If videos are to be believed then this video is a testament to the popular saying, never judge a book by its cover. Even though South Korea is bordered by its more conservative North Korean neighbor, it has not failed to keep up with fashion trends from the Western world.

The influx of instant communication into South Korea is evident throughout the video as most of the ladies can be seen to be holding Blackberries and Iphones. This shows how strong the need to advance will overcome any fear of change when the old ways are laid to rest.

The jewelry shown in the above video is of the high quality we have come to expect even in the streets of Paris and New York.

The advantages of a free market are endless, but hold some risk. The risk with unabated progress is erosion of traditional values. Most of the summer dresses were short and have lead to conservatives having endless disagreements trying to protect the moral high ground.

Unfortunately change is the only constant.

The clip below shows the stark contrast in not only Korean fashion, but the values.

The video is less free flowing, creativity looks structured and formal. One can easily mistake the video to be made in the early 60′s. Even though the 2nd video has its downsides it does show that with a more conservative approach a society can focus on non-materialistic values such as working hard and family, instead of chasing the latest trend.

But the flaw with this approach is that the human spirit works harder if it feels that the reward will be worth it. I am not criticizing the intent of the conservatives but showing a critical shortcoming in their understanding of the human psyche.

We all work better with the stick but will go above and beyond for the carrot.

With each video seen, which one offers possibility, progress and excitement?

You should take any opportunity to avoid dealing with customer service at the airlines that you can. Airlines are beginning to charge fees for almost anything. Fees for checking your bag at the airport instead of online, handling fees and some are even considering charging for using the bathroom on the plane. You can’t avoid the latter if it happens, but anything else you can take care of, without a human to help you, should be done.

When making hotel reservations or purchasing attraction tickets, always ask if the establishment offers a discount, as this can help you save money. Many hotels and tourist attractions offer discounts to students, children, seniors, AAA members and AARP members, but they may not advertise this. It does not hurt to ask, and you could save a substantial sum of money if they do offer a discount.

When planning your stops while traveling, it is a good idea to use a system called “stop card.” A stop card will allow each family member to choose one spot that they would like to stop at. This will help prevent making numerous stops throughout your trip, which will save you time.

Check your traveling documents well before departure. Make sure your passport is signed and its expiration date is several month after your trip. Contact the consular sections of the countries’ embassies you are visiting to find out whether you are required to have a visa or not. Apply for your visas at least 2-3 months before the trip to have enough time for processing.

Find out about local customs and laws before you reach your destination. You could get in trouble for doing something judged offensive or illegal, even if you do not consider it to be problematic. You should be on your best behavior and show respect for the local authorities while traveling.

An easy way to save money on your first day in a new destination is to see if your hotel offers airport pick-ups. In popular tourist destinations like Las Vegas, almost all of the major hotels offer hourly shuttles to and from the airport, saving you significant money on taxi fare.

Before traveling to another country, it is essential to familiarize yourself as much as possible with the foreign laws and customs. You can find these online, as well as from your library, travel agent, and tourist bureaus in the country you will visit. Make sure to ask specific questions about things that may get people from your country in trouble.

While you are away traveling, turn off your hot water heater in your house. This saves on energy costs for you. In the event of a burst water heater, it also saves you from coming home to a house that has been flooded for a week or more. Turn off the water heater!

To help you get the best prices when making travel plans, make sure to compare plane flights on several different websites. Often, specific travel websites will offer limited time promotions on certain routes. So, make sure to take your time when purchasing tickets so you get the best value for your air travel needs.

If you need a premium seat for any reason, you should reserve it as soon as possible to assure that you will get the seat that you need. You can tell the agent at the time of booking or in many cases you can select your seat as you are booking your flight on the internet.

If traveling to a location where the inhabitants do not speak your language, try to prepare yourself by learning key phrases in their language. Important phrases to learn are how to ask where something is, how much an item costs, thank you’s and greetings, asking if anyone can speak your language, and asking for help. This will allow you to communicate somewhat if a situation arises so that you don’t have to try to navigate things on your own.

So, as you can see a successful trip is easier than you might have thought. Just follow the tips in this article and you will be ready for a bit of real enjoyment. However, the most important tip of all is to relax and have fun! That is really what it is all about.

If you are going to another country, remember to keep copies of your passport in different places. Losing your passport can be a major inconvenience especially if you do not have a copy. It will often be your only accepted form of identification in the foreign country and you will also need it to return to your home country. In addition, if you lose your passport, report it immediately to protect yourself from possible fraudulent use of your lost passport.

If your travel plans include photo opportunities through train, plane, cruise ship or hotel windows, pack a handful of moistened, single-packaged glass cleaning wipes in your camera bag. Don’t miss out on some great photos or come home with a memory card full of blurry prints because of smudged, fingerprinted or dirty windows.

A useful travel tip for those on a budget is to investigate bed and breakfasts as an alternative to conventional hotels. When traveling abroad, these types of lodgings offer a hearty dose of local culture, often at bargain prices. The savings that can be realized in this way can be used to extend the trip or visit additional attractions.

Keep an electronic copy of your important documents like passports, identification and itineraries in an accessible location such as a web-based e-mail account. You can scan your documents or take a digital photograph and keep the image in a location where you can access it easily if your paperwork becomes lost or destroyed.

In order to keep your dirty clothes away from your clean clothes when traveling, you should use a drawstring bag or a pillow case. A drawstring bag or pillow case is compact and can prevent your dirty clothes from rubbing off on your clean clothes. You can also add some clothespins to your bag for hanging your clothes once they have been washed.

Travel light so that you do not have to tote extra baggage. Only bring the things that you really need when you travel. This can enable you to travel only with carry-on luggage when flying or taking the train and can save you room in the car’s trunk when driving. As an added bonus, the bags that you do carry will not be so heavy if they are not filled with things that are not essential.

Keep a couple of outfits separate, in your carry on, when traveling. If your luggage is lost the airline likely won’t compensate you for at least twenty four hours. By having a couple of spare outfits in your carry on, you will save yourself from having to buy clothes out of pocket if your luggage doesn’t make it to your destination.

If you are traveling by airplane, be sure to check in for your flight the day before to confirm you will be traveling. When you check in, make a note of your flight numbers and then a few hours before you are scheduled to depart, check the status of your plane to see if it is on time, delayed or canceled so you can plan accordingly.

Travelling long distances in cars can be very time consuming. It is best if you have multiple drivers so you can drive through the night, you can alternate sleeping and driving with the other driver. This will cut down many hours of the trip and the expenses of a hotel.

Roll your shirts in your suitcase so they take up less room and you will be able to pack more or bring more goodies home! Folding shirts takes up more room and can lead to wasted space, especially if you are going on an extended trip and desire to pack light.

The whole point of recreation is enjoyment so well laid plans are key. With the advice and tips provided in this article you should be ready to plan the trip of a lifetime. Remember, the most important tip is to enjoy your vacation and make the most of it!

North Korea is now known as The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and South Korea is Republic of Korea. The former may have democratic in its name but it is more socialistic in its running and ideals. The conflict between the two states comes from differences in ideology and can be seen each time a Northerner is in a heated discussion with a Southerner.  Much like the USA around the time of the civil war.

The conflict between North and South Korea is not going to end anytime soon, because the conflict is based on an ideological disagreement which both sides are feverishly convinced is the right way to go.

North Korea can easily point out that free range capitalism and consumerism has been lead by greed to this current world economic crisis. But South Korea is able to counteract in the same breath that even though everyone is equal in a socialistic view, there are ring structures that would isolate those in power from truly sharing the same lifestyle as the common man.

The conflict between North and South Korea reached a fever pitch last year as seen in this video by the Telegraph.

Slippers are a great option that you can bring with you on your next lengthy flight. These will not only provide you with the cushioning that you desire, but will also allow for flexibility with your toes. Keeping your feet comfortable on the flight is very important to reduce your fatigue.

If you have pets, take care to make adequate arrangements for their care and feeding while you are away from your home. There are many times and conditions in which it is not enough to simply leave your pet with extra food and water for the duration of your trip.

Make sure you pack smart when traveling. Keep in mind the activities you enjoy. You may like to swim, or you may like to hike. Planning ahead for these situations will mean you will be more likely to do them if the opportunity should arise. You are still you when you travel.

Think about what you want from a hotel when you travel alone. You will probably encounter more solo travelers if you stay in less expensive accommodations. Of course, you will also save money. However, you may wish to have hotel accommodations that give you a safe and luxurious oasis after a day of exploring a strange land. In this case, it may be worth it to you to spend a large percentage of your vacation budget on accommodations.

Need to convert your US Dollars to another currency? Hint: Don’t convert them at the airport as soon as you step off the plane! Many kiosks in airports charge high teller fees for converting to international funds as an easy way to make money. If possible, walk to a nearby shopping mall or bank to convert your funds.

Do your best to make your flight comfortable by booking your seat on the plane. Many times you can pick the specific area or seat on the plane that you want, however, this is not always the case. After you book your flight, monitor your booking site for this option as soon as it is available. This can make a big difference over taking whatever is available.

Before you rent a car, check with your auto insurance company to find out if you can save money on the rental by waiving the collision damage waiver. Usually your insurance company covers damage to rental cars, so it is not necessary to pay the rental car for this coverage as well, but check with your auto insurer to be sure.

Leave a detailed copy of your traveling plans with a family member or close friend. This will allow someone to know where you are supposed to be and when, so that if something goes wrong, they will be able to get you the help that you might be needing. You never no when you may be needing help.

To keep track of your itinerary while traveling, pick up an expandable file. Expandable files are lightweight, easy to carry, and will allow you to easily store schedules, brochures, and other pertinent information as you move from place to place. It’s also a great way of storing maps and receipts.

Take precautions to remove yourself from a situation where you would be harmed, stolen from, or take part in a crime. Crime usually includes pick pocketing and petty larceny but tourists are usually the number one target on a minor criminal’s list of potential marks. Tourists represent a great opportunity because they only travel to an area for a limited amount of time.

If you plan to visit a foreign country, check with your mobile phone provider to determine what type of international calling features are included in your plan. You may find that it is easier and more affordable to purchase a prepaid SIM card rather than using your own phone. Foreign roaming charges are very high and add up quickly.

So, as you can see a successful trip is easier than you might have thought. Just follow the tips in this article and you will be ready for a bit of real enjoyment. However, the most important tip of all is to relax and have fun! That is really what it is all about.

A crucial tip for those walking abroad is to take advantage of Automatic teller machines as an alternative to using travelers checks. By obtaining cash in this way, you’ll receive more effective rates, in spite of the inescapable charges that are designed to associate with any transaction made. Simply by extracting bigger quantities less often, may possibly incur fewer charges and result in substantial savings as a whole to your personal savings.

Whether you are a woman traveling it is own, do not announce it! Even if you are tiny, you might like to outfits a wedding ring, do not you lease a car, location your hat and cover somewhere in the vehicle. If you believe a woman is applying you, enter into the nearest public area and demand assist. Be notify and come in a confident sorts always.

Whether you are traveling on airlines, do your better to keep your luggage underneath 50 pounds. A tote that weighs even fifty just one quid is governed by additional fees, significant color is the luggage fees most flight companies pre cost. Ponder all plastic bags to the scale at home prior to leaving to be sure they meet the burden rules.

Regardless of where could be you are moving, these widespread tips require help you in your travels. Time nearly every country has its own idiosyncrasies, the recommendation right here should be kept in heart regardless of where it is that you can go. Since you have got the advice, all who is put is picking the vacation destination!

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

Prehistory and Gojoseon

The Korean Academy of North America discovered ancient human 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.^[6] The best preserved Korean pottery goes back to the paleolithic times around 10,000 BC, and the Neolithic period begins around 6000 BC.

Gojoseon’s founding legend describes Dangun, a descendent of heaven, as establishing the kingdom in 2333 BC until the fall in 108 BC.^[7]

The original capital may have been at the Manchuria-Korea border, but was later moved to what is today Pyongyang, North Korea. In 108 BC, the Chinese Han Dynasty defeated Wiman Joseon and installed the Four Commanderies of Han in the area of Liaonin region. By 75 BC, three of those commanderies had fallen, but the Lelang Commandery remained as a center of cultural and economic exchange with successive Chinese dynasties until 313, when it fell to Goguryeo.

Proto–Three Kingdoms

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

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

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

Three Kingdoms

TIP! If you need a premium seat for any reason, you should reserve it as soon as possible to assure that you will get the seat that you need. You can tell the agent at the time of booking or in many cases you can select your seat as you are booking your flight on the internet.

TIP! Check the State Department’s travel alerts when you are planning a foreign trip. They provide up to date information related to your destination so you will know in advance if there is a medical or political emergency in the region.

Anapji (Anap Pond) in Gyeongju Historic Areas.

TIP! If you are traveling with a baby, hide your valuables in the diaper bag. Most thieves will not think to steal your diaper bag first.

The Three Kingdoms of Korea (Goguryeo, Silla, and Baekje) dominated the peninsula and parts of Manchuria during the early Common Era. They competed with each other both economically and militarily.

Goguryeo united Buyeo, Okjeo, Dongye and other states in the former Gojoseon territory.^[8] Goguryeo was the most dominant power; it reached its zenith in the 5th century, when reign of the Gwanggaeto the Greatand his son, Jangsu expanded territory into almost all of Manchuria and part of inner Mongolia, and took the Seoul region from Baekje. Gwanggaeto and Jangsu subdued Baekje and Silla during their times. After the 7th century, Goguryeo was constantly at war with the Sui and Tang dynasties of China.

Founded around modern day Seoul, the southwestern kingdom Baekje expanded far beyond Pyongyang during the peak of its powers in the 4th century. It had absorbed all of the Mahan states and subjugated most of the western Korean peninsula (including the modern provinces of Gyeonggi, Chungcheong, and Jeolla, as well as part of Hwanghae and Gangwon) to a centralised government. Baekje acquired Chinese culture and technology through contacts with the Southern Dynasties during the expansion of its territory. Historic evidence suggests that Japanese culture, art, and language was strongly influenced by the kingdom of Baekje and Korea itself.^{[9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][17][18]}

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

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

North-South States Period

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

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

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

Goryeo

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

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

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

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

Joseon Dynasty

TIP! Read reviews from other travelers before you choose your destination. Compare different reviews and ask yourself if they are being honest.

TIP! To prevent massive shedding when taking a long trip with a dog, brush their fur thoroughly before you leave. This will remove any loose hairs, which will minimize the amount of fur shed in your car.

The Gyeongbokgung Palace

TIP! W

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

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

Joseon experienced advances in science and culture. King Sejong the Great (1418–1450) promulgated hangul, the Korean alphabet. The period saw various other cultural and technological advances as well as the dominance of neo-Confucianism over the entire peninsula. Slaves, nobi, are estimated to have accounted for about one third of the population of Joseon Korea.^[19]

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

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

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

Korean Empire

TIP! Speak with your doctor before you travel about any medications you should be carrying with you. Your doctor can prescribe motion sickness patches or prophylatic antibiotics, should you come into contact with something that makes you ill.

TIP! When traveling, always let someone know where you are going and when you will return. If you’re gone longer than expected, follow up with that person.

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

TIP! The easiest way to pack a large amount of clothing in a small or medium sized suitcase is by rolling it. In most cases, luggage can hold more of your clothing and other items if you roll your items as opposed to folding and stacking it inside of your suitcase and it also minimizing the amount of wrinkles that may occur with your clothing during travel.

Beginning in the 1870s, Japan began to force Korea out of the Manchu Qing Dynasty’s traditional sphere of influence into its own. As a result of the Sino-Japanese War (1894–1895), the Qing Dynasty had to give up such a position according to Article 1 of the Treaty of Shimonoseki, which was concluded between China and Japan in 1895. That same year, Empress Myeongseong was assassinated by Japanese agents.^[20]

In 1897, the Joseon dynasty proclaimed the Korean Empire (1897–1910), and King Gojong became Emperor Gojong. This brief period saw the partially successful modernisation of the military, economy, real property laws, education system, and various industries, influenced by the political encroachment into Korea of Russia, Japan, France, and the United States. The laws may have made it easier for the common people to own property in Korea but it was still a far cry from the ease of owning a New York apartment in those days but it was at least easier for the commoner.

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

Japanese occupation

TIP! To make sure you don’t oversleep during your trip, test your hotel’s alarm clock as soon as you arrive. Hotel staff generally don’t check the alarm clock in between guests, and you should be sure that the volume is satisfactory and that the clock is running properly.

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

TIP!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.^[21] 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^[22][23][24] was manifested in the nonviolent March 1st Movement of 1919, where 7,000 demonstrators were killed by Japanese police and military.^[25] The Korean liberation movement also spread to neighbouring Manchuria and Siberia.

During the Japanese Colonial rule, the Korean language was suppressed in an effort to eradicate Korean national identity. Koreans were forced to take Japanese surnames, known as S?shi-kaimei.^[33] Traditional Korean culture suffered heavy losses, as numerous Korean cultural artifacts were destroyed^[34] or taken to Japan.^[35] To this day, valuable Korean artifacts can often be found in Japanese museums or among private collections.^[36] 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.^[35][37] Japanese officials considered returning Korean cultural properties, but to date^[35] this has not occurred.^[37] Korea and Japan still dispute the ownership of the Liancourt Rocks, islets located east of the Korean Peninsula.^[38]

There was a significant level of emigration to the overseas territories of the Empire of Japan during the Japanese colonial period, including Korea.^[39] By the end of World War II, there were over 850,000 Japanese settlers in Korea.^[40] After World War II, most of these overseas Japaneserepatriated to Japan.

Korean War

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

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

Division of Korea

In June 1950 North Korea invaded the South, using Soviet tanks and weaponry. During the Korean War (1950–1953) millions of civilians died and the three years of fighting throughout the nation effectively destroyed most cities.^[41] Around 125,000 POWs were captured and held by the Americans and South Koreans on Geojedo (an island in the south).^[42] The war ended in an Armistice Agreement at approximately the Military Demarcation Line.

The aftermath of World War II left Korea partitioned along the 38th parallel, with the north under Soviet occupation and the south under the occupation of other allied countries. Consequently, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, a Soviet-style socialist regime, was established in the north while the Republic of Korea, a Western-style republic, was established in the south.^[43] The Korean War broke out when Soviet-backed North Korea invaded South Korea, though neither side gained much territory as a result. The Korean Peninsula remains divided, the Korean Demilitarized Zone being the de facto border between the two states.

Since the 1960s, the South Korean economy has grown enormously and the economic structure was radically transformed. In 1957 South Korea had a lower per capita GDP than Ghana,^[44] and by 2008 it was 17 times as high as Ghana’s.^[45]

The North Korean famine began in 1995 and peaked in 1997. According to South Korea intelligence agency, an internal report by North Korea’s Public Security Ministry estimates North Korea lost 2.5 million to 3 million lives from 1995 to March 1998.^[46]

Geography

A view of Mount Seorak

Korea is located on the Korean Peninsula in North-East Asia. To the northwest, the Amnok River (Yalu River) separates Korea from China and to the northeast, the Duman River (Tumen River) separates Korea from China and Russia. The Yellow Sea is to the west, the East China Sea and Korea Strait is to the south, and the Sea of Japan is to the east.^[47] Notable islands include Jeju Island (Jejudo), Ulleung Island(Ulleungdo), and Liancourt Rocks (Dokdo).

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

Jeju Island seashore.

Unlike most ancient mountains on the mainland, many important islands in Korea were formed by volcanic activity in the Cenozoic orogeny. Jeju Island, situated off the southern coast, is a large volcanic island whose main mountain Mount Halla or Hallasan (1950 m) is the highest in South Korea. Ulleung Island is a volcanic island in the Sea of Japan, whose composition is more felsic than Jeju-do. The volcanic islands tend to be younger, the more westward.
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.Because the mountainous region is mostly on the eastern part of the peninsula, the main rivers tend to flow westwards. Two exceptions are the southward-flowing Nakdong River (Nakdonggang) and Seomjin River (Seomjingang). Important rivers running westward include the Amnok River, the Chongchon River (Chongchongang), the Taedong River (Taedonggang), the Han River (Hangang), the Geum River (Geumgang), and the Yeongsan River (Yeongsangang). These rivers have vast flood plains and provide an ideal environment for wet-rice cultivation.

Demographics

Language

Hunmin jeong-eum, afterwards called Hangul.

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

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

Culture and arts

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

Korean Buddhist architecture

Traditional Korean dance (Jinju geommu)

In ancient Chinese texts, Korea is referred to as “Rivers and Mountains Embroidered on Silk” (????, ????) and “Eastern Nation of Decorum” (??????, ??????).^[53] During the 7th and 8th centuries, the silk road connected Korea toArabia. In 845, Arab traders wrote, “Beyond China is a land where gold abounds and which is named Silla. The Muslims who have gone there have been charmed by the country and tend to settle there and abandon all idea of leaving.^[54]”

Korean festivities often showcase vibrant colors, which have been attributed to Mongolian influences: bright red, yellow, and green often mark traditional Korean motifs.^[55] These bright colors are sometimes seen in the traditional dress known ashanbok.

Literature

One peculiarity of Korean culture is its age reckoning system. 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.

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

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

Religion

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

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 Buddhists22.8%.^[61]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^[56][57][58] or the pressure fromCommunism’s Juche government in the North.^[59][60]

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.^[62]

Korean Cuisine

Dolsot Bibimbab

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

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

Other popular dishes include bibimbap which literally means “mixed rice” (rice mixed with meat, vegetables, and red pepper paste) and naengmyeon (cold noodles). A common snack in Korea is kimbab, which is rice mixed with vegetables and meat wrapped with seaweed. While an increasingly wide variety of ingredients are used in kimbap, fish in either raw or cooked form is rarely used, perhaps due to kimbap’s origin as a portable, packable snack and fish could quickly spoil if unrefrigerated.
Additionally, some of other common snacks includes “chocopie”, shrimp cracker, “bbungtigi” (fried rice cracker), and “nu lung ji” (slightly burnt rice). Nu lung ji can be eaten as it is or boiled with water to make a soup. Nu lung ji can be eaten as a snack or a dessert.Instant noodles are also a very popular snack food. Koreans also enjoy food from pojangmachas (street vendors), where one can buy tteokbokki (rice cake and fish cake with a spicy gochujang sauce), fried squid and glazed sweet potato. Soondae, a sausage made of cellophane noodles and pork blood, is widely eaten.

Education

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

Science and technology In Korea

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

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

The earliest known surviving Korean example of woodblock printing is the Mugujeonggwang Great Dharani Sutra.^[64] It is believed to have been printed in Korea in 750-751 AD which, if correct, would make it older than the Diamond Sutra. Goryeo silk was highly regarded by Westerners and Korean pottery made with blue-green celadon was of the highest quality and sought after by even Arabian merchants. Goryeo had a bustling economy with a capital that was frequented by merchants from all over the known world.

During the Joseon period the Geobukseon (turtle Ship) was invented, which were covered by a wooden deck and iron with thorns,^[65][66][67] as well as other weapons such as the bigyeokjincheolloe cannon (?????, ?????) and the hwacha.

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

Korea was united by Emperor Taejo of the Goryeo Dynasty in 936. Goryeo was a highly cultural state and created the Jikji in the 14th century, using the world’s first movable metal type printing press. The Mongol invasions in the 13th century, however, greatly weakened the nation which was forced to become a tributary state. After the Mongol Empire’s collapse, severe political strife followed and Goryeo was replaced by the Joseon Dynasty in 1388.

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

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

North Korea, officially the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, is a single-party state with a centrally planned industrial economy. South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea, is a free market, democratic, and developed country with membership in the OECD and the Group of Twenty. This has lead to South Korea advancing to obtain many contributions to digital products market which has resulted in a better technological position than The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. This does not mean for example that you will find the top 10 web hosting services, the best seo services or top notch internet marketing in South Korea but they do hold their own as far as science and technology development is concerned. The proximity of North Korea and North Korea’s distrust of U.S. and United Kingdom influence has a significant braking effect to the unrelenting progress that has been seen out of the reformed China.

The next technological progresses may be coming out of China and it will be very interesting to see if South Korea will receive the knock on benefit of this techno-financial boom. There is some abuse and spam from some of the Chinese provinces and that has lead to some mistrust from servers located in China and its neighbors. If South Korea is not careful it will be left behind or it will be a haven for spammers. Time will tell indeed.