A closer look: North and South Korea
The Korean Peninsula
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Physical Geographical Isolation The history of Korea is directly related to the physical
geography of the Korean peninsula East = Sea of Japan; West = Yellow Sea; South = Korea
Strait; North = China and Russian Siberia First Koreans possibly migrated from Manchuria and
North China thousands of years ago 2000 BC first state - called Chosen 100 BC China conquered northern half of peninsula, at
this point Korea becomes point between China and Japan By late 300s the Three Kingdoms - Koguryo in
northeast, Paekche in southwest, Silla - southeast; The Silla later conquered the other two kingdoms to take control
In 1392 Yi Songgye became ruler of Korea, established dynasty; ended in 1910 Japan took control, ruled until end of World War II - 1945
A divided peninsula After Japan’s defeat, the northern part
of Korea was controlled by Soviet Union, southern half supported by US.
1950: Korean troops from north invaded south and thus the Korean War began.
The war ended in 1953 that divided the peninsula into two nations: Communist North Korea and Democratic South Korea
Influences on Korean Culture Chinese influences: Confucianism,
Buddhism - made entrance to Korea by way of China
Communism - from Russia, China influenced N. Korea
Democracy - from Western world
Unification? Over two million troops guard the borders In 2000 leaders of N. and S. Korea held a summit
dedicated to unifying the two countries Olympics 2000 two nations, one flag
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Two NationsNorth Korea South Korea
Capital Pyongyang Seoul
Government Single-party communist state Semi-presidential republic
Total Area 46,528 sq mi 38,622 sq mi
Population 23 million 49 million
GDP per capita $1,114 US $20,015 US
Government leader Kim Il-sung President: Lee Myung-bakP.M.: Han Seung-soo
Language Korean Korean
Economy Industry, services, agriculture
Industry, marketing