CHAPTER 30: NORTH AND SOUTH KOREA

PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY

Korean peninsula is ½ the size of California Split along the 38 th parallel btwn North and South---separation is called the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ)---6 miles wide The world’s most dangerous border PENINSULA

Peninsula is very mountainous T’aebaek Mountains: begin in N. Korea and follows coast of Sea of Japan south Mount Paektu is highest peak (NK) MOUNTAINS Wheeee!!!!

Most rivers are in South Korea Han River: flows through Seoul Naktong River: SK’s longest river Yalu River: NK’s longest (500 miles) WATER

HUMAN GEOGRAPHY

3 great kingdoms Baekje, Silla, Goruyeo A.D. 668: Silla drive Chinese out and unite Korea Goruyeo rise to power with support of Chinese EARLY KOREA

Goruyeo in decline by late 14 th century (internal struggles and occupation of Mongol Empire) General Yi Seong-gye sent to invade Manchuria Instead, he attacks the capital and deposes King U Yi gives throne to son of King U Doesn’t like how the 8 year old ran things, so he executed him and took the throne Yi Seong-gye becomes King Taejo GORUYEO TO JOSEON

To consolidate power, Taejo declares himself the founder of the “Kingdom of Great Joseon”---kills nobles that oppose him Moves capital to Hanyang (present- day Seoul) Taejo rules until 1408 JOSEON DYNASTY

Taejo’s sons fight for the throne (Strife of Princes) Taejo’s great grandson, King Sejong the Great takes the Joseon to their pinnacle Sejong creates Korean script (hangul) Revolutionized agriculture and sponsored the invention of the rain gauge and sundial JOSEON CONTINUED

1592 and 1597: Toyotomi Hideyoshi of Japan attacks Korea to conquer Ming China Japanese cut of ears and noses of more than 38,000 Koreans Admiral Yi Sun-sin of Joseon wins a victory at the Battle of Hansan-do, using “turtle ships” (ironclads) Hideyoshi retreats JAPANESE INVADE JOSEON

Japan and China vied for control of the area 1882: Korean soldiers rebel and kill a Japanese military advisor (Imo Rebellion) Japan and China increase presence 1894: Donghak peasant rebellion increases Chinese and Japanese troop presence : First Sino-Japanese War—fought mostly in Korea—Japan takes control through WW2 JOSEON DECLINE

1910 Japan is most powerful Asian empire and occupies Korea Japan-Korea Annexation Treaty of 1910 cedes power to Japanese emperor Korean emperor Yung-hui refuses to sign, Japan forces Prime Minister Lee Wan-Yong Korea becomes independent after WW2 COLLAPSE OF JOSEON

After WW2: Korea occupied by Soviet Union and U.S. Soviets were north of 38 th parallel (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea) U.S. to the south: Republic of Korea June 1950: North Korea invades South Korea---this is the Korean War U.N. came to aid the south (mostly U.S. forces) Soviets and China helped the north KOREA DIVIDED

Fighting continues until 1953 Armistice (cease fire) signed Creates the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and separates the 2 countries along the 38 th parallel Kim Il Sung becomes 1 st premier of North Korea (1948) His son, Kim Jong Il, succeeds him Today, Kim Jong Un is the premier Syngman Rhee elected 1 st president of South Korea (1948) 2012: S. Korea elects 1 st female president, Park Geun-hye KOREA DIVIDED CONTINUED

Korean Worker’s Party controls elections for N. Korea Govt decisions made by a 15 man council called the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly (SPA) South Korea govt mimics the U.S. (executive, legislative, judicial) Tensions are still high btwn the 2 countries NK is currently working on nuclear weapons and delivery systems KOREAN GOVERNMENT

SOCIETY AND CULTURE TODAY

South Korea: mix of Buddhism, Confucianism, shamanism, Christianity North Korea: religion is not permitted RELIGION

Has created CULTURAL DIVERGENCE: separation of people or societies, with regard to beliefs, values, and customs, due to a division under different political systems It is communism vs. capitalism So, despite being ethnically similar, the politics makes them culturally different POLITICS