Koreas A Land of Opposites

Common Cultural Characteristics Invasions throughout history Borrowed from Chinese culture writing system Language Daoism, Confucianism, Buddhism

At end of WWII, USSR occupied North Korea and USA occupied South Korea USSR established communist gov’t in North Korea 1949: US withdrew from south 1950: North Korea launched a surprise attack on South Korea USSR and China supported North Korea US and UN supported South Korea Fought for 3 years Korean War

Korean War Results: Why was it fought? 4 million people died Cease-fire agreement in 1953 at 38N parallel – still in effect today Demilitarized zone Still divided and hostile Why was it fought? The goal of North Korea attacking South Korea was to unite the two countries as a single communist country.

North Korea Today 23 million people Continental climate – cold Lower population density Rural Continental climate – cold Mountainous and rugged Hydroelectric power Resource poor

North Korea Today Agricultural economy Isolated, secretive Communist Low standard of living since 1991 (fall of USSR) Kim Jong-un Withdrew from Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty in 1993

South Korea Today 47 million people ¼ population in Seoul Densely populated Climate mild because of surrounding water Less mountainous, plains More arable land

South Korea Today Industrialized Nuclear energy Economic growth with international trade Exporter of textiles, automobiles, electronics