Names of Korea

There are various names of Korea in use today that are all derived from those of ancient Koreanic kingdoms and dynasties. The choice of name often depends on the language, whether the user is referring to either or both modern Korean countries, and even the user's political views on the Korean conflict.

The name Korea is an exonym, derived from Goryeo or Koryŏ. Both North Korea and South Korea use the name in English. However, in the Korean language, the two Koreas use different terms to refer to the nominally unified nation: Joseon or Chosŏn (조선; 朝鮮) in North Korea and Hanguk (한국; 韓國) in South Korea.

History

See also: History of Korea

The earliest records of Korean history are written in Chinese characters called hanja. Even after the invention of hangul, Koreans generally recorded native Korean names with hanja, by translation of meaning, transliteration of sound, or even combinations of the two.

Until 108 BC, northern Korea and part of Manchuria were controlled by Gojoseon. In Chinese records, it was written as 朝鮮, which is pronounced in modern Korean as Joseon. The name Joseon is also used by North Koreans and Koreans living in China and Japan to refer to the peninsula.

Around the time of Gojoseon's fall, various chiefdoms in southern Korea grouped into confederacies, collectively called the Samhan. Beginning in the 7th century, the name "Samhan" became synonymous with the Three Kingdoms of Korea.

The succeeding dynasty called itself Goryeo, and regarded itself as the successor to Goguryeo. The name Goryeo was the shortened form of Goguryeo and was first used during the reign of Jangsu in the 5th century.

In 1392, a new dynasty established by a military coup revived the name Joseon (조선; 朝鮮; Chosŏn), after the ancient state Gojoseon.

When the Korean Empire came under Japanese rule in 1910, the name reverted to Joseon. Korea became independent after World War II (1945) and the country was then divided.

In 1948, the South adopted the name Daehanminguk (대한민국; 大韓民國), known in English as the Republic of Korea (ROK). Meanwhile, the North became Chosŏn Minjujuŭi Inmin Konghwaguk (조선민주주의인민공화국; 朝鮮民主主義人民共和國), translated in English as the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

Current usage

East Asia

Korea

Today, South Koreans use Hanguk to refer to just South Korea or Korea as a whole, Namhan for South Korea, and Bukhan for North Korea. South Korea less formally refers to North Korea as Ibuk. South Koreans often refer to Korea as “uri nara,” meaning “our nation” or “our country.” The official name for the Republic of Korea in the Korean language is “Daehanminguk,” which is usually translated as “The Republic of Korea.”

North Koreans use Chosŏn, Namjosŏn for South Korea, and Pukchosŏn for North Korea, although Pukchosŏn is rarely used in the north. In official meetings between South Korea and North Korea, Namcheuk and Bukcheuk, or “southern side” and “northern side,” are used instead of Namjosŏn and Bukhan.

The Korean language is called Hangugeo in the South and Chosŏnŏ in the North. The Korean script is called hangeul in South Korea and Chosŏn'gŭl in North Korea. The Korean Peninsula is called Hanbando in the South and Chosŏn Bando in the North.

Chinese-speaking areas

In Chinese-speaking areas such as China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, and Singapore, different naming conventions are used. In Chinese, the Korean Peninsula is usually called Cháoxiǎn Bàndǎo. Ethnic Koreans are called Cháoxiǎnzú, but the term Hánguó ren may be used to specifically refer to South Koreans.

Before establishing diplomatic relations with South Korea, the People's Republic of China referred to South Korea as Nán Cháoxiǎn. Since diplomatic ties were restored, China uses the names that each side prefers, referring to North Korea as Cháoxiǎn and to South Korea as Hánguó. The Korean War is officially called the Kàngměi Yuáncháo Zhànzhēng although the term Cháoxiǎn Zhànzhēng is also used in unofficial contexts.

Taiwan uses the South Korean names, referring to North Korea as Běihán and South Korea as Nánhán. In Hong Kong and Macau, North Korea is traditionally called Bak Hon and South Korea as Nam Hon.

In Hokkien speaking areas, Korea is called Hân-kok, with North Korea referred to as Pak-hân and South Korea as Lâm-hân.

Japan

In Japan, North Korea is called Kita-Chōsen and South Korea Kankoku. Japan-based North Koreans claim the name Kita-Chōsen is not preferred, and some use the name Kyōwakoku instead. For Korea as a whole, Chōsen is commonly used.

The Korean language is most frequently referred to in Japan as Kankokugo or Chōsengo. The term Koriago is sometimes used as a compromise.

Mongolia

Mongolian people have their own word for Korea: Solongos. North and South Korea are called Hoid Solongos and Ömnöd Solongos, respectively.

Vietnamese-speaking areas

In Vietnam, people call North Korea Triều Tiên and South Korea Hàn Quốc. After Vietnam unified, the northern Vietnamese terminology persisted until the 1990s. When South Korea reestablished diplomatic relations with Vietnam in 1993, it requested that Vietnam use the name that it uses for itself, and Hàn Quốc gradually replaced Nam Triều Tiên in usage.

Outside East Asia

English usage and spelling

Both South and North Korea use the name "Korea" when referring to their countries in English. North Korea is sometimes referred to as "Democratic People's Republic of Korea" (DPRK) and South Korea as the "Republic of Korea" (ROK). The official names of both entities are also used by organizations such as the United Nations, International Olympic Committee, and media such as the Associated Press, China Global Television Network (CGTN), and several others.

Historically, English had a variety of names for Korea, including "Cauli," "Caule," "Core," "Cory," "Caoli," and "Corai." The modern spelling, "Korea," first appeared in the late 17th century. The terms "Chosunese" or "Chosonese" were first used in the late 19th century but were eventually phased out.

Other languages

European languages use variations of the name "Korea" for both North and South Korea. In general, Celtic and Romance languages spell it "Corea" (or variations) since "c" represents the /k/ sound. Languages that prefer representing /k/ with "k," such as most Germanic or Slavic languages, generally use variants of "Korea." In Russian, the name for Korea is Корея.

Koreans abroad

Emigrants who moved to Russia and Central Asia call themselves Goryeoin or Koryo-saram. Many Goryeoin are living in the CIS, including an estimated 106,852 in Russia, 22,000 in Uzbekistan, 20,000 in Kyrgyzstan, 17,460 in Kazakhstan, 8,669 in Ukraine, 2,000 in Belarus, 350 in Moldova, 250 in Georgia, 100 in Azerbaijan, and 30 in Armenia. As of 2005, there are also 1.9 million ethnic Koreans living in China who hold Chinese citizenship and a further 560,000 Korean expatriates from both North and South living in China.

South Korean expatriates living in the U.S. may refer to themselves as jaemi gyopo or "gyopo" for short.

Names of Unified Korean sporting teams

Main article: Unified Korean sporting teams § Names

Sobriquets of Korea

In traditional Korean culture and East Asian traditions, Korea has been called many different names over the centuries. Some of these names include:

• Gyerim, meaning "Rooster Forest", an early name for Silla.
• Gunjaji-guk, or "Land of Scholarly Gentlemen".
• Geumsu Gangsan, meaning "Land of Embroidered (or Splendid) Rivers and Mountains".
• Danguk, meaning "Country of Dangun".
• Daedong, meaning "Great East".
• Dongguk, meaning "Eastern Country".
• Dongbang, meaning "an Eastern Country" referring to Korea.
• Dongbang yeuiji-guk, meaning "Eastern Country of Courtesy".
• Dongya, meaning "Eastern Plains".
• Dong-i, meaning "Eastern Foreigners".
• Gu-i, meaning "Nine-i", referring to ancient tribes in the Korean peninsula.
• Dongto, meaning "Eastern Land".
• Baeguiminjok, meaning "The white-clad race".
• Samcheon-ri, meaning "Three thousand li", referring to the length traditionally attributed to the country.
• Asadal, an Old Korean term for Joseon.
• Cheonggu, or "Azure Hills". The color Azure is associated with the East.
• Paldo Gangsan, meaning "Rivers and Mountains of the Eight Provinces", referring to the traditional eight provinces of Korea.
• Geunhwahyang, meaning "Country of Mugunghwa" referring to the Silla Kingdom.
• Geunyeok, meaning "Hibiscus Territory", or Land of Hibiscus.
• Samhan, or "Three Hans", referring to the Samhan confederacy that ruled Southern Korea. Beginning in the 7th century, Samhan became synonymous with the Three Kingdoms of Korea.
• Haedong, meaning "East of the Sea" (here being the West Sea separating from Korea).
• Haedong Samguk, meaning "Three Kingdoms East of the Sea" refers to the Three Kingdoms of Korea.
• Haedong Seongguk, literally "Flourishing Eastern Sea Country", historically refers to the Balhae Kingdom of the north–south period.
• Jinguk, meaning "Shock Country", an old name of the Balhae Kingdom.
• Jinyeok, meaning "Eastern Domain".
• Jindan, meaning "Eastern Country of Dangun".
• Jinguk, meaning "Country of Early Morning", referring to the Jin state of the Gojoseon period.