The history of South Korea formally begins with its establishment on 15 August 1948. Korea was administratively partitioned in 1945, at the end of World War II. As Korea was under Japanese rule during World War II, Korea was officially a belligerent against the Allies by virtue of being Japanese territory. The unconditional surrender of Japan led to the division of Korea into two occupation zones, with the United States administering the southern half of the peninsula and the Soviet Union administering the area north of the 38th parallel.
This division was meant to be temporary and was first intended to return a unified Korea back to its people after the United States, United Kingdom, Soviet Union, and Republic of China could arrange a single government for the peninsula.
The two parties were unable to agree on the implementation of Joint Trusteeship over Korea. This led in 1948 to the establishment of two separate governments – the Communist-aligned Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the West-aligned First Republic of Korea – each claiming to be the legitimate government of all of Korea.
On June 25, 1950 the Korean War broke out. After much destruction, the war ended on July 27, 1953 with the 1948 status quo being restored, as neither the DPRK nor the First Republic had succeeded in conquering the other's portion of the divided Korea.
The peninsula was divided by the Korean Demilitarized Zone and the two separate governments stabilised into the existing political entities of North and South Korea.
South Korea's subsequent history is marked by alternating periods of democratic and autocratic rule. Civilian governments are conventionally numbered from the First Republic of Rhee Syngman to the contemporary Sixth Republic. The First Republic, arguably democratic at its inception, became increasingly autocratic until its collapse in 1960. The Second Republic was strongly democratic, but was overthrown in less than a year and replaced by an autocratic military regime. The Third, Fourth, and Fifth Republics were nominally democratic, but are widely regarded as the continuation of military rule. With the Sixth Republic, the country has gradually stabilized into a liberal democracy. However, recent series of distasteful events exposed the unspeakable corruption by the current administraion whose incompetent liberal leader turned out to be the deplorable sheep disguised as the worst hyena the Korean people ever saw.
Since its inception, South Korea has seen substantial development in education, economy, and culture. Since the 1960s, the country has developed from one of Asia's poorest to one of the world's wealthiest nations. Education, particularly at the tertiary level, has expanded dramatically. It is said to be one of the "Four Tigers" of rising Asian states along with Singapore, Taiwan and Hong Kong.
Robert S. Banker, a Korean War Veteran
Mr. Robert Banker is a Korean War Veteran who served in the war-torn land for 14 months when he was just 19 years old.
I have included the most recent essay contributed by Mr. Banker to Aegis, a local newspaper in Maryland.
In the article, he describes his feelings the night before he returned home from war.
The Soldier was with his comrades at early evening. A ceremony held on countless occasions seemingly forever was to commence soon.
This was a special evening as he would leave to return home tomorrow. He thought to himself - I have served in this land for almost 14 months.
Yes - time to go home tomorrow. A troop ship is in the harbor waiting our arrival to board.
A command was given to form several formations - all facing the flag. Further reflections still.
The soldier would depart the same harbor as he arrived. Small landing craft would load from shore to be taken to the ship and again navigate the rope ladders to board.
The soldier is lost in thought of events since his arrival. Waiting in a replacement depot for two days and then getting on to a large 10-ton truck with about 20 other soldiers.
Sort of a military bus. Stop here and stop there. Then his name is called and he is now with his unit - his home for the foreseeable future.
The truck then continues its journey for the remaining troops. Only the good Lord knows his future.
The ceremony was to begin soon. Orders were given - The National Anthem is to be played by a small band of musicians.
The soldier listened to the music and the words within his head. Yes, he thought - miles and thousands of miles from his home. He said to himself - I am here -
yet this is my flag, my country - for which he served.
The flag was descending ever so slowly - almost in reverence he thought.
What a grand scope of life!
Duty would soon be over. Early tomorrow morning he would start the process of returning home. Another two-week boat trip to cover the 8,000 miles to his country.
The flag was now down and held reverently by the honor guard team and folded precisely.
All of us held our salute during the proceedings to the last note of music and the words -
land of the brave. The ceremony was now completed and the soldiers were then dismissed.
The thoughts and memories are etched in his mind - for a lifetime. The soldier will now leave this land but the land will never leave the soldier.
You have served your country - your duty is now complete - go home soldier.
We knew the calamity following the war and five decades will allow much to occur yet it was yesterday in my mind and thoughts. To become the 11th or so, greatest economy in the world,
the people of Korea must be an educated society and by doing so then all things are possible.
And that is why I feel very fortunate to have played a role maintaining the Republic of Korea from the grips of the North.
I look on this from the view of what the Korean people have accomplished given the gift of democracy as their banner.
If you will refer to the Gettysburg Address of our President Lincoln, he spoke only 271 words that are remembered throughout life everywhere and one of the most important statements
he made was "- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain."
And so it is with our dead, they have not died in vain because of the industry of
the people of Korea. I always rest well knowing this.
Robert S. Banker
2nd Vice President
Korean War Veterans Association
Served as the President of South Korea from 1963 until his assassination in 1979 through the May 16 military coup d'état in 1961,
Park, seeking to bring South Korea into the developed world, began a series of economic policies that brought rapid economic growth and industrialization to the nation
that eventually became known as the Miracle on the Han River.
South Korea became one of the fastest growing nations during the 60s and 70s as a result.
While some criticize his authoritarian way of ruling the country (especially after 1971) and for prioritizing economic growth and contrived social order at the expense of civil liberties,
it's an indisputable fact that Park initiated and paved the way for modernizing South Korea from the ashes of Korean War.
In 1934 A.D., an emperor of the Ming Dynasty of China, the Celestial Empire of the east gave Korea the title of "Chaohsien" meaning morning freshness. The title was most suited to South Korea because of its spellbounding natural beauty of picturesque high mountains and clear waters and its splendid tranquility, particularly in the morning which further confirmed the title on South Korea as the "Land of Morning Calm."
The national parks of South Korea are preserved parcels of public land on which most forms of development are prohibited. They cover a total of 6.6% of the country's area,
and are typically located in mountainous or coastal regions.
The country's largest mountain park is Jirisan National Park in the southwest; this was also the first national park to be designated in 1967.
As of 2016, there are 22 national parks in South Korea; the parks, with the exception of Hallasan National Park, are managed by the Korea National Park Service, established in 1987.
Korea is a shopper's paradise! Great prices can be found for shoes, clothes, handbags, suitcases, leather goods, silk, antiques, reproductions, and all kinds of souvenirs.
You can easily find makers of custom-made clothes and shoes of varying quality.
Although department stores and most shops have fixed prices for items, bargaining can usually get a lower price with street vendors
and in the major open air markets such as Namdaemun and Dongdaemun.
Korean arts include traditions in calligraphy, music, painting and pottery, often marked by the use of natural forms, surface decoration and bold colors or sounds.
The earliest examples of Korean art consist of stone age works dating from 3000 BC.
These mainly consist of votive sculptures and more recently, petroglyphs,
which were rediscovered. This early period was followed by the art styles of various Korean kingdoms and dynasties.
Korean artists sometimes modified Chinese traditions with a native preference for simple elegance, spontaneity, and an appreciation for purity of nature.
The Goryeo Dynasty (918–1392) was one of the most prolific periods for a wide range of disciplines, especially pottery.
Jeju Island (Korean: 제주도) is an island in the Jeju Province of South Korea. The island lies in the Korea Strait, below the Korean Peninsula, south of the South Jeolla Province.
The island contains the natural world heritage site, Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes.
Jeju has a moderate climate; even in winter, the temperature rarely falls below 0 °C (32 °F).
Jeju is a popular holiday destination and a sizable portion of the economy relies on tourism and economic activity from its civil/naval base.
The earliest known polity on the island was the kingdom of Tamna. After invading Korea in the 13th century, the Mongols established a base on Jeju Island and converted part of the island to a grazing area for the Mongol cavalry stationed there.
The Five Grand Seoul Palaces of the Joseon Period, along with Jongmyo Shrine, make up the main traditional sightseeing spots in the Korean capital.
Although the sites mostly date back to the 1300s – 1500s, the majority of the buildings standing on them today are actually recent reconstructions,
as the original structures were destroyed by Japanese invasion (16th Century), and the reconstructions then destroyed by Japanese occupation (20th Century),
and repeatedly by fire; the East Palace (Changdeokgung & Changgyeonggung) is the only one with a decent number of surviving pre-20th Century structures (around a third),
but the reconstructions have been done well and do look the part.
Korean cuisine is the customary cooking traditions and practices of the culinary arts of Korea. Korean cuisine has evolved through centuries of social and political change.
Originating from ancient agricultural and nomadic traditions in Korea and southern Manchuria, Korean cuisine has evolved through a complex interaction of the natural environment and different cultural trends.
Korean cuisine is largely based on rice, vegetables, and meats. Traditional Korean meals are named for the number of side dishes that accompany steam-cooked short-grain rice.
Kimchi is served at nearly every meal. Commonly used ingredients include sesame oil, soy sauce, salt, garlic, ginger, pepper flakes, gochujang (fermented red chili paste) and napa cabbage.
South Koreans may study and work some of the longest hours in the world, but they know how to play hard, too. As a result, Seoul has one of the most dynamic nightlife scenes in Asia, making it an ideal destination for party animals and night owls…
if they can keep up with the locals, that is.
Unlike in the Western world, where reveling is reserved for the weekend, heavy drinking sessions are just about every night of the week in South Korea.
And, rather than downing a few brews in a single bar or restaurant, Koreans prefer to party in rounds eating and carousing at multiple locations well into the early hours of the morning.
Street food in South Korea has traditionally been seen as a part of popular culture in Korea. Historically, street food mainly included foods such as Eomuk and Tteok-bokki.
Street food has been sold through many types of retail outlet, with new ones being developed over time.
Recently, street food has seen a popular resurgence in South Korea, such as at the Night Market at Hangang Park,
which is called "Bamdokkaebi Night Market"(밤도깨비야시장). “Usually run by an ajusshi (아저씨) or ajumma (아줌마), or older men and women, these popular stalls have become an integral part of Korea’s infamous food culture…” (Deborah 2018)
