Changes

Korea has experienced one of the largest rates of emigration, with ethnic Koreans residing primarily in China (1.9 million), the United States (1.52 million), [[Japan]] (681,000), and the countries of the former [[Soviet Union]] (450,000).

Korea has experienced one of the largest rates of emigration, with ethnic Koreans residing primarily in China (1.9 million), the United States (1.52 million), [[Japan]] (681,000), and the countries of the former [[Soviet Union]] (450,000).

Korean uses the Korean Alphabet, Han'gul. King Sejong created Han'gul (Hunmin chong'um) in 1443 and promulgated it to the world in 1446.

The Korean language is related to Japanese and [[Mongolian]]. Although it differs grammatically from Chinese and does not use tones, a large number of Chinese cognates exist in Korean. Chinese ideograms are believed to have been brought into Korea sometime before the second century BC. The learned class spoke Korean, but read and wrote Chinese. A phonetic writing system ("hangul") was invented in the 15th century by [[Sejong|King Sejong]] to provide a writing system for commoners who could not read classical Chinese. Modern Korean uses hangul almost exclusively with Chinese characters in limited use for word clarification. Approximately 1,300 Chinese characters are used in modern Korean. English is taught as a second language in most primary and secondary schools. Chinese and Japanese are widely taught at secondary schools.  

In the past, Chinese characters were used in Korea to write. However, Chinese characters could not adequately express Korean words. Thus, early Koreans used, Idu which was a system based on sounds and meanings of Chinese ideographs, but there were many inconveniences in using this system as well. Because Choson lacked its own particular national alphabet, except for the intelligentsia, the general people could not understand the written language and thus experienced inconveniences in their lives. During the initial stages of the Choson Dynasty, as national consciousness rose, Choson took up the great cultural task of creating its own alphabet which came to be known as Han'gul (Hunmin chong'um).

 

King Sejong made great efforts to create a system of letters which would be easy to learn and write. After a long period of research, he succeeded in creating the alphabet Han'gul, and in 1446 he promulgated it to the world, referring to it as Hunmin chong'um. Hunmin chong'um means "the correct sounds for the instruction of the people." It was named as such with the spirit of the King's love for his people. After the completion of Hunmin chong'um, the King made efforts to promote it by ordering his scholars to publish the Yongbi och'on-ga (The Dragon Flies to Heaven) and the Worin ch'ongang-jigok (The Moon Shines on a Thousand Rivers) in Hunmin chong'um. Han'gul is easy to learn and systematic. It can, not only give expression to sounds, but its form is beautiful and was created on the basis of scientific theory. Thus, Koreans consider it to be one of the most superior systems of letters in the world. As a result of the creation of Han'gul, the Korean people were able to possess pride as a cultured nation with its own unique national alphabet, thus boosting the national culture. For these reasons, Han'gul and King Sejong had a deep impact on the world. Thus, UNESCO presents the King Sejong Literacy Prize to outstanding persons or organizations that have contributed to the advancement of literacy to honor his noble aim, to deliver his people from the pains of illiteracy.

 

 

*Population (2006): 48,846,823.

*Population (2006): 48,846,823.

==History==

==History==

[[File:Buddha Korea.jpg|thumb|left|Giant stone statue of [[Buddha]] in Gyeongju.]]

Throughout 5,000 history of Korea, Goguryeo is meaningful, and Significant to all Korean. A leading power during the Three Kingdoms period, Goguryeo occupied the present territory of North Korea and also held sway over the vast Manchurian region for some 700 years until the late 7th century AD. By the 4th century, Goguryeo had been firmly established as a powerful kingdom and frequently clashed with China, while successfully containing its southern rivals.

The myth of Korea's foundation by the god-king Tangun in BC 2333 embodies the homogeneity and self-sufficiency valued by the Korean people. Korea experienced many invasions by its larger neighbors in its 2,000 years of recorded history. The country repelled numerous foreign invasions despite domestic strife, in part due to its protected status in the Sino-centric regional political model during Korea's Chosun dynasty (1392-1910). Historical antipathies to foreign influence earned Korea the title of "Hermit Kingdom" in the 19th century.  

 

[[File:The bell tower Korea.JPG|thumb|300px|Cheongnyangsa Temple, Gyeongbuk.]]

I. THE BEGINNING OF THE HISTRY OF KOREA

With declining Chinese power and a weakened domestic posture at the end of the 19th century, Korea was open to Western and Japanese encroachment. In 1910, Japan began a 35-year period of colonial rule over Korea. As a result of Japan's efforts to supplant the Korean language and aspects of Korean culture, memories of Japanese annexation still recall fierce animosity and resentment, especially among older Koreans. Nevertheless, import restrictions on Japanese movies, popular music, fashion, and the like have been lifted, and many Koreans, especially the younger generations, eagerly follow Japanese pop culture. Aspects of Korean culture, including television shows and movies, have also become popular in Japan.

 

The history of Korea stretches back through the Paleolithic, Neolithic, Bronze and Iron Ages. The ancestors of the Korean people lived on the Korean peninsula and in Manchuria. The people of the Stone Age lived by hunting and fishing and began to develop primitive forms of agriculture. The people of the Bronze Age began to farm rice, and as they became engaged in full-scale farming, they developed a new society. Kojoson, Korea's first nation-state, developed into a central force within East. In addition to Kojoson, many other nations existed on the Korean peninsula and in Manchuria during the Iron Age. By using iron farm implements, productivity and military strength increased, accelerating social development.

 

 

The Goguryeo Kingdom was founded in 37 B.C., and by the first century, it had firmly established itself as a powerful state. Koguryo developed into a powerful nation and acted as a bulwark against the aggressive northern nations and China. During this time, the kingdoms of Paekche and Shilla developed rapidly. This increased friction between the Three Kingdoms. These Three Kingdoms were unified by the last of the developed kingdoms, Shilla, thereby marking the first national unity. On the other hand, in Manchuria, the old cradle of Koguryo, Parhae was firmly established and undergoing distinct development. The Three Kingdoms developed as aristocrat-centered societies, and the aristocrats became the leaders of the culture. The Three Kingdoms accepted Buddhism, which greatly advanced and expanded the scope of their culture. In this way, the Three Kingdoms developed a colorful and refined aristocrat-centered Buddhist culture which was eventually introduced to Japan and greatly influenced the development of its ancient culture.

 

 

With the unification of the Three Kingdoms by Shilla, the Korean people, except for those of Koguryo still living in Manchuria, were able to form a single nation under one government and one system. In Manchuria, the Kingdom of Parhae was founded with the people of Koguryo at its center, but after the destruction of Parhae which lasted for over 220 years, Manchuria drifted away from Korea's national activities. Unified Shilla amalgamated the cultures of the Three Kingdoms and was influenced by the Tang culture to develop an advanced national culture. Buddhism flowered and was propagated among the populace. The arts of creating temples, Buddhist images, stone pagodas, stone lanterns, and Buddhist bells were developed. Many monks and Hwarangs composed Hyangga and aristocrats wrote literature in Chinese.

 

 

Koryo, which successfully reunified the country, arranged its political and social structures around Confucian political ideology, and developed an aristocrat-centered society and culture. In the latter half of the 12th century the military rebelled against the civilian structure, and the Koryo society underwent a great deal of disturbance under the military regime. Later, Koryo was invaded by the Yuan Dynasty and underwent many trials to maintain its independence, but it continued to make steady efforts to keep its independence. During the period of the Koryo Dynasty, the national culture developed greatly. Confucian and Buddhist cultures were amalgamated and many cultural exchanges were made with foreign countries. Koryo developed the use of type setting as well as the use of metal types. In addition, Koryo's blue ceramics demonstrate the artistic talents and creative capabilities of its people.

 

 

The Choson dynasty was founded by the gentry and the military during a period of crisis and confusion which ensued in the 14th century. The leaders advanced Confucian political ideology and propelled a policy of stabilization for the creation of a nation and a powerful army. In the beginning of the 15th century, a Confucian and Yangban(aristocracy)-centered system was firmly established and industry developed with the propagation of a policy of agricultural development and welfare of the people. Thus, social and economic stabilization were achieved. The national spirit was heightened and national strength expanded. Based on these, national culture bloomed. In the 16th century, philosophy flowered, but due to splits within the ruling class, the national defense was weakened and Choson fell victim to invasions by the Japanese warlord, Hideyoshi, and also the Manchus. Through the Hideyoshi invasions, a lot of Choson's culture was introduced to Japan.

 

 

After overcoming the national disasters of repeated invasions, the Choson Dynasty promoted reforms in the government, economy and military, which gradually restored stabilization. In the 18th century, under the reigns of King Yongjo and King Chongjo, Choson was able to stabilize the government and society, develop its industries, promote Practical Learning and develop a popular culture. Choson, thus, underwent a period of restoration. But in the 19th century the Choson society again experienced confusion. During the 60 years of continuous rule by members of the queen's family, the farmers were impoverished, social unrest heightened, and popular rebellions spread. Even through persecution, Catholicism expanded, and the influence of the newly-founded ideas of Tonghak began to gradually grow among the peasants. In the latter part of Choson, Western civilization was introduced into our country through China.

 

 

In the latter Choson period, Korea could not keep up with the social and economic developments of modernization and was invaded by Japan, endangering Korea's rights as a nation. Reform movements for modernization were promoted by enlightened officials and the intelligentsia. But these enlightenment movements were not smoothly carried out as a result of opposition by conservative forces and intervention by world powers. Furthermore, a peasant movement rose up in resistance to aggressions by feudalistic and imperialistic powers, but failed as a result of stern suppression by the government and Japan. Although political and social reforms on an institutional level were implemented very slowly, Korea was not idle in accepting and utilizing modern civilization. This soon set the framework for today's Korean society, techniques and theories.

VIII. THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE LIBERATION MOVEMENT

On June 25, 1950, North Korean forces invaded South Korea. Led by the U.S., a 16-member coalition undertook the first collective action under United Nations Command (UNC). Following China's entry on behalf of North Korea later that year, a stalemate ensued for the final two years of the conflict. Armistice negotiations, initiated in July 1951, were ultimately concluded on July 27, 1953 at Panmunjom, in what is now the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). The Armistice Agreement was signed by representatives of the Korean People's Army, the Chinese People's Volunteers, and the U.S.-led United Nations Command (UNC). Though the R.O.K. supported the UNC, it refused to sign the Armistice Agreement. A peace treaty has never been signed. The war left almost three million Koreans dead or wounded and millions of others homeless and separated from their families.  

The Japanese imperialists, who had robbed Korea of her rights as a nation, enforced cruel colonial rule by mobilizing its army and police forces. Furthermore, they plundered land and food from Korea and exploited her natural resources and labor power. Korea persevered in resisting Japanese colonial control. The fever for national independence which appeared in the March First Movement succeeded with armed struggles and independence movements protesting Japanese imperialism both at home and overseas. The provisional government of the Republic of Korea was this core force. Confronting the Japanese policy to obliterate Korean culture, Koreans strove to safeguard and preserve Korea's traditional culture. The fact that Korea today still possesses a culture is due, in part, to the efforts of this movement.

In the following decades, South Korea experienced political turmoil under autocratic leadership. President Syngman Rhee was forced to resign in April 1960 following a student-led uprising. The Second Republic under the leadership of Chang Myon ended after only one year, when Major General Park Chung-hee led a military coup. Park's rule, which resulted in tremendous economic growth and development but increasingly restricted political freedoms, ended with his assassination in 1979. Subsequently, a powerful group of military officers, led by Lieutenant General [[Chun Doo Hwan]], declared martial law and took power.  

IX. THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA AND MODERN CULTURE

Throughout the Park and Chun eras, South Korea developed a vocal civil society that led to strong protests against authoritarian rule. Composed primarily of students and labor union activists, protest movements reached a climax after Chun's 1979 coup and declaration of martial law. A confrontation in Gwangju in 1980 left at least 200 civilians dead. Thereafter, pro-democracy activities intensified even more, ultimately forcing political concessions by the government in 1987, including the restoration of direct presidential elections.  

With liberation, due to the confrontation between the U.S. and the Soviet Union, Korea's territory and people were divided and Koreans tasted the tragedy of fratricide. Despite these facts, the Republic of Korea made steady progress and continues to make efforts to unify Korea's territory and people. During the past fifty years, the Republic of Korea has made splendid economic developments and has entered the threshold of an advanced nation. Its industrial development has made it into one of the top 11 trading countries in the world and its enterprises and labor power capabilities have made inroads overseas. The rapid development of Korean communities in foreign countries is another special feature in this growth. Culturally, Korea has now become an influence in the world. National education has greatly expanded and science, arts and technologies have also developed. The 1988 Olympics in Seoul was made possible through the world's recognition of the cultural advances in Korea.

In 1987, Roh Tae-woo, a former general, was elected president, but additional democratic advances during his tenure resulted in the 1992 election of a long-time pro-democracy activist, Kim Young-sam. Kim became Korea's first civilian elected president in 32 years. The 1997 presidential election and peaceful transition of power marked another step forward in Korea's democratization when Kim Dae-jung, a life-long democracy and human rights activist, was elected from a major opposition party. The transition to an open, democratic system was further consolidated in 2002, when self-educated human rights lawyer, Roh Moo-hyun, won the presidential election on a "participatory government" platform. Most recently, South Koreans voted for a new president in December 2007. Former business executive and Mayor of Seoul Lee Myung-bak's 5-year term began with his inauguration on February 25, 2008.

==Korean Airlines==

==Korean Airlines==