Korea

Koreais apeninsularregion inEast Asiaconsisting of theKorean Peninsula,Jeju Island, and smaller islands. Since the end ofWorld War IIin 1945, it has been politicallydividedat or near the38th parallelbetweenNorth Korea(Democratic People's Republic of Korea; DPRK) andSouth Korea(Republic of Korea; ROK). Both countries proclaimed independence in 1948, and the two countries fought theKorean Warfrom 1950 to 1953. The region is bordered byChinato the north andRussiato the northeast, across theAmnok(Yalu) andDuman(Tumen) rivers, and is separated fromJapanto the southeast by theKorea Strait.
Known human habitation of the Korean peninsula dates to 40,000 BC.The kingdom ofGojoseon, which according to tradition was founded in 2333 BC, fell to theHan dynastyin 108 BC. It was followed by theThree Kingdomsperiod, in which Korea was divided intoGoguryeo,Baekje, andSilla. In 668 AD, Silla conquered Baekje and Goguryeo with the aid of theTang dynasty, formingUnified Silla;Balhaesucceeded Goguryeo in the north. In the late 9th century, Unified Silla collapsed into three states, beginning theLater Three Kingdomsperiod. In 918, Goguryeo was resurrected asGoryeo, which achieved what has been called a "true national unification" by Korean historians, as it unified both the Later Three Kingdoms and the ruling class of Balhae after its fall.Goryeo, whose name developed into the modernexonym"Korea", was highly cultured and saw the invention of the firstmetal movable type. During the 13th century,Goryeo became a vassal stateof theMongol Empire. Goryeo overthrew Mongol rule before falling to a coup led by GeneralYi Seong-gye, who established theJoseondynasty in 1392. The first 200 years of Joseon were marked by peace; theKorean alphabetwas created andConfucianismbecame influential. This ended withJapaneseandQing invasions, which brought devastation to Joseon and led to Korean isolationism. After the invasions, an isolated Joseon experienced another nearly 200-year period of peace and prosperity, along with cultural and technological development. In the final years of the 19th century,Japan forced Joseon to open upand Joseon experienced turmoil such as theGapsin Coup,Donghak Peasant Revolution, and theassassination of Empress Myeongseong. In 1895, Japan defeatedChinain theFirst Sino-Japanese Warand China lost suzerainty over Korea and Korea was placed under further Japanese influence. In 1897, the centuries old Joseon was replaced by theKorean Empirewith the Joseon's last king,Gojong, becoming the Emperor of the Korean Empire. Japan's further victory in the 1904–1905Russo-Japanese War, expelled Russian influence in Korea and Manchuria. In 1905,the Korean Empire became a protectorate of the Empire of Japan. In 1910,the Empire of Japanofficially annexed the Korean peninsula.
Korea under Japanese rulewas marked by industrialization and modernization, economic exploitation, and brutal suppression of theKorean independence movement, as reflected in the 1919March First Movement. The Japanese suppressed Korean culture, and during World War II forcefully mobilized millions of Koreans to support its war effort. In 1945,Japan surrendered to the Allies, and theSoviet UnionandUnited Statesagreed to divide Korea into two military occupation zones divided by the 38th parallel, with the Soviet zone in the north and American zone in the south. The division was meant to be temporary, with plans for Korea to be reunited under a single government. In 1948, the DPRK and ROK were established with the backing of each power, and ongoing tensions led to the outbreak of the Korean War in 1950, which came to involveU.S.-led United Nationsandcommunist Chineseforces. The war ended in stalemate in 1953, but without a peace treaty.A demilitarized zonewas created between the countries, approximating the original partition.
This status contributes to the high tensions that divide the peninsula, and both states claim to be the sole legitimate government of Korea. South Korea is aregional powerand adeveloped country, with itseconomyranked as the world'sfourteenth-largest by GDP (PPP). Itsarmed forcesare one of the world's strongest militaries, with the world's second-largest standing army bymilitary and paramilitary personnel. South Korea has been renowned for its globally influential pop culture, particularly in music (K-pop) andcinema, a phenomenon referred to as theKorean Wave. North Korea followsSongun, a "military first" policy which prioritizes theKorean People's Armyin state affairs and resources. Itpossesses nuclear weapons, and is the country with thehighest number of military personnel, with a total of 7.8 millionactive,reserve, andparamilitarypersonnel, or approximately30% of its population. Its active duty army of 1.3 million soldiers is the fourth-largest in the world, consisting of4.9% of its population. North Korea is widely considered to have the worsthuman rights recordin the world.
"Korea" is the modern spelling of "Corea", a name attested in English as early as 1614."Corea" is derived from the name of the ancient kingdom ofGoryeo.Korea wastransliteratedasCauliinThe Travels of Marco Polo,of theChinese高麗(MC:Kawlej,mod.Gāolì). This was theHanjafor the Korean kingdom ofGoryeo(Korean:고려;MR:Koryŏ), which ruled most of the Korean peninsula during the 12th century. 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 ofGoguryeo(Koguryŏ) the northernmost of theThree Kingdoms of Korea, which was officially known as Goryeo beginning in the 5th century.The original name was a combination of the adjectives ("high, lofty") with the name of a localYemaektribe, 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 theopening of Koreain the late 19th century, the spelling "Korea" appeared and gradually grew in popularity.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 asHanguk(한국;lit.country of theHan,[haːnɡuk]). The name referencesSamhan, referring to theThree Kingdoms of Korea, not the ancient confederacies in the southern Korean Peninsula.Although written in Hanja as韓,幹, or刊, thisHanhas no relation to the Chinese place names or peoples who used those characters but was aphonetic transcription(OC:*Gar,MC:HanorGan) 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 titlekhanused by the nomads ofManchuriaandCentral Asia.
In North Korea, Korea as a whole is referred to asJoseon(조선;lit.[land of the] Morning Calm,[tɕosʰʌn]).Joseonis the modern Korean pronunciation of the Hanja朝鮮, which is also the basis of the word for Korea as a whole inJapan(朝鮮,Chōsen),China(朝鮮;Cháoxiǎn), andVietnam(Triều Tiên). "GreatJoseon" was the name of the kingdom ruled by theJoseon dynastyfrom 1392 until their declaration of the short-livedGreat Korean Empirein 1897.King Taejohad named them for the earlierGojoseon(고조선), who ruled northern Korea from its legendaryprehistoryuntil their conquest in 108 BCE by China'sHan Empire. TheGo-in Gojoseon is the Hanja word古and simply means "ancient" or "old"; it is a modern usage to distinguish the ancient Joseon from the later dynasty. It is unclear whetherJoseonwas atranscriptionof a native Korean name (OC*T[r]awser,MCTrjewsjen)or a partial translation into Chinese of the Korean capitalAsadal(아사달),whose meaning has been reconstructed as "Morning Land" or "Mountain".
The Korean Academy claimed ancient hominid fossils originating from about 100,000 BCE 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 BCE.The best preserved Korean pottery goes back to thepaleolithictimes around 10,000 BCE and theNeolithicperiod begins around 6000 BCE.
Beginning around 300 BC, theJaponic-speakingYayoi peoplefrom the Korean Peninsula entered the Japanese islands and displaced or intermingled with the originalJōmoninhabitants.The linguistic homeland of Proto-Koreansis located somewhere in Southern Siberia / Manchuria, such as theLiao riverarea or the Amur region. Proto-Koreans arrived in the southern part of the Korean Peninsula at around 300 BC, replacing and assimilating Japonic-speakers and likely causing theYayoimigration.
According to Korean legend,Dangun, a descendant ofHeaven, establishedGojoseonin 2333 BCE. In 108 BCE, theHan dynastydefeated Gojoseon and installedfour commanderiesin the northern Korean peninsula. Three of the commanderies fell or retreated westward within a few decades, but theLelang Commanderyremained as a center of cultural and economic exchange with successive Chinese dynasties for four centuries. By 313,Goguryeoannexed all of the Chinese commanderies.
The Proto–Three Kingdoms period, sometimes called the Multiple States Period, is the earlier part of what is commonly called theThree Kingdoms Period, following the fall ofGojoseonbut beforeGoguryeo,Baekje, andSillafully developed into kingdoms.
This time period saw numerous states spring up from the former territories of Gojoseon, which encompassed northern Korea and southernManchuria. With the fall of Gojoseon, southern Korea entered theSamhanperiod.
Located in the southern part of Korea, Samhan referred to the three confederacies ofMahan,Jinhan, andByeonhan. Mahan was the largest and consisted of 54 states.ByeonhanandJinhanboth consisted of twelve states, bringing a total of 78 states within theSamhan. These three confederacies eventually developed intoBaekje,Silla, andGaya.
TheThree Kingdoms of Koreaconsisted ofGoguryeo,Silla, andBaekje. Silla and Baekje controlled the southern half of theKorean Peninsula, maintaining the formerSamhanterritories, while Goguryeo controlled the northern half of the Korean Peninsula, Manchuria and theLiaodong Peninsula, unitingBuyeo,Okjeo,Dongye, and other states in the formerGojoseonterritories.
Goguryeowas a highly militaristic state,and a large empire in East Asia,reaching its zenith in the 5th century when its territories expanded to encompass most of Manchuria to the north, parts ofInner Mongoliato the west,parts of Russia to the east,and the Seoul region to the south.Goguryeo experienced a golden age underGwanggaeto the Greatand his sonJangsu,who both subdued Baekje and Silla during their times, achieving a brief unification of theThree Kingdoms of Koreaand becoming the most dominant power on the Korean Peninsula.In addition to contesting for control of the Korean Peninsula, Goguryeo had manymilitary conflictswith various Chinese dynasties,most notably theGoguryeo–Sui War, in which Goguryeo defeated a huge force said to number over a million men.In 642, the powerful generalYeon Gaesomunled a coup and gained complete control over Goguryeo. In response, EmperorTang Taizongof China led acampaign against Goguryeo, in which the Gorguryeo forces were decimated by the Tang at theBattle of Mount Jupil. Taizong was later defeated at theBattle of Ansiand withdrew his forces from Goguryeo.After the death of Tang Taizong, his son EmperorTang Gaozongallied with the Korean kingdom of Silla and invaded Goguryeo again, but were forced to withdraw 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 toTangand his younger brother defecting to Silla.The Tang-Silla alliance 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 ofDae Joyeongfounded the Korean-Mohe state ofBalhaeand successfully expelled the Tang presence from much of the former Goguryeo territories.
The southwestern Korean kingdom ofBaekjewas founded around modern-daySeoulby aGoguryeo prince, a son of thefounder of Goguryeo.Baekje absorbed all of theMahanstates and subjugated most of the western Korean peninsula (including the modern provinces ofGyeonggi,Chungcheong, andJeolla, as well as parts ofHwanghaeandGangwon) to a centralised government; during the expansion of its territory, Baekje acquired Chinese culture and technology through maritime contacts with theSouthern Dynasties. Baekje was a great maritime power;its nautical skill, which made it thePhoeniciaof 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 ofGeunchogowhen its influence extended across the sea toLiaoxiandShandongin China, taking advantage of the weakened state ofFormer Qin, andKyushuin the Japanese archipelago;however, Baekje was critically defeated by Gwanggaeto the Great and declined.
Although later records claim thatSillawas the oldest of theThree 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 neighbouring city-states. In 562, Silla annexed theGaya 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, KingMuyeolordered his armies to attackBaekje. GeneralKim Yu-shin, aided byTangforces, conquered Baekje after defeating GeneralGyebaekat theBattle of Hwangsanbeol. In 661, Silla and Tang attacked Goguryeo but were repelled. KingMunmu, son of Muyeol and nephew of General Kim Yu-shin, launched another campaign in 667 and Goguryeo fell in the following year.
Beginning in the 6th century,Silla's power gradually extended across the Korean Peninsula. Silla first annexed the adjacentGaya confederacyin 562. By the 640s, Silla formed an alliance with theTang dynastyof China to conquerBaekjeand laterGoguryeo. 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 byBalhae. Former Goguryeo generalor chief of Sumo MoheDae Jo-yeongled a group of Goguryeo andMoherefugees to theJilinand founded the kingdom ofBalhae, 30 years after the collapse of Goguryeo, as the successor to Goguryeo. At its height, Balhae's territories extended from southernManchuriadown to the northern Korean peninsula. Balhae was called the "Prosperous Country in the East".
Later Sillacarried on the maritime prowess ofBaekje, which acted like thePhoeniciaof medievalEast 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 ofJang Bogo; in addition, Silla people made overseas communities in China on theShandong Peninsulaand the mouth of theYangtze River.Later Silla was a prosperous and wealthy country,and its metropolitan capital ofGyeongjuwas the fourth largest city in the world.Later Silla experienced a golden age of art and culture,as evidenced by theHwangnyongsa,Seokguram, andEmille Bell. Buddhism flourished during this time, and many Korean Buddhists gained great fame among Chinese Buddhistsand contributed to Chinese Buddhism,including:Woncheuk,Wonhyo,Uisang,Musang,andKim Gyo-gak, a Silla prince whose influence madeMount Jiuhuaone of the FourSacred Mountainsof Chinese Buddhism.
Later Silla fell apart in the late 9th century, giving way to the tumultuousLater Three Kingdoms period(892–935), and Balhae was destroyed by theKhitansin 926.Goryeounified the Later Three Kingdoms and received thelast crown princeand much of the ruling class of Balhae, thus bringing about a unification of the two successor nations ofGoguryeo.
Goryeowas 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 ofJiandaowhile conquering theJurchens, 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 KingJangsu. 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 madeKaesong, his hometown, the capital.
During this period, laws were codified and a civil service system was introduced.Buddhismflourished and spread throughout the peninsula. The development ofceladonindustries flourished in the 12th and 13th centuries. The publication of theTripitaka Koreanaonto more than 80,000 wooden blocks and the invention of the world's first metalmovable typein the 13th century attest to Goryeo's cultural achievements.
Goryeo had to defend frequently against attacks by nomadic empires, especially theKhitansand theMongols. Goryeo had a hostile relationship with the Khitans, because theKhitan Empirehad destroyedBalhae, also a successor state of Goguryeo. In 993, the Khitans, who had established theLiao dynastyin 907,invaded Goryeo, demanding that it make amity with them. Goryeo sent the diplomatSŏ Hŭito negotiate, who successfully persuaded the Khitans to let Goryeo expand to the banks of theAmnok (Yalu) River, citing that in the past the land belonged to Goguryeo, the predecessor of Goryeo.During theGoryeo–Khitan War, the Khitan Empire invaded Korea twice more in1009and1018, 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 theTripitaka Koreanawas 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 wasinvaded by the Mongolsin seven major campaigns from the 1230s until the 1270s, but was never conquered.Exhausted after decades of fighting, Goryeo sent itscrown princeto theYuancapital to swear allegiance to the Mongols;Kublai Khanaccepted, and married one of his daughters to the Korean crown prince,and the dynastic line of Goryeo continued to surviveunder the overlordshipof 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 thelast empressof the Yuan dynasty was a Korean princess.
In the 1350s,King Gongminwas 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 andConfucianscholars. During this tumultuous period, Goryeo momentarily conqueredLiaoyangin 1356, repulsed two largeinvasions by the Red Turbansin 1359 and 1360, and defeated the final attempt by the Yuan to dominate Goryeo when GeneralCh'oe Yŏngdefeated a Mongoltumenin 1364. During the 1380s, Goryeo turned its attention to theWokouthreat and usednaval artillerycreated byCh'oe Mu-sŏnto annihilate hundreds of pirate ships.
In 1392, the generalYi Seong-gyeoverthrew theGoryeodynasty after he staged a coup and defeated GeneralCh'oe Yŏng. Yi Seong-gye named his new dynastyJoseonand moved the capital fromKaesongtoHanseong(formerly Hanyang; modern-daySeoul) and built theGyeongbokgungpalace.In 1394, he adoptedConfucianismas the country's official ideology, resulting in much loss of power and wealth by theBuddhists. The prevailing philosophy of the Joseon dynasty wasNeo-Confucianism, which was epitomised by theseonbiclass, scholars who passed up positions of wealth and power to lead lives of study and integrity.
Joseon was a nominal tributary state ofChinabut exercised full sovereignty,and maintained the highest position among China's tributary states,which also included countries such as theRyukyu Kingdom, Vietnam, Burma, Brunei, Laos, Thailand,and the Philippines, 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 wasSejong the Great(r. 1418–50), who personally created and promulgatedHangul, the Korean alphabet.This golden agesaw 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 ofyangbanthe noble class,junginthe middle class,yanginthe common class, andcheoninthe lowest class, which included occupations such as butchers, tanners, shamans, entertainers, andnobi, the equivalent of slaves, bondservants, orserfs.
In 1592 and again in 1597, theJapanese invaded Korea; the Korean military at the time was unprepared and untrained, due to two centuries of peace on theKorean Peninsula.Toyotomi Hideyoshiintended to conquer China and Indiathrough the Korean Peninsula, but was defeated by strong resistance from theRighteous Army, the naval superiority of AdmiralYi Sun-sinand histurtle ships, and assistance fromWanli EmperorofMing 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 100,000–200,000nosescut from Korean victims.Less than 30 years after the Japanese invasions, theManchustook advantage of Joseon's war-weakened state andinvadedin 1627 and 1637, and then went on toconquerthe destabilised Ming dynasty.
After normalising relations with the newQing dynasty, Joseon experienced a nearly 200-year period of peace. KingsYeongjoandJeongjoled 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, with severe poverty and peasant rebellions spreading throughout the country. Furthermore, the Joseon government adopted a strict isolationist policy, earning the nickname "thehermit kingdom", but ultimately failed to protect itself againstimperialismand was forced to open its borders, beginning an era leading intoJapanese imperial rule.
Beginning in 1871,Japanbegan to exert more influence in Korea, forcing it out of China's traditional sphere of influence. As a result of theFirst Sino-Japanese War(1894–95), theQing dynastyhad to give up such a position according to Article 1 of theTreaty of Shimonoseki, which was concluded between China and Japan in 1895. That same year,Empress Myeongseongof Korea was assassinated by Japanese agents.
In 1897, theJoseon dynastyproclaimed theKorean Empire(1897–1910).King Gojongbecame emperor. During this brief period, Korea had some success in modernising 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.
The Russians were pushed out of the fight for Korea following the conclusion of theRusso-Japanese War(1904–1905). Korea became aprotectorateof Japan shortly afterwards. InManchuriaon 26 October 1909,An Jung-geunassassinated the formerResident-General of Korea,Itō Hirobumi, for his role in trying to force Korea into occupation.
In 1910, an already militarily occupied Korea was a forced party to theJapan–Korea Annexation Treaty. The treaty was signed byLee 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 occupationwas manifested in the nonviolentMarch First Movementof 1919, during which 7,000 demonstrators were killed by Japanese police and military.TheKorean liberation movementalso spread to neighbouringManchuriaandSiberia.
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 SecretaryYohei Konoacknowledged 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 asSōshi-kaimei.TraditionalKorean culturesuffered heavy losses, as numerous Korean cultural artefacts were destroyedor taken to Japan.To this day, valuable Korean artefacts 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 artefacts actually remain in Japan.Japanese officials considered returning Korean cultural properties, but to datethis has not occurred.Both Koreas and Japan still dispute the ownership of theDokdoislets, located east of the Korean Peninsula.
There was significant emigration to the overseas territories of theEmpire of Japanduring the Japanese occupation period, includingKorea.By the end of World War II, there were over 850,000 Japanese settlers in Korea.After World War II, most of theseoverseas Japaneserepatriated to Japan.Migrants who remainedsquattedininformal settlements.
In 1945, with thesurrender of Japan, theUnited Nationsdeveloped plans for a trusteeship administration, theSoviet Unionadministering the peninsula north of the38th paralleland theUnited Statesadministering the south. The politics of theCold Warresulted 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 on 2 September 1945, with the north under Soviet occupation and the south under US occupation supported by other allied states. Consequently, North Korea, a Soviet-style socialist republic was established in the north, and South Korea, a Western-style regime,was established in the south.
North Korea is aone-party state, now centred onKim Il Sung'sJucheideology, with acentrally plannedindustrial economy. South Korea is amulti-party statewith acapitalistmarket economy, alongside membership in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and theGroup 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.
Since the 1960s, the South Korean economy has grown enormously and the economic structure was radically transformed. In 1957, South Korea had a lowerper capita GDPthanGhana,and by 2008 it was 17 times as high as Ghana's.
According toR. J. Rummel,forced labour, 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 the1990s famineand that there were 600,000 to 850,000 unnatural deaths in North Korea from 1993 to 2008.In South Korea, as guerrilla activities expanded, the South Korean government used strong measures against peasants, such as forcefully moving their families from guerrilla areas. According to one estimate, these measures resulted in 36,000 people killed, 11,000 people wounded, and 432,000 people displaced.
TheKorean Warbroke out when Soviet-backed North Korea invaded South Korea, though neither side gained much territory as a result. The Korean Peninsula remained divided, theKorean Demilitarized Zonebeing thede factoborder between the two states.
In June 1950 North Korea invaded the South, using Soviet tanks and weaponry. During theKorean 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 with anarmistice agreementat approximately theMilitary Demarcation Line, but the two governments are officially still at war.
In 2018, the leaders of North Korea and South Korea officially signed thePanmunjom Declaration, announcing that they will work to end the conflict.
In November 2020, South Korea and China agreed to work together to mend South Korea's relationship with North Korea. During a meeting between President Moon and China's foreign minister,Wang Yi, Moon expressed his gratitude to China for its role in helping to foster peace in the Korean Peninsula. Moon was quoted telling Wang during their meeting that "[the South Korean] government will not stop efforts to put an end (formally) to war on the Korean Peninsula and achieve complete denuclearization and permanent peace together with the international community, including China."
Korea consists of apeninsulaand nearby islands located inEast Asia. The peninsula extends southwards for about 1,100 km (680 mi) from continentalAsiainto thePacific Oceanand is surrounded by theSea of Japanto the east and theYellow Sea(West Sea) to the west, theKorea Straitconnecting the two bodies of water.To the northwest, theAmnok Riverseparates Korea from China and to the northeast, theDuman Riverseparates it from China and Russia.Notable islands includeJeju 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 isMount Paektu(2,744 m), through which runs the border with China. The southern extension of Mount Paektu is a highland calledGaema Heights. This highland was mainly raised during theCenozoicorogenyand 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 namedBaekdu-daegan. Some significant mountains includeMount Sobaekor Sobaeksan (1,439 m),Mount Kumgang(1,638 m),Mount Seorak(1,708 m),Mount Taebaek(1,567 m), andMount Jiri(1,915 m). There are several lower, secondary mountain series whose direction is almost perpendicular to that of Baekdu-daegan. They are developed along the tectonic line ofMesozoicorogeny 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 Hallaor Hallasan (1,950 m), is the highest in South Korea. Ulleung Island is a volcanic island in the Sea of Japan, the composition of which is morefelsicthan Jeju. The volcanic islands tend to be younger, the more westward.
Because the mountainous region is mostly on the eastern part of the peninsula, the mainriverstend to flow westwards. Two exceptions are the southward-flowingNakdong RiverandSeomjin River. Important rivers running westward include the Amnok River, theChongchon River, theTaedong River, theHan River, theGeum River, and theYeongsan River. These rivers have vast flood plains and provide an ideal environment forwet-ricecultivation.
The southern and southwestern coastlines of the peninsula form a well-developedriacoastline, known asDadohae-jinin Korean. This convoluted coastline provides mild seas, and the resulting calm environment allows for safe navigation, fishing, andseaweed farming. In addition to the complex coastline, the western coast of the Korean Peninsula has an extremely hightidal amplitude(atIncheon, around the middle of the western coast, the tide can get as high as 9 m). Vast tidal flats have been developing on the south and west coastlines.
Korea has a temperate climate with comparatively fewertyphoonsthan other countries in East Asia. Due to the peninsula's position, it has a unique climate influenced by Siberia in the north, the Pacific Ocean in the east and the rest of Eurasia in the west. The peninsula has four distinct seasons: spring, summer, autumn and winter.
As influence from Siberia weakens, temperatures begin to increase while the high pressure begins to move away. If the weather is abnormally dry, Siberia will have more influence on the peninsula leading to wintry weather such as snow.
During June at the start of the summer, there tends to be a lot of rain due to the cold and wet air from theSea of Okhotskand the hot and humid air from the Pacific Ocean combining. When these fronts combine, it leads to a so-called rainy season with often cloudy days with rain, which is sometimes very heavy. The hot and humid winds from the south west blow causing an increasing amount of humidity and this leads to the fronts moving towardsManchuriain China and thus there is less rain and this is known as midsummer; temperatures can exceed 30 °C (86 °F) daily at this time of year.
Usually, high pressure is heavily dominant during autumn leading to clear conditions. Furthermore, temperatures remain high but the humidity becomes relatively low.
The weather becomes increasingly dominated by Siberia during winter and the jet stream moves further south causing a drop in temperature. This season is relatively dry with some snow falling at times.
Animal life of the Korean Peninsula includes a considerable number of bird species and nativefreshwater fish. Native orendemicspecies of the Korean Peninsula includeKorean hare,Korean water deer,Korean field mouse,Korean brown frog,Korean pineandKorean spruce. TheKorean Demilitarized Zone(DMZ) with its forest and naturalwetlandsis a unique biodiversity spot, which harbours eighty-twoendangered species. Korea once hosted manySiberian tigers, but as the number of people affected by the tigers increased, the tigers were killed in the Joseon dynasty and the Siberian tigers in the South Korea became extinct during the Japanese colonial era period. It has been confirmed that Siberian tigers are only on the side ofNorth Koreanow.
There are also approximately 3,034 species ofvascular plantsthroughout the peninsula.
One of the best known artefacts of Korea's history of science and technology is theCheomseongdae, a 9.4-meter highastronomical observatorybuilt in 634.
The earliest known surviving Korean example of woodblock printing isThe Great Dharani Sutra.It is believed to have been printed in Korea in 750–51, which if correct, would make it older than theDiamond Sutra.
During theGoryeoperiod,metal movable typeprinting was invented byCh'oe Yun-ŭiin 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.TheMongol Empirelater adopted Korea's movable type printing and spread as far as Central Asia. There is conjecture as to whether or not Ch'oe's invention had any influence on later printing inventions such as Gutenberg'sPrinting press.When theMongolsinvaded Europethey inadvertently introduced different kinds of Asian technology.
During the Joseon period, theTurtle Shipwas invented, which were covered by a wooden deck and iron with thorns,as well as other weapons such as thebigyeokjincheolloe cannon(비격진천뢰,飛擊震天雷) and thehwacha.
The Korean alphabethangulwas also invented during this time byKing Sejong the Great.
As of 2023, the combined population of the Koreas is about 77.9 million (South Korea: 51.7 million, North Korea: 26.1 million).Korea is chiefly populated by a highlyhomogeneousethnicgroup, theKoreans, who speak theKorean 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 oldChinese communitynow remain in South Korea.However, in recent years, immigration from mainland China has increased; 624,994 persons ofChinesenationality have immigrated to South Korea, including 443,566 ofethnic Koreandescent.Small communities of ethnic Chinese andJapaneseare also found in North Korea.
Koreanis the official language of both North and South Korea, and (along with Mandarin) ofYanbian Korean Autonomous PrefectureinJilin Province,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 throughKorean diasporaare found inChina, theUnited States,Japan, formerSoviet Unionand elsewhere.
Modern Korean is written almost exclusively in the script of theKorean 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.
Confuciantradition has dominated Korean thought, along with contributions byBuddhism,Taoism, andKorean Shamanism. Since the middle of the 20th century, however,Christianityhas 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 Southor the pressure from theJuchegovernmentin the North.
According to 2005 statistics compiled by the South Korean government, about 46% of citizens profess to follow no particular religion.Christiansaccount for 29.2% of the population (of which are Protestants 18.3% and Catholics 10.9%) andBuddhists22.8%.In North Korea, around 71.3% claim to be non-religious or atheists, 12.9% followCheondoismand 12.3%Korean Folk Religion, while Christians count for 2% of the population, and Buddhists as 1.5%.
Islam in South Koreais practised by about 45,000 natives (about 0.09% of the population) in addition to some 100,000 foreign workers from Muslim countries.While in North Korea it's estimated to be around 3000 Muslims, which is around 0.01% of the popultation.TheAr-Rahman Mosqueis the only mosque in DPRK, and it is located at the Iranian Embassy grounds in Pyongyyang.
In 1993, theKorean Overseas Culture and Information Serviceestimated that around 1,600,000 people practiceKorean new religionsin both Korean countries.
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. TheProgramme for International Student Assessment, coordinated by theOECD, ranks South Korea's science education as the third best in the world and being significantly higher than the OECD average.
Although South Korean students often rank high on international comparative assessments, the education system is criticised for emphasising too much upon passive learning and memorisation. The South Korean education system is rather notably strict and structured  as compared to its counterparts in most Western societies.
The North Korean education system consists primarily ofuniversal and state fundedschooling by thegovernment. The national literacy rate for citizens 15 years of age and above is over 99 per cent.Children go through one year of kindergarten, four years ofprimary education, six years ofsecondary education, and then on touniversities. The most prestigious university in the DPRK isKim Il Sung University. Other notable universities includeKim Chaek University of Technology, which focuses on computer science,Pyongyang University of Foreign Studies, which trains working level diplomats and trade officials, andKim Hyong Jik University of Education, which trains teachers.
In ancient Chinese texts, Korea is referred to as "Rivers and Mountains Embroidered on Silk" (금수강산;錦繡江山) and "Eastern Nation of Decorum" (동방예의지국;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 onNew Year's Dayrather 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 oflegal age; for example, thelegal age for purchasing alcoholorcigarettesin the Republic of Korea is 19, which is measured according to western reckoning.
Traditional Korean music includes combinations of the folk, vocal, religious andritualmusic styles of theKorean people. Korean music has been practised since prehistoric times.Korean music falls into two broad categories. The first,Hyangak, literally meansThe local musicorMusic native to Korea, a famous example of which is Sujechon, a piece of instrumental music often claimed to be at least 1,300 years old.The second,yangak, represents a more Western style.
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,gochujangor red pepper paste andkimchiare 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 forkimchi, a side dish which uses a distinctivefermentationprocess 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), andsamgyeopsal(pork belly) are popular main courses. 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 asgalbitang(stewed ribs) ordoenjang jjigae(fermented bean paste soup). The center of the table is filled with a shared collection of sidedishes calledbanchan.
Other popular dishes includebibimbap, which literally means "mixed rice" (rice mixed with meat, vegetables, and red pepper paste), andnaengmyeon(cold noodles).
Instant noodles, orramyeon, is a popular snack food. Koreans also enjoy food frompojangmachas(street vendors), which servetteokbokki, rice cake and fish cake with a spicy gochujang sauce;gimbap, made of steamed white rice wrapped in driedgreen laverseaweed; 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.
North Korea and South Korea usually compete as two separate nations in international events. There are, however, a few examples of them havingcompeted as one entity, under the name Korea.
Whileassociation footballremains one of the most popular sports in South Korea, the martial art oftaekwondois considered to be the national sport.Baseballandgolfare also popular. The board gameGo, known in Korea asbaduk, has also been popular for over a millennium, first arriving from China in the 5th century CE;badukis played both casually and competitively.
Taekwon-Do is Korea's most famous martial art and sport. It combines combat techniques, self-defence, sport and exercise. Taekwon-Do has become an official Olympic sport, starting as a demonstration event in1988(when South Korea hosted the Games in Seoul) and becoming an official medal event in2000.The two major Taekwon-Do federations were founded in Korea. The two are theInternational Taekwon-Do Federationand theWorld Taekwondo Federation.
Hapkido is a modernKorean martial artwith a grappling focus that employs joint locks, throws, kicks, punches and other striking attacks like attacks against pressure points. Hapkido emphasises 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 is a traditional form of wrestling that has been practised in Korea for thousands of years, with evidence discovered from Goguryeo of Korea's Three Kingdoms Period (57 BCE 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 theDano Festival(the 5th day of the fifth lunar month) andChuseok(the 15th day of the 8th lunar month). Competitions are also held throughout the year as a part of festivals and other events.
Taekkyon is a traditional martial art, considered the oldest form of fighting technique of Korea. Practiced for centuries and especially popular during theJoseonperiod, two forms co-existed: one for practical use, the other for sport. This form was usually practised alongsideSsireumduring festivals and competitions between villages. Nonetheless, Taekkyon almost disappeared during theJapanese Occupationand theKorean War.
Though lost in North Korea, Taekkyon has enjoyed a spectacular revival from the 1980s in South Korea. It is the only martial art in the world (with Ssireum) recognised as aNational Treasure of South Koreaand aUNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.
38°19′N127°14′E﻿ / ﻿38.317°N 127.233°E﻿ /38.317; 127.233