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Korean Peninsula
Map of the Korean peninsula

Korea is a formerly unified country, situated on the Korean Peninsula in north East Asia adjacent to China in the west and Russia in the north. When World War II ended in 1945, the country was divided into two: the Republic of Korea (South Korea) and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea). The Unification Flag is often used to represent Korea at international sporting events, but it is not an official flag of either country.

Overview

Archaeological evidence indicates that early humans appeared 2.5 million years ago and although the written language is only 5000 years old, by evaluating archeological, DNA data, geological, cosmological, language and fossil studies the prehistory of the Korean people can be determined. Paleolithic and archaelogic evidence indicates that people have lived in Korea for the past 40,000 years. For much of the past millennium, Korea was politically a single state, which led to the development of a fairly homogeneous and unique culture. Korea is characterised by a distinct people (Koreans) and language (Korean).

According to ancient Chinese scripts Korea is referred to as Kumsu Kangsan literally meaning "the river and mountains are embroidered on silk". In addition, the Chinese credited the Koreans of being the producer of some of the best silk in the world. During the 7th-8th centuries there existed via land and sea routes trading networks between Korea and Arabia. Koreans used wooden printing blocks by 751. The publication technique of using metal movable type was invented in Korea as early as 1232 (although clay prints were invented by Bi Sheng about 200 years earlier in China), long before Gutenberg in Europe developed metal letterset type. During the Goryeo period, the silk industry became widepsread and blue-green celadons became a Korean specialty. Also during this time the first ironclad warships in the world were developed and deployed in Korea. Korea achieved rapid cultural growth during the Joseon era, developing a culture unique from Ming China. The Joseon era also presided over progress in traditional arts and crafts, such as white glazed celadons, better silk and better paper, beatiful fans and clothes, and the completion of the Korean alphabet, hangul.

Korea is currently divided into the capitalist Republic of Korea (ROK) and the communist Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). This division occurred in effect since Japan's defeat in 1945 which put an end to World War II whereas permanent division came after the Korean War in 1953.

North Korea pursues a policy of self reliance (Juche). Its borders are open for travel for almost all countries, but its harder to get an entry Visa if you are a US Citizen since North Korea and the US are still officially at war. In contrast, South Korea, which pursues an export-driven economy, enjoys the 11th largest economy in the world. However, both Korean states proclaim eventual reunification as a goal; that is, the restoration of Korea as a single state. Even though Korea is no longer one nation in real political terms, it is very much alive in the minds of Koreans and as an ethno-cultural space critical to Korean national identity.

History

Main article: History of Korea

Part of a series on the
History of Korea
Prehistoric period Palaeolithic 700,000 BC-8000 BC Neolithic 8000 BC–1500 BC * Jeulmun Bronze Age 1500 BC–300 BC * Mumun * Liaoning dagger
Ancient period Gojoseon 2333 BC–108 BC * Dangun * Gija * Wiman Jin 4th–2nd century BC Yemaek
Proto–Three Kingdoms period Takri Dongye Buyeo Eastern Galsa Okjeo Samhan Ma Byeon Jin Goguryeo Tamna Nakrang Four Commanderies of Han
Three Kingdoms period Goguryeo 37 BC–668 AD Baekje 18 BC–660 AD Silla 57 BC–935 AD Gaya confederacy 42–562 Tamna (Tributary of Baekje) 498–660 Usan 512–930
Northern and Southern period United Silla (Unified Silla) 668–892 Balhae 698–926 Little Goguryeo 699–820 Tamna (Tributary of Silla) 662–925
Later Three Kingdoms period Later Baekje 892–936 Taebong (Later Goguryeo) 901–918 Unified Silla (Later Silla) 892–935 Later Sabeol 919–927 Dongdan Kingdom 926–936 Later Balhae 927–935 Jeongan 938–986
Dynastic period Goryeo 918–1392 Tamna (Vassal of Goryeo) 938–1105 Heungyo 1029–1030 Joseon 1392–1897 Korean Empire 1897–1910
Colonial period Japanese occupation 1910–1945 Provisional Government 1919–1948
Modern period Military governments 1945–1948 North-South division 1945–present * North 1948–present * South 1948–present
By topic Architecture Art Cuisine Currency Education Geography Historiography Language Military (List · Goguryeo) Monarchs (Family tree) Names (Era names) Naval Newspapers Politics (Joseon · North · South) Religion Buddhism Christianity Islam Science and technology Women World Heritage Sites (North · South)
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Korea (조선) was the name which began to be used at the 3rd century time of B.C. in China, and was the general term of the different race place-of-residence region of the Northeast district. When it became Han Dinasty time, the worship to an east and Kija Korea were connected and the present direction of Liaoning province was called Korea. B. After rule of Han of C.108, present Nishi Democratic People's Republic of Korea was made into Korea, and the country before it was made into Gojoseon. The its own country name was made into Korea (조선) in Korea after the Koryo time, and the tradition of Gojoseon which contains Dangun Korea in this time was made. Although there is an opinion it is supposed that there is B.C.2333 to 5000 to which it is supposed that it believed that Gojoseon was a real thing, and Dangun Korea was founded years of history in South Korean, the conclusive proof is not found yet. Although the state in Korea which appears in the history book of China for the first time is Kija Korea, it also cannot but be one opinion and actual existence is not checked. The state in the oldest Korea it is supposed now that was probably existed is Wishi Korea. Wishi Korea goes to ruin in B.C.109.

Gojoseon

Dangun is a person on a myth. (Although it has written that it quoted from Northern Wei Dynasty History book according to "Samguk Yusa", it is not written to Northern Wei Dynasty History book) It is the tradition that Dangun by which the child and bear of God which descended upon Mt. Paektu were born to the Chinese Yao emperor time among the women who disguised themselves as man founded a state in Pyongyang. This is the myth which spread all over the country focusing on the farmer in the Koryo time. This myth time is called Dangun Choson. In the Republic of Korea, there is a calendar method which makes an era B.C. 2333 which are Dangun Choson, and which are told to have founded a state. Although the grave of Dangun is restored in Democratic People's Republic of Korea, since still decisive remains are not discovered, the question is shown in the archaeological fact nature.

Moreover, in another tradition, it is supposed for the whole family's of the king's of Shang Dynasty's Kija to go into Korea, after Shang goes to ruin, and to have served as a Korean king. (It is written to History book of the Han time in future generations) The believer of the Confucianism of the Koryo time supported. In others, it is made to relate to the above-mentioned Dangun myth, and the tradition to which it is supposed that Dangun yielded the throne to Kija is also.

Then, Chinese State of Wishi of Yan ruined Kija Korea. Wishi Korea is ruined by Wu emperor of Han. Generally even this is Gojoseon.

The Three Kingdom Period

After the Gojoseon period comes the 3 Kingdom period (57 BC - 688 AD). The Three Kingdoms of Silla, Goguryeo, and Baekje had similar ethnic and linguistic backgrounds. But the three Kingdoms were competing with each other to strengthen state power, in order to expand their territories. As minor legions fell or merged with these regional powers highly sophisticated state organizations started to form under Confucian and Buddhist hierarchical structures. Goguryeo was fast becoming the most dominant power but was at constant war with the Chinese Sui and Tang. Emperor Yang-ti of Sui with 1 million troops invaded Goguryeo, but in 612 AD, General Ulchi Mundok after several months pushed the Chinese into a retreat. In one of the battles between Goguryeo and the Sui the Koreans ambush the Chinese at the Sulsa river leaving only 2700 Chinese alive out of 300,000 troops. The Sui fall from power partly due to Goguryeo. The Chinese Tang rises in power and Tai-tsung of the Tang Empire contemplated revenge against Goguryeo with 3 failed invasions on 644, 648, and 655 AD. The Tang then turn to Silla for assistance. Goguryeo’s dominance in this region will force other weaker powers to form alliances also. Silla was the least technologically advanced of the Three Kingdoms, but had established a fierce military. With the rise of a warrior class who had adopted many aspects of Tang military arts, Silla would become a formidable adversary. (The warriors were possibly called the Hwarang.)

Allied with the Chinese Tang Dynasty Silla would gain the upper hand leading to the overthrow of the other Kingdoms. Silla first annexes Gaya, then they conquer Baekje driving them south to a neighboring island. Eventually, Goguryeo falls at which point Silla decides to drives out their former Tang allies. Silla (from this point refered to as Unified Silla by historians) thus came to control most of the Korean peninsula. The northern bits as well as parts of Manchuria and today's Maritime Province of Russia went to the new state of Balhae (also see pohai), which emerged in Goguryeo's former territories and styled itself as Goguryeo's successor state.

Balhae and Silla Dynasty

Silla (57 BC - 935 AD) had created a generally long peaceful era and the desire for learning grew. Idu, a transcription system of Korean words by the use of Chinese characters, were being utilized by Silla scholars of the upper-royal nobility, or Chin-gol (true bone). The growing need for scholarly work necessitated the recruitment of mid-upper scholars, so a quasi-civil service examination system was instituted in 788 to meet this end. Buddhism began to establish a new Seon sect (generally known in the West by its Japanese name Zen) in the remote mountain area. The defeated nobility of Goguryeo and Baekje were treated with some generosity. Subsequent to the fall of Goguryeo, General Dae Joyeong lead a group of his people to the Jilin area in Manchuria. The general founded the state Balhae (Bohai in Chinese) and regained control of lost northern territory of Goguryeo. Eventually, Balhae's territory would extend from the Sungari and Amur Rivers in northern Manchuria all the way down to the northern provinces of modern Korea. In the 10th century Balhae was conquered by the Khitans and Silla disintegrated as regional strongmen vied for power. The kingdom of Goryeo slowly took over and replaced Silla as the dominant power in Korea in the years 918-935. Many of the Balhae ruling class, who were mostly Koreans, moved south and joined the newly founded Goryeo Dynasty. While the most of the Manchurian portion of the Balhae territory was lost, the area south of the Amnok (Yalu)- Duman (Tumen) boundary was restored.

Goryeo Dynasty

During the Goryeo period (918 AD - 1392 AD) laws were codified, and a civil service system was introduced. Buddhism flourished and spread throughout the peninsula. Goryeo during this time in fear of power being usurped made official policies to discourage martial arts and the warrior class who were no longer appreciated, and government policies were initiated to put more emphasis on scholars versus warlords.

The Manchurian territory of Balhae was now officially renamed Liao by the Khitans who initiated attacks in 983, in 985, in 989, and in 993, continuing to harass Goryeo. However, in 993, Koryo's commanding general So Hui (940-998), facing a stalemate with the Liao army, convened peace talks with Liao general Hsiao to end the enmity with the recognition of the Koryo's territorial rights of south of the Amnokkang river. However the Khitans attacked again in 1010, which was complicated even further, with the Jurchens who started skirmishes with Goryeo in the Manchurian border of Korea. As the conflicts continued to afflict war-weary Goryeo, King Hyonjong (r. 1009-1031) ordered the carving of the Tripitaka, imploring Buddha's aid, which consisted of about 6,000 chapters. Goryeo printing with movable metal type was developed to print many titles in limited copies around the mid-12th century. In 1145, King Injong (r. 1112-1146) had a Confucian scholar, Kim Pu-shik, compile the Samguk sagi (History of the Three Kingdoms). Conflict increased between civil and military officials as the latter were degraded and paid poorly. In 1170, the military officials rose up against the civil officials and paid them back with bloodshed. This would add to Goryeo's dislike for military class. In 1238 the Mongols invaded Goryeo and laid the Kingdom to ruins as resistance continued on and off for almost thirty years. In the end, the Goryeo court submitted, and the Mongols interfered with Goryeo's politics for the next 100 years. In the 1340s Mongul declines rapidly due to internal struggles. King Kongmin was free at last to reform a Goryeo government. King Kongmin had various problems that needed to be dealt with. One was the removal of pro-Mongul aristocrats and military officials, second was the question of land holding, and third was to quell the growing animosity between the Buddhists and Confucian scholars. Another problem was that Japanese pirates were no longer hit-and-run bandits, but organized military marauders raiding deep into the country. It was at that time that General Yi Seong-gye distinguished himself by repelling the pirates in a series of successful engagements. The Goryeo kingdom would last until 1392.

Joseon Dynasty

In 1392, a Goryeo general, Yi Seong-gye, overthrew the Goryeo king in a coup d'état and established a new dynasty: the Joseon Dynasty. The Joseon Dynasty moved the capital to Hanseong (now Seoul) and adopted Confucianism as the state ideology. During this period, the Hangeul alphabet was created by King Sejong in 1443. During the mid- to late- 19th century, Joseon's reluctance to open itself to foreign trade earned its nickname, the Hermit Kingdom. During the late 1500s Japan would invade Korea in two failed attempts. Joseon could not keep foreign powers at bay forever, and soon several powers were competing over influence in Korea. Japan, who had first forced trade agreements on Korea in 1876, took a leading position following victory in the Sino-Japanese War (1894-1895). In 1895, Queen Min of Joseon, the last empress of Korea, was killed by a group of assassins that are believed to have been under the command of the Japanese minster to Korea, Miura Goro. In 1897, Joseon was renamed Daehan Jeguk (Korean Empire). A period of Russian influence followed, until Japan defeated Russia in the Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905). Korea became a protectorate of Japan in 1905. In 1910 the country was officially annexed by Japan under a Governor-General of Korea, thus opening the Period of Japanese Rule in Korea. Anti-Japanese sentiment still runs strong throughout Korea and Asia. List of Japanese War Atrocities Japanese rule lasted until 1945 when Japan was defeated by the Allied Forces. Korea was divided into two occupation zones effectively starting on September 8, 1945, with the United States administering the southern half of the peninsula and the Soviet Union taking over the area north of the 38th parallel. This division was meant to be temporary and was first intended to return a unified Korea back to its people until the United States, United Kingdom, Soviet Union, and Republic of China could arrange a trusteeship administration.

Initial hopes for a unified, independent Korea quickly evaporated as the politics of the Cold War and domestic opposition to the trusteeship plan resulted in the 1948 establishment of two separate governments in the North and the South with diametrically opposed political, economic, and social systems. In June 1950 the Korean War broke out. It lasted for three years and ended with a ceasefire agreement and no victor, turning the division into a permanent one.

Culture

Culture of Korea

The nation is renowned for its traditional dish called kimchi (see Korean cuisine) which uses an innovative and unique process of preserving vegetables by fermentation (developed before electric refrigeration existed).

Korea in sporting events

A unified Korean team competed under the Unification Flag in 1991 in both the 41st World Table Tennis Championship in Chiba, Japan and in the 6th World Youth Soccer Championship in Lisbon, Portugal. A unified Korean team marched under the Unification Flag in the opening ceremonies of the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, the 2002 Asian Games in Pusan, and the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, but the North and South Korean national teams competed separately in sporting events.

Demographics

Geography

Names

Korea
Korean Name
Revised Romanization	Koria
McCune-Reischauer	K'oria
Hangul	코리아
Derived from	Goryeo (Koryŏ; 고려; Hanja: 高麗

Main article: Names of Korea

In Korean, Korea is referred to as "Hanguk" (한국; 韓國) in the south and "Chosŏn" (조선; 朝鮮) in the north. In addition, South Koreans also use "Hanguk" to refer only to South Korea and North Koreans also use "Chosŏn" to refer only to North Korea. The western name "Korea" (from Goryeo (고려; 高麗)) is a neutral name often used by both countries in international contexts. There are complex historical reasons for the use of all three names, of which the following paragraph is a summary. The Chinese characters of Goryeo are pronounced Gaoli in Chinese, which is why Marco Polo marked today's Korea as Cauli in his travel.

Before the Three Kingdoms Period "Old Joseon" was the first Korean state. Then in the 660s, the kingdoms of Baekje;백제 and Goguryeo;고구려 came under the control of Silla, and Korea was called "Silla" (or Unified Silla;신라or 통일신라 by modern historians) from then until the 10th century. In 936, the newly formed kingdom of Goryeo;고려 replaced Shilla. From Goryeo came "Cauli" (the Italian spelling of the name Marco Polo gave to the country in his Travels), from which came the English names "Corea" and the now more commonly used "Korea". (For the Corea-vs.-Korea debate, please see Names of Korea.) In 1392, the Joseon Dynasty;조선 came to power and the country was renamed "Joseon" (Dae Joseon-guk 대조선국 in full, or "Great Joseon Nation"). In 1897, the Korean Empire (Daehan Jeguk 대한제국) was formed, reviving the name "Han". In 1910, Korea was annexed by Japan and the name reverted to "Joseon" ("Chosen" in Japanese). In 1919, a Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea was formed in Shanghai, which used the name "Republic of Korea" (Daehan Minguk대한민국), a modified form of the name "Korean Empire". After independence from Japan and the country's division in 1945, the southern American-occupied zone became the "Republic of Korea" (or Hanguk for short in South Korean) in 1948, due to the influence of the non-Communist Shanghai group. Meanwhile, the northern Soviet-occupied zone became the "Democratic People's Republic of Korea" (or Chosŏn for short in North Korean) under the control of Kim Il-sung, who wished to use the name "Chosŏn" for its ancient and northern connotations.

See History of South Korea and History of North Korea for the post-war period.

Further Readings

• Chun, Tuk Chu. "Korea in the Pacific Community." SOCIAL EDUCATION 52 (March 1988), 182. EJ 368 177.

• Cumings, Bruce. THE TWO KOREAS. New York: Foreign Policy Association, 1984.

• FOCUS ON ASIAN STUDIES. Special Issue: "Korea: A Teacher's Guide." No. 1, Fall 1986.

• Lee Ki-baik. A NEW HISTORY OF KOREA. Cambridge: Harvard UP, 1984.

• Lee Sang-sup. "The Arts and Literature of Korea." THE SOCIAL STUDIES 79 (July-August 1988): 153-60. EJ 376 894.

See also

• South Korea
• North Korea
• List of Korea-related topics
• Culture of Korea
• Cuisine of Korea
• Famous Korean people
• Hanja
• Korean language
• Korean name
• List of mountains in Korea
• Music of Korea
• Koreans
• Provinces of Korea
• Rulers of Korea
• Special cities of Korea
• Traditional Korean thought
• List of Korean birds
• Korean Soccer Clubs

External links

• Pre-20th-Century Korea
• Korea News
• Teaching about the Two Koreas
• Korea in Manchuria
• Korean communities in the U.S.
• Paekche of Korea and the Origin of Yamato Japan

• Asia
• East Asia
• East Asian countries
• Korea
• Disputed territories