The Koreas

The KoreasThe Koreas

Physical Landscape, History, Physical Landscape, History, North and South KoreaNorth and South Korea

PhysicalPhysical

Korea is a peninsula between China Korea is a peninsula between China and Japanand Japan

Divided into two nationsDivided into two nations North KoreaNorth Korea South KoreaSouth Korea

More populousMore populous

PhysicalPhysical

There are two main physical There are two main physical features of the peninsulafeatures of the peninsula Mountains: cover about 70% of the Mountains: cover about 70% of the

peninsulapeninsula Plains: where most Koreans livePlains: where most Koreans live

PhysicalPhysical

Climate and ResourcesClimate and Resources

Temperate climateTemperate climate South Korea has more arable land South Korea has more arable land

than North Koreathan North Korea North Korea’s mountains have more North Korea’s mountains have more

mineralsminerals

Spring

Summer

Fall

Winter

An educated society is the most An educated society is the most valuable resource to the Koreansvaluable resource to the Koreans

About 95% literacy rate for the whole About 95% literacy rate for the whole peninsulapeninsula

Homogenous societyHomogenous society

Climate and ResourcesClimate and Resources

HistoryHistory

Both the Chinese and Japanese cultures Both the Chinese and Japanese cultures have influenced Korea over the yearshave influenced Korea over the years Korea had 3 dynastiesKorea had 3 dynasties Japanese took over Korea as an imperial Japanese took over Korea as an imperial

nationnation Harsh rule (1910-1945)Harsh rule (1910-1945) Used Korean rice yields to support the Japanese Used Korean rice yields to support the Japanese

populationpopulation Because of this legacy of imperialism, a ban on Because of this legacy of imperialism, a ban on

Japanese goods in South Korea lasted for many Japanese goods in South Korea lasted for many years, years, but was recently liftedbut was recently lifted

Korean WarKorean War

After WWII, the U.S. and Russia sent After WWII, the U.S. and Russia sent troops to Korea to accept Japan’s troops to Korea to accept Japan’s surrender of the peninsulasurrender of the peninsula The Cold War (U.S. fear of the spread of The Cold War (U.S. fear of the spread of

communism and Russian fear of spread communism and Russian fear of spread of democracy)of democracy) Led to the division of Korea at the 38Led to the division of Korea at the 38thth

parallelparallel

In 1950, North Korea In 1950, North Korea invaded South Koreainvaded South Korea The Chinese aided The Chinese aided

their communist their communist North Korean North Korean neighborsneighbors

The war ended in a The war ended in a stalematestalemate ArmisticeArmistice: agreement : agreement

to end fightingto end fighting


Korea remains divided at the 38Korea remains divided at the 38thth parallelparallel

The two countries are still formally at warThe two countries are still formally at war


Government:Government: Is powerful and restricts Is powerful and restricts

some human rightssome human rights Economy:Economy:

One of the “One of the “Four Asian Four Asian TigersTigers”” Rapidly industrialized Rapidly industrialized

countries with great successcountries with great success Also Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Also Hong Kong, Taiwan, and

SingaporeSingapore Depends on other nations Depends on other nations

for raw materialsfor raw materials

South KoreaSouth Korea

North KoreaNorth Korea

Closed societyClosed society Government: communist dictatorshipGovernment: communist dictatorship

Avoids ties to foreign nationsAvoids ties to foreign nations Has tried to become self-sufficient, Has tried to become self-sufficient,

isolatedisolated

Since 1995, as much as 10% of the Since 1995, as much as 10% of the population may have died due to population may have died due to starvation and a low standard of starvation and a low standard of livingliving

We don’t know much about what We don’t know much about what goes on in this closed society!goes on in this closed society!


A nuclear facility in North Korea.

All religion is outlawedAll religion is outlawed


ReviewReview

Main physical features of the Korean Main physical features of the Korean peninsulapeninsula

Climate and ResourcesClimate and Resources Relationship with China and JapanRelationship with China and Japan Korean WarKorean War Differences between North and South Differences between North and South

KoreaKorea More arable land?More arable land? A closed society?A closed society? More populous?More populous? One of Four Asian Tigers?One of Four Asian Tigers?

Business

The Koreas