SOUTH KOREA

History, Cultures, Beliefs, and Literatures

SO U T H KO R E A N HI ST O RY
Korea is a peninsular country in East Asia.
Was one nation but has been divided into 2, communist

North and non-communist South, since 1945.

Koreas total area 85,238 sq mi
Korean people are part of the Tungusic branch of the

Mongoloid race who came from the cold northern

regions of central Asia.

SO U T H KO R E A N HI ST O RY
As a result of the Korean
War from 1950-1953, brought
on by North Koreas invasion
of the South, the country is
no longer divided at the 38th
parallel but by a demilitarized
zone of 487sq mi along the
armistice line.

SO U T H KO R E A N HI ST O RY
Famous People
Kim Dae Jung
President of South Korea in
1998.
Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize
for his efforts for pursuing the
policy of reconciliation with
North Korea.

SO U T H KO R E A N HI ST O RY
Famous People
Kim Young Sam
First civilian president of South
Korea since Gen. Park Chung Hee
assumed power in 1961.
Kim went into politics in 1954,
winning a seat in the National
Assembly
two National
years University.
after
from Seoul
His calls for
graduating reforms during General Parks rule
democratic
resulted in his eviction from the national assembly
and a two year house arrest.

SO U T H KO R E A N HI ST O RY
Famous People
Roh Tae Woo
1988 President of South
Korea.
South Korea was admitted to
the UN in 1991 under
Predisent Woos leadership.
Supported Kim Young Sam in
the
1992
presidential
elections. Kim won and
succeeded Roh in early 1993.

SO U T H KO R E A N HI ST O RY
Famous People
Syngman Rhee
First president of the Republic
of South Korea in 1948 and ran
the
country
through
the
korean War after the invasion
of the North in 1950.
He was forced to go into exile
because
his
rule
grew
increasingly totalitarian and,
after riots started suddenly
(1960).

SO U T H KO R E A N HI ST O RY
Famous People
Kim Il Sung
Leader of North Korea from 1948
until his death (1994).
Joined the Korean Communist
party in 1932 at the age of 19.
Served as a guerrilla fighter
against the Japanese in the 1930s
and was a Solviet Soldier in Korea
during WW-II.
He caused the beginning of the Korean War (1950)
for trying to extend his power to South Korea.

SO U T H KO R E A N HI ST O RY
Historical Places
Changgyeong Palace
Originally
the
Summer
Palace of the Goryeo King, it
later became one of the Five
Grand Palaces of the Joseon
Dynasty.

SO U T H KO R E A N HI ST O RY
Historical Places
Bulguksa Temple
One of the most elaborate
temples in South Korea.
Built without mortar by
placing cut stones in perfect
arrangement.
The stairways leading to the
temple
entrances
are
symbolic of the Buddhist
journey toward spiritual
enlightenment.

SO U T H KO R E A N HI ST O RY
Historical Places
The Gyeongbok Palace
First constructed in
1395 as the royal
residence
of
the
Choson
(Joseon)
dynasty.
Ruined
during
Japanese
invasion
(1592)
and
was
reconstructed (1867).

SO U T H KO R E A N HI ST O RY
Historical Places
The Dongdaemun
One
of
the
five
(5)
remaining gates of the
original nine (9) entryways
to Seoul.
Built
during
the
14th
Century by King Taejo of
the Choson dynasty.
Part of an 18.5 km wall
around the capial.

SO U T H KO R E A N HI ST O RY
Historical Places
Pyngyang
Capital of North Korea
Almost
damaged
completely during the
Korean War.
The city was rebuilt with
the Chinese and Soviet
assistance.

SO U T H KO R E A N HI ST O RY
Historical Places
Tower of Juche
Prominent monument in Pyongyang.
Rising to a height of 170m (560ft) in
the city center.
The tower glorifies juche idea, a
philosophy of self-reliance that is a
central tenet of the communist nation
The monument commemorates the
70th birthday of Kim Il Sung, the
Great Leader, who introduced the
juche idea.

SO U T H KO R E A N HI ST O RY
Significant Events
The Atlantic Charter
According to the principles of the Atlantic
Charter of August 1941 asserting rights of
self-determination for subject peoples, US,
Britian, and China announced on December
1,1943, that in the due course Korea shall
become free and independent. The USSR
abided by this statement on August 8, 1945.

SO U T H KO R E A N HI ST O RY
Significant
Events
Election in Korea
The UN organized elections in Korea that led to the
creation of the Reoublc of Korea south of the 38 th
parallel (1948).

Korean War
Started on June 25, 1950 when the forces of the
Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (North K)
occupied the Republic of Korea (South K).

S O U T H KO R E A N C U LT U R E
Korean culture was predominantly influenced by
Chinese from ancient times until the 20th Century.
However, Korea developed its own unique styles
over the centuries.
Paintings, Ceramics, Music, and Literature.

S O U T H KO R E A N C U LT U R E
Paintings
Koreans can remember the masterworks of the
distant past from the Three Kingdoms of Koguryo,
Silla, and Paekche, which were joined together by
Silla in the 7th Century.

S O U T H KO R E A N C U LT U R E
Ceramics
Pottery and ceramics were perfected
in Korea.
Korea learned the Chinese techniques
of high-fired porcelains and used
them to create porcelain with a
distinctive
green
glaze
called,
celadon.
Korean celadon was called one of the
ten best things in the world by
Chinese.

S O U T H KO R E A N C U LT U R E
Music
Sinawi

Perfomed for the deities during a female

shaman ritual dance.
The musicians must follow the shamans
dance and create interesting melodic and
rhythmic patterns to help her perform.
Melody kyemyon
Main soloist - piri

S O U T H KO R E A N C U LT U R E
Music
Sinawi

S O U T H KO R E A N C U LT U R E
Literature
Korean classical literattue combined indigenous folk
traditions with religious and philisophical principles
of Buddhisn, Confucianism, and Daoism.
Wrote in Chinese script in earlier times.
Hangul was introduced in 1446 but not gain
widespread acceptance as a literary language until
the 20th Century.

S O U T H KO R E A N C U LT U R E
Literature

S O U T H KO R E A N C U LT U R E
Traditions
Marriage and Family
Most
South
Koreans
today
decide on their spouses.
Many
abstain
from
the
traditional-style wedding.
Women retain their birth names
after they marry.
Father is the head of the family
Eldest
son
enjoy
greatest
respect.

S O U T H KO R E A N C U LT U R E
Traditions
Marriage and Family

In North Korea, marriage happen only

with the consent of the parents.
Minimum marriage ages - 27 for men,
25 for women to allow for the
completion of military service and other
obligations.

S O U T H KO R E A N C U LT U R E
Food
Rice is the main staple food in Korea eaten with
variety of side dishes, main of which is kimchi.
Soup is often part of a meal, and chicken, beef,
and fish are common.
Naengmyon favorite food in North Korea.

S O U T H KO R E A N C U LT U R E
Recreation
Traditional Korean sports like archery, kite flying,
and wrestling survive until today though without
huge popularity.
Koreans have enjoyed international success in
boxing, foot-racing, weightlifting, wrestling, and
mountain climbing.
Korean favourites include changgi (Korean
chess), paduk (Japanese go), and yut (played with
four sticks).

S O U T H KO R E A N C U LT U R E
Recreation
Changgi

Paduk

Yut

SO U T H KO R E A N B E LI EF S
Most Koreans in the south stick firmly to Buddhist
and Confucianist beliefs. Many Koreans in rural
areas adhere to Shamanism.
Approximately, quarter of the people in the south
are Christians, mainly Protestants.
Chondogyo, teaching of the Heavenly Way, is the
only other significant organized faith that is native
to Korea.
In the North, the government discourages all
religious observances.

LITERARY PIECES
Two Lies (Korean Folktale)
- An Zong Og

Song of Peace
- Hwang Tonggyu

Cranes
- Hwang Sun Won

The Nonrevolutionaries
- Yu-Wol Chong-Nyon