Korea

Korea is a special place in East Asia made up of a long, thin piece of land called the Korean Peninsula, plus the big island of Jeju Island and some smaller islands. Today, this area is split into two separate countries: North Korea and South Korea. This split happened after World War II in 1945, when the world was changing and new leaders came to power. The two countries share a border near the 38th parallel, and even though they are close, they have very different ways of life.

People have lived in this area for a very long time, with records showing homes and towns from as early as 40,000 BC. Over the years, many kingdoms rose and fell, like Gojoseon, Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla. One of the most famous times was when the Hangul, the special Korean alphabet, was created, helping people read and write easily. Later, the country faced tough times when armies from Japan and China invaded, but it also had long periods of peace where culture and technology grew.

After Japan took control in 1910, life became hard for many Koreans. When World War II ended in 1945, Japan lost its power, and the Soviet Union and the United States divided Korea into two zones. This division was only meant to be temporary, but it led to the Korean War from 1950 to 1953, where many countries got involved. Even though the war stopped, the two Koreas are still separate, and there is a special area called the demilitarized zone between them.

Today, South Korea is a busy, modern country known for its technology, strong army, and popular music and movies, called the Korean Wave. North Korea is very different, with a strong focus on its military and serious challenges for its people. Both countries still say they are the only real government of Korea, which keeps things tense between them.

Etymology

Main article: Names of Korea

See also: Korean romanization

The name "Korea" comes from an old kingdom called Goryeo, which ruled much of the Korean Peninsula in the 12th century. People in other countries wrote the name in different ways, but it eventually became "Korea" in English.

In South Korea, the country is called Hanguk, meaning "country of the Han." In North Korea, it is called Chosŏn, meaning "land of the Morning Calm." These names come from ancient kingdoms and have special meanings for the people who live there.

History

Main article: History of Korea

For a chronological guide, see Timeline of Korean history.

The history of Korea begins with ancient times, with early settlements and pottery dating back thousands of years. Around 300 BC, people from the Korean Peninsula moved to the Japanese islands, mixing with local groups.

Korean legends tell of ancient kingdoms like Gojoseon, which was later influenced by Chinese powers. Over time, Korea developed into several important kingdoms, including Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla. These kingdoms often fought among themselves but also traded and shared culture with nearby regions.

Later, the Goryeo dynasty brought advances in writing, printing, and Buddhism. In the 14th century, the Joseon dynasty began, focusing on education and science. Leaders like Sejong the Great created the Korean alphabet, Hangul.

In the 19th and 20th centuries, Korea faced outside pressures, first from China and Japan, and later direct control by Japan. After World War II, Korea was split into two separate nations, North Korea and South Korea, leading to conflict and division that continues today.

Main article: Prehistoric Korea

Main article: Gojoseon

Main article: Proto–Three Kingdoms of Korea

Main articles: Three Kingdoms of Korea, Baekje, Goguryeo, and Silla

The Three Kingdoms period included Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla. Goguryeo was strong and expanded its lands, while Baekje was known for its sea travel and culture. Silla, though smaller, used smart diplomacy to grow powerful.

Main articles: North–South States Period, Later Silla, and Balhae

After Silla grew strong, it worked with China to take over other kingdoms. Later, new groups like Balhae kept some of the old traditions alive.

Main article: Goryeo

Goryeo saw the growth of writing systems, Buddhism, and trade. It defended against attacks from nearby empires and had periods of great learning.

Main article: Joseon

Joseon brought new ideas in government and learning. The dynasty faced outside threats, including invasions, but also times of peace and growth.

In the late 1800s, Korea tried to become more modern but faced pressure from Japan, leading to its eventual control by Japan.

See also: Japanese war crimes

Korea was controlled by Japan for many years. Many Koreans suffered greatly during this time, with forced labor and loss of cultural items. Resistance movements worked to keep Korean identity alive.

Main article: Division of Korea

After World War II, Korea was split into North and South. The Korean War (1950–53) caused much suffering and left the country divided, a situation that remains today.

In 2018, the leaders of North Korea and South Korea officially signed the Panmunjom Declaration, announcing that they will work to end the conflict.

See also: History of North Korea, History of South Korea, Korean conflict, and Korean reunification

Geography

Main article: Geography of Korea

See also: Geography of North Korea, Geography of South Korea, and Provinces of Korea

Korea is made up of a peninsula and nearby islands in East Asia. The peninsula stretches southward for about 1,100 km (680 mi) from Asia into the Pacific Ocean. It is surrounded by the Sea of Japan to the east and the Yellow Sea to the west, with the Korea Strait connecting these two bodies of water. Rivers such as the Amnok River and Duman River separate Korea from China and Russia. Important islands include Jeju Island, known for its volcanic mountain Mount Halla.

The southern and western parts of Korea have flat lands, while the eastern and northern areas are mountainous. Mount Paektu is the highest mountain and lies on the border with China. Many of Korea's islands, like Jeju Island, were formed by volcanic activity. The peninsula's rivers, such as the Han River and Nakdong River, flow westward and support wet-rice farming. The coastlines are complex and provide good conditions for fishing and navigation.

Climate

Korea has four seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Spring sees temperatures rise as Siberian influence lessen. Summer brings rainy weather when moist air from the Pacific meets cooler air from the north. Autumn is usually clear and warm, while winter becomes cold and dry under Siberian influence.

Biodiversity

Main article: Wildlife of Korea

Korea is home to many bird species and native animals such as the Korean hare and Korean water deer. The Korean Demilitarized Zone is a special area with many plants and animals, including some endangered species. The peninsula has around 3,034 types of plants. Siberian tigers once lived in Korea but are now only found in North Korea.

Economy

Science and technology

Main article: History of science and technology in Korea

See also: List of Korean inventions and discoveries

Korea has a rich history of science and technology. One famous example is the Cheomseongdae, a tall astronomical observatory built a long time ago in 634 CE. Another important invention is The Great Dharani Sutra, an early printed book thought to have been made in Korea around 750–51 CE.

During the Goryeo period, a new way of printing using metal letters was created by Ch'oe Yun-ŭi in 1234 CE. This helped people read more easily. Later, during the Joseon period, amazing inventions like the Turtle Ship and new weapons were made. The Korean alphabet called hangul was also created by King Sejong the Great during this time.

Demographics

As of 2023, the total population of both Koreas is about 77.9 million people. South Korea has around 51.7 million people, while North Korea has about 26.1 million. Most people in Korea are part of the same ethnic group and speak the Korean language. Over time, more people from other countries have moved to Korea, especially to South Korea.

Korean is the main language spoken in both North and South Korea. It is also spoken by many people living outside Korea, such as in China, the United States, and Japan. The Korean alphabet, called Hangul, was created in the 15th century and is used by most people today.

Main articles: Religion in Korea, Religion in South Korea, and Religion in North Korea

See also: Korean shamanism, Korean Confucianism, Korean Buddhism, Taoism in Korea, Christianity in Korea, and Islam in Korea

Traditional beliefs such as Confucianism, Buddhism, and Korean shamanism have shaped Korean culture for many years. In South Korea, Christianity and Buddhism are common today, while North Korea has limited religious activities. Many people in both countries also follow no specific religion.

Main articles: Education in South Korea and Education in North Korea

South Korea has a strong school system where children go to elementary school for six years and middle school for three years. High school lasts three more years. Students do not pay for most of their education. North Korea also provides free schooling, with children attending kindergarten, primary school, secondary school, and then university if they choose.

Culture

Korea has a rich and colorful culture with many special traditions. In Korea, people count age a little differently than in some other places. A baby is considered one year old at birth, and everyone gets a year older together on New Year’s Day. This means a person might seem a year or two older than their actual birth age.

Korean music includes many styles, from folk songs to special ceremonial music. Traditional Korean music has two main types: Hyangak, which is music native to Korea, and yangak, which shows influences from Western styles. One famous piece of Hyangak music is called Sujechon, which may be over 1,300 years old.

Korean food is famous around the world, especially for its bold flavors and special sauces. Important ingredients include soybean paste, soy sauce, gochujang (red pepper paste), and kimchi, a fermented vegetable dish usually made from cabbage. Korean meals often include spicy soups, grilled meats like bulgogi and galbi, and side dishes called banchan. Popular dishes also include bibimbap (mixed rice) and naengmyeon (cold noodles). Koreans also enjoy street food like tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes) and gimbap (rice wrapped in seaweed).

Sports are very popular in Korea. Football and golf are enjoyed by many, and taekwondo is Korea’s most famous martial art. Taekwondo became an Olympic sport in 2000 and is practiced for both self-defense and sport. Other traditional martial arts include hapkido, which focuses on grappling and control, and ssireum, a form of wrestling with sash belts. Ssireum matches are held during festivals like Dano and Chuseok. Another old martial art, taekkyon, has made a strong comeback in South Korea since the 1980s.