About South Korea

1. About South Korea By HaeWon Choi

2. The Korean War The Soviet (Russian) army took control of Korea when Japan lost World War II. Russia and the United States agreed to divide the country into two parts. Russian troops moved into North Korea, while U.S. troops entered South Korea. Neither country officially recognized the other. With Chinese and Russian help, North Korea built a huge army and invaded South Korea in 1950. North Korea hoped to make Korea a single country that would be controlled by a communist government. The United States and other countries sent troops to help South Korea. Millions of people died, but no one won the war. A peace treaty still has not been signed. North Korea and South Korea remained separate countries.

3. Japanese Rule South Korea Japan controlled Korea as a colony from 1910 to 1945, when World War II came to an end. Japanese rule was strict. Koreans were forced to learn Japanese, adopt Japanese names, and grow rice for Japan. The Japanese wanted to wipe out Korean culture and replace it with their own culture. Korean newspapers were not allowed to print in Korean, and people were expected to worship at Japanese shrines. Despite repeated Korean protests and uprisings, Japan maintained tight control over Korea. Many Koreans went hungry in World War II, and thousands of men had to fight for the Japanese side.

4. Ancient Korea Wandering tribes of hunters lived in Korea for thousands of years. The ancestors of today’s Koreans are believed to have come to the area from what is now Siberia and Mongolia. These people raised animals, built villages, and used tools. Around 75 BC, Korean tribes united into three kingdoms that ruled for seven hundred years. This led to a golden age for Korea—a time of improvement in art, science, and trade. The lives of peasants (poor farmers) also improved. The Koryo period (918–1392) brought more growth and the spread of a religion called Buddhism, which emphasizes mental and moral purity in order to overcome challenges and suffering. Hundreds of Buddhist temples were built during this time, and the English word Korea comes from the native Korean word Koryo.

5. Fact About South Korea - In South Korea there are lots of apartments!!!!! - South Korea is surrounded by the Sea of Japan and the Yellow Sea and is around 38,502sq miles (99,720sq km). - South Korea population as July 1, 2013 is 50,219,669. It's capital, Seoul, is one of the largest cities with population over 10,000,000. - The official language of South Korea is Korean but english is taught widely in the country's school. In addition, Japanese is common in South Korea. - The population of South Korea is composed of 99.9% Korean but 0.1% the population is Chinese. - In 2009, South Korea opened a high speed rail line called Korean Train Express (KTX) which was based on the French TGV. The KTX runs from Seoul to Pusan and Seoul to Mokpo and transports over 100,000 people daily. - The war of South Korea and North Korea started on June 25th 1950 the war ended on July 27th 1953.

6. Fact About South Korea Continued • - South Korea's national symbol is the national flag (Taegeukgi) and the national flower is called Rose of Sharon (Mugunghwa), the Korean way of calling South Korea is Dehanminguk (대한민국). • - South Korea is in Asia and South Korea's main city is Seoul. • - In the olden South Korean people believed the Buddha’s but now in new days South Korea believes in God Jesus and Mary. • - South Korea has 2 traditional things that is Kim chi it's a Food that has spices in it the second traditional third is the tigers (호랑이 ho-rang-yi the y does not have a sound). • - South Korea has a island that is called Jeju • - Do and there are 3 things that has a lot in Jeju-Do island one is lots of woman, 2 is lots of wind and 3 is lots of rocks. • - In the South Korean people wear long sleeved clothes in winter, summer, spring and autumn but in winter and autumn they wear thick clothes and in summer spring they wear very thin clothes.

7. The Korean Flag The national flag was adopted in 1883. The white background symbolizes purity. The Korean flag has the elements earth, fire, water, and air. The circle has a name in for the colors yin is for blue and yang is for red and it also stands for harmony and balance. You will see on the flag.

8. Games & Sports Korean kids play soccer and basketball, and many like baseball and swimming. Hiking in the mountains is also popular. Almost all young children learntae kwon do(a Korean martial art, similar to karate) after school, and they participate in tournaments. One traditional game ispee-gu, which is like dodgeball. Another iskong-gi, which is like jacks: you spread five small stones or game pieces on the ground, throw one in the air, and try to pick up another before catching the falling piece. Then you toss one and grab two, then three, and finally four before the tossed piece hits the ground. Tae kwon dois the name of Korea’s ancientmartial art, which is a way of using your body to fight or defend yourself. Koreans have practiced this art for more than two thousand years. In the early days of Korea, soldiers trained intae kwon doto protect their leaders and kingdoms. Today, children and adults learntae kwon doin classes and gyms all around the world; it is also an Olympic sport. You can recognizetae kwon doby its fast, high, and spinning kicks. It uses the feet more than some othermartial arts.

9. Holidays Korean children love to celebrate the New Year (1–3 Jan.) and Children’s Day (5 May). For the New Year, families get together for a big meal. Children bow to their grandparents and other adult relatives as a special sign of respect; the adults then give them gifts or money. Many families dress in traditional clothing for this special day and make offerings to their ancestors. On Children’s Day, schools are closed and children often go to amusement parks. They also get presents from family members.

10. Land & Climate

11. Money South Korea has several large industries that produce steel, cars, ships, and building materials. You might have a television, video game, or cellular phone in your home that was made in Korea or has parts made in Korea. Samsung, Hyundai, and LG are three of the most famous Korean brands. Korea sells fish, rice, barley, and vegetables to other countries