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Taegeukgi (National Flag) |
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 The
Korean flag is called Taegeukgi. Its design symbolizes the principles of
Eum and Yang in Oriental philosophy. The circle in the center of the flag
is divided into two equal parts. The upper red section represents the positive
cosmic forces of Yang, while the lower blue section represents the negative
cosmic forces of Eum. These two forces together embody the concepts of continual
movement, balance and harmony that characterize infinity. The circle is
surrounded by four trigrams, one in each corner. Each trigram symbolizes
one of the four universal elements: heaven, earth, sun (or fire) and moon
(or water). The white background represents peace, and also stands for the
purity and homogeneity of the Korean people. |
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Mugungwha (National Flower) |
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 The
national flower of Korea is the rose of Sharon, or mugunghwa as it is called
in Korean.
Every year from July to October, a profusion of mugunghwa graces the entire
country. They are remarkably tenacious and able to withstand both blight
and insects. Mugung means immortality, and hwa means flower, thus it is
a flower symbolizing the immortality, determination and perseverance of
the Korean people. |
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Geography |
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 Korea is situated on the Korean Peninsula, which spans 1,100 kilometers north to south. The Korean Peninsula lies on the northeastern section of the Asian continent, where Korean waters are joined by the western-most parts of the Pacific. The peninsula shares its northern border with China and Russia. To the east is the East Sea, beyond which neighboring Japan lies. To the west is the Yellow Sea. In addition to the mainland, Korea includes some 3,200 islands.
Korea encompasses a total of 223,098 square kilometers ― almost the same size as the United Kingdom or Ghana. Some 45 percent of this area, or 99,678 square kilometers, is considered cultivable area, excluding reclaimed land areas. Mountainous terrain accounts for some two-thirds of the territory like Portugal, Hungary or Ireland.
The Taebaeksan Mountain Range runs the full length of the east coast, where the lashing waves of the East Sea have carved out sheer cliffs and rocky islets. The western and southern slopes are rather gentle, forming plains and many offshore islands honeycombed with inlets.
The peninsula features so many scenic mountains and rivers that Koreans have often likened their country to a beautifully embroidered brocade. The highest peak is on Mt. Baekdusan in North Korea along the northern border facing China. It rises 2,744 meters above sea level and is an extinct volcano with a large crater lake named Cheonji. The mountain is regarded as an especially important symbol of the Korean spirit and is mentioned in Korea's national anthem.
Considering its territorial size, Korea has a relatively large number of rivers and streams. These waterways played crucial roles in shaping the lifestyle of Koreans and in the nation's industrialization. The two longest rivers in North Korea are the Amnokgang River (Yalu, 790 kilometers) and the Dumangang? River (Tumen, 521 kilometers). These rivers originate from Mt. Baekdusan and flow to the west and the east, respectively. They form the peninsula's northern border.
In the southern part of the peninsula, the Nakdonggang River (521.5 kilometers) and the Hangang River (481.7 kilometers) are the two major waterways. The Hangang River flows through Seoul, the capital of Korea, and serves as a lifeline for the heavily concentrated population in the central region of modern Korea, just as it did for the people of the ancient kingdoms that developed along its banks.
Surrounding the peninsula on three sides, the ocean has played an integral role in the lives of the Koreans since ancient times, contributing to the early development of shipbuilding and navigational skills. |
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Population |
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 As of the end of 2007, South Korea's total population was estimated to be 48,456,369 with a density of 498 people per square kilometer. The population of North Korea was estimated to be 23,200,238.
Korea saw its population grow by an annual rate of 3 percent during the 1960s, but growth slowed to 2 percent over the next decade. In 2005, the rate stood at 0.21 percent and is expected to further decline to 0.02 percent by 2020.
In the 1960s, Korea's population distribution formed a pyramid, with a high birth rate and relatively short life expectancy. However, age-group distribution is now shaped more like a bell because of the low birth rate and extended life expectancy. Those aged 15 and younger will make up a decreasing portion of the total, while senior citizens (65 and older) will account for some 15.7 percent of the total by the year 2020.
The nation's rapid industrialization and urbanization in the 1960s and 1970s has been accompanied by continuing migration of rural residents into the cities, particularly Seoul, resulting in heavily populated metropolitan areas. However, in recent years, an increasing number of Seoulites have begun moving to suburban areas.
The number of foreigners ― including short-term sojourners ― residing in Korea reached 1,000,254, surpassing for the first time the one million mark, on Aug. 24, 2007. They now make up two percent of the population. And the yearly increase, in particular the 15 percent spurt from the foreign population of 865,889 recorded in July 2006, shows how rapidly Korean society is diversifying in terms of race and culture.
By nationality, Chinese made up 44 percent with 441,334 (266,764 of which were ethnic Koreans), followed by Americans who made up 12 percent with 117,938. Vietnamese comprised the third largest foreigners group at 6 percent with 63,464, followed by Filipinos. (5 percent with 50,264) and Thais (4 percent with 43,792). The others were mainly from Japan, Taiwan and Indonesia.
Among the 724,967 long-term residents, workers, including industrial trainees, made up 56 percent of the foreign population at 404,051.?Those who came to Korea through marriage were 14 percent at 104,749, while 7 percent or 47,479 were students studying in Korea. |
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Climate |
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The
Korean peninsula, which is situated at the eastern edge of the Eurasian
continent, lies between 33 °and 43 °north latitude. With the Taebaeksan
mountain range forming the backbone of the Korean peninsula, Korea has a
diverse climate in spite of its small size. It lies in the temperate zone,and
has four distinct seasons as well as diverse topography.
Although Korea has the general characteristics of a continental climate,
it has monsoonal weather in summer. It is bitterly cold and dry in winter
due primarily to the Siberian air mass. Torrential rains fall during the
rainy season that begins in late June, often causing severe damage to property
and loss of life. It is hot and humid in July and August due primarily to
the maritime Pacific high. The transitional seasons, spring and autumn,
are generally sunny and clear, although they are short in comparison to
winter and summer and have distinct weather patterns.
Spring:
Mostly clear and dry days.
Temperature ranges from 16℃ to 19℃ in May.
Summer: Hot and humid. Temperature ranges from
23℃ to 27℃ in August. Daytime highs are usually over 30℃ in mid-summer.
Also, two to three typhoons usually hit Korea during this season. Fifty
to sixty percent of the annual precipitation comes in summer. Monsoon
season (heavy rain season) starts in June and lasts about 30 days. High
humidity in both July and August.
Fall: A little cooler than spring but still
mostly clear and dry days. Temperature ranges from 11℃to 19℃ in October.
Winter: Cold and dry.January is the coldest
month of the year. Temperature ranges from -6℃to 7℃ in January. Most of
the snowfall occurs in mountainous areas with little snow in urban areas.
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Language (Hangeul-Korean Alphabet) |
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All Koreans speak and write the same language, which has been a decisive factor in forging their strong national identity. Korean has several different dialects in addition to the standard variety used in Seoul. Only the dialect of Jeju-do Province, however, is so different that it is difficult for others to understand.
Linguistic and ethnological studies have classified the Korean language in the Altaic language family, which includes the Turkic, Mongolic and Tungus-Manchu languages.
King Sejong the Great commissioned and helped create the Korean alphabet Hangeul during the 15th century. Before its creation, only a relatively small percentage of the population was literate; few could master the difficult Chinese characters used by the upper class.
Before developing a Korean writing system, King Sejong studied several writing systems known at the time, such as Uighur and Mongolian scripts and old Chinese seal characters. The system that Joseon scholars came up with, however, is predominantly based upon phonology. Above all, they developed and followed a theory that divided each syllable into initial, medial and final phonemes, as opposed to the bipartite division of traditional Chinese phonology.
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Foreign students take Korean language
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Hangeul, which consists of 10 vowels and
14
consonants, can be combined to form numerous syllabic groupings.
It is simple, yet systematic and comprehensive, and is considered one of the most scientific writing systems in the world. Hangeul is easy to learn and write, which has greatly contributed to Korea's high literacy rate and advanced publication industry.
A growing number of students from abroad are
enrolling in Korean language courses at universities in Seoul, including Seoul National, Yonsei, Korea and Ewha Womans University.
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Religion |
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Freedom of religion is fully guaranteed in the Republic of Korea. There are four broad streams of influence: Shamanism, Buddhism, Confucianism, and Christianity. Christianity has had a large following in Korea since its introduction from the West in the late 18th century. Catholicism and Protestantism have significantly grown under the influence of Europe and the United States. There are also various minor religions based on various combinations of elements from traditional religions. |
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History |
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Dawn of Statehood |
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Although Korea ’s first kingdom, Gojoseon, was founded
in 2333 B.C., it is presumed that humans began to inhabit the Korean Peninsula
several centuries earlier. The ideology of the Gojoseon Kingdom was characterized
by devotion to the welfare of mankind.
Gojoseon’s rule of the peninsula lasted some 2,400 years. |
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The Three Kingdoms and the Unified Silla Period |
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Data available to date indicates that the Three Kingdoms-Goguryeo,
Baekje and Silla-lasted from 57 B.C. to 668 A.D. Goguryeo, which was the
first to be founded, occupied the largest part of the peninsula. Its territory
encompassed the northern part of the peninsula, which is now North Korea,
and Manchuria. As such, Goguryeo was the most powerful of the Three Kingdoms.
Baekje and Silla were established in the central and southern parts of the
peninsula that is now South Korea. Wiryeseong, the capital of Baekje, was
established in the area that is now Seongnam, a satellite city southeast
of Seoul. Silla unified the kingdoms of the central and southern part of
the peninsula later, ushering in the Unified Silla period. Bulguksa Temple
and Seokguram were built during the Unified Silla period. Meanwhile, Balhae,
the kingdom that succeeded Goguryeo in part of Manchuria and the northern
part of the peninsula, lasted for some 230 years. |
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Goryeo Dynasty |
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Goryeo was founded in 918 after the fall of Unified Silla.
The name “Korea” comes from Goryeo, as foreigners began to call the kingdom
“Korea” The peninsula suffered frequent foreign invasions after Goryeo developed
relations with other countries. Of particular note, Mongols and Khitans
invaded on many occasions. Among the many cultural legacies of the Goryeo
Dynasty are the internationally renowned blue-green inlaid celadon pottery
and the world’s very first metal type. |
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Joseon Dynasty |
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The Joseon Dynasty was established in 1392 after the
fall of Goryeo.Joseon adopted Neo-Confucianism as the state ideology. It
put in place acentralized political structure based on the yangban (noble)class.
Class distinction between the upper and lower classes was strictly enforced.
The vast majority of the population belonged to the so-called middle class.
The hereditary system of these people was again divided into peasants, artisans
and merchants. Moral, ethical and social principles prescribed by Neo-Confucian
codes of conduct were enforced along the extended family system to strengthen
the status of the yangban class. The family system and moral and social
codes were thoroughly based on Confucian codes of conduct. Under the extended
family system, the head of a family exerted absolute control over his family
in line with Confucian traditions. The head of the family represented and
controlled his family and performed rites for his ancestors.
Because Buddhism was suppressed, few Buddhist works of art, such as those
produced during the Silla and Goryeo periods, were created during the Joseon
era.
However, Joseon’s political and social stability, along with the buildup
of national strength, enabled the kingdom to produce outstanding cultural
and academic achievements. Of special note, academic activities in this
era made significant headway as Neo-Confucianism became a source of politics,
society and culture. |
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Colonial Rule |
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After emerging victorious from the Sino-Japanese War,
Japan set its sights on taking over Korea. Korea lost its sovereignty with
Japan’s annexation of the country in 1910. Korea regained its independence
in 1945 with Japan’s defeat in World War II. |
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Modern-day Korea |
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Korea’s first President Syngman Rhee ruled South Korea
for 12 years until 1960 when he was forced out of the presidency.
Afterward, President Park Jung Hee established an iron rule after suppressing
rising popular aspirations for democracy. At the same time, he pushed ahead
with economic development.
For instance, he promoted Saemaul (New Community) projects designed to raise
income levels and foster long-term national development.
Korea became known globally as it played host to the 1986 Asian Games and
the 1988 Summer Olympics. The Seoul Olympics is remembered as an Olympics
that promoted world peace and harmony by all the participating countries.
The co-hosting of the FIFA 2002 World Cup with Japan put Korea on the map
once again. |
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