The Koreas Today
Chapter 23, section 4
Even though they share a common history and culture, the two Koreas have very different
governments and economies.
Government
North Korea• Democratic People’s Republic of Korea• Totalitarian state—controlled by communist
party• First ruled by Kim Il Sung-• Ruled by Kim Jong Il 1994 -2011• Now ruled by Kim Jong Un• Capital - Pyongyang
Kim Il Sung-
Kim Jong Il
Kim Jong Un
Government
South Korea• Republic of Korea
• Republic-headed by a president and an assembly elected by the people
• Capital- Seoul
Bvxc
President Park Geun-hye
Economy
North Korea• Command economy—gov. plans and decides
what is produced; owns all land; controls all access to jobs
• Rich in mineral resources—creates machinery and military supplies—use out of date technology –poorer than S. Korea and Japan
North Korea economic activity
Economy
South Korea• US helped to create
• Business and gov. leaders work together • Emphasis on manufacturing to export
Issues and Challenges
North Korea• Isolated from the rest of the world because it deals with communist
countries• • Closed its markets to foreign goods• • Not much land to farm• • Lacks technology• Creates nuclear bombs • • Crowded cities• Poor choices by government
Issues and Challenges
South Korea• Some people feel government is corrupt
• Controlled by a few families
• Continued threat from N. Korea
The Koreas at Night
What is one factor that supports reunification?
What is one factor that hinders reunification?
What is the DMZ?
