea about discrimination '', The Los Angeles Times Jump up ^ Kim, Hyung - jin ( 29 August 2006 ). `` No ' real ' Chinatown in S. Korea, the result of xenophobic attitudes ''. Yonhap News. Retrieved 8 December 2006. Jump up ^ `` More Than 1 Million Foreigners Live in Korea ''. Chosun Ilbo. 6 August 2009. Retrieved 16 August 2009. Jump up ^ `` Korea, North ''. The World Factbook. CIA. Retrieved 3 November 2009. Jump up ^ `` 대한민국 의 국호 ''. Naver Encyclope. Jump up ^ `` Korean -- Religion and Expressive Culture ''. Jump up ^ May, Elizabeth ( 1983 ). Musics of Many Cultures : An Introduction ( Ethno Musicology ed. ). University of California Press. pp. 32 -- 33. ISBN 0520047788. Retrieved 10 July 2015. Jump up ^ `` Religion ''. About Korea. Korea. Archived from the original on 31 July 2008. Retrieved 3 November 2009. Jump up ^ `` South Koreans ''. Japan to Mali. Every Culture. Retrieved 3 November 2009. Jump up ^ `` Culture of South Korea ''. Every Culture. Retrieved 3 November 2009. Jump up ^ `` Culture of North Korea ''. Every Culture. Retrieved 3 November 2009. Jump up ^ `` North Korea : people ''. The World Factbook. US : CIA. Retrieved 3 November 2009. Jump up ^ `` Korea, Republic of ''. International Religious Freedom Report. US : Department of State. 2008. Retrieved 3 November 2009. Jump up ^ `` The Korea Times : Islam takes root and blooms ''. Islam awareness. 22 November 2002. Retrieved 3 November 2009. Jump up ^ Shim Seung - Ja ( August 2002 ). `` La nourriture coréenne ''. Revue Culture coréenne ( in French ) ( 61 ). pp. 17 -- 23. Jump up ^ Chang Duk - Sang ( December 1990 ). `` L'étonnante cuisine coréenne ''. Revue Culture coréenne ( in French ) ( 24 ). pp. 2 -- 10. Jump up ^ `` Korean TV Show Sparks Chicken and Beer Craze in China ''. Wall Street Journal. 26 February 2014. Retrieved 7 December 2016. Jump up ^ `` Data '' ( PDF ). OECD. Retrieved 21 May 2012. Jump up ^ Library of Congress country study, see p. 7 for Education and Literacy ( Archived 31 March 2013 at WebCite ) Jump up ^ UIS. `` UIS Statistics ''. Retrieved 5 October 2016. Jump up ^ `` Cultural Heritage, the source for Koreans ' Strength and Dream ''. KR : Cha. Archived from the original on 16 March 2008. Retrieved 3 November 2009. Jump up ^ `` Korean Classics : Asian Collections : An Illustrated Guide ( Library of Congress - Asian Division ) ''. Library of Congress. United States Congress. Retrieved 19 August 2016. Jump up ^ `` Gutenberg Bible ''. British Library. The British Library Board. Retrieved 19 August 2016. Jump up ^ `` Korea, 1000 -- 1400 A.D. Chronology Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History The Metropolitan Museum of Art ''. The Met 's Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Retrieved 19 August 2016. Jump up ^ `` Movable type - Oxford Reference ''. Oxford Reference. Oxford University Press. doi : 10.1093 / oi / authority. 20110803100213284. Retrieved 19 August 2016. Jump up ^ Ebrey, Patricia Buckley ; Walthall, Anne. East Asia : A Cultural, Social, and Political History. Cengage Learning. ISBN 1285528670. Retrieved 19 August 2016. Jump up ^ `` World Treasures : Beginnings ''. Library of Congress. United States Congress. Retrieved 15 July 2016. Jump up ^ Baek Sauk Gi ( 1987 ). Woong - Jin - Wee - In - Jun - Gi # 11 Jang Young Sil, page 61. Woongjin Publishing. Jump up ^ Gutenberg and the Koreans : Did Asian Printing Traditions Influence the European Renaissance ? Jump up ^ Hawley, Samuel ( 2005 ). The Imjin War. Japan 's Sixteenth - Century Invasion of Korea and Attempt to Conquer China. Seoul : The Royal Asiatic Society, Korea Branch. pp. 195f. ISBN 89 - 954424 - 2 - 5. Jump up ^ Turnbull, Stephen ( 2002 ). Samurai Invasion. Japan 's Korean War 1592 -- 98. London : Cassell & Co. p. 244. ISBN 0 - 304 - 35948 - 3. Jump up ^ Roh, Young - koo ( 2004 ). `` Yi Sun - shin, an Admiral Who Became a Myth '' ( PDF ). The Review of Korean Studies. KR : AKS. 7 ( 3 ) : 15 -- 36. Jump up ^ `` The Hunmin Chongum Manuscript ''. Memory of the World. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Jump up ^ Hannas, Wm C. Asia 's Orthographic Dilemma. University of Hawaii Press. p. 57. ISBN 9780824818920. Retrieved 20 September 2016. Jump up ^ Chen, Jiangping. Multilingual Access and Services for Digital Collections. ABC - CLIO. p. 66. ISBN 9781440839559. Retrieved 20 September 2016. Jump up ^ `` Invest Korea Journal ''. 23. Korea Trade - Investment Promotion Agency. 1 January 2005. Retrieved 20 September 2016. They later devised three different systems for writing Korean with Chinese characters : Hyangchal, Gukyeol and Idu. These systems were similar to those developed later in Japan and were probably used as models by the Japanese. Jump up ^ `` Korea Now ''. 29. Korea Herald. 1 July 2000. Retrieved 20 September 2016. Jump up ^ Koerner, E.F.K. ; Asher, R.E. Concise History of the Language Sciences : From the Sumerians to the Cognitivists. Elsevier. p. 54. ISBN 9781483297545. Retrieved 13 October 2016. Jump up ^ Lee, Peter H. ; Bary, William Theodore De. Sources of Korean Tradition : From the sixteenth to the twentieth centuries. Columbia University Press. p. 321. ISBN 9780231120302. Retrieved 3 October 2016. Sources Castello - Cortes, Ian, ed. ( 1996 ), `` North Korea '', World Reference Atlas ( 2nd American ed. ), New York : Dorling Kindersley, ISBN 0 - 7894 - 1085 - 0. Cumings, Bruce ( 1997 ), Korea 's Place in the Sun, Norton, ISBN 0 - 393 - 31681 - 5 Kim ( 1976 ), Women of Korea : A History from Ancient Times to 1945, et al., Ewha Women 's University Press, ISBN 89 - 7300 - 116 - 7. `` History '', Korea, Asian Info. Top 500 list, CN : STJI, 2007 `` People '', Facts, UMSL, 2005. Hussain, Tariq ( 5 March 2007 ), `` The Korea Herald '' ( PDF ), The Korea Herald, Diamond dilemma. `` Korea information '', Korea Expat Community, WorknPlay. Mitchell, Richard H ; Hicks, George ( April 1997 ). `` George Hicks. The Comfort Women : Japan 's Brutal Regime of Enforced Prostitution in the Second World War ''. The American Historical Review. American Historical Association. 102 ( 2 ) : 503. JSTOR 2170934. doi : 10.2307 / 2170934. ( Review of Hicks 1997 ). 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. Oberdorfer, Don ( 2001 ). The Two Koreas : a Contemporary History. Basic Books. ISBN 0465051626. OCLC 47831650. Focus On Asian Studies. Special Issue : `` Korea : A Teacher 's Guide ''. No. 1, Fall 1986. Shin, Gi - Wook ( 1999 ), Robinson, Michael, ed., Colonial modernity in Korea, Cambridge, MA : Harvard University, Asia Center, ISBN 0 - 674 - 14255 - 1. Hart, Dennis. From Tradition to Consumption : Construction of a Capitalist Culture in South Korea. Seoul : Jimoondang, 2003. Jager, Sheila Miyoshi ( 2013 ). Brothers at War -- The Unending Conflict in Korea. London : Profile Books. ISBN 978 - 1 - 84668 - 067 - 0. 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. Pratt, Keith L ( 2006 ). Everlasting Flower : A History of Korea. London : Reaktion. ISBN 9781861892737. OCLC 63137295. 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, UK : Glosters. `` How Does Korea Compare '', OECD Health Data ( PDF ) ( briefing note ), Organisation For Economic Co-operation and Development, 2009. External links Look up Korea in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Korea. Texts on Wikisource : `` Korea ''. Collier 's New Encyclopedia. 1921. `` Korea ''. Encyclopedia Americana. 1920. 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Question: which nation is know as land of morning calm
Answer: Korea