North and South Korea
North and South Korea
Location
South and
east of
China,
surrounded
by many seas
and Pacific
Ocean
Physical Geography
North and South Korea sit
on the Korean peninsula
In area, the peninsula is
about the same size as
Minnesota.
North and South
Though small, the peninsula is divided into two
countries: North Korea and South Korea.
North Korea is a Communist country while South
Korea has a non-Communist government.
Despite their political differences, the people of the
Korean Peninsula share a common
history and culture.
A Common History
The first people who lived on the Korean Peninsula
came from northwest Asia.
Koreans adopted many aspects of Chinese culture,
including:
Writing
Religion (Buddhism, Daoism, & Confucianism)
Buddhism is the most popular religion in
Korea today, though in the North, the
Communist government discourages religious
beliefs.
Different Environments
North Korea has about 23 million
people and is less densely populated
than the South.
The land is mountainous and rugged.
Its fast-flowing mountain rivers have
been harnessed to create hydroelectric
power.
North Korea also has some of the
richest natural resources in East Asia
(coal, copper, iron ore, lead, tungsten,
zinc).
Different Environments
South Korea has over 47 million people and is
one of the most densely populated countries
in the world (half the size of MN!)
South Korea mainly has
wide, rolling plains and
is better suited for
agriculture than the
North.
The Korean War
After WWII, the Korean Peninsula became caught
up in the Cold War struggle between Communists
and non-Communists.
The Soviet Union controlled North Korea and set up
a Communist government there.
The United States controlled
South Korea and set up a
democratic government. After
elections, the U.S. pulled out its
troops.
The Korean War
Fearing life in a Communist country, more than 2
million North Koreans fled to the south.
In 1950, the North Koreans launched a surprise
attack on South Korea.
They wanted to unite the country under the rule of a
single, Communist government
The Korean War
United Nations countries, including the U.S., came
to the aid of South Korea.
For 3 years the army of North Korea, helped by
China, and the army of South Korea, helped by the
U.N., fought back and forth across the peninsula.
An estimated 4 million people died.
The
Korean
War
The Korean War
In 1953, a cease-fire agreement ended the fighting
and divided North and South Korea near 38º N
latitude.
The countries were separated by a demilitarized
zone (DMZ) – a strip of land on which troops or
weapons are not allowed.
More troops are massed at this demilitarized zone
than at any other single place on the planet.
The DMZ
North Korea Today
Despite the fact it has greater natural
resources than South Korea, North Korea
lags far behind in its standard of living.
Led by its Communist leader, Kim Jong Il,
North Korea has the 4th largest army in the
world and claims to have developed nuclear
weapons.
Its people, however, live in poverty and
starvation as North Korea
keeps itself closed to the
outside world.
South Korea Today
Today, South Korea has one of the strongest
economies in the world.
It is a major exporter of textiles, clothing,
cars, and electronics.
The Division of the Koreas
0
50
100
200
300
Miles
!(
China
Geography
!(
North Korea
!(
Sea of Japan
P'yongyang
!(
Demilitarized zone
!(
Inch`onSeoul
!(
!(
South Korea
!(
!(
!(
!(
Taejon
Chonju
Kwangju
!(
Taegu
!(
Pusan
Japan
“The shrimp between the
whales”.
About the size of
Indiana.
Population of 48 million.
Highly homogenous
ethnicity and
linguistically (100%
Korean).
The Division of the Koreas
Religiously divided between Christianity (49%)
and Buddhism (47%).
75% urban with 27% of the population living in
Seoul (13 million).
5 million Koreans live oversea:
1 million in the United States.
The Division of the Koreas
South Korean flag
Center: Yin-yang symbol.
Four elements in the corners (air, water, fire and earth).
Historical perspective
The history “the calm morning country” is highly turbulent.
Presence of Korean culture and kingdoms by 1,000 BC.
Very important Chinese influence:
Cultural bridge between China and Japan.
Chinese vassal from the 13th century.
Developed its own writing system:
Hangeul invented in the 15th century.
Replace a system borrowed from Chinese characters.
Japanese and Manchu invasions in the 16th and 17th centuries.
Isolationists policies (18th and 19th centuries; Hermit Kingdom)
The Division of the Koreas
Event
Consequences
Japanese occupation
(1868-1945)
Invaded by Japan (1868). Formally annexed (1910). Attempts at complete
cultural and political annexation. Supply food and raw materials.
Soviet and American
Invasion (1945)
Soviet Union declared war on Japan (8 days before the end of the war).
Invaded Korea from the north. American forces occupied the south a
month later.
Occupation zones
(1945-46)
USSR and USA agreed to divide the country along the 38th parallel.
Military administration for a period of 5 years until elections could be
held.
Partition of Korea
(1948)
People’s Democratic Republic of Korea north of the 38th parallel. The
United States, with the United Nations established the Republic of Korea
south of the 38th parallel.
The Division of the Koreas
The Korean War (1950-1953)
Antagonism of the two new nations:
Supported by China and the USSR.
Invasion of South Korea by North Korea (1950).
United Nations intervention:
Multinational force intervened and repelled the invasion (1951).
Military intervention of China (1952).
An armistice was signed (1953):
Both countries are still technically at war.
4 million civilian perished.
Millions of refugees trapped in the division of Korea.
The demilitarized zone of the 38th parallel:
240 km in length and 4 km in width.
Current border between the Koreas.
The United States maintains a force of 45,000 troops.
The Division of the Koreas
The consequences of the Korean war
Social and economic divisions:
South Korea losses:
Smaller market.
Break of economic and social (family) links.
Destruction of regional complementarity.
Hydroelectric potential.
Natural resources.
Heavy industries located in the north.
Human losses were about 1.5 million.
The Industrialization of South
Korea
Heavy industries (1973-79)
Became the foundation of the Korean industrial development.
Spin off effects with steel, shipbuilding and machinery.
Korea specialized in shipbuilding:
Largest shipbuilder in the world (40%).
Japan (32%).
Chemicals and petrochemicals:
Reinforced industrialization.
Highly dependent on imports of raw materials and transfers of
technology.
The steel Korean industry became highly competitive:
Production costs 40% lower than the international average.
The Industrialization of South
Korea
Financial issues (1997)
Banks:
Tool of industrial policy.
Politically oriented loans.
Forced to loan money to specific industrial sectors at low rates.
Borrowing foreign capital, since the Won (Korean currency) was high.
Government / chaebols relationships:
Corporations were expecting the government to bail them.
Massively borrow money and invest without much attention.
Misallocation of capital.
Financial crisis of 1997-98:
Underlined corruption between the government and the industry.
The Won lost half of its value, multiplying the Korean foreign debt.
Female labor force handling fluctuations: (From 48% of labor force in
1995 to 41% in 1999).
The Industrialization of South
Korea
Restructuration (1997-)
Shift of attention from the east (Japan and USA) to the west (China).
50% of Korea’s FDIs went to China (2003).
High speed train network:
Seoul – Pusan in 2 hours 30 minutes.
The second in Asia.
The reunification of the Koreas
“Sunshine Policy”.
Summit between North and South Korea first held (2000).
Acute economic differences between North and South Korea.
Excessively unlikely unless North Korea collapses.
South Korean investments in development zones.
Location
South and
east of
China,
surrounded
by many seas
and Pacific
Ocean
Physical Geography
North and South Korea sit
on the Korean peninsula
In area, the peninsula is
about the same size as
Minnesota.
North and South
Though small, the peninsula is divided into two
countries: North Korea and South Korea.
North Korea is a Communist country while South
Korea has a non-Communist government.
Despite their political differences, the people of the
Korean Peninsula share a common
history and culture.
A Common History
The first people who lived on the Korean Peninsula
came from northwest Asia.
Koreans adopted many aspects of Chinese culture,
including:
Writing
Religion (Buddhism, Daoism, & Confucianism)
Buddhism is the most popular religion in
Korea today, though in the North, the
Communist government discourages religious
beliefs.
Different Environments
North Korea has about 23 million
people and is less densely populated
than the South.
The land is mountainous and rugged.
Its fast-flowing mountain rivers have
been harnessed to create hydroelectric
power.
North Korea also has some of the
richest natural resources in East Asia
(coal, copper, iron ore, lead, tungsten,
zinc).
Different Environments
South Korea has over 47 million people and is
one of the most densely populated countries
in the world (half the size of MN!)
South Korea mainly has
wide, rolling plains and
is better suited for
agriculture than the
North.
The Korean War
After WWII, the Korean Peninsula became caught
up in the Cold War struggle between Communists
and non-Communists.
The Soviet Union controlled North Korea and set up
a Communist government there.
The United States controlled
South Korea and set up a
democratic government. After
elections, the U.S. pulled out its
troops.
The Korean War
Fearing life in a Communist country, more than 2
million North Koreans fled to the south.
In 1950, the North Koreans launched a surprise
attack on South Korea.
They wanted to unite the country under the rule of a
single, Communist government
The Korean War
United Nations countries, including the U.S., came
to the aid of South Korea.
For 3 years the army of North Korea, helped by
China, and the army of South Korea, helped by the
U.N., fought back and forth across the peninsula.
An estimated 4 million people died.
The
Korean
War
The Korean War
In 1953, a cease-fire agreement ended the fighting
and divided North and South Korea near 38º N
latitude.
The countries were separated by a demilitarized
zone (DMZ) – a strip of land on which troops or
weapons are not allowed.
More troops are massed at this demilitarized zone
than at any other single place on the planet.
The DMZ
North Korea Today
Despite the fact it has greater natural
resources than South Korea, North Korea
lags far behind in its standard of living.
Led by its Communist leader, Kim Jong Il,
North Korea has the 4th largest army in the
world and claims to have developed nuclear
weapons.
Its people, however, live in poverty and
starvation as North Korea
keeps itself closed to the
outside world.
South Korea Today
Today, South Korea has one of the strongest
economies in the world.
It is a major exporter of textiles, clothing,
cars, and electronics.
The Division of the Koreas
0
50
100
200
300
Miles
!(
China
Geography
!(
North Korea
!(
Sea of Japan
P'yongyang
!(
Demilitarized zone
!(
Inch`onSeoul
!(
!(
South Korea
!(
!(
!(
!(
Taejon
Chonju
Kwangju
!(
Taegu
!(
Pusan
Japan
“The shrimp between the
whales”.
About the size of
Indiana.
Population of 48 million.
Highly homogenous
ethnicity and
linguistically (100%
Korean).
The Division of the Koreas
Religiously divided between Christianity (49%)
and Buddhism (47%).
75% urban with 27% of the population living in
Seoul (13 million).
5 million Koreans live oversea:
1 million in the United States.
The Division of the Koreas
South Korean flag
Center: Yin-yang symbol.
Four elements in the corners (air, water, fire and earth).
Historical perspective
The history “the calm morning country” is highly turbulent.
Presence of Korean culture and kingdoms by 1,000 BC.
Very important Chinese influence:
Cultural bridge between China and Japan.
Chinese vassal from the 13th century.
Developed its own writing system:
Hangeul invented in the 15th century.
Replace a system borrowed from Chinese characters.
Japanese and Manchu invasions in the 16th and 17th centuries.
Isolationists policies (18th and 19th centuries; Hermit Kingdom)
The Division of the Koreas
Event
Consequences
Japanese occupation
(1868-1945)
Invaded by Japan (1868). Formally annexed (1910). Attempts at complete
cultural and political annexation. Supply food and raw materials.
Soviet and American
Invasion (1945)
Soviet Union declared war on Japan (8 days before the end of the war).
Invaded Korea from the north. American forces occupied the south a
month later.
Occupation zones
(1945-46)
USSR and USA agreed to divide the country along the 38th parallel.
Military administration for a period of 5 years until elections could be
held.
Partition of Korea
(1948)
People’s Democratic Republic of Korea north of the 38th parallel. The
United States, with the United Nations established the Republic of Korea
south of the 38th parallel.
The Division of the Koreas
The Korean War (1950-1953)
Antagonism of the two new nations:
Supported by China and the USSR.
Invasion of South Korea by North Korea (1950).
United Nations intervention:
Multinational force intervened and repelled the invasion (1951).
Military intervention of China (1952).
An armistice was signed (1953):
Both countries are still technically at war.
4 million civilian perished.
Millions of refugees trapped in the division of Korea.
The demilitarized zone of the 38th parallel:
240 km in length and 4 km in width.
Current border between the Koreas.
The United States maintains a force of 45,000 troops.
The Division of the Koreas
The consequences of the Korean war
Social and economic divisions:
South Korea losses:
Smaller market.
Break of economic and social (family) links.
Destruction of regional complementarity.
Hydroelectric potential.
Natural resources.
Heavy industries located in the north.
Human losses were about 1.5 million.
The Industrialization of South
Korea
Heavy industries (1973-79)
Became the foundation of the Korean industrial development.
Spin off effects with steel, shipbuilding and machinery.
Korea specialized in shipbuilding:
Largest shipbuilder in the world (40%).
Japan (32%).
Chemicals and petrochemicals:
Reinforced industrialization.
Highly dependent on imports of raw materials and transfers of
technology.
The steel Korean industry became highly competitive:
Production costs 40% lower than the international average.
The Industrialization of South
Korea
Financial issues (1997)
Banks:
Tool of industrial policy.
Politically oriented loans.
Forced to loan money to specific industrial sectors at low rates.
Borrowing foreign capital, since the Won (Korean currency) was high.
Government / chaebols relationships:
Corporations were expecting the government to bail them.
Massively borrow money and invest without much attention.
Misallocation of capital.
Financial crisis of 1997-98:
Underlined corruption between the government and the industry.
The Won lost half of its value, multiplying the Korean foreign debt.
Female labor force handling fluctuations: (From 48% of labor force in
1995 to 41% in 1999).
The Industrialization of South
Korea
Restructuration (1997-)
Shift of attention from the east (Japan and USA) to the west (China).
50% of Korea’s FDIs went to China (2003).
High speed train network:
Seoul – Pusan in 2 hours 30 minutes.
The second in Asia.
The reunification of the Koreas
“Sunshine Policy”.
Summit between North and South Korea first held (2000).
Acute economic differences between North and South Korea.
Excessively unlikely unless North Korea collapses.
South Korean investments in development zones.