Facts About Korea 2015

FACTS
ABOUT
FACTS ABOUT KOREA

2015 Edition
Copyright 1973
Published by
Korean Culture and Information Service
Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism
408, Galmae-ro, Sejong-si, Government Complex-Sejong,
Republic of Korea
Telephone: 82-44-203-3339~47
Fax: 82-44-203-3595
All rights reserved
Printed in Seoul
ISBN 978-89-7375-584-4 03910
For further information about Korea,
please visit:
www.korea.net
Contents
Korean Life _ 04
Tourism _ 120
Clothing and Fashion
Historical Heritage of Seoul
Food
Tourist Attractions and Shopping Centers
Housing
Streets of Youth
Festivals, Celebrations and Holidays
Recreation in Nature
Religion
Tourist Attractions outside Seoul

Hanok Villages
Society _ 34
Major Local Festivals in Korea
South Korea Summary

Education, Research, and Industry
Labor and Social Welfare System
Transformation into
a Multicultural Society
Sports _ 166
How South Korea Became
a Sporting Powerhouse
1988 Seoul Summer Olympics
2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan
Culture _ 60
2011 World Championships in Athletics
UNESCO Heritage in Korea
2012 London Summer Olympics
Traditional Arts
2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics
Hallyu (Korean Wave)
Taekwondo
History _ 184
Economy _ 238
The Beginnings of the Countrys History

(Prehistoric Times - Gojoseon)
The Korean Economy

- the Miracle on the Hangang River
Three Kingdoms and other States
Koreas Open Market Capitalist Economy
Unified Silla and Balhae
Industrial Brand Leaders and Korean Industrial

Standards
Goryeo
Joseon
The Fall of Joseon: Imperial Japans
Annexation of Korea
Independence Movement
Transition to a Democracy
and Transformation
into an Economic Powerhouse
Efforts to Grow as a Global Power
Inter-Korean Relations _ 260

Historical Background
Simultaneous Admission of
the two Koreas to the UN
Inter-Korean Exchanges and Cooperation
Constitution and
Government _ 224
Constitution
Executive, Legislative and the Judiciary
Independent Organizations
Local Government
International Relations
Efforts for Lasting Peace
Relevant Websites _ 270

Sources of Photos _ 272
Korean Life

Food
Housing
Religion
1
Korean Life
Since their settlement in prehistoric times on the land now known

as the Korean Peninsula, the Korean people have developed a
A family wearing Hanbok

(left)
wealth of unique cultural traditions related to the way they dress,

eat, and behave at home. These traditions reflect the natural
environment of their homeland, a terrain predominately covered
by hills and mountains, bound by the sea on three sides and
marked by four distinct seasons.

The Korean people learned to use various fabrics, such as sambe
(hemp), mosi (ramie), cotton and silk to make a range of clothing
that was not only attractive but also provided them with effective
protection even during the harshest winters and the hottest
summers. They made warm winter clothes using the technique
of filling soft cotton between two layers of material, silk or
cotton fabric, and sewing them together with fine stitching,
and produced cool summer clothes with hemp and ramie. These
clothes typically feature graceful lines and forms that create the
serene aura characteristic of the traditional Korean clothes we
know as hanbok.
History reveals that Korean people in the past tended to
prefer simple, white clothes to clothing decorated with different
7
colors and designs. That is why they were often referred to as the
white-clad people among their neighbors who admired them
for being a peaceful people. Nonetheless, Korea has also had a
long tradition of enjoying colorful clothes with complex designs
depending on the period and the wearers social status.
Today, Korea is home to many talented fashion designers
who have earned an international reputation with their creative
designs which combine traditional Korean designs and patterns
with a modern artistic sensibility. The beauty of traditional Korean
clothes has been introduced to, and praised in, many parts of the
world thanks to the remarkable success in recent years of many
Korean films and TV dramas including Dae Jang Geum.
Korean people today seem to prefer clothes inspired by
modern Western styles to their traditional clothes, although some
people still insist on wearing the latter on traditional holidays
or for special family occasions such as weddings. Their love of
tradition and yearning for the new sometimes led to the creation
of attractive modernized hanbok.
Now a household name across the world thanks to Gangnam
Style, a K-Pop song that shook the world in 2012, Gangnamgu in Seoul is a large district where wealthy residential areas
sit alongside high-end art facilities and Koreas busiest fashion
streets. The district now attracts numerous fashion-minded
tourists from across East Asia and beyond with annual fashion
festivals comprising international fashion shows and contests
participated in by many rising designers.
Another fashion district in Seoul that enjoys an international
reputation is Dongdaemun-gu, which has grown into a hub of the
regional fashion industry, providing creative, affordable fashion
8
items for youth and the young at heart. With its fully developed
distribution and sales network, highly efficient production
facilities, and throng of talented, aspiring designers, the district
is now one of Seouls most popular attractions among foreign
tourists.
Food
Since ancient times, the Korean people have maintained a belief
that food and medicine have the same origin and hence perform
the same function, following the adage that food is the best
medicine. They believe that health and illness alike come from
the food they consume and how they eat it, and this idea has
played a crucial role in the development of traditional Korean
medicine whose basic principle is that we should use medicine
only after food has failed.
Fermentation of Food
One of the key words to understanding traditional Korean
food is fermentation, a metabolic process that helps food to
Doenjang Jjigae
(Soybean Paste Stew)
This stew-like Korean dish
is made by boiling an
assortment of ingredients
such as meat, clams,
vegetables, mushrooms,
chili, tofu, and soy paste.
mature so that it has improved taste and

nutritional properties and can be stored
for a longer period. The Korean foods
that best represent the tradition of
fermentation developed in Korea
include doenjang (soybean paste),
ganjang (soy sauce), gochujang (chili
paste) and jeotgal (fermented fish
sauce), whose fermentation can take
anywhere from several months to several
9
years. The degree of fermentation is a key factor in the taste and

flavor of food cooked at home and in restaurants
Doenjang (Soybean Paste) and Ganjang (Soy Sauce)
Two of the most important items of traditional fermented food
in Korea are doenjang and ganjang. To make them, it is necessary
to soak soybeans in water and boil them until fully cooked. Then,
they must be pounded and ormed into brick-shaped lumps, and
left to dry and ferment. Then, they are placed in salted water in
a large pot along with dried red chili and heated charcoal, which
help remove impurities and odor during the fermentation process.
Jangdokdae
(Soy Jar Terrace)
An area outside the
kitchen used to store
large brown-glazed
pottery jars containing
soy paste, soy sauce,
and chili paste.
10
The beans thus prepared are then left for about two to three
months until they become fully fermented. This product should
then be divided into two, solids and liquid, of which the former
needs to be brewed for over five more months and the latter for
over three months to develop a full flavor and taste. Just like wine,
soy sauce tends to have a richer flavor and taste when brewed for
a longer period.
Gochujang (Chili Paste)
Gochujang (chili paste) is a traditional Korean condiment made
by fermenting a mixture of soybean malt, salt, and chili pepper
powder with a blend of powdered rice, barley, flour, and malted
barley. Gochujang has long been one of the most important
traditional condiments among Korean people, whose palates
have evolved towards a preference for hot and spicy foods since
they were introduced to chili several hundred years ago. Chili and
gochujang are now often regarded as a symbol of the vibrant,
energetic disposition of Korean people.
Jeotgal (Salted Seafood)
An almost indispensable ingredient for kimchi and a very popular
condiment used to enhance the taste of food, jeotgal (salted
seafood) is made by mixing one of a variety of seafood (such
as anchovy, shrimp, oyster, or clam) with salt, or with other
condiments in addition to salt, and fermenting it in a cool place.
Saeujeot
(Salted Shrimp)
One of the two most
popular fish sauces in
Korea, the other being
anchovy sauce, this
shrimp sauce made
by fermenting salted
shrimps is used to
improve the taste of
dishes, including kimchi.
They say that a longer period of fermentation makes it tastier.

The tradition of making fermented fish sauce yielded several
special delicacies including sikhae, which is made by fermenting
fish mixed with rice and condiments.
Kimchi
Now beginning to gain a worldwide reputation as a representative
food of Korea, kimchi has been praised for its anti-carcinogenic
properties and nutritional value, as well as numerous variations
11
Making Baechu (Cabbage) Kimchi

1
1 Ingredients for kimchi

2 Slice and wash kimchi cabbages and soak in salt water.
3 Clean the bottoms of the cabbages.
4 Mix seasonings with salted and fermented fish.
5 Spread seasonings evenly between the cabbage leaves.
6 Wrap the whole cabbage and store in a cool place.
12
that create excitingly diverse flavors and tastes. The most

common type of kimchi is made by mixing salted white cabbage
with kimchi paste made of chili powder, garlic, spring onion,
Korean radish ginger, fish sauce and other ingredients like fresh
seafood. Kimchi is normally eaten after fermenting it for several
days although some prefer mugeunji (ripe kimchi) which is fully
fermented for over one year.
The ingredients of kimchi vary according to each region
and its special local produce and traditions. Seoul, for instance,
is famous for gungjung kimchi (royal kimchi), bossam kimchi
(wrapped kimchi), chonggak kimchi (whole radish kimchi), and
kkakdugi (cubed radish kimchi), while Jeolla-do is well known for
its godeulppaegi kimchi (Korean lettuce kimchi) and gat kimchi
(leaf mustard kimchi).
In 2001, the Codex Alimentarius Commission listed Korean
kimchi in the internationally recognized standards, and in 2012
officially recognized the term kimchi cabbage, which had
previously been referred to as Chinese cabbage until then. In
2006, a US health magazine, Health Magazine, selected kimchi as
one of the five healthiest foods on earth.
Bibimbap
Bibimbap (literally mixed rice) is essentially a dish of cooked rice
served after mixing it with an assortment of fresh and seasoned
vegetables, fried egg, minced raw beef and other ingredients
before cooking. The dish is closely related with Jeonju, a UNESCOdesignated "City of Gastronomy", where food-related festivals,
including the Bibimbap Festival, are held every autumn, attracting
gastronomes from across Korea and beyond. Bibimbap has
13
recently begun to attract worldwide attention for its nutritional

balance, which is said to help keep those who eat it free from
geriatric diseases, and is now generally cited as one of the three
most representative dishes of Korean cuisine along with kimchi
and bulgogi.
Bulgogi
Bulgogi, which literally means fire meat, refers to a traditional
Korean dish made by grilling beef or (rarely) pork after shredding
or slicing it and marinating it in sweet soy sauce mixed with a
great variety of condiments. It is one of the rare meat dishes
to have developed in Korea, where people were generally more
accustomed to eating vegetable dishes, and has won many
enthusiasts outside the country. Bulgogi has recently been
adopted by fast-food restaurants in Korea, resulting in the
emergence of bulgogi hamburgers and pizzas.
Tteok (Rice Cake)
Tteok, or Korean rice cake, refers to a range of sticky cakes made
by steaming powdered rice with other grains, usually beans,
or by pounding boiled rice into different shapes and textures.
While tteok was sometimes eaten as part of a meal, it was
more often one of a variety of special foods served at special
family or communal occasions such as birthday parties, wedding
receptions, memorial services and traditional holidays. Rice is the
main ingredient of tteok, but it is often mixed with other grains,
fruits, nuts and herbs such as mugwort, red bean, jujube, soybean
and chestnut.
Korean people in the past assigned various symbolic meanings
14
Bibimbap: Cooked rice served with fresh and seasoned vegetables, minced raw beef and chili paste (above).
Bulgogi: Stripped or shredded beef marinated with soy sauce-based condiments and grilled (below)
15
to tteok and made and ate it according to those meanings. They

made (and still make) baekseolgi (white steamed rice cakes),
for instance, on the first birthday of a baby as it symbolizes a
long life, and they made patsirutteok (steamed red bean and
rice cake) whenever they started a business as its red color was
believed to help repel evil forces. They celebrate New Years Day
with tteokguk, consisting of a broth with rice flakes, and Chuseok
(the 15th Day of the Eighth Lunar Month) with songpyeon, bitesized half-moon shaped rice cakes stuffed with a honey, chestnut,
soybean, or sesame mixture. There are many famous tteok houses
in Nagwon-dong in downtown Seoul.
Juk (Porridge)
Juk is a Korean-style porridge made of various grains that is
usually served to children, the elderly, or people suffering from
Injeolmi Rice Cake

These Korean rice cakes are made by
coating cubes of pounded glutinous rice
with bean powder. They are marked by
their soft and chewy texture and are
easily digested.
16
Janggukjuk
(Soy Sauce Porridge)
This traditional Korean porridge (Juk)
is made by boiling minced beef and
Pyogo mushrooms with pounded rice
and seasoned with soy sauce. It is rich in
proteins and particularly good for people
suffering from digestive problems.
Kongguksu
(Noodles in Cold Soybean Soup)
This Korean noodle dish is made by mixing
boiled noodles with chilled bean soup. For
Koreans, it is a fine source of protein.
digestive problems. In recent years juk houses have begun to

appear in many parts of Korea. They usually prepare the dish with
a wide range of ingredients, mostly grains and vegetables, and it
has also been developed into numerous varieties, some of which
are now served at small specialty diners.
Noodles
Korean people have developed a wide range of noodle dishes
that are full of symbolic meanings. One such dish is janchi
guksu (literally banquet noodles), which is served in a hot
anchovy broth to the guests at a wedding reception, (hence the
name). This dish is so closely related with the idea of a happy
marriage in Korea that a question such as When can we eat
noodles? would readily be understood to mean When do you
plan to get married? It is also eaten to celebrate birthdays
because it symbolizes a long, healthy life. Korean people
also have a long established tradition of eating naengmyeon
(cold buckwheat noodles), served in either cold beef broth
(Pyeongyang naengmyeon) or with a spicy chili sauce (Hamheung
naengmyeon).
Hanjeongsik (Korean Set Menu)
Hanjeongsik, otherwise known as the Korean set meal, originally
consisted of cooked rice, soup, and anywhere from three to five,
(largely vegetable,) side dishes. As people are gradually becoming
better off due to the thriving national economy, todays set meal
tends to be much more luxurious with tens of new dishes, meat
and fish included, although the three basic dishes, i.e. rice, soup,
and kimchi, still remain. Two cities in the southwestern part
17
Hanjeongsik
(Korean Set Menu)
This traditional Korean set
meal typically consisted
of rice and soup and an
assortment of side dishes.
The meal is often divided
into subgroups according
to the number of side
dishes, i.e. 3, 5, 7, 9 and 12.
of Korea, Jeonju and Gwangju, are particularly famous for this

traditional Korean meal.
Korean Temple Cuisine
Korean Buddhist temples have maintained their own culinary
traditions, creating a wonderful range of vegetable dishes and
ingredients and developing recipes to provide the proteins and
other substances required for the monks and nuns to remain
healthy. Temple foods are now enthusiastically received by vegans
and other people who follow special diets for health-related
reasons.
Alcoholic Beverages
A wide variety of alcoholic beverages have been developed
across different parts of Korea to meet the needs of local
communities during holidays, festivals, memorial rites and other
18
commemorative occasions. Currently some 300 traditional

beverages have survived, including Munbaeju (wild pear liquor)
and Songjeolju (pine knot liquor) in Seoul; Sanseong Soju (distilled
liquor) in Gwangju of Gyeonggi-do; Hongju (red liquor) and
Leegangju (distilled liquor) in Jeolla-do; Sogokju (rice wine) in
Hansan of Chungcheong-do; Insamju (ginseng liquor) in Geumsan;
Gyodong Beopju (rice liquor) and Andong Soju (distilled liquor) in
Gyeongju of Gyeongsangnam-do; and Okseonju (distilled liquor)
in Hongcheon of Gangwon-do.
One of the most popular traditional alcoholic beverages
across Korea today is makgeolli (rice wine), which is also known
by other names such as nongju (farmers wine), takju (cloudy
wine) and dongdongju (rice wine). It is made by a process in
which steamed rice, barley or wheat is mixed with malt and left
Makgeolli
This rustic alcoholic
beverage, which is
widely popular in Korea,
is made by fermenting
steamed rice, barley, or
wheat mixed with malt.
19
to ferment, and has an alcohol content of 6-7%, making it a

fairly mild drink. It has recently begun to fascinate connoisseurs
and health-conscious young consumers across many parts of the
world, resulting in the opening of makgeolli brewery schools and
the appearance of well-trained sommeliers.
Another hugely popular alcoholic beverage of Korea is soju
which is made by adding water and flavoring to alcohol extracted
from sweet potatoes and grains. With an alcohol content that
varies but is significantly higher than makgeolli, it is much
appreciated by ordinary citizens across Korea and is rapidly
gaining enthusiasts outside Korea.
Hanok, traditional Korean
houses
Seobaekdang, the head
residence of the Gyeongju
Sohn clan, in Yangdong
Village located in Gyeongju,
North Gyeongsang
Province
20
Housing
Korean people have developed unique architectural techniques
to build housing that is properly adapted to the surrounding
natural environment, providing dwellers with better protection. A
distinctive feature of the hanok (traditional Korean house) is an

underfloor heating system called ondol. Literally meaning warm
stones and developed during the prehistoric period, ondol refers
to the system of channels running beneath the stone floor of a
room through which heat is delivered from the fireplace in the
kitchen. It is also designed to effectively draw out the smoke
through the under-the-floor passages connected to the chimney.
Another important element of the traditional Korean house
is the board-floored room (maru) located at the center and used
for multiple purposes. The room is usually larger than other rooms
and is raised from the ground to allow air to freely circulate under
it, creating a cool living environment during the warm summer
season. The smart system combining ondol and maru makes
the traditional Korean house a comfortable living space for its
residents not only in the harsh winter but also in the scorching
summer. The roof is typically covered with either ceramic tiles or
thatching. While most of the roof tiles are dark gray, some exhibit
more vibrant colors as demonstrated, for example, by the Official
Residence of the Korean President Cheong Wa Dae, which literally
means Blue House because, as the name shows, it is covered by
blue roof tiles.
While traditional Korean houses are generally wooden
structures, they can survive as long as other buildings
made with other materials if properly taken care of. Built
in 1363, Geungnakjeon Hall of Bongjeongsa Temple in
Andong, Gyeongsangbuk-do, for instance, is Koreas oldest
remaining building, still maintaining its original structure intact
after 650 years. As an ideal location for their house, Korean
people preferred a site protected by hills or mountains on three
21
of its sides, with a stream or river passing in front, thus providing

easy access to water. Houses built in such a place create a great
harmony with the surrounding environment, attracting more and
more admirers not just in Korea but outside it as well.
These days, over 60% of Seouls population live in modern
apartments but, interestingly, these tall, multistoried buildings
are almost without exception furbished with a heating system
inspired by the age-old ondol system. Similarly, newly built
Hanok, traditional Korean
houses
The ancient house of
Yun Jeung, a Confucian
scholar of the late Joseon
(1392-1910) period,
situated in Nonsan, South
Chungcheong Province,
also called Myeongjae
Gotaek after his pen name
22
detached houses are also reliant on the legacy of the ondol

system of heating the floor, although the traditional heat passages
are now replaced by under-floor metal pipes with running water
heated either by gas or electricity. This heating system has now
begun to be exported to other countries with wide variations in
daily temperature.
Professor Robert Fouser and Hanok

Professor Robert Fouser, the first foreign national employed by Seoul
National University to teach students at the Department of Korean
Language Education, is a great enthusiast of the traditional Korean
houses known as hanok. His love of Korean language and culture has
a long history as his career, which includes opening, and teaching, a
Korean language course at Kagoshima University in Japan, attests. His
home in Korea was for a number of years an exquisite Hanok located
in Bukchon, downtown Seoul, until he moved to Seochon, another
historic district of the Korean capital, where he found a new hanok
which is still his home today. He loves not only the house he lives in but also the surroundings, a
complex network of narrow alleys winding between other hanok buildings and the natural environment
around it. Recently, he launched a campaign to increase public awareness of the value of the hanok as
a living space and the importance of preserving and reviving it for the present and future generations.
23

Festivals
Until the mid-20th century, Korea was primarily an agricultural
society, and the seasonal rhythms of daily life were organized
by the lunar calendar. As a society where farming was hugely
important for the subsistence of its members, it developed a great
variety of semi-religious events where prayers were offered for a
good harvest and abundant food, and which gradually developed
into communal celebrations and festivals.
The Lunar New Years Day (Seol or Seollal), which is generally
regarded as the most important of all the traditional seasonal
festivals, is celebrated with a special festival food called tteokguk,
or rice flake soup. Eating it signified becoming one year older
(this means that a child born on the 29th of the twelfth lunar
month becomes two years old only two days later). The festival
is also related with the ceremony of performing the Sebae (New
Years Bow) before the elders of ones family and neighborhood.
After Sebae, the elders present New Years gift money to their
1
2
1. Sebae
(New Year Bow)
Korea has a long tradition
of starting the New Year
(by the lunar calendar)
with the ceremonious
bows made by children
to their parents
2. Chuseok and
Songpyeon
During the mid-autumn
holiday of Chuseok (15th
day of the 8th lunar
month), families gather
together and make
songpyeon (half-moon
shape rice cake).
24
juniors.
Another important seasonal festival called Daeboreum (Greater
Full Moon) celebrates the fifteenth day of the first month of the
year by the lunar calendar. On that day, people eat special festival
food called ogokbap, a dish made with five grains and served
with an assortment of cooked vegetables, play games aimed for
the unity of the local community and perform rituals for good
harvest. Chuseok, which is held on the fifteenth day of the eighth
lunar month, consists of thanksgiving services in which newly
harvested crops and fruits are offered to the ancestral spirits.
Generally held to be as important as the Lunar New Years Day,
25
Chuseok is also one of the two annuals occasions when all the
family members gather together.
Celebrations
Traditional Wedding
The traditional Korean
wedding ceremony largely
consists of three stages:
Jeonallye, in which the
groom visits the brides
family with a wooden
goose; Gyobaerye, in which
bride and groom exchange
ceremonious bows; and
Hapgeullye, where the
marrying couple share a
cup of wine.
The photo shows a bride
and groom exchanging
ceremonious bows during
the Gyobaerye stage of
their wedding ceremony.
26
Korean parents mark the one-hundredth day anniversary

(baegil) and the first birthday (dol) of their baby with special
big celebrations in which their families, relatives and friends
participate. They generally hold a large celebratory banquet for
their baby with a ritual prayer for the babys health, success in life,
and longevity, and the participants give the baby gold rings as a
special gift.
Weddings have also been a very important family celebration
in Korea. Most Korean people today choose their own spouse
according to their hearts desire. In pre-modern times, however,
husbands and wives were given by their parents or matchmakers

after an examination of their horoscopic data, called Saju (Four
Pillars of Destiny), which are determined by the hour and date
of their birth. The tradition of consulting a diviner on their luck
in the New Year and exchanging horoscopic data as part of the
matchmaking process is still maintained by some families.
In the past, a wedding ceremony was an important village
festival where the entire community would gather together to
celebrate the young couple dressed in luxurious wedding robes
and bejeweled headdresses. Today, the Western style of wedding
ceremony is widely regarded as the norm, but some traditional
rituals such as Pyebaek (traditional ceremony to pay respect to
the groom's family by the newly-wedded couple right after their
wedding) and Ibaji (wedding food that the bride presents to the
groom's family) are still maintained.
In Korea, a baby becomes one year old as soon as she is born,
and 60 years old on her 59th birthday. The age 60 has a profound
meaning for Korean people as it signifies the completion of a
sexagenary cycle. Someone who had reached the age of 60 was
admired greatly as he or she was regarded as old enough to
have experienced all the principles of heaven and earth. Today
Korean men and women live much longerabout 80 years on
averagethan they did before and the 60th birthday is no longer
celebrated in such a grand manner as it was previously.
National Holidays
In Korea there are five national holidays designated by the
government: Independence Declaration Day (Samiljeol, March
1), which commemorates the March First Movement, one of
27
Public Holidays in Korea
Jan 1
New Years Day

Seollal
The first day of the year.

The first day of the year by the lunar calendar.
Three Day Celebration.
Mar 1
Independence
Day
Commemorates the March First Movement,

non-violent public resistance against the
Japanese colonial rule, and the declaration of
Korean Independence in 1919
Apr 8
Buddhas
Birthday
Celebrates the birth of Shakyamuni Buddha.

A variety of celebratory events are held in
Buddhist temples across Korea,
May 5
Childrens Day
A great variety of celebratory and fun events

for children are held across the country.
Jun 6
Memorial Day
A national memorial service is held at

the National Cemetery to honor and
commemorate the achievements of war
heroes and veterans
Aug 15
Liberation Day
Celebrates the 1945 liberation of Korea from

Japanese colonial rule.
Aug 15
Chuseok
Known by different names such as Chuseok

and Hangawi, this seasonal festival on the
15th day of the 8th lunar month brings
families together for memorial services for
their ancestors and celebratory events.
Oct 3
National
Foundation Day
Commemorates the foundation of Gojoseon,

the first Korean state, by Dangun in 2333
BCE.
Oct 9
Hangeul Day
Marks the invention and promulgation of

Hunminjeongeum (Hangeul), the Korean
writing system.
Dec 25
Christmas
Celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ with a

great variety of religious and secular events.
the earliest public displays of Korean resistance against the

Japanese occupation of Korea, and the promulgation of the
Constitution of the Republic of Korea in 1948; Liberation Day
28
(Gwangbokjeol, August 15), celebrating national liberation from

Imperial Japan in 1945; National Foundation Day, which marks
the foundation of Gojoseon, the first state of the Korean nation,
on the 3rd day of 10th lunar month, 2333 BCE; and Hangeul Day
(Hangeullal, October 9), which commemorates the invention and
proclamation of the Korean writing system.
Public Holidays
The public holidays during which work is suspended by law in
Korea include New Years Day, Seollal (or Lunar New Years Day,
celebrated for 3 days), Chuseok (Mid-autumn Festival on the
15th day of the 8th lunar month, celebrated for 3 days), Buddhas
Birthday (on the 8th day of the 4th lunar month), Childrens Day
(May 5), Memorial Day (June 6) and Christmas Day. There are
fifteen public holidays in total on which businesses are closed by
law and employees have a day off, from which Constitution Day
is excluded.
Religion
Korea is a country where all the worlds major religions,
Christianity, Buddhism, Confucianism and Islam, peacefully coexist
with shamanism. Given the great diversity of religious expression,
the role of religion in South Korea's social development has been
complex; and some traditions are best understood as important
cultural properties rather than as rites of worship. According to
the 2005 statistics, 53% of the Korean population has a religion,
while the 2008 statistics show that there were over 510 religious
organizations in Korea. Among them Buddhism and Confucianism
have been more influential than any others upon the life of
29
Diversity in Religious Life

Now rapidly on its way to
becoming a multi-ethnic,
multi-cultural, and multireligious society, Korea
protects religious diversity
by law. People in Korea
are free to lead a religious
life according to their own
choice and convictions,
whether as followers of
one of the major religions,
namely, Christianity,
Buddhism, Confucianism,
and Islam, or as adherents
of Korean native religions
such Won Buddhism and
Cheondogyo.
the Korean people and over half of the countrys listed cultural
heritage are related with the two religions. Since its arrival in
Korea in 372, Buddhism has produced several tens of thousands
temples across the country and currently has more adherents
than any other religion.
Adopted as the state ideology of the Joseon Dynasty (13921910), Confucianism was more a system of ethics than religion
and stressed the importance of loyalty, filial piety and other
virtues. Confucian followers also valued ancestral worship in
the belief that the ancestral spirits can affect the life of their
descendants, and tried to find auspicious sites for the graves
of their ancestors. Today, however, more and more people are
turning from the practice of burial to cremation.
Catholicism was introduced to Korea from China through
the envoys of late Joseon who visited Beijing and the Western
priests who followed them. The early Roman Catholics in Korea
Size of Religious Groups
1
2
1. Chungdong First
Methodist Church in Seoul
Koreas first Protestant
church founded in 1897.
2. Lotus Lantern Festival
The festival celebrates
the birth of Shakyamuni
Buddha on the 8th day of
the 4th lunar month.
30
Buddhism 43%
10,726,000
Others 1.9%
483,000
Protestantism 34.5%
8,616,000
2005
Roman Catholic 20.6%

5,146,000
Others include Confucianism, Won Buddhism, Jeungsangyo, Cheondogyo, Daejonggyo and Islam.
(Source: Statistics Korea)
31
The interior of Myeongdong

Cathedral in Seoul
were subjected to severe persecution, but the religion continued

to spread among the common people across the country. The
persecution of Christian believers by Joseons rulers led Korea to
yield the worlds fourth largest number of Christian saints.
Protestantism was brought to Korea during the late 19th
century by North American missionaries, and quickly won
peoples hearts through school education and medical services.
Even today, Protestants in Korea operate a great number of
educational institutions, middle and high schools, colleges and
universities, and medical centers.
In Korea there is a rich array of native religions such as
Cheondogyo, Won Buddhism and Daejonggyo which, although
suffered various vicissitudes of modern Korean history, are still
active in increasing the number of their adherents. Cheondogyo,
32
The Seoul Central Mosque

in Itaewon, Seoul
formed on the basis of the Eastern Learning (Donghak) of the

19th century, maintains the doctrine that Man is Heaven, which
exerted a strong influence upon the process of modernization
in Korea. Daejonggyo, established in the early 20th century
to worship Dangun, the founder of the first Korean state, also
affected the life of ordinary Korean people, boosting Korean
nationalism. In 1955, there appeared the Islamic Society of Korea
and the first Korean Imam, followed by the foundation of the
Korean Muslim Federation in 1967. Islam currently has about
60 places of worship across Korea and there are about 100,000
Korean Muslims. In addition to the major religions, shamanism
has also played an important part in the daily life of the Korean
people, trying to help them connect with the spiritual world and
making predictions about their future.
33
Society
South Korea Summary

Transformation into a Multicultural Society
Russia
China
Baekdusan
Myohyangsan
Pyeongyang
Geumgangsan
East Sea
Seoraksan
Gaeseong
Baengnyeongdo
Ganghwado Seoul
Incheon
Ulleungdo
Taebaeksan
West Sea
Daejeon
Gwangju
Busan
Ko
re
a
Ulsan
Jirisan
St
ra
it
Daegu
Geojedo
Scale
Legend
Jindo
Demarcation line
Capital
City
Mountain
Jeju Strait
Hallasan
Jejudo
36
Japan
Dokdo
2
Society
South Korea Summary

Geographical and Topographical Features
The Korean Peninsula (lat. 33 - 43; long. 124 - 132) lies in
the middle of Northeast Asia, flanked by China to its west and
Japan to its east. The peninsula is 950km long longitudinally and
540km wide latitudinally, and has a total area of 223,405km2, of
which South Korea occupies about 100,267km2. The northern end
of the peninsula is joined to the Asian Continent. The peninsula
is predominantly mountainous, with flat land accounting for
only 30% of the entire territory. Mountains over 1,000m above
sea level make up only 15% of the mountainous areas, while
mountains lower than 500m account for 65%.
South Korea Overview

Country Name: Republic of Korea
Standard Time: 9 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time
Capital City: Seoul (since 1392)
Population: 51.141 million (2013)
National Anthem: Aegukga
Political System: Free democracy; Presidential system
National Flag: Taegeukgi
President: Park Geun-hye (since 2013)
National Flower: Mugunghwa (Rose of Sharon)
Economic Indicator (2013)
Language: Korean; Hangeul
- GDP: US$1,304.3 billion
Land Size: 223,405km2 (including North Korea)
- Per Capital GNI: US$26,205
South Korea only: 100,267km2
Geographical Location: The Korean Peninsula

- GDP growth rate: 3.0%

- Currency: won (US$1 = 1,095 won; floating exchange rate)
(lat. 33- 43; long. 124- 132)
37
The Taebaeksan Mountain Range forms the backbone of the

peninsula, with the eastern part of the range rising higher than
the western part. Rivers, both small and large, originate from the
high mountainous areas in the east and flow toward the West and
South Seas, forming plains suitable for grain cultivation. The climate
created by the mountainous areas in the east has an impact on
peoples lives. The easterly winds passage across the mountainous
areas is subject to the Foehn effect, creating a warm and dry wind
in the western downwind side of the mountain range. People
living in the areas to the east of the high mountains experience
considerable inconveniences with regard to transportation, as these
areas have undergone very little development compared to the
area to the west of the high mountains. However, the slow pace of
development has brought at least one advantage to local residents:
the natural sceneries have remained unspoilt and many people
now choose these areas as travel destinations.
The East Sea has a relatively straight, featureless coastline,
and the difference between high and low tide is only 30 cm.
However, the sea along the coast is generally deeper than
1,000m. According to the result of a sonar measurement
carried out by the Korea Hydrographic and Oceanographic
Administration, the deepest part of the East Sea lies in the area
north of Ulleungdo Island (2,985m deep). In contrast, the sea
along the West Sea is shallow, which has led to the formation
of wide tidal flats. The deepest part of the West Sea is in the
waters surrounding Gageodo Island, Sinan-gun, Jeollanam-do
(124m deep). The rise and fall of the tide shows a considerable
difference, i.e. by as much as 7 - 8 m. The South coast has a heavily
indented rias coastline. About 3,000 mainly small islands lie off
38
the western and southern coasts of South Korea. Many beaches

around the peninsula boast beautiful scenery and world-class
facilities.
Changes in Weather around the Year
The Korean Peninsula belongs to a temperate zone. There are
marked changes in climate between the four distinct seasons.
Under the influence of the continental climate, there is a
considerable difference in temperature between summer and
winter. It is hot and humid in summer, and cold and dry in winter.
Over the past thirty years, the summer temperature range has
averaged 20.5 - 26.1C, while the winter temperature range has
averaged -2.5 - 5.7C.
Many Koreans take their summer holidays during this
period. During the peak season, the number of visitors to wellknown beaches, including Haeundae in Busan, Gyeongpodae in
Gangneung, and Daecheon on the West Sea, exceeds 1 million.
In winter, people enjoy skating and skiing across the country.
There are many ski slopes in Gangwon-do. Winter snowfall in the
mountainous areas of Gangwon-do sometimes reaches 50 - 60 cm
in a day or two. The average daytime temperature in spring and
fall is maintained at 15 - 18C. In these seasons, the sky is clear
and the weather is pleasant and agreeable, encouraging many
people to engage in outdoor activities or go on a trip.
Recently, the Korean Peninsula has shown signs of transition
to a subtropical climate amid the phenomenon of global warming.
In summer, the temperature rises above 35C. In spring, azaleas
and forsythias bloom earlier than in the past. Over the past 2 - 3
years, many new and extraordinary climate-related records have
39
40
been reported. In December 2010, a cold wave hit the peninsula

for 39 days, lasting well into January of the following year. Heavy
snowfall hit Donghae and Pohang, breaking a 79-year-old record.
In July 2011, the heavy rain concentrated on Seoul and its vicinity
was recorded as the heaviest daily rainfall in the meteorological
history of the country.
According to climate observation records, the average
temperature in the Korean Peninsula has risen by 1.5C over the
past century. Only ten years ago, it was usual for cold and warm
1
2
3
4
Four Seasons of Korea

1. Spring of Baraebong
in Jirisan Mountain
2. Summer of Garibong
Valley in Seoraksan
Mountain
3. Autumn of Gayasan
Mountain
4. Winner of Jeseokbong
Peak in Jirisan Mountain
(Source: Korea National Park)
weather to succeed each other on the peninsula every three or

four days, but that pattern has disappeared.
The northern limit line for the growth of tree and plant species
such as apple trees and green tea plants is moving gradually
northward. The presence of more subtropical fish along the
coast of the Korean Peninsula constitutes further proof of global
warming. Researchers started observing coral reefs in the sea near
Busan. The number of subtropical marine plants is increasing in
the sea near Jejudo Island.
Population
Archaeologists think that people started settling in the Korean
Peninsula around B.C.700,000, during the Paleolithic Age. The
population of South Korea stands at 51.14 million (2013), with
49.4% of the population concentrated in Seoul and its vicinity.
The government views the current low birthrate as a serious
problem. The countrys birthrate fell to 1.08 per married couple
(2005), a record low. The figure rose slightly to 1.19 by 2013
through the governments efforts. Still, the figure falls short of
the global average (1.71 in 2012). As for life expectancy, South
41
Koreans life expectancy was approximately 81.3 years (2010)

compared with an OECD average of 80.2 years.
Towards the end of the 19th century and throughout the early
20th century, a large number of Koreans left the country. Initially,
China, Russia, and the United States were their chief destinations,
but by the mid-20th century the destinations had become far more
diverse. The number of South Koreans living in foreign countries
amounts to 7.26 million, i.e. 2.7 million in China, 1.67 million in the
United States, 0.9 million in Japan, and 0.53 million in EU countries.
Since 2011, the net inflow of population has outnumbered the
net outflow. The number of foreign nationals residing or working
in the country has increased dramatically, particularly since 2000.
According to Statistics Korea, 369,000 foreign nationals arrived
in the country in 2013. Regarding the purpose of their arrival in
the country, employment (41.4%) topped the list, followed by
short-term stay (19.8%), long-term or permanent stay (6.4%),
sightseeing (6.0%), and study (5.2%). Recently, many foreigners
have come to the country for such diverse purpose as marriage to
South Koreans, work, and study, etc.
Language and Letters
Most linguists place Korean in the Altaic language family, though
some consider it to be a language isolate, meaning that it cannot
be simply related with any other language. The written form of
Korean uses Hangeul, a writing system commissioned by King
Sejong (1397-1450) during the Joseon Dynasty. Koreans are very
proud of this remarkable achievement, and Hangeul is a very
efficient and easy script to learn and use.
Hangeul is composed of fourteen consonants and ten vowels.
42
It can express virtually all the sounds produced by nature and

humans. Every year, UNESCO presents the King Sejong Literacy
Prize to people who have made a distinguished contribution
to the elimination of illiteracy. The inclusion of King Sejong in
the name of the prize may be said to be tacit recognition of his
greatest accomplishment, the creation of Hangeul, which is easy
to learn and use.
National Flag (Taegeukgi)
The national flag of South Korea is composed of a red and blue
taegeuk pattern in the center and four black trigrams at each
corner, against a white background.
The white background symbolizes brightness, purity, and peaceloving ethnic characteristics. The taegeuk pattern symbolizes yin
and yang (i.e. the idea that all things in the universe are created and
evolve through the interaction of yin and yang). The four trigrams
indicate the changes in and development of yin and yang by means
of their combination ( represents yin while represents
yang;
[geongwae] heaven;
water; and
[gongwae] earth;
[gamgwae]
King Sejong the Great

Sejong was the fourth
king of the Joseon
Dynasty. He made many
great accomplishments
in the spheres of science,
economy, defense, art
and culture. One of his
greatest accomplishments
was the creation of
Hangeul in 1444, an easyto-learn, efficient, and
scientific writing system.
He is respected as one
of the countrys greatest
kings among Koreans.
[igwae] fire. The four trigrams surrounding the
taegeuk represent unity.

The national flag, including the taegeuk pattern,
which our ancestors liked to use in their lives,
expresses the ideal of the Korean nations
pursuit of creativity and prosperity.
National Anthem (Aegukga)
The countrys national anthem was composed
in 1935 by Mr. Ahn Eak-tai, who added a melody
43
Shanghai Expo 2010

The South Korean Pavilion
decorated with Hangeul
consonants and vowels
44
45
National Symbol
Geon
(Sky)
Gam
(Water)
Red:Yang
Blue:Eum
Ri
(Fire)
National flower: Mugunghwa (Rose of Sharon)
Gon
(Earth)
National flag: Taegeukgi
Aegukga: Patriotic Song (National Anthem)

Ahn Eak-tai
Moderato
Until that day when the waters of the East Sea run dry and Baekdusan Mountain is worn away,
God protect and preserve our nation; Hurry to Korea
Three thousand ri of splendid rivers and mountains covered with mugunghwa blossoms.
Great Korean people, stay true to the Great Korean way!
46
to lyrics written in the early 1900s. It was officially adopted with

the establishment of the government of the Republic of Korea in
August 1948. Prior to that, the country sang the same lyrics to
the melody of Auld Lang Syne as the national anthem.
National Flower (Mugunghwa)
The Mugunghwa (Rose of Sharon) is thought to be deeply
associated with what are regarded as the most typical Korean
characteristics: a sincere heart, inwardness, and tenacity. Around
the late 9th century, the Chinese referred to Korea as the
country of mugunghwa. The Korean word mugunghwa literally
means a never-withering flower. The countrys national anthem
includes the line: Three thousand ri of splendid rivers and
mountains covered with mugunghwa blossoms. The emblem of
the government and the National Assembly contains the shape of
a mugunghwa.
Political System
The country has adopted a Presidential system in which the
President is elected by the direct vote of the people for a fiveyear term. The current President Park Geun-hye was elected in
December 2012 for one term, which started on February 25, 2013.
The government is composed of three independent branches: the
Executive branch; the Legislative branch composed of 300 four-year
term members of the National Assembly; and the Judiciary branch,
which includes fourteen six-year term Supreme Court justices.
There are seventeen regional local governments and 227 basic local
governments. The heads of the local governments and the members
of local councils are each elected for a four-year term.
47
Division
In 1948, the two Koreas established their respective governments.
Defined as two different countries under international law, they
joined the United Nations simultaneously in September 1991.
The Constitution of South Korea, however, regards North Korea as
part of the Republic of Korea.

Education System
Koreans regard education as very important. In the process of
industrialization, human resources emerged as an important
factor in connection with the need to cope with scarce capital
and resources more efficiently. Parents fervor regarding their
childrens education has resulted in the production of a large
number of well-educated people, which in turn has helped
Number of Schools in Korea (2013)

8,678
5,913
3,173
2,322
1,200
162
Kindergarten
Middle School
Elementary
School
140
Special School
High
School
200
University
Junior
College
Graduate
School
Unit: schools / Source: Ministry of Education
48
the country achieve rapid economic growth. The basic school

system is composed of kindergarten (1 to 3 years), elementary
school (6 years), middle school (3 years), high school (3 years),
and university. There are also junior colleges (2 or 3 years) and
graduate schools (for masters and PhD degrees).
Since 2004, all South Koreans are required to finish middle
school under compulsory education. The government started
paying childcare allowances for all infants aged up to 5 in 2013.
Korean style education will create a whirlwind of popularity as K-Pop does.

U.S. President Barack Obama often refers to Korean parents
fervent eagerness about their children's education to urge
American parents to make more strenuous efforts. It is
reported that the innovation campaign initiated by President
Obama in 2009 for the invigoration of education in science,
skills, engineering, and math for American middle and
high school students was modelled on the South Korean
experience. The most successful case of introducing Koreanstyle education into the United States is the Democracy Prep
Charter School in New York. About 80% of the students of this school in Harlem, New York, which
is notorious for its high rate of narcotics and crimes, originate from low-income households.
Principal Seth Andrew (34) of this school taught English for one year in South Korea and saw that
Koreans believed that the only way out of poverty is education. He decided to make sure that
students of his school hold a similar belief and show respect for both teachers and education just
as Koreans do. Such efforts on his part have brought about noticeable results in six years.
In 2010, his school was selected as the best among the 125 charter schools in New York in
2010 -2011 in a school performance appraisal. Seth Andrews said, I am sure that Korean-style
education will create a whirlwind of popularity as K-Pop does.
49
High Educational Competitiveness

Thanks to a good system and the high regard for education, the
country has many skilled people in virtually all sectors. Koreas
universities produce talented young people specializing in
basic science, including physics, and other major sectors, such
International Science
Olympiad
In this international
middle and high school
students' competition
encompassing math,
physics, chemistry,
biology, astronomy,
and information, South
Koreans record a good
score every year.
as electronics, mechanical engineering, business management,

economics, and accounting. Many educated adults can make
themselves understood in English, with some of them speaking
another foreign language. At present, the widespread availability
of vocational education sessions at high schools helps students
obtain qualifications in specialty areas.
According to the OECDs Programme for International Student
Assessment (PISA), South Korean students display a high level of
academic achievement in reading, math, and science.
R&D Investment
South Korea has a large number of talented people engaged in
cutting-edge research. At government institutes, in universities,
and also within Koreas many world-leading corporations, a
vast range of projects are undertaken: from basic research to
the development of advanced technologies and innovative new
commercial products.
The government R&D budget supports programs in a wide
variety of sectors, including high-end convergence, green
resources, bioscience, welfare, and machine parts.
A remarkable 12.4 out of ever 1,000 economically active
people were employed as researchers in 2012, a total of more
than 401,724; and their activities result in numerous patent
applications, both at home and abroad.
50
A Digital Reading Room

at the National Library
of Korea
This is a space where
people can access and
use a vast corpus of
digital materials, and
engage in media editing,
documentation, and
research.
Sophisticated Information Society

South Korea is a leading powerhouse in information and
communication technology. It is a country full of dynamism.
It became the first country in the world to commercialize the
CDMA and WiBro technologies and established a nationwide
network based on the use of these technologies in 2011. The
country has also made Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB)
part of peoples daily lives, while establishing a nationwide 4G
communication long-term evolution (LTE) network.
These sophisticated information and communication
Social Network Service

This service, which is
represented by Twitter,
Cyworld, and Facebook, is
designed to help people
build a solid network of
collaboration between
friends, colleagues, and
acquaintances.
technologies have led to changes in diverse social sectors,

including the innovation of government administration. With the
help of such advanced technologies, the procedures for reporting
a babys birth, moving home or registering a persons death are
handled more efficiently. Under the Social Networking Service
(SNS), people now use an interactive communication system
in which the government provides useful information to people
51
while members of the public can report cases of inconvenience

to the government. The country exported e-government-related
technologies worth US$873.18 million between 2002 and 2012.
In the biennial e-government evaluation conducted by the
UN, South Korea ranked No. 1 in terms of comprehensive scores
in 2010 and 2012 among the 193 countries evaluated. The
country took first place in development indices associated with
information/communication infrastructure and human resources
as well as in peoples online participation.
With the improvement of sophisticated communication
infrastructures and the increase in the number of mobile
communication devices, people can engage in real-time
communication and exchange of information with others
worldwide. Social Networking Services such as Twitter and
Facebook are bringing about revolutionary changes in society.
Especially, the SNS Kakao Talk (global mobile instant messenger)
developed in South Korea in 2010 has been attracting
considerable attention. The number of Kakao Talk subscribers
stands at 100 million worldwide. It is used by most South Korean
smart phone users. Pop Cast, another form of SNS, is establishing
a new area in the communication (broadcasting) sector. Now,
SNS even exerts an influence in politics through the formation of
public opinion, in addition to its inherent functions such as the
delivery of information or entertainment.
Changes and Vision
South Korea is rapidly changing into a knowledge-based society.
Human resources are regarded as the most important element of
society and as a primary source of national competitiveness.
52
United Nations E-Government Survey

2005
2008
2010
2012
2014
5th
6th
1st
1st
1st
Online services
0.97(4th)
0.82(6th)
1.00(1st)
1.00(1st)
0.97(3rd)
Information/communication
infrastructure
0.67(9th)
0.69(10th)
0.64(13th)
0.83(7th)
0.93(2nd)
Relevant capital
0.98(10th)
0.98(7th)
0.99(7th)
0.94(6th)
0.92(6th)
4th
2nd
1st
1st
1st
E-government
development index
Online participation index
(Source: UN DESA)
In South Korea, the development of creative good-quality
Administrative Agencies
Information System
Information/
communication
technologies help
administrative agencies
carry out their
assignments more
efficiently by providing
information services
relating to individual
sectors such as customs
clearance, patents, budget
accounting, disaster
management, immigration
control, mail classification,
response to public
complaints, employment,
transportation, residents
registration, etc.
cultural products, in which human resources are combined with

cultural resources, is viewed as an industrial sector that will
play a leading role in the 21st century. Current examples of the
countrys promising cultural products include K-Pop, TV dramas
(e.g. Dae Jang Geum), and TV animations for infants (e.g. Pororo).
According to the United Nations Development Programme
(UNDP), the countrys Human Development Index (HDI) is rising,
apparently as a result of the growing emphasis on investment
and the development of human resources as key actors of
creative industrial sectors. The Human Development Index (HDI)
is a composite statistic of the life expectancy, education, and
income indices used to rank countries into four tiers of human
development.)

Social Security System
South Korea operates a labor and welfare system that meets
international norms. Workers three basic rights are guaranteed.
53
Pororo, the countrys

representative character
for infants, plays a leading
role in the progress of the
countrys future cultural
industry by introducing a
variety of products using
educational animations
and characters.
Public officials also have their basic rights guaranteed as workers

despite some restrictions on their right of collective action.
In the 1980s, the country adopted the minimum wage system in
an effort to enhance workers rights. The country has also enacted
the Equal Employment Opportunity Act and a system that assists
the disabled.
The country operates the social insurance system against
contingencies relating to disaster, disease, unemployment, and
death. Workers subscribe to Industrial Accident Insurance against
work-related accident, disease or death. It is obligatory for all
people to subscribe to the Health Insurance. As of 2014, end of
The Four Social
Insurances
Relevant individuals,
businesses, and the
government share the
burden of insurance
premiums for the four
social insurances.
54
June, 50.14 million people (including foreigners), i.e. 98.5% of the

entire population, enjoyed the benefits provided under the staterun health insurance system. The countrys medical insurance
system, which provides a high-quality medical service for
reasonable service fees, has been appraised as an exemplary case
by other countries.
Workers subscribe to Employment Insurance. When a
subscribed worker is dismissed, he/she is entitled to half of his/
her wage for a given period of time and to job transfer training.
Workers also subscribe to retirement pension and national
pension plans.
All people are required to subscribe to the four social
insurances (i.e. industrial accident, health, employment, and
pension insurances). As regards the payment of insurance
premiums, employers and the government bear part of the fees.
People pay insurance fees according to their income, which leads
to income redistribution.
The aim of the countrys public welfare system is from the
cradle to the grave. A pregnant worker is eligible for 90 days
maternity leave, 60 days of which are paid leave, she is also
entitled to take a year of temporary leave for childcare, receiving
part of her wage. In 2013, the government also started paying
childcare allowances to parents with an infant aged 5 or less.
With the increase in the number of senior citizens, welfare for
the elderly has emerged as an important social issue. The country
adopted long-term care insurance for the elderly and the basic
old age pension system.
Role of Women
Samguk yusa (Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms) compiled by
the Buddhist Monk Iryeon in 1281 contains a very interesting
myth about the birth of the first Korean woman. It says that
a bear morphed into the first Korean woman after fulfilling a
difficult task given by a god, of which the bear endured twenty55
one days of feeding only on mugwort and garlic without any

exposure to sunshine. The woman eventually married Hwanung,
the son of god, and gave birth to a son named Dangun, who is
the forefather of the Korean people. This founding myth of Korea
illustrates the main characteristics of Korean women, which are
said to be patience and tenacity.
In the 1st century BC, a heroine named Soseono played
a critical role in the foundation of Goguryeo and Baekje
Kingdoms. In the early 7th century, Queen Seondeok of Silla
accomplished many notable deeds, including the stabilization
of ordinary peoples lives, the provision of relief to the poor, and
the construction of Cheomseongdae Observatory and the ninetier pagoda at Hwangnyongsa Temple. In the early 10th century,
Queen Sinhye, the wife of King Taejo of Goryeo, distinguished
herself by assisting the King with the establishment important
national policies. Sin Saimdang of Joseon, who lived in the early
16th century, is respected as an exemplar of the wise mother
and good wife. Her portrait features on 50,000won banknotes.
Yu Gwan-sun lost her life at the age of 18 after being tortured by
the Japanese police following her arrest for involvement in the
independence movement in March 1919. She is regarded as one
of Koreas leading patriots.
Foreigners who visited Korea towards the end of the 19th
century and in the early 20th century wrote that Korean
women enjoyed a considerably higher social status than their
counterparts in nearby countries.
In 2001, South Korea became the first country to launch a
Ministry of Gender Equality; its name was later changed to the
Ministry of Gender Equality and Family. In 2013, Park Gun-hye
56
became the first woman President in South Koreas 65-year history.
Transformation into a Multicultural Society

South Korea has long been a culturally homogeneous society,
but the number of migrant workers and foreign students has
increased rapidly since the end of the 20th century. As of 2014,
the number of foreign-born people in the country stands at 1.57
million, with the number of foreign-born people married to South
Koreans amounting to 240,000. The number of migrant workers
in the country stands at 850,000. The country is turning into a
multicultural society.
Ethnic Koreans with Chinese citizenship account for the
greatest proportion of foreign nationals living in the country.
Recently, the number of multicultural households has increased
dramatically to 230,000, largely as a result of the high number
of marriages between Koreans and foreigners. The government
launched an office dedicated to providing support for foreign
citizens social activities within the country and enacted
the Multicultural Families Support Act. Under the said Act,
multicultural family support centers (www.liveinkorea.kr) have
been opened in 200 places around the country to provide the
following services: Korean language education sessions designed
to help foreigners adapt to life in Korea; psychological counseling;
events intended to celebrate the festivities of other countries; and
job seeking opportunities.
The government is taking diverse measures in recognition
of foreign cultures and making efforts to avoid social problems
that may result due to the inflow of foreign cultures. One
such measure consists in the provision of support to transform
57
Nationality of foreign residents in South Korea
Others (21.1%)
Filipinos (4.1%)
2013
Americans (4.5%)
South Asians
(4.8%)
Vietnamese (11.8%)
Chinese
(including ethnic
Koreans)
(53.7%)
(Source: Ministry of Government Administration and Home Affairs)
multicultural villages into tourist destinations.

Chinatown in Seollin-dong in Incheon is perhaps the most
representative example of a unique foreign culture in Korea. The
history of the place began when ethnic Chinese settled there,
taking advantage of its geographical proximity to China, in the
late 19th century. Nowadays, the area serves as a forward base
for the countrys exchanges with China, and has emerged as a
new tourist destination for enthusiasts of history and culture.
There is a Special Multicultural Zone in Wongok-dong, Ansan,
Gyeonggi-do. People from China, India and Pakistan living here
can purchase specialties of their home countries in the zone.
There is a Japanese village in Ichon-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul; a
Muslim village near the mosque in Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-gu,
Seoul; a French village (Seorae Village) in Banpo-dong, Gangnamgu, Seoul; a Vietnamese town is in Wangsimni, Seoul; and a
Nepalese town in Changsin-dong, Seoul.
Foreigners are also starting to take a more prominent role
58
in their adopted country. For example, Jasmine Lee is a FilipinaKorean who is currently serving as a member of the Gender
Equality and Family Committee of the 19th National Assembly
(May 2012 May 2016). She is known for her efforts to protect
the welfare and advance the rights of people in multicultural
households.
As of November 2013, a total of fifty-six foreign-born Koreans
from thirteen countries are serving as public officials with the
central or local governments. Chinese-Korean Kim Mi-hwa, an
official of Changwon City, is one of them. The foreign-born
celebrities we frequently see in local TV programs include Robert
Holley (American-Korean) and Sam Hammington (an Australian).
All things considered, the recent foreign arrivals are integrating
well into South Korean society, and multiculturalism is bringing
many benefits: there is every indication that this harmonious
coexistence of diverse cultures will continue to flourish.
59
Culture

Traditional Arts
3
Culture
Since the earliest settlements on the Korean Peninsula and in

southeastern Manchuria during prehistoric times, the people
of Korea have developed a distinctive culture based on their
unique artistic sensibility. The geographical conditions of the
peninsula provided Koreans with opportunities to receive
both continental and maritime cultures and ample resources,
which in turn enabled them to form unique cultures of interest
to and value for the rest of humanity, both then and now.
62
Koreas vibrant cultural legacy, comprising music, art, literature,

dance, architecture, clothing and cuisine, offers a delightful
combination of tradition and modernity, and is now appreciated
in many parts of the world.
At the present time, Korean arts and culture are attracting
many enthusiasts around the world. Koreas cultural and artistic
achievements through the ages are now leading many of its
young talents to the worlds most prestigious music and dance
competitions, while its literary works are being translated into
many different languages for global readers. More recently, Korean
pop artists have attracted huge numbers of admirers across
the world, the most spectacular success being Psys global hit
Gangnam Style.
The cultural prosperity Korea has enjoyed lately would
have not been possible without its traditional culture and arts,
Gyeongju Historic Areas

Gyeongju was the capital
of Silla for about one
millennium. The city still
contains a wealth of
archaeological remains
from the Kingdom, and
hence is often dubbed as
a museum without walls
or roof. The photo shows
a scene of the Silla mound
tombs located in the city.
63
which were built on the Korean peoples traits of tenacity and

perseverance combined with an artistic sensibility that has
matured throughout the countrys long history. The unique
artistic sensibility reflected in the diverse artifacts and tomb
murals of the Three Kingdoms Period became richer and more
profound as Korea progressed through the periods of Unified
Silla (676-935), Goryeo (918-1392) and Joseon (1392-1910).
This aesthetic sensibility has been handed down through the
generations to the Korean artists, and even ordinary members of
the public, of our time.
Korea preserves a wealth of priceless cultural heritage, some
of which have been inscribed on the lists of human legacies
protected by UNESCO. Currently, a total of thirty-eight Korean
heritage items are listed either as World Heritage Sites or
Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity, or
have been included on UNESCOs Memory of the World Register.

World Heritage Sites
Changdeokgung Palace
Changdeokgung Palace, located in Waryong-dong, Jongno-gu,
Seoul, is one of the five Royal Palaces of Joseon (1392-1910),
and still contains the original palace structures and other remains
intact. It was built in 1405 as a Royal Villa but became the Joseon
Dynastys official Royal Residence after Gyeongbokgung, the
original principal palace, was destroyed by fire in 1592 when
Japanese forces invaded Korea. Thereafter it maintained its
prestigious position until 1867, when Gyeongbokgung was and
renovated and restored to its original status. Changdeokgung was
64
listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997.

A l t h o u g h i t wa s b u i l t d u r i n g t h e J o s e o n P e r i o d ,
Changdeokgung shows traces of the influence of the
architectural tradition of Goryeo, such as its location at the foot
of a mountain. Royal palaces were typically built according to
a layout planned to highlight the dignity and authority of its
occupant, but the layout of Changdeokgung was planned to
make the most of the characteristic geographical features of the
skirt of Bugaksan Mountain. The original palace buildings have
been preserved intact, including Donhwamun Gate, its main
entrance, Injeongjeon Hall; Seonjeongjeon Hall, and a beautiful
traditional garden to the rear of the main buildings. The palace
also contains Nakseonjae, a compound of exquisite traditional
buildings set up in the mid-19th century as a residence for
members of the royal family.
Injeongjeon Hall in
The Palace Hall was used
for important state events
such as the Coronation
of Kings, royal audiences,
and formal reception of
foreign envoys.
65
Jongmyo Shrine
Jongmyo, located in Hunjeong-dong, Jongno-gu in Seoul, is the
royal ancestral shrine of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). It was
built to house eighty-three spirit tablets of the Joseon Kings, their
Queen Consorts, and direct ancestors of the dynastys founder
who were posthumously invested with royal titles. As Joseon was
founded according to Confucian ideology, its rulers considered
it very important to put Confucian teachings into practice and
sanctify the institutions where ancestral memorial tablets were
enshrined.
The two main buildings at the Royal Shrine, Jeongjeon Hall
and Yeongnyeongjeon Hall exhibit a fine symmetry, and there
Jongmyo Shrine
The central Confucian
shrine of Joseon housing
the spirit tablets of Joseon
Kings and their Consorts
66
are differences in the height of the raised platform, the height

to the eaves and the roof top, and the thickness of the columns
according to their status. The entire sanctuary retains its original
features, including the two shrine halls which exhibit the unique
architectural style of the 16th century. Seasonal memorial rites
commemorating the life and achievements of the royal ancestors
of Joseon are still performed at the shrine.
Hwaseong Fortress in Suwon
Located in todays Jangan-gu of Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do,
Hwaseong is a large fortress (its walls extend for 5.7km) built
in 1796 during the reign of King Jeongjo (r. 1776-1800) of the
Joseon Dynasty. Construction of the fortress was begun after
the King moved the grave of his father, Crown Prince Sado,
from Yangju in Gyeonggi-do to its current location near the
fortress. The fortification is elaborately and carefully designed
to effectively perform its function of protecting the city
enclosed within it. The construction of the fortress and related
facilities involved the use of scientific devices developed by the
distinguished Confucian thinker and writer Jeong Yak-yong (17621836), including the Geojunggi (type of crane) and Nongno
(pulley wheel) used to lift heavy building materials such as stones.
Seokguram Grotto and Bulguksa Temple
Seokguram, located on the middle slopes of Tohamsan Mountain
in Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do, is a Buddhist hermitage with an
artificial stone cave built in 774 to serve as a dharma hall. The hall
houses an image of seated Buddha surrounded by his guardians
and followers carved in relief, which is widely admired as a great
masterpiece. The cave faces east and is designed so that the
principal Buddha receives the first rays of the sun rising from the
East Sea on his head.
67
68
Completed the same year as Seokguram Grotto, Bulguksa

Temple consists of exquisite prayer halls and various monuments,
including two stone pagodas, Dabotap and Seokgatap, standing in
the front courtyard of the temples main prayer hall, Daeungjeon.
The two pagodas are widely regarded as the finest extant Silla
pagodas: the first is admired for its elaborately carved details, the
second for its delightfully simple structure.
Dabotap, or the Pagoda of Abundant Treasures, is marked by
a unique structure built with elaborately carved granite blocks. It
also features on the face of the Korean 10 won coin. By contrast,
Seokgatap, or the Pagoda of Shakyamuni, is better known for its
delightfully simple structure which exhibits fine symmetry and
balance. The pagoda is now generally regarded as the archetype of
all the three-story stone pagodas built across Korea thereafter.
Among the other treasures preserved at the temple are the
1
2
3
1. Hwaseong Fortress
in Suwon
This 18th century
fortification was built
on the basis of the most
advanced knowledge
and techniques known
to both East and West
at that time.
2. Bulguksa Temple
This Silla temple
established in the 6th
century is architecturally
known for being one
of the finest examples
of Buddhist doctrine
anywhere in the world.
3, 4. Seokguram Grotto
The principal Buddha
seated on a lofty lotus
pedestal at the center
of the grotto
two exquisite stone bridges, Cheongungyo (Blue Cloud Bridge)

and Baegungyo (White Cloud Bridge), leading to Daeungjeon, the
temples principal dharma hall. The bridges symbolize the journey
every Buddhist needs to make to reach the Pure Land of Bliss.
Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty
The Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) left behind a total of fortyfour tombs of its Kings and their Queen Consorts, most of which
are located in and around the capital area including the cities
of Guri, Goyang and Namyangju in Gyeonggi-do. Some of these
Royal Tombs are arranged in small groups in the Donggureung,
Seooreung, Seosamneung and Hongyureung. Of these, forty
tombs are registered as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
The Royal Tombs of Joseon are highly regarded as tangible
69
heritage that reflect the values held by the Korean people, which
1
2
3
were drawn from Confucian ideology and the feng shui tradition.
1. Donggureung
A complex of Royal Tombs
built for nine Joseon
Kings and their seventeen
Queens and Concubines.
2. Yeongneung
The tomb of King Sejong
and his consort Queen
Soheon
3. Mongneung
The tomb of King Seonjo
and his consort Queen
Inmok
These historical remains are also valued highly for having been
preserved in their original condition for anywhere from one to six
hundred years.
Janggyeongpanjeon Depositories of Haeinsa Temple, Hapcheon
The Printing Woodblocks of the Tripitaka Koreana, which was
made during the Goryeo Period (918-1392), are housed in two
depositories specially made for that purpose in 1488 at Haeinsa
Temple. As the oldest remaining buildings at the temple, the
Tripitaka depositories are marked by the uniquely scientific and
highly effective method of controlling ventilation and moisture to
ensure the safe storage of the age-old woodblocks. The buildings
were built side by side at the highest point (about 700m above
sea level) in the precincts of Haeinsa Temple, which is located on
the mid-slope of Gayasan Mountain.
Stone Warrior, Guardian of the Royal Tombs

Each of the royal tombs of Joseon consists of one or more
semispherical mounds protected with curb stones set around the
base, and with elaborately carved stone railings and stone animals,
including a lamb and a tiger in particular, representing meekness
and ferocity. In the front area there is a rectangular stone table that
was used for offering sacrifices to the spirits of the royalty buried
there, a tall octagonal stone pillar, a stone lantern, one or more
pairs of stone guardians, and civil and military officials, with their
horses. The mound is further protected by a low wall standing at the back and on both sides.
70
71
What makes these depositories so special is their unique

design which provides effective natural ventilation by exploiting
the wind blowing in from the valley of Gayasan. Open lattice
windows of different sizes are arranged in upper and lower rows
on both the front and rear walls of the depositories to promote
the optimum flow of air from the valley. Similarly, the floor, which
was built by ramming layers of charcoal, clay, sand, salt and lime
powder, also helps to control the humidity of the rooms.
Namhansanseong Fortress
Namhansanseong Fortress, located about 25km southeast of
Seoul, underwent large-scale restructuring in 1626, during the
Namhansanseong
Fortress
A mountain fortress that
served as a temporary
capital during the Joseon
Dynasty, showing how the
techniques for building a
fortress developed during
the 7th-19th centuries
72
reign of King Injo of the Joseon Dynasty, to create a refuge for

the King and his people in the event of a national emergency. The
foundations of Jujangseong Fortress, built almost one thousand
years earlier in 672, during the reign of King Munmu of Unified
Silla, served as the base of the renovated structure.
The defensive position of the fortress was reinforced by

exploiting the rugged topography of the mountain (average
height: at least 480m). The perimeter of its wall is about 12.3km.
According to a record dating from the Joseon Period, about 4,000
people lived in the town built inside the fortress.
Temporary palaces, Jongmyo Shrine, and Sajikdan Altar were
built in the fortress in 1711 during the reign of King Sukjong of
Joseon. The fortress is also a result of the wide-ranging exchanges
made and wars waged between Korea (Joseon), Japan (AzuchiMomoyama Period), and China (Ming and Qing) during the
16th-18th centuries. The introduction of cannons from western
countries brought many changes to the weaponry inside the
fortress and the way the fortress was built. The fortress is a living
record of the changes in the way fortresses were built during the
7th-19th centuries.
Hunminjeongeum
Manuscript
The pages shown here
contain a commentary
on the three sounds, first,
middle and last, that form
the sound of a Korean
character
Memory of the World Register

Hunminjeongeum (The Proper Sounds
for the Instruction of the People)
Hangeul is the name of the Korean
writing system and alphabet, which
consists of letters inspired by the shapes
formed by the human vocal organs
during speech, making it very easy to
learn and use. Hangeul was promulgated
in 1446 by King Sejong, who helped
devise it and named it Hunminjeongeum, or The Proper Sounds
for the Instruction of the People. It was also in that same year
that he ordered his scholars to publish The Hunminjeongeum
73
haeryebon (Explanatory Edition) to provide detailed explanations

of the purpose and guiding principles of the new writing system.
One of these manuscripts is currently in the collection of the
Kansong Art Museum and was included in UNESCOs Memory of
the World Register in 1997.
The invention of the Hunminjeongeum opened up a broad
new horizon for all the Korean people, even women and those
in the lowest social class, enabling them to learn to read and
write and express themselves fully. The Hunminjeongeum
alphabet originally consisted of 28 letters, but only 24 are
used now. In 1989, UNESCO joined the Korean government
to create the UNESCO King Sejong Literacy Prize, which it
awards to organizations or individuals who display great merit
and achieve particularly effective results in contributing to the
promotion of literacy.
Joseon Wangjo Sillok: Annals of the Joseon Dynasty
The Joseon Dynasty left behind a vast collection of annual records
of Joseon rulers and their officials covering the 472 years from
1392 to 1863. The records, Joseon wangjo sillok (Annals of the
Joseon Dynasty), comprise 2,077 volumes and are stored at the
Kyujanggak Institute for Korean Studies, Seoul National University.
The annals of each Joseon ruler were usually compiled after
his death during the early phase of his successors rule based
on the daily accounts, called historical drafts (sacho), made by
historiographers. The annals are regarded as extremely valuable
historical resources as they contain detailed information about
the politics, economy, culture and other aspects of Joseon society.
Once the annals had been compiled and placed in the history
74
depositories (sago), they would not be opened to anyone except

in special circumstances where it was necessary to refer to
past examples with regard to the formal conduct of important
state ceremonies such as the memorial rites for royal ancestors
or the reception of foreign envoys. Originally there were four
history depositories, one in the Chunchugwan (Office of State
Records) at the Royal Court, and three more in the main regional
administrative hubs in the south, namely, Chungju, Jeonju and
Seongju. However, these were destroyed in 1592 when Japan
invaded Korea, and the Joseon Dynasty was compelled to build
new depositories on some of the remotest mountains in the
country, Myohyangsan, Taebaeksan, Odaesan and Manisan.
Seungjeongwon Ilgi: Diaries of the Royal Secretariat
This collection of documents contains the records of the Joseon
rulers public life and their interactions with the bureaucracy;
they were made on a daily basis by the Seungjeongwon, or Royal
Ilseongnok
Private journals concerning
personal daily activities
and state affairs kept by
the rulers of late Joseon
from 1760 to 1910
Secretariat, from the third month of 1623 to the eighth

month of 1910. The records are collected in 3,243
volumes and include the details of royal
edicts, reports and appeals from ministries
and other government agencies. The diaries
are currently kept in the Kyujanggak Institute for
Korean Studies, Seoul National University.
Ilseongnok: Daily Records of the Royal Court
and Important Officials
This vast collection of daily records made by
the Kings of the late Joseon Period (from 1760
75
to 1910) is compiled in a total of 2,329 volumes. The records

provide vivid and detailed information on the political situation
in and around Korea and the ongoing cultural exchanges between
east and west from the 18th to the 20th century.
Uigwe: Royal Protocols of the Joseon Dynasty
This collection of beautifully illustrated books contains
official manuals recording the details of Court Ceremonies
or events of national importance for the purpose of future
reference. The most frequently treated subjects in these books
are Royal Weddings, the investiture of Queens and Crown
Princes, State and Royal Funerals, and the construction of
Royal Tombs, although other state or royal occasions such as
the Royal Ploughing, construction or renovation of Palace
buildings, are included. As for the latter, those published to
mark the construction of Hwaseong Fortress
a n d K i n g Je o n g j o s fo r m a l v i s i t t o
the new walled city in the late 18th
century are particularly famous. These
publications were also stored in the
history depositories, sadly resulting in
the destruction of early Joseon works by
fire during the Japanese Invasion of Korea
Protocol on the Marriage
of King Yeongjo and
Queen Jeongsun
(Joseon, 18th century)
This is a manual of the
state ceremony held for
the marriage between
King Yeongjo, the 21st
ruler of Joseon, and Queen
Jeongsun in 1759
76
in 1592. The remaining 3,895 volumes

of Uigwe were published after the war, some of which
were stolen by the French Army in 1866 and kept in the
Bibliothque nationale de France until 2011, when they
were returned to Korea following an agreement between the
governments of Korea and France.
Printing Woodblocks of the Tripitaka Koreana and Miscellaneous

Buddhist Scriptures
The collection of Tripitaka woodblocks stored at Haeinsa
Temple (established 802) in Hapcheon-gun, Gyeongsangnamdo was made during the Goryeo Period (918-1392) under a
national project that started in 1236 and took fifteen years to
complete. The collection is generally known by the name Palman
Daejanggyeong, literally the Tripitaka of eighty thousand
woodblocks, as it consists of 81, 258 blocks of wood.
The Tripitaka Koreana woodblocks were made by the people
of Goryeo who sought the Buddhas magical power to repel the
Mongol forces that had invaded and devastated their country in
the 13th century. The Tripitaka Koreana is often compared with
other Tripitaka editions produced by the Song, Yuan and Ming
Dynasties in China, and has been highly praised for its richer
and more complete content. The process of manufacturing the
woodblocks played an important role in the development of
printing and publication techniques in Korea.
Tripitaka Koreana
Woodblocks
A total of over 80,000
woodblocks carved
with the entire canon
of Buddhist scriptures
available to Goryeo in
the 13th century
Human Rights Documentary

Heritage 1980: Archives of the May 18th
Democratic Uprising in Gwangju
The May 18th Gwangju Uprising was
a popular rebellion that took place in
the city of Gwangju from May 18 to 27
1980, during which Gwangjus citizens
made a strong plea for democracy in
Korea and actively opposed the then
military dictatorship. The pro-democracy
77
struggle in Gwangju ended tragically but exerted a powerful

influence on similar democratic movements that spread across
East Asia in the 1980s. This UNESCO inscription consists of the
documents, videos, photographs and other forms of records
made about the activities of Gwangjus citizens during the
movement, and the subsequent process of compensation for the
victims, as collected by The May 18 Memorial Foundation, the
National Archives and Records Service, the National Assembly
Library, and various organizations in the USA.
Representative List of the Intangible
Jongmyo Jeryeak
(Royal Ancestral Rite
and Ritual Music at
Jongmyo Shrine)
The Royal Ancestral
Memorial Rite held
seasonally at the
Jongmyo Shrine involves
the performance of the
civil and military dances
Munmu and Mumu.
78
Cultural Heritage of Humanity

Royal Ancestral Rite and Ritual Music
The Royal Ancestral Rite (Jongmyo Jerye) now held on the first
Sunday of May to honor the deceased Joseon Kings and their
Queen Consorts at the Jongmyo Shrine in Seoul remained one
of the most important state ceremonies after the establishment
of Joseon as a Confucian state in 1392. Designed to maintain

the social order and promote solidarity, the ritual consists of
performances of ceremonial orchestral music and dances praising
the civil and military achievements of the Royal ancestors
of Joseon. This age-old Confucian ritual combining splendid
performances of music and dance is widely admired not only for
the preservation of original features formed over 500 years ago,
but also for its unique syncretic or composite art form.
Pansori
Pansori is a genre of musical storytelling performed by a vocalist
and a single drummer in which he or she combines singing (sori)
with gestures (ballim) and narrative (aniri) to present an epic
drama conceived from popular folk tales and well known historic
events. The art form was established during the 18th century and
has generated enthusiastic performers and audiences ever since.
Gangneung Danoje Festival
This summer festival held in and around Gangneung, Gangwondo, for about 30 days from the fifth day of the fifth lunar month
to Dano Day on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, is one of
Koreas oldest folk festivals and has been preserved more or less
in its original form since its emergence many centuries ago. The
festival starts with the traditional ritual of honoring the mountain
god of Daegwallyeong and continues with a great variety of folk
games, events and rituals during which prayers are offered for a
good harvest, the peace and prosperity of villages and individual
homes, and communal unity and solidarity.
The first event of the Danoje Festival is related to the
79
Gangneung Danoje
Festival
A masked couple dancing
at the Gwanno Mask
Dance during the Dano
festival, which is held to
celebrate the change of
the seasons from spring
to summer.
preparation of divine drinks (sinju) to be offered to gods and

goddesses, thus linking the human world with the divine world.
This is followed by a variety of festive events such as the Gwanno
Mask Dance, a non-verbal performance by masked players, swing
riding, ssireum (Korean wrestling), street performances by farmers
bands, changpo (iris) hair washing, and surichwi rice cake eating.
Of these, the changpo hair washing event is particularly widely
practiced by women who believe that the extract of changpo will
give them glossier hair and repel the evil spirits that are thought
to bear diseases.
Ganggangsullae
This traditional event combining a circle dance with singing and
folk games was performed by women around the coastal areas of
Jeollanam-do during traditional holidays such as Chuseok (Harvest
Moon Festival/Thanksgiving) and the Daeboreum (the first full
moon of the New Year on the lunar calendar) in particular.
80
While today only the dance part is selected to be performed by

professional dancers, the original performance included several
different folk games such as Namsaengi n ori (Namsadang
vagabond clowns play), deokseok malgi (straw mat rolling) and
gosari kkeokgi (bracken shoot picking). The performers sing the
Song of Ganggangsullae as they dance, and the singing is done
alternately by the lead singer and the rest with the tempo of the
song and dance movements becoming faster and faster towards
the end.
Namsadang Nori
Namsadang n ori, generally performed by an itinerant troupe
of male performers, consisted of several distinct parts including
pungmul n ori (music and dance), jultagi (tightrope walking),
daejeop dolligi (plate spinning), gamyeongeuk (mask theater)
and kkokdugaksi noreum (puppet theater). The performers also
played instruments while they danced, such as the barrel buk
(drum), janggu (hourglass-shaped drum), kkwaenggari (small
metal gong), jing (large metal gong), and two wind instruments
called nabal and taepyeongso.
Yeongsanjae
Yeongsanjae, literally meaning Rites of Vulture Peak, is a
Buddhist ritual performed on the 49th day after a persons death
to comfort his or her spirit, and guide it to the Buddhist land of
bliss. The ritual, known to have been performed since the Goryeo
Period (918-1392), consists of solemn Buddhist music and dance,
a sermon on the Buddhas teachings, and a prayer recitation.
While it is an essential part of the Korean Buddhist tradition
81
82
conducted to guide both the living and the dead to the realm of
Buddhist truths and to help them liberate themselves from all
defilement and suffering, it was sometimes performed for the
peace and prosperity of both the state and the people.
Jeju Chilmeoridang Yeongdeunggut
This age-old shamanic ritual was at one time performed in almost
all the towns and villages in Jejudo, with worshippers praying for a
good catch and the safety of fishermen working at sea. According
to the traditional folk belief of Jejudo islanders the second lunar
month is the month of Yeongdeung, during which Grandma
Yeongdeung, a wind deity, visits all the villages, farming fields
and homes across Jeju, bearing tidings about the harvest in the
oncoming autumn.
Taekkyeon
One of the surviving traditional martial arts developed in Korea,
Taekkyeon, which is quite different from Taekwondo, used to
be known by several different names such as Gakhui (sport
of legs) and Bigaksul (art of flying legs), although such
names suggest that it is related with the movement of kicking.
Like most other martial arts in which weapons are not used,
Taekkyeon is aimed at improving ones self-defence techniques
and promoting physical and mental health through the practice
of orchestrated dance-like bodily movements, using the feet
and legs in particular. Contestants are encouraged to focus more
on defence than on offense, and to throw the opponent to the
ground using their hands and feet or jump up and kick him in
the face to win a match.
2
3
1
4
1. Falconry
It was once a serious
activity conducted to gain
food but now an outdoor
sport seeking a unity with
nature
2. Namsadang Nori
Performance presented
by a traveling troupe of
about 40 performers led
by a percussionist called
Kkokdusoe
3. Yeongsanjae
A Buddhist memorial
ritual performed on the
49th day after ones death
to guide the spirit to the
pure land of bliss
4. Pansori
Performance of a solo
artist assisted by a
drummer where singing is
combined with dramatic
narratives and gestures to
present a long, epic story
(National Center for
Korean Traditional
Performing Arts)
83
Jultagi
In the traditional Korean art of jultagi (tightrope walking), a
tightrope walker performs a variety of acrobatic movements,
as well as singing and comic storytelling, as he walks along a
tightrope. He is generally assisted by an eorit gwangdae (clown)
on the ground who responds to his words and movements with
witty remarks and comic actions intended to elicit an amused
response from the spectators. Tightrope walking was formally
performed at the Royal Court to celebrate special occasions such
as the (Lunar) New Years Day or to entertain special guests
such as foreign envoys. However the aspiration of Joseons rulers
towards a more austere lifestyle gradually pushed it toward
villages and markets, and it ultimately became an entertainment
for the common people. Whilst tightrope walking in other
countries tends to focus on the walking techniques alone, Korean
tightrope walkers are interested in songs and comedy as well as
acrobatic stunts, thereby involving the spectators more intimately
in the performance.
Falconry
Korea has a long tradition of keeping and training falcons and
1
2
other raptors to seize quarry, such as wild pheasants or hares.

Archaeological and historical evidence show that falconry on
1. Taekkyeon
A traditional Korean
martial art marked by
elegant yet powerful
physical movements
the Korean peninsula started several thousand years ago and
2. Jultagi
Performance of tightrope
walking combined with
singing, comedy and
acrobatic movements
south, and was conducted usually during the winter season
84
was widely practiced during the Goryeo Period (918-1392) in

particular. The sport was more popular in the north than in the
when farmers were free from farm work. Falconers would tie
a leather string around the ankle of their bird and an ID tag
85
and a bell to its tail. The Korean tradition was inscribed on

the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of
Humanity in 2010 along with those preserved in eleven other
countries around the world including the Czech Republic, France,
Mongolia, Spain, and Syria.
Arirang
The most widely loved
of all Korean folk songs,
Arirang features the refrain
Arirang, Arirang, Arariyo.
Arirang
Arirang is the name of a folk song sung by Korean people since
olden times. There are many variations of the song, although
the lyrics of their refrains have the words arirang or arari in
common. The song was sung for many different purposes such as to
reduce feelings of boredom during work, confess ones true feelings
to ones beloved, pray to the divine being for a happy and peaceful
life, and to entertain people gathered together for a celebration.
One element that has helped Arirang remain in the hearts of
Korean people for so many years is its form, which is designed to
allow any singer to easily add their own words to express their
feelings. The importance of Arirang in the daily life of the Korean
people is succinctly described in an essay, Korean Vocal Music,
written in 1896 by Homer B. Hulbert (1863-1949), an American
missionary and ardent supporter of Korean independence:
The first and most conspicuous of this class is that popular
ditty of seven hundred and eighty-two verses, more or less, which
goes under the euphonious title of A-ri-rang. To the average
Korean this one song holds the same place in music that rice does
in his foodall else is mere appendage. You hear it everywhere
and at all times.
The verses which are sung in connection with this chorus
range through the whole field of legend, folklore, lullabies, drinking
86
87
songs, domestic life, travel and love. To the Korean they are lyric,
didactic and epic all rolled into one. They are at once Mother
Goose and Byron, Uncle Remus and Wordsworth.
Kimjang: Making and Sharing Kimchi in Korea
Kimjang is the activity of making kimchi that is conducted all
over Korea during late autumn as part of the preparations to
secure fresh, healthy food for the winter season. Now gaining a
worldwide reputation as a representative Korean food, kimchi
has always been one of the key side dishes required to complete
the everyday meals eaten by Korean people since olden times.
That is why Kimjang has long been an annual event of paramount
importance for entire families and communities across Korea.
The preparations for making kimchi for the winter season
follow a yearly cycle. In spring, households procure a selection
88
of seafood including shrimps and anchovies in particular, which

they salt and leave to ferment until they are ready for use in the
Kimjang season. They then obtain fine-quality sun-dried sea salt
in summer and prepare red chili powder and the main ingredients,
kimchi cabbage and Korean white radish, in autumn. Then, with
winter approaching, members of families and communities alike
gather together on a mutually agreed date to make kimchi in
sufficient quantities to sustain families with fresh food through
the long, harsh winter.
While Korea is now a modern, industrialized nation, the ageold tradition of making kimchi is still maintained as a collective
cultural activity contributing to a shared sense of social identity
and solidarity among todays Korean people. The tradition was
registered by UNESCO on its Representative List of the Intangible
Cultural Heritage of Humanity on December 5, 2013.
89
World Heritage Sites

1

Seokguram Grotto and Bulguksa Temple

Archetypes of Buddhist architecture
developed in Silla.
Location Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
Website www.sukgulam.org
2 Janggyeongpanjeon Depositories of
Haeinsa Temple, Hapcheon
The oldest buildings at Haeinsa Temple,
storing over 80,000 woodblocks of the
Tripitaka Koreana.
Location Hapcheon-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do
Website www.haeinsa.or.kr
3 Jongmyo Shrine
A Confucian shrine storing the memorial
tablets of Joseons Kings and their Queen
Consorts.
Location Jongno-gu, Seoul
Website jm.cha.go.kr
4 Changdeokgung Palace
The official Royal Palace of the Joseon
Dynasty for 258 years from 1610 to 1868.
Location Jongno-gu, Seoul
Website www.cdg.go.kr
5 Hwaseong Fortress
An architectural masterpiece of Joseon
fortifications combining beauty and
practicality.
Location Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do
Website www.swcf.or.kr
6 Gyeongju Historic Areas
The well preserved remains of Gyeongju,
the capital of Silla for one millennium.
Location Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
Website guide.gyeongju.go.kr
7 Gochang, Hwasun and Ganghwa
Dolmen Sites
Countless lithic monuments dating from
prehistoric Korea.
Location Gochang-gun of Jeollabuk-do,

Hwasun-gun of Jeollanam-do,

and Ganghwa-gun of Incheon
8 Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes
Volcanic cones and lava tubes formed by
eruptions of Mount Hallasan, the highest
mountain in South Korea
Location Hallasan Mountain, Geomunoreum,

and Ilchulbong of Seongsan,

Jejudo Island
Website jejuwnh.jeju.go.kr
9 Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty
Fifty-three Royal Tombs of the Joseon
Dynasty preserved in their original condition.
Location Seocho-gu of Seoul, and Guri-si

and Yeoju-si in Gyeongggi-do
90
10 Historic Villages of Korea: Hahoe

and Yangdong
Villages formed by aristocratic families of
Joseon based on Confucian ideology.
Location Andong-si and Gyeongju-si,

Gyeongsangbuk-do
11 Namhansanseong
A Mountain fortress that served as
a temporary capital during the Joseon
Dynasty, showing how the techniques for
building a fortress developed during
the 7th -19th centuries
Location Gwangju-si, Gyeonggi-do
Memory of the World

12

Hunminjeongeum (The Proper Sounds

for the Instruction of the People)
A single-volume xylographic book printed in
1446, containing commentaries on
the Korean writing system.
13

Joseon Wangjo Sillok: Annals of

the Joseon Dynasty
A huge collection of the annals of the Joseon
dynasty from 1392 to 1863, bound in 1,893
volumes in 888 books.
Website sillok.history.go.kr
14

Baegun Hwasang Chorok Buljo Jikji

Simche Yojeol (vol. II), the second volume
of an Anthology of Great Buddhist Priests'
Zen Teachings
An advanced-level textbook published for
monk-scholars in medieval Korea.
Website www.jikjiworld.ne
15

Seungjeongwon Ilgi:
Diaries of the Royal Secretariat
Daily records of Joseons rulers, containing
a wealth of historical information.
Website kyu.snu.ac.kr
16

Uigwe: Royal Protocols of the

Joseon Dynasty
Rare and exquisite collections of illustrated
records on important state and royal
occasions of the Joseon Dynasty.
Website kyujanggak.snu.ac.kr
17

Printing Woodblocks of the Tripitaka Koreana

and Miscellaneous Buddhist Scriptures
A superb collection of the Buddhist canon
of scriptures carved on 80,000 woodblocks,
providing valuable information on the
politics, culture and philosophy of Goryeo
in the 13th century.
Website www.haeinsa.or.kr
18

Dongui Bogam: Principles and Practice of

Eastern Medicine
An encyclopedic work on medicine
developed in East Asia since ancient times.
10
13
14
15
19
26
30
31
19

Ilseongnok: Daily Records of the Royal

Court and Important Officials
Diaries kept by Joseon rulers between 1752
and 1910, containing records of state affairs
and the daily activities of Joseons Kings.
20

Human Rights Documentary Heritage 1980

Archives for the May 18th Democratic
Uprising against Military Regime, in Gwangju
A vast collection of documents, videos,
photographs, etc. on the democratic
movements that spread in and around
Gwangju in May 1980.
21 Nanjung Ilgi: War Diary of Admiral Yi Sun-sin

A collection of private journals kept by
Admiral Yi Sun-sin, recording his daily
activities and battle situations during the
Imjin Waeran (Japanese Invasion, 1592 1598).
22 The Archives of Saemaeul Undong
A collection of historical records on
the Saemaeul Undong (New Community
Movement), an exemplary movement that
led to the successful development of
farming communities and the eradication
of poverty in the 1970s
Intangible Cultural
Heritage of Humanity
32
23 The Royal Ancestral Rituals and Music at

the Jongmyo Shrine
A traditional performance of music, song
and dance presented during the memorial
rite held at the Royal Ancestral Shrine
24 Pansori
The traditional art of the dramatic
song performed by a solo performer to the
accompaniment of a single drummer,
presenting an epic story by combining
singing, narratives and gestures.
36
25 Gangneung Danoje Festival

A time-honored summer festival held on
the 5th day of the 5th lunar month.
26 Ganggangsullae
A traditional folk entertainment with singing
and dancing performed by women to
celebrate moon festivals.
38
27

Namsadang Nori
Folk performances traditionally presented
to rural communities by an itinerant troupe
of about forty performers (Namsadang) led
by the chief musician (Kkokdusoe).
28 Yeongsanjae
A Buddhist ritual performed to comfort and
guide the spirits of the dead to the Buddhist
land of bliss.
29

Jeju Chilmeoridang Yeongdeunggut

A traditional shamanic ritual practiced at
Chilmeoridang, a shrine for the village
tutelary of Geonip-dong, Jeju-si.
30 Cheoyongmu
A Court dance performed by five dancers
wearing Cheoyong masks and costumes in
five cardinal colors.
31

Gagok, Lyric Song Cycles Accompanied by

an Orchestra
Traditional vocal music performed
by putting a poem to a melody with an
accompaniment of orchestral music.
32 Daemokjang, Traditional Wooden

Architecture
The art of building traditional works of
architecture designed and supervised by a
master builder.
33 Falconry
The traditional art of keeping falcons and
training them to hunt for quarry.
34 Jultagi
A traditional folk entertainment in which
a tightrope walker performs acrobatic
movements and tells comic stories as he
walks along the rope.
35 Taekkyeon
A traditional Korean martial art practiced
for self-defence purposes and known to be
beneficial to ones physical and mental health.
36 Weaving of Mosi (fine ramie) in the
Hansan Region
The tradition of weaving ramie, a fine-quality
fabric used for the production of summer
clothing, preserved in Hansan.
37 Arirang
A folk song with many variations cherished
by the Korean people throughout history.
38 Kimjang, Making and Sharing Kimchi
in Korea
The cultural tradition of preparing for and
making kimchi to be eaten during the winter
season, typically with the participation of an
entire family or community
For further information on

Koreas cultural heritage,
please visit www.cha.go.kr.
91
Performance of Yeomillak
(Joy of the People),
court music composed
during the reign of
King Sejong in the 15th
century.
Traditional Arts
Gugak
The term gugak, which literally means national music, refers to
traditional Korean music and other related art forms including
songs, dances and ceremonial movements. The history of music
in Korea should be as long as Korean history itself, but it was only
in the early 15th century, during the reign of King Sejong of the
Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), that Korean music became a subject
of serious study and was developed into a system, resulting in the
creation of the oldest mensural notation system, called jeongganbo,
in Asia. King Sejongs efforts to reform the court music led not
only to the creation of Koreas own notation system but also to
the composition of a special ritual music to be performed during
92
the Royal Ancestral Rite at the Jongmyo Shrineinscribed on

UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of
Humanity in 2001and Yeomillak, or Joy of the People. The term
gugak was first used by the Jangagwon, a government agency of
late Joseon responsible for music, to distinguish traditional Korean
music from foreign music.
Traditional Korean music is typically classified into several
types: the legitimate music (called jeongak or jeongga) enjoyed
by the royalty and aristocracy of Joseon; folk music including
pansori, sanjo and japga; jeongjae (court music and dance)
performed for the King at celebratory state events; music and
dance connected with shamanic and Buddhist traditions such
as salpuri, seungmu, and beompae; and poetic songs beloved of
93
the literati elite such as gagok and sijo. Of the numerous folk
songs, Ariranginscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the
Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2012is particularly
cherished by the common people as there are many variations
with special lyrics and melodies devised to touch their hearts.
The Korean people have also developed a wide range of
musical instruments. These traditional musical instruments are
generally divided into three categories: wind instruments such as
the piri, daegeum, danso and taepyeongso; stringed instruments
such as the gayageum, geomungo, haegeum, ajaeng and bipa;
and percussion instruments such as the buk, janggu, pyeonjong,
Buchaechum
(Fan Dance)
A traditional form of
Korean dance usually
performed by groups of
female dancers holding
fans with floral designs
on them.
94
pyeongyeong, kkwaenggwari and jing.

Folk Dance
Korean people have inherited a great variety of folk dances such
as salpurichum (spiritual purification dance), gutchum (shamanic
ritual dance), taepyeongmu (dance of peace), hallyangchum (idlers

dance), buchaechum (fan dance), geommu (sword dance), and
seungmu (monks dance). Of these, talchum (mask dance) and
pungmul nori (play with musical instruments) are known for their
satirical targeting of the corrupt aristocracy of Joseon and their
close connection with rural communities, which had long been
the bedrock of Korean culture and tradition. Most performances
are presented in a marketplace or on the fields and involve
drumming, dancing, and singing.
Painting and Calligraphy
Painting has always been a major genre of Korean art since
ancient times. The art of ancient Korea is represented by the tomb
murals of Goguryeo (37 BCE 668) which contain valuable clues
Myeong-Seon
(Meditation with Tea)
by Kim Jeong-hui (penname: Chusa, 17861856)
to the beliefs of the early Korean people about

humanity and the universe as well as to their
artistic sensibilities and techniques. The artists of
Goryeo (918-1392) were interested in capturing
Buddhist icons and bequeathed some great
masterpieces, while the literati elite of Joseon was
more attracted to the symbolism of plants and
animals, such as the Four Noble Lords (Sagunja,
namely, the orchid, chrysanthemum, bamboo, and
plum tree) and the Ten Creatures of Longevity
(Sipjangsaeng), as well as idealized landscapes.
Korea in the 18th century saw the arrival of
two great artists, Kim Hong-do and Sin Yun-bok,
both of whom developed a passionate interest
in depicting the daily activities of ordinary
95
Ssireum (Korean Wrestling) by Kim Hong-do (1745-1806)

This genre painting by Kim Hong-do, one of the greatest painters of the late Joseon Period, vividly captures a scene of traditional
Korean wrestling where two competing wrestlers are surrounded by engrossed spectators.
96
people in their work. Kim Hong-do preferred depicting a

kaleidoscope of people in various situations and scenes of
everyday life, whereas Sin Yun-bok, for his part, devoted
his efforts to capturing erotic moments in works that were
surprisingly voyeuristic for the period.
Calligraphy, which developed in Korea under the influence
of China, is the art of handwriting in which the beauty of the
lines and forms of characters and the energy contained in
brush strokes and subtle shades of ink are appreciated. While
calligraphy is an independent genre of art, it has been closely
related with ink and wash painting since these forms use similar
techniques and the tools commonly called the four friends of
the study (i.e. paper, brush, ink stick and ink stone). Korea has
produced an abundance of master calligraphers of whom Kim
Jeong-hui (1786-1856) is particularly famous for developing his
own style, which is known as Chusache or Chusa Style (Chusa
was his pen name). His calligraphic works fascinated even the
Chinese masters of his time and are still widely admired for
their remarkably modern artistic beauty.
Pottery
Korean pottery, which nowadays attracts the highest praise
from international collectors, is typically divided into three
groups: Cheongja (blue-green celadon), Buncheong (slip-coated
stoneware), and Baekja (white porcelain). Celadon refers to Korean
stoneware which underwent major development in the hands of
Goryeo potters some 700 to 1,000 years ago. Celadon pottery is
marked by an attractive jade blue surface and the unique Korean
inlay technique used to decorate it. Gangjin of Jeollanam-do
97
Kiln Site in Gangjin,

Jeollanam-do
The remains of ancient kilns
can be seen in Gangjin,
which was one of the main
producers of celadon wares
during the Goryeo period.
and Buan of Jeollabuk-do were its two main producers during

the Goryeo Period (918-1392). White porcelain ware represents
the ceramic art of the Joseon Period (1392-1910). While some
of these porcelain wares display a milky white surface, many are
decorated with a great variety of designs painted in oxidized iron,
copper, or the priceless cobalt blue pigment imported from Persia
via China. The Royal Court of Joseon ran its own kilns in Gwangju,
Gyeonggi-do, producing products of the very highest quality. The
advanced techniques used in the production of white porcelain
wares were introduced to Japan by Joseon potters kidnapped
during the Imjin Waeran (Japanese Invasion of Korea, 1592-1598).
The third main group of Korean pottery, Buncheong, was
made by Goryeo potters after the fall of their Kingdom in 1392.
This type of pottery is characterized by its slip-coated surface
and delightfully simple decorative designs created using several
different techniques.
98
1
3
2
4
1. Celadon Melon-shaped Bottle (Goryeo, 12th century)

2. Celadon Jar with Peony Design (Goryeo, 12th century)
3. Buncheong Bottle with Lotus and Vine Design
4. White Porcelain Bottle with String Design in
Underglaze Iron (Joseon, 16th century)
(Source: National Museum of Korea)
99
Handicrafts
In the past Korean craftsmen and women developed a wide range
of techniques to produce the items they needed at home. They
made pieces of wooden furniture such as wardrobes, cabinets
and tables marked by a keen eye for balance and symmetry, and
wove beautiful baskets, boxes and mats with bamboo, wisteria or
lespedeza. They used Korean mulberry paper to make masks, dolls
and ceremonial ornaments, and decorated diverse household
objects with black and red lacquer harvested from nature.
Later they developed the art of using beautifully dyed oxhorn strips, and iridescent mother-of-pearl and abalone shell to
decorate furniture. Embroidery, decorative knot making (maedeup)
and natural dyeing were also important elements of traditional
Korean arts and crafts, which were widely exploited to make
attractive garments, household objects and personal fashion
ornaments.
Two-tier Chest
This exquisite wooden
chest used for storing
clothes is lavishly
decorated with a motherof-pearl inlay design.
(The National Folk Museum
of Korea)
100
1
2
3
4
1. Womens toiletry cases

2. Naturally dyed fabrics
3. Embroidered accessories
4. Korean mulberry paper dolls
101

A term now widely used to refer to the popularity of Korean
entertainment and culture across Asia and other parts of the
world, Hallyu or the Korean Wave first appeared during the
mid-1990s after Korea entered into diplomatic relations with
China in 1992 and Korean TV dramas and pop music gained great
popularity in Chinese-speaking communities. When one of the
first successful TV dramas, What Is Love?, was aired by CCTV in
1997, it had an audience rating of 4.2%, meaning that over 150
million Chinese viewers watched it.
Korean pop music, especially dance music, began to gain
popularity among Chinese teenagers after it was introduced
in earnest in 1997 by a radio program called Seoul Music
Room broadcast from Beijing. The decisive moment in igniting
Korean pop culture fever in China was the concert of Korean
boy band H.O.T., held at the Beijing Workers' Gymnasium in
February 2000. Korean news reports used the term Hallyu, or
the Korean Wave, in describing this concert. The Korean Wave,
acknowledged in an article published by Beijing Youth Daily
as early as November 1999, began to finally be recognized by
Gangnam Style by Psy
The Psys Gangnam
Style took the world
by storm with the horse
riding dance. It became
the first K-Pop title to
break into and top the UK
Official Singles Chart Top
40 in 2012. The song also
spent seven weeks at the
#2 spot on the Billboard
Hot 100 chart. The photo
shows Psy performing for
his Korean fans gathered
at the Seoul City Hall
Plaza the same year.
102
Koreans themselves from this point.

The Korean Wave landed in Japan in 2003 when the KBS TV
drama series Winter Sonata was aired via NHK. The drama became
an instant mega hit, making its male hero, Yon Sama, a household
name, compelling his enthusiastic Japanese fans to visit various
film locations, including Namiseom Island, in Korea.
The Korean Wave craze has expanded to Korean traditional
culture, food, literature and language, creating more and more
enthusiasts. According to the latest figures, there were 987
103
104
hallyu-related organizations as of July 2013 with a combined

membership of 9 million people.
A great majority of these organizations are K-Pop fan clubs,
but lately new groups of people whose interests are more diverse
have begun to emerge.
K-Pop
One area that is growing more rapidly than any other is 21st
century K-Pop, or Korean pop music, which spans dance-pop,
pop ballads, techno, rock, hip-hop, R&B, and so on. First gaining
popularity in East Asia, K-Pop entered the Japanese music market
towards the turn of the 21st century, and grew from a musical
genre into a subculture among teenagers and young adults of
East and Southeast Asia. Currently, the spread of K-Pop to other
regions of the world, via the Korean Wave, is seen in parts of Latin
America, Northeast India, North Africa, the Middle East, Eastern
Europe and immigrant enclaves of the Western world.
The rise of K-Pop on the global stage is probably best
represented by Psys Gangnam Style, which swept the world
as soon as it was released in late 2012. The song was the first
K-Pop title reach No. 1 on the British Official Singles Chart, took
2nd place on Billboards Hot 100 in the US, and also topped the
charts in more than 30 countries, including France, Germany,
Italy, Spain, Russia, Canada, and Australia. The YouTube video of
the song has been watched by more people than any other, with
over 2 billion so far.
The worldwide success of Gangnam Style was preceded
by a surge of K-Pop idol groups, such as TVXQ, Super Junior, Big
Bang, 2NE1, Beast, Girls Generation, 2PM and Wonder Girls, who
1
2
Two leading K-Pop idol

groups: Big Bang (above)
and 2NE1 (below)
105
K-Pop fans in Spain
dominated pop music markets across Asia. TVXQ had a total of

65 tour concerts in Japan from 2006 to 2012, bringing together
about 700,000 fans and selling over 6.3 million albums, while in
late 2009 Wonder Girls became the first Korean group to enter
the US Billboard Hot 100 chart with the song Nobody.
The popularity of K-Pop singers is largely based on their
excellent vocal abilities, dazzling stage presence and wellchoreographed, impeccable dance performances among other
things. While they may look comfortable and charismatic on
stage, their performance is the result of many years of hard work
rather than any inborn talent.
More recently, K-Pop idol groups have tended to be more
interested in joint performances with other performers contracted
with the same agency. One of the most successful events
of this kind took place in June 2011 when the artists of SM
Entertainment staged a joint concert at Le Zenith de Paris in the
French capital, attracting over 7,000 fans. The event is regarded as
106
an important momentum for K-Pop artists to be received more

seriously by the European music market.
The year 2011 saw similar events held in several different
cities around the world, starting with a K-Pop Festival that
attracted over 45,000 fans to the Tokyo Dome in July. JYJ
had concerts in Spain and Germany, and the artists of CUBE
Entertainment performed in Britain and Brazil. In October, Girls
Generation held a special concert at Madison Square Garden
in New York whose success was covered on the front page of
New York Daily News with a large photo of a concert scene and
the rather sensational headline, Attack of the K-Pop Stars. In
February the following year, another major K-Pop festival was
held at the Palais Omnisports Bercy Stadium in Paris with over
10,000 fans coming from across Europe to fill the entire stadium.
TV Dramas
The great overseas success of What Is Love? (MBC) and Winter
Sonata (KBS) in China and Japan played an important role in
boosting the craze for Korean TV dramas across Asia and beyond.
These hits were followed by Dae Jang Geum (MBC), an epic TV
series about an orphaned kitchen cook who went on to become
the King's first female physician. Originally aired between 2003
and 2004, the drama became one of the highest-rated TV dramas
in Korea before being exported to 87 countries around the world
including the Islamic states like Iran where it received as much
as 80% of the viewersto fascinate viewers with its portrayal of
traditional Korean culture such as Korean Royal Court cuisine and
traditional costumes and medicinal knowledge.
The remarkable success story of Korean TV dramas continued
107
K-Dramas that have

charmed overseas viewers:
Big Thing (left) and
Love Rain (right)
in the 2010s with Big Thing (SBS, 2010), Giant (SBS, 2010), Secret
Garden (SBS, 2011), Love Rain (KBS, 2012) and That Winter, The
Wind Blows (SBS, 2013). Of these, Love Rain was exported to
Japan for KRW 9 billion and That Winter, the Wind Blows to some
local broadcasters in North America as well as ten Asian countries
including China and Japan.
Movies
The worldwide popularity of Korean pop culture resulted in the
reemergence of hallyu (Korean Wave) movie stars such as Bae
Yong-joon (better known as Yon Sama in Japan), Jang Donggun, Lee Seo-jin, Kwon Sang-woo, Won Bin, Jang Keun-suk, Lee
Byung-hun, Rain, Jun Ji-hyun and Bae Doona. Of these, the last
four have appeared as main characters in Hollywood movies.
The outstanding international reputation that certain K-movie
directors and stars enjoy today is in part due to the international
film festivals held in Korea including the Busan International Film
108
Festival (BIFF), the Jeonju International Film Festival (JIFF) and the
Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival (PiFan).
International film communities have recently begun to show
a keen interest in Korean films and film directors. The Korean
directors who have attracted the attention of Western critics
include Im Kwon-taek, Lee Chang-dong, Park Chan-wook, Hong
Sang-soo, Kim Ki-duk, Kim Jee-woon, Im Sang-soo and Bong
Film Festivals in Korea
Busan International Film

Festival (October 2-11, 2014)
Quickly becoming a top Asian
film festival after its launch in
1996, the BIFF provides the
Asian movie community with
an opportunity to present,
watch, discuss and trade
new films, documentaries,
commercials, and independent
films, both digital and
analogue, amid worldwide
media coverage.
www.biff.kr
Puchon International
Fantastic Film Festival
(July 17-27, 2014)
Held every July in Bucheon,
Gyeonggi-do since 1997, PiFan
presents Korean movie lovers
with horror films, thrillers,
mystery and fantasy movies
produced in Korea and other
Asian countries.
www.pifan.com
Jeonju International Film

Festival (May 1-10, 2014)
Launched in 2000 and held
annually in Jeonju, the home of
traditional Korean culture, the
JIFF focuses upon films that
are marked by their artistic
creativity whilst challenging
existing conventions.
www.jiff.or.kr
109
Kim Ki-duk, Film Director

Flanked by Lee Jung-jin
and Jo Min-su (right) who
acted in his film, Kim
became the first Korean
film director to win the
Golden Lion at the 69th
Venice International Film
Festival with Piet.
Joon-ho, all of whom have produced masterpieces as if to reward

their support and the expectations surrounding them, such as
Strokes of Fire (2002) by Im Kwon-taek, Secret Sunshine by Lee
Chang-dong (2007), Thirst (2009) by Park Chan-wook and The
Taste of Money (2012) by Im Sang-soo.
For Kim Ki-duk, a memorable moment came in September
2012 when he became the first Korean director to win the Golden
Lion at the 69th Venice International Film Festival with Piet.
He made his debut as a director in 1996, just three years after
suspending his art studies for which he stayed in Paris from 1990
to 1993, and began to pour out such works as Birdcage Inn (1998),
The Isle (2000), and 3-Iron (2004), causing controversy among
film critics and audiences alike.
Alongside him, Park Chan-wook, Kim Jee-woon and Bong
Joon-ho who have all been successful both commercially and
critically and have been invited to Hollywood to make films for
the wider film going public. In 2012, The Thieves, a film by Choi
Dong-hoon, was invited to compete at the Contemporary World
110
Cinema Program of the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival.

The increased interest in Korean films among Korean
filmgoers has recently produced some mega box-office hits. The
Thieves, for instance, attracted 12.98 million viewers in Korea
alone, and was sold to eight Asian countries including Singapore,
Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia. Several other films also
attracted more than ten million viewers including Masquerade
(2012), Silmido (2003), Taegukgi (2004), The King and the Clown
(2005), The Host (2006) and Haeundae (2009). Meanwhile,
the Guanajuato International Film Festival designated Korea
as the guest of honor in July 2011, and showed a total of 76
Korean films including Whispering Corridors and Bedeviled
under programs focused on Korean Horror Films and two film
directors, Bong Joon-ho and Kim Dong-won.
Music
The Korean classical music community has continued to produce
artists of the highest international standard in both vocal and
instrumental music. For instance, five young Korean artists won
five prizes in the disciplines of piano, solo vocal and violin at the
International Tchaikovsky Competition held in 2011, one of the
top three international music competitions.
Korea has continued to produce distinguished vocalists
of whom Sumi Jo (soprano), Hong Hei-kyung (soprano), Shin
Youngok (soprano), Kwangchul Youn (bass) and Samuel Yun (bass
baritone) are eagerly sought after by classical music lovers in
many parts of the world. Regarding instrumental music, Yeol Eum
Son (piano), Dong-hyek Lim (piano), Sarah Chang (violin) and Zia
Hyunsu Shin (violin) regularly perform for their fans - mostly in
111
Korea, the USA, and various European countries. Lee Hee-ah, a

four-fingered pianist, is also a widely acclaimed pianist not only
for her great performances but also for her heroic fight against a
challenging physical condition.
They were preceded by Koreas first generation of classical
musicians, including two pianists, Han Tong-il and Kun-woo Paik,
who fascinated international audiences between the 1950s and
the 1970s and who still play to many enthusiastic fans. Myungwhun Chung, the current maestro of the Seoul Philharmonic
Orchestra, started his career in the world of classical music as a
pianist, regularly playing as a member of the Chung Trio with his
two sisters, Chung Kyung-wha, who won worldwide recognition
as a violinist, and Chung Myung-wha, who plays cello. Later he
turned to conductorship and has conducted some of the worlds
most prestigious orchestras including the Berlin Philharmonic,
London Philharmonic, and Paris Orchestra, before going on to
serve as music director and resident conductor of the Opra de la
Bastille in Paris.
Maestro Chung Myungwhun served as music

director and resident
conductor of the Opra
de la Bastille in Paris.
He received the Una Vita
Nella Musica award from
the Teatro La Fenice in
Venice in July 2013.
112
Musical Theater
Korean theater goers have recently begun to pay more attention
to musical comedies presented on theater stages. The increased
demand for good-quality musicals has resulted in the performance
of world-famous musicals such as Jekyll & Hyde, Chicago and
Cats either by the original or Korean teams, and the production
of new musicals written and directed by Korean talents. Some of
these Korean productions have been invited to perform in Japan
and Southeast Asia. Koreas thriving musical theater scene has
resulted in the creation of a group of stars such as Choi Jung-won,
Nam Kyung-joo and Jo Seung-woo, whose reputation has grown
with stage musicals, and Yoon Bok-hee, Insooni and Ock Joo-hyun
who have become great musical actresses based on their success
on the K-Pop stage.
Modern Dance and Ballet
The launch of the National Dance Company of Korea in 1962
provided the momentum for a surge of interest in modern
Kim Ki-min and Olesya

Novikova performing
in Swan Lake by the
Mariinsky Ballet and
Orchestra. Kim is the first
Asian dancer to join the
Mariinsky Ballet.
113
dance in Korea. The changed environment eventually led to the

birth of a great dancer, Sin Cha Hong (or Hong Sin-ja, born in
1943), who is now credited as Korea's first avant-garde dancer
and premier performance artist. She learned dance from Alwin
Nikolais in the United States and worked there until 1990, and
then returned to Korea to involve herself in various activities
related with modern dance.
Korea in the 1980s saw the foundation of two ballet
companies, Universal Ballet (1984) and Seoul Ballet (1986), which
are still actively producing classical ballet performances in Korea
Gwangju Biennale
Emerged as a major
installation art show
in Asia, the Gwangju
Biennale has played a key
role in linking the city of
Gwangju with the rest
of Korea and the world
via contemporary art
since the establishment
in 1995 as the first of its
kind in Asia.
and abroad. The increased popularity of ballet resulted in the

arrival of distinguished ballet dancers including Kang Sue-jin, who
became the first Asian to be a member of the Stuttgart Ballet in
1986, where she is now a principal dancer. Other successful ballet
dancers include Seo Hee who joined the ABT Studio Company in
2004 and became a principal dancer at the ABT in 2012, and Kim
Ki-min who became the first Asian ballerina to join and become
First Soloist at the Mariinsky Ballet in 2012.
Modern Art
The first generation of Korean modern artists
represented by Nam June Paik (1932-2006), who
is considered to be the founder of video art, was
followed by a new generation of distinguished
artists such as Chang Ree-seok, Chang Doo-kun,
Paek Young-su, Chun Kyung Ja, Tchang-Yeul Kim
and Suh Se-ok. More recently, the Korean art world
is represented by a group of painters and sculptors
such as Chun Kwang Young, Park Seo-bo, Lee Jong-
114
sang, Song Soo-nam, Lee Doo-shik, Lee Wal-jong, Youn Myeungro, Lee Il, Kang Ik-joong, Lim Ok-sang, Kim Young-won and Choi
Jong-tae, all of whom have gained international fans.
Koreas rapid economic growth in the 1970s resulted in the
establishment of numerous public and private art institutions of
which about 60 are located in downtown Seoul, Insa-dong and
Samcheong-dong in particular, such as Gana Art Space, Seoul Art
Center Gongpyeong Gallery and Kyung-in Museum of Fine Art.
More recently, Cheongdam-dong in Gangnam-gu south of the
Hangang River has emerged as a hub of Korean fine art. As for
international art events, the Gwangju Biennale launched in 1995
has grown to be a major contemporary art exhibition in Asia.
Modern Literature
The publication in English of Please Look After Mom, a novel by
Shin Kyung-sook, by Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group in the
United States in April 2011 was regarded as a sign of the Korean
Wave spreading to the international literary world. The book was
listed in Amazons top ten bestsellers as soon as it was released
The English edition of

Please Look After Mom by
Shin Kyung-sook (left),
and Ko Un (right), one of
the most widely admired
poets in todays Korea
on the American market, and

was promptly published in
about 30 countries in Asia
(including Japan) and Europe,
and in Australia. In June 2012,
the author held a successful
meeting in Ljubljana, the
capital of Slovenia, to mark
the publication of her work in
the Slovenian language. Then,
115
another work, Li Chin, was translated into French and published by

the French publishing company Philippe Picquier. Gong Ji-young
is another very successful Korean novelist of our time some of
whose works, Our Happy Hours (2005), My Joyful Home (2007)
and The Crucible (2009) were made into massive box-office hits
and translated into Japanese.
Korean contemporary poetry is represented by one big name,
Ko Un, who has routinely been mentioned as one of the front
runners for the Nobel Prize in Literature for quite a long time. He
has continued to write poems that touch his readers hearts since
his debut with Tuberculosis in 1958. He completed a massive
series of poems, Ten Thousand Lives, in 2010, and had anthologies
of his poems published in Germany and Turkey the following year.
For contemporary Korean novels, the last two decades have
offered novelists precious opportunities to find new readers
overseas. Korean novels translated into foreign languages during
the period include Secrets and Lies (Russian, 2009) by Eun
Heekyung, The Rainy Spell, Firewood, and Sailing Without a Mast
(Swedish, 2009) by Yun Heunggil, and A Distant and Beautiful Place
(Chinese and Turkish, 2010) and Contradictions (Bulgarian, 2010)
by Yang Gui-ja. The opening of the Korean Studies Department
in Sofia University, Bulgaria, in 1995 led to the interpretation of
a selection of Korean contemporary novels and short stories for
local readers including A Dwarf Launches a Little Ball by Cho Sehui and Our Twisted Hero by Yi Mun Yol.
The global craze for K-Pop has resulted in greater attention
being paid to Korean literary works and the Korean language,
particularly among young people. The King Sejong Institute,
an institution established in 2008 to support Korean language
116
education conducted across the globe increased the number of its

affiliated schools from 17 in 2008 to 113 in 2013.
Meanwhile, the 78th International PEN Congress took place
in Gyeongju, the capital of the ancient Silla Kingdom for one
thousand years, in September 2012. The gathering, held in Korea
for the third time after 1970 and 1988, attracted 700 men and
women of letters from 114 countries across the world, including
Nobel laureates such as Jean-Marie Gustave Le Clzio of France,
Akinwande Oluwole Wole Soyinka of Nigeria, and Ferit Orhan
Pamuk of Turkey.
Korean Cuisine and Culinary Customs
The Korean Wave now seems to be expanding to other cultural
areas such as food and culinary traditions. Restaurants serving
traditional Korean dishes began to open in the worlds leading
metropolises such as New York, London and Paris, attracting praise
even from the choosiest gourmets. Kimchi, Bulgogi, Bibimbap and
other dishes loved by Korean people through many generations
are now beginning to appear in homes around the world.
Chefs in some restaurants in the United States began to
combine traditional Korean dishes with Western traditions,
creating the Bibimbap Burger, Kimchi Hotdog and Gochujang
Steak for New Yorkers who are always ready to accept whatevers
new and exotic. Similarly, the number of Korean restaurants
increased to about 100 in Paris alone, with many customers
now being local French citizens, although in the past only
Korean expatriates and their Asian friends formed the majority
of customers. According to the latest research, the most popular
dishes served by the Korean restaurants in Paris are bibimbap and
117
bulgogi of which the former is particularly highly regarded for it

nutritional balance as well as its flavor and taste. In July 2012,
a special Korean style dinner was held at the Victoria and Albert
Museum in London to celebrate the London Olympic Games. The
300 or so guests were greatly impressed by the Korean dishes
served at the dinner.
118
National Museums in Korea
11 Jinju National Museum

Location: Jinju-si, Gyeongsangnam-do
Closed: Mondays & NYD
jinju.museum.go.kr
14
Gongju National Museum

12
Location: Gongju-si, Chungcheongnam-do
gongju.museum.go.kr
10
16
1 15
17
Naju National Museum

13
Location: Naju-si, Jeollanam-do
naju.museum.go.kr
18
12
5
19
2
6
4
11
Korea National Arboretum

14
Location: Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi-do
Closed: Sundays, Mondays, NYD,
Lunar NYD & Chuseok
www.kna.go.kr
15
National Palace Museum of Korea
Location: Jongno-gu, Seoul
Closed: Mondays
www.gogung.go.kr
20 13
16
The National Folk Museum of Korea
Closed: Tuesdays & NYD
www.nfm.go.kr
1 National Museum of Korea
6 Daegu National Museum
Location: Yongsan-gu, Seoul

www.museum.go.kr
Location: Suseong-gu, Daegu

daegu.museum.go.kr
2 Gyeongju National Museum
7 Cheongju National Museum
Location: Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

gyeongju.museum.go.kr
Location: Cheongju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do

cheongju.museum.go.kr
3 Gwangju National Museum
8 Gimhae National Museum
Location: Buk-gu, Gwangju

gwangju.museum.go.kr
Location: Gimhae-si, Gyeongsangnam-do

gimhae.museum.go.kr
4 Jeonju National Museum
9 Jeju National Museum
Location: Jeonju-si, Jeollabuk-do

jeonju.museum.go.kr
Location: Jeju-si, Jeju

jeju.museum.go.kr
5 Buyeo National Museum
10 Chuncheon National Museum
Location: Buyeo-gun, Chungcheongnam-do

buyeo.museum.go.kr
Location: Chuncheon-si, Gangwon-do

chuncheon.museum.go.kr
Location: Mokpo-si, Jeollanam-do

Closed: Mondays
www.seamuse.go.kr
National Museum of Korean

17

Contemporary History

www.much.go.kr
18
Postal Museum
Location: Cheonan-si, Chungcheongnam-do
Closed: Mondays, Public Holidays,
NYD, Lunar NYD & Chuseok
www.postmuseum.go.kr
The National Lighthouse Museum

19
Location: Pohang-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
Closed: Mondays, Lunar NYD & Chuseok
www.lighthouse-museum.or.kr
20
National Research Institute of
Maritime Cultural Heritage
119
Tourism

Streets of Youth
Hanok Villages
4
Tourism
Seoul, the capital of the Republic of Korea, is itself an important

Dancheong
Dancheong is a traditional
method of decorating
various palace and
temple buildings with
intricate patterns of the
five cardinal colors, blue
(symbolizing the east),
white (west), red (south),
black (north) and yellow
(center).
This type of painting also
serves to protect wooden
structures from the
elements.
part of Koreas cultural heritage and the most popular attraction

among overseas visitors to Korea. Although it is now one of the
very largest modern metropolises in the world, its downtown
area is enclosed by historic walls that were originally built over
600 years ago and contains a number of valuable historical
heritage including Royal Palaces, fortress gates, and old
residential districts.

Gyeongbokgung Palace
Located at the foot of Bugaksan, the main mountain
overlooking downtown Seoul, Gyeongbokgung was
1
the principal Royal Palace for about 200 years from its
construction in 1395, just three years after the foundation of
1. Gyeongbokgung Palace
The main Royal Palace of
Joseon located at the heart
of Seoul
2. Changdeokgung
Palace Garden
A view of the rear garden
of Changdeokgung Palace,
including Buyongjeong and
Juhamnu Pavilions, with
Buyongji Pond situated
between them
122
the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), until it was burnt down just

after the commencement of the Japanese invasion of Korea
in 1592. Thereafter it remained in ruins for 275 years until
1867 when it was restored; but, less than fifty years later, it
fell into the hands of Japanese colonialists who destroyed the
front part of the palace to build the Japanese GovernmentGeneral Building on the site. The latter building, a neo-classical
123
124
structure, continued to be used to house government offices

even after Korea was liberated in 1945 until it was demolished
in 1996 as part of an effort to remove the remaining vestiges
Geummamun Gate at the

Garden in Jongno, Seoul
(left)
of the colonial period. Some of the ruins of the building were

moved to the Independence Hall of Korea in Cheonan, Korea
for public display.
Under a major renovation project to restore the palace
starting in 1990, some of its buildings were restored and its
main gate, Gwanghwamun, was moved to its original location.
Today, the palace features some of the countrys most popular
tourist attractions, including the majestic architectural pieces,
Geunjeongjeon Hall and Gyeonghoeru Pavilion.
Changdeokgung Palace Garden
The rear garden of Changdeokgung Palace, one of the Royal
Palaces of Joseon (1392-1910) still standing in Seoul, has been
widely praised for the harmony between exquisite architectural
structures and its natural surroundings, and is now one of the
most popular tourist attractions in Seoul. The garden, known
as the secret garden (biwon), the forbidden (geumwon) or
rear garden (huwon), was a preferred venue for royal events
such as banquets and picnics. It features a pond and several
exquisite pavilions that were built around it over a long period
of time. The garden was open to the general public until the
mid-1970s, but this caused severe damage which led to its
closure for several years to restore it to its original condition.
Only a part of the garden was reopened to the public in May
2004, but at present visitors need to make reservations in
order to visit.
125
Deoksugung Palace
Unlike other Royal Palaces
of Joseon, Deoksugung
contains both Western
style stone buildings
and traditional wooden
structures.
Deoksugung Palace
To most Korean people today Deoksugung Palace is largely
1
connected with the desperate struggle of the Joseon Dynasty
to survive amid the incursions of the major imperial powers at
1. Sungnyemun Gate
2. Heunginjimun Gate
Seoul, the capital of the
Joseon Dynasty, was
protected by a long stone
wall with eight gates, two
of which, Sungnyemun
(Namdaemun or South
Gate) and Heunginjimun
(Dongdaemun or East
Gate), can still be
seen today. The first,
literally Gate of Exalted
Ceremonies, is famous for
being the Korean National
Treasure No. 1, while the
second, Heunginjimun, is
the only one of the eight
fortress gates protected
by a semicircular gateguard wall.
126
the turn of the 19th century. It was in 1897 that King Gojong
proclaimed the launch of the Korean Empire and designated
Deoksugung as the imperial palace after leaving the Russian
legation where he had taken refuge one year earlier in a
desperate attempt to keep his government free from the
interference of Imperial Japan.
With the proclamation of the Korean Empire the palace
began to draw attention from foreign diplomats working in the
legations of the United States, Russia, Great Britain and France
located around it.
Today, the clearest reminder of Deoksugungs short-lived
glory as the only imperial palace in Korean history is the
127
changing of the palace guard ceremony, which takes place three

times a day except for Mondays. The promenade along the
southern wall of the palace has been particularly popular among
young people seeking romantic ambiance.
Sungnyemun Gate (Namdaemun - South Gate)
Sungnyemun, or the Gate of Exalted Ceremonies, is the south
gate of the old fortress wall that was built to protect the
capital (todays downtown Seoul) of Joseon. It is the largest
of the old fortress gates still standing in Korea today, and was
designated as the National Treasure No. 1 in 1962. The pavilionstyle wooden building forming the upper part of the gate was
severely damaged by arson in February 2008, but was it was
returned to its original form after a full-scale restoration project
that took five years to complete.
The gate is often associated with the large complex of
shopping facilities formed around it, including a traditional
market which has steadily grown into a major tourist attraction.
The area is always bustling with Korean and international
shoppers seeking to purchase clothes, kitchen wares, domestic
appliances and other commodities offered at reasonably low
prices despite their good quality. Many of the shops doing
business in the area run their own factories to maintain
competitive pricing of the products they deal in.
The Namdaemun Market currently houses over 9,300 stores
and attracts over 500,000 shoppers a day. It has formed a huge
international trading network of Korean merchants scattered
around the world, spending and earning a large amount of
money through imports and exports.
128
Heunginjimun Gate (Dongdaemun - East Gate)

Situated on the eastern part of the old fortified
wall of Seoul, Heunginjimun (Gate of Rising
Benevolence) attracts tens of thousands of
people from across Korea and neighboring
countries due both to its historic significance and
its proximity to several large markets that have
formed around it, including Gwangjang Market,
Pyeonghwa Market, Sinpyeonghwa Market and
Dongdaemun Market.
All of these markets are par ticularly
famous for the diverse fashion items they
offer, clothes and accessories in particular.
Co m p a re d w i t h d e p a r t m e n t s t o re s t h a t
usually sell higher-priced luxury products, these markets have
numerous wholesalers who supply competitively-priced good-
Dongdaemun
Shopping Mall
quality products to retailers across Korea.

Insa-dong
Insa-dong is a district in downtown Seoul that is packed
with antique shops, antiquarian booksellers, art galleries,
scroll mounters, craft workshops, brush shops, traditional
teahouses, restaurants and bars that provide tourists with ample
opportunities for an exciting cultural experience. The district had
many places frequented by Korea artists, writers and journalists
which have now begun to attract tourists from around the
country and beyond. The Seoul Metropolitan Government
designated Insa-dong as a District of Traditional Culture in 1998
129
130
and turns it into a car-free zone every weekend to create a more

comfortable environment for visitors.
Myeong-dong
Myeong-dong has long been the busiest and most thriving
shopping district in Korea where high-end shops and luxurious
boutiques attract shoppers from all across Korea and tourists
from different countries in Asia with luxury goods, brand
garments, cosmetics, shoes, fashion accessories and souvenirs.
The district has also been the national hub of finance and
culture as well as commerce since the Korean War (1950-1953)
and, in the 1970s and 1980s, was frequented by Koreas most
energetic, fashion-conscious, outgoing people.
The position of Myeong-dong in the Korean fashion industry
has dwindled somewhat in recent times, but its influence on the
Korean fashion market remains significant. Many of the worlds
top fashion brands maintain or have opened new stores in the
district, winning back fashion-minded shoppers from the newly
emerging fashion streets in the Gangnam area as well tourists
from overseas. The district also contains Myeongdong Cathedral,
established in 1989 and a central figure to all Korean Catholics,
and the historic Chinese Embassy.
Apgujeong Rodeo Street
Named after Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, and home to some of
the most prestigious fashion stores in the region, Rodeo Street in
Apgujeong-dong is widely regarded as the mecca of Korean fashion
and a trendsetter in Korea. Rodeo Street is packed with luxury stores,
including the flagship stores of the worlds top fashion brands, and
1
2
1. Insa-dong
One of the most popular
destinations among
foreign tourists in Seoul,
the district is packed
with antique shops, art
galleries, craft workshops,
traditional teahouses,
restaurants and bars.
2. Myeong-dong
Koreas busiest fashion
district and the number
one attraction among
international shoppers
visiting Seoul
131
upscale restaurants, cafes and bars. The street also contains stores
selling special fashion items sought after by young fashionistas,
and fully meets all the diverse needs of shoppers. In October, the
street is transformed into the main venue for the Apgujeong Culture
Festival which presents movies, hair shows, fashion shows, dance
competitions and other exciting cultural events.
Streets of Youth
Jongno and Cheonggyecheon
Jongno was one of the two districts, the other being Myeongdong, that typified the early economic and cultural vibrancy of
Korea in the 1970s and 1980s. There were, and still are, between
todays Jongno 2(i)-ga and 3(sam)-ga some of Seouls oldest
movie theaters, the nations major bookstores, and famous private
educational institutions including foreign language schools which
keep the districts perpetually crowded with students.
Cheonggyecheon, a historic stream cutting across the heart
of Seoul, was restored and remodeled a few years ago and quickly
emerged as one of the citys top attractions. In the past the
stream was a source of water for the families living around it,
but it began to be covered over in the 1950s, and the overpass
built over it came to be regarded as a symbol of Koreas industrial
growth during the 1960s and 1970s. The overpass, however, was
demolished in 2003 as part of the project to restore the stream,
which was completed two years later.
Hongdae Street (Hongik University Street)
It was during the early 1990s that Hongdae, or the area around
Hongik University, saw an explosion of cafes and live music clubs
132
drawing young music lovers from all across Seoul, gradually

turning it into one of Seouls most dynamic cultural areas packed
with fun-seeking youngsters. What differentiate the streets of
Hongdae from other similar districts are the live performances
of indie bands held at the clubs scattered around the district. The
bands cover a variety of popular music genres, including rock,
funk and techno music, for the young audiences that gather there
1. Cheonggyecheon
Stream Plaza
An attractive space
for relaxation and
refreshment in the heart
of downtown Seoul
2. Hongdae District
Streets crowded with
young and ambitious
artists and spectators
every evening.
The Hongdae district also contains numerous art galleries
committed to displaying original works by emerging young
artists. Some of these artists join with others devoted to other
forms of art such as music and dance, to put on collaboration
performances in the streets.
133
Garosu-gil Street of Sinsa-dong

Literally the tree-lined street of Sinsa-dong, Sinsa-dong Garosugil is a street in Sinsa-dong in Gangnam-gu that is lined with
gingko trees on both sides. The street and nearby alleys have
recently grown into one of Seouls main attractions, attracting
tens of thousands of fashion-minded people to its array of highend coffee houses, art galleries, luxury boutiques and other
fashion stores every day.
In the 1990s Garosu-gil began to attract ambitious young
fashion designers, who opened shops along the road, eventually
transforming it into a fashion street. The success of their shops
was followed by the opening of other shops vending exquisite
interior objects, furniture and personal fashion items.
Itaewon
Itaewon, located south of Namsan Mountain in the heart of
Seoul, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the city,
particularly among foreign tourists seeking shopping, fun and
thrills in more comfortable surroundings. The development of
the district and the growth of its reputation among international
travelers visiting Korea are largely related with the presence,
since the Korean War (1950-1953), of the Eighth United States
Army Base in nearby Yongsan. Today the district, encompassing
Itaewon and nearby Hannam-dong, contains a number of foreign
embassies including those of Germany, Denmark, Argentina,
Rumania, Uruguay, Lebanon, Hungary, Brunei and Qatar, as well as
the Seoul Central Mosque and diverse foreign communities.
Itaewons streets are packed with shops selling fashionable
clothes and fashion items, nightclubs, bars and restaurants, many
134
of them providing exotic, at least to Korean visitors, foods from

Mexico, India, Vietnam and Turkey among other countries, and a
distinctly cosmopolitan atmosphere. The district was designated
by the Korean government as a Special Tourist Zone in 1997, and
has since then held the Global Village Festival every October.
Furthermore, street performances are held for foreign tourists on
1
2
1. Garosu-gil of Sinsa-dong
A street busy with fashionminded young shoppers
2. Itaewon
The Korean hub of
international cultures
a daily basis
135
Jirisan Mountain
The highest and largest mountain in mainland South Korea, Jirisan
Mountain consists of numerous scenic peaks, including its highest
Cheonwangbong Peak (1,915m), Nogodan and Banyabong Peaks,
and ridges and valleys extending for 40km from east to west. The
mountain borders three provinces, Jeollanam-do, Jeollabuk-do and
Gyeongsangnam-do, and its forests account for about 20% of all
forestry in Korea. It was designated as Koreas first National Park
in 1967.
Jirisan Mountain is located at the southern end of the Baekdu
A spring view of Jirisan
Mountain
Daegan, a great mountain range that forms the backbone of the
(Source: Korea National Park

Service)
Korean Peninsula, running down from Baekdusan Mountain in the
136
northern most part of the peninsula to characterize geographical

features of the south. The mountain has been widely admired
for its majestic appearance and dense forests providing natural
habitats for rare animal and plant species such as the Siberian
musk deer, Korean goral, Asian birch, and the Royal Azalea.
The mountains main ridges, running from its tallest peak
Cheonwangbong in the east to Nogodan Peak in the west, form
deep valleys brimming with the headwaters of some of Koreas
main rivers, Nakdonggang, Seomjingang and Namgang. Some of
these valleys are home to undisturbed forests, notably Piagol and
Baemsagol, creating breathtakingly scenic views that attract over
two million hikers every year.
Jirisan Mountain contains natural habitats for various animal
137
Waterfall at Seoraksan
Mountain
(Sokcho, Gangwon)
and plant species which represent the ecological health and

balance of the mountain, including endangered animals such
as the Siberian musk deer and Korean goral, and some of the
Koreas biggest natural attractions such as the immense colony of
royal azaleas covering the highland plain of Seseok Pyeongjeon,
the dense ancient forest of Piagol, the aged wind-stripped trees
scattered around high peaks creating unreal, eerie landscapes. This
priceless natural heritage embraces some of Koreas most valuable
cultural assets, including historic Buddhist temples housing a
wealth of historical and cultural treasures.
Seoraksan Mountain
South Koreas third highest mountain after Hallasan Mountain
and Jirisan Mountain, Seoraksan Mountain is located in the
138
the backbone of the Korean Peninsula, with its tallest peak
Landscape of Seoraksan
Mountain
(Sokcho, Gangwon)
Daecheongbong (1,708m) overlooking Koreas eastern coast.

Service)
middle of the Baekdu Daegan, a great mountain range forming
The mountain is characterized by rocky peaks and cliffs

displaying grotesque shapes and deep valleys containing pools
of crystal clear water which have led to it being compared with
Geumgangsan, or the Diamond Mountain in the North, which
has long been admired as Koreas number one scenic mountain.
The mountain covers a vast area on the mid-eastern part of
the Korean Peninsula which is divided into three areas, namely,
Oeseorak (Outer Snowy Mountain) in the east of Daecheongbong
Peak, Naeseorak (Inner Snowy Mountain) in the west, and
Namseorak (Southern Snowy Mountain), which contains the
famous mineral spring called Osaek Mineral Springs in the south.
139
A nighttime view of
N Seoul Tower and an
octagonal pavilion at
Namsan Mountain (right)
The mountain also contains the source of the Namdaecheon

Stream, which flows through the Yangyang area into the East
Sea, and the Bukhangang and Soyanggang Rivers, which flow
westwards to form the Hangang River which cuts across Seoul.
Seoraksan Mountain provides a safe haven for many native
or endangered species such as the Manchurian trout, Korean
minnow, diamond bluebell (geumgang chorong), and edelweiss.
The mountain was designated as a National Park in 1970 and
registered on the World Network of Biosphere Reserves by
UNESCO in 1970. It is also home to many historic, cultural and
natural heritage including Buddhist temples such as Baekdamsa,
Sinheungsa and Bongjeongam, which is one of the five temples
enshrining the relics of Shakyamuni, the historical Buddha,
Heundeul Rock, and Ulsan Rock, an 873-meter-tall rocky peak of
majestic appearance.
Seoraksan Mountain is famous for the breathtakingly beautiful
landscapes created by its mountain peaks, deep valleys, stunning
rock formations, and historic Buddhist temples which draw millions
of hikers from all across the country every year. Meanwhile,
in Seorak-dong, a tourist town located on the foot of the
mountain containing an entrance to it, there is a fine network of
accommodations and recreational facilities that form a convenient
environment for tourists and hikers. Tourism in Seoraksan is
typically connected with the presence of Goseong Unification
Observatory, which is located close to the DMZ on the east coast.
Namsan Mountain and Bukhansan Mountain
Namsan Mountain, a 262-meter-tall mountain standing in the
heart of Seoul, is home to a number of attractive walking trails
140
141
appreciated by the citizens of Seoul for hundreds of years. The

mountain is dense with trees that provide an abundance of
fresh air and flowers all year round. It usually takes about one
hour to reach the summit via any of the paths, although one
may opt to take the cable car. At the top of the mountain there
are several fine vantage points overlooking downtown Seoul,
including the N Seoul Tower (or Namsan Tower), one of Seouls
most popular attractions where visitors can enjoy exceptional
panoramic views of Seoul and, weather permitting, Incheon and
the West Sea coast, as well as a historic beacon fire station used
for long-distance communications during the Joseon Period
(1392-1910). At the foot of the mountain there are several
Rock climbing at
Bukhansan Mountain
Service)
142
cultural institutions such as the National Theater of Korea, Seoul

Municipal Library, and Namsangol Hanok Village. The Bukhansan
National Park on the northern part of Seoul also provides
popular venues for various outdoor activities, hiking and rock

climbing in particular.
Rivers of Korea
Two large watercourses originating from the mid-eastern
mountainous region of the Korean Peninsula merge together
to become the Hangang, or the Hangang River, which passes
through Seoul before flowing into the West Sea . The rivers have
provided water for all the fields and factories in and outside the
capital area and drinking water for many cities within it including
Seoul. The rivers are installed with multiple dams including those
for flood control and generating power.
The longest river on the Korean Peninsula is the Nakdonggang
which cuts a 520km-long course across Gyeongsangbuk-do
and Gyeongsangnam-do before flowing into the South Sea. Its
A view of the setting sun

over Yeongsangang River,
the main source of water
for the southwest of Korea
143
estuary contains a large delta called Eulsukdo where reeds grow

densely, forming Asias largest bird sanctuary. Other major rivers
in Korea include the Geumgang and Yeongsangang Rivers which
provide water for Koreas largest granary in the southwest, and
the Imjingang, Mangyeonggang and Seomjingang Rivers, which
also constitute important sources of water for the rest of Korea.
Jejudo Island
Jejudo(do is Korean for island), Koreas largest island (approx.
73km from east to west, 31km from south to north), lies in
the Korean Strait, southwest of the Korean mainland. The
oval-shaped island maintains a rich cultural heritage that is
distinctly different from that of the mainland. It is also the
144
only province of Korea where mandarin oranges are grown

in natural conditions, providing a great source of income for
many households since the 1960s. It was an extremely popular
honeymoon destination among mainland Koreans during the
1970s and 1980s, and has since grown into one of Koreas top
tourist attractions, drawing hundreds of thousands of tourists
from neighboring countries including Japan and China. In 2006,
1. Baengnokdam Crater
Lake of Hallasan Mountain
A cauldron-shaped volcanic
crater (111m in depth and
1,720m in circumference)
atop Hallasan Mountain
2. Seongsan Ilchulbong
Tuff Cone
One of many parasitic
cones scattered around Jeju
the Korean government designated the island as Jeju Special

Self-Governing Province in an effort to turn it into a Free Trade
Zone. It is now a very popular venue for important international
gatherings including summit meetings.
Jejudo was formed by a series of volcanic eruptions and
is rich with the distinctive features of volcanic topography
145
including 368 oreum (parasitic cones) and about 160 lava tubes.
This unique natural heritage led to the islands inclusion on the
UNESCOs World Network of Biosphere Reserves in 2002, World
Heritage Sites in 2007, and Global Geoparks Network in 2010.
The worldwide recognition of Jejudo as a global natural heritage
is expected to further promote the value of the island as a tourist
destination and as one of Koreas key environmental assets.
Hallasan Mountain, a dormant volcano, soars upwards from
the center of Jejudo to a height of 1,950 meters, making it the
highest mountain in South Korea. The mountain is home to over
1,800 species of alpine plants that select their habitats according
to altitude and exhibits great diversity of vegetation. The mountain
largely consists of basalt, and slopes steeply in the south and more
gently in the north. There is a crater-lake, Baengnokdam, at the top
with over 300 parasitic cones scattered around it.
Seongsan Ilchulbong Tuff Cone, situated at the eastern tip
of Jejudo, is probably the most popular tourist attraction on the
island. This 182-meter-tall volcanic peak is said to resemble a
huge amphitheater with a deep, bowl-like center filled with reeds
and rimmed with rocky cliffs. Many visitors also compare this
popular sunrise celebration venue, which is now designated as a
Natural Monument, with a heavily fortified, impregnable castle or
a tall, full-circle tiara.
Other key attractions reflecting the natural wonders of Jeju
include Yongcheondonggul Cave, located in Woljeong-ri of Gujwaeup, which exhibits a unique combination of the characteristic
features of both lime caves and lava tubes, the lime caves in
Hyeopjae and Pyoseon, and the Gotjawal forests which formed
on the rocky areas thrown up during a volcanic eruption. These
146
forests provide natural habitats for rare plants, some of which are
suited to cold climates while others are more typical of tropical
or subtropical areas. These untouched, densely wooded forests are
often referred to as the lungs of Jeju.
The Jungmun Tourist Complex located on the southern coast
in Seogwipo boasts many fascinating places and facilities for a
variety of outdoor activities, including swimming and sunbathing,
golfing, horse riding and hunting, world-class hotels, and
enchanting natural attractions such as the three-tier waterfalls of
Cheonjeyeon and coastal columnar jointing. A new attraction was
added to the already long list recently when one of Asias largest
aquariums, Aqua Planet, was opened in July 2012 at Seopjikoji
Beach in Seongsan-eup.
One of the islands main attractions, the recently created Jeju
Olle Trail, comprises a set of nature trails along the coast that
lead hikers to fascinating views of Jeju, old villages and fields
enclosed or separated by basalt stone walls, coastal seas where
elderly women divers (haenyeo, sea women) harvest seafood
beneath the sea, and waves of wind rolling through fields of long
grass (Jeju has been called Samdado, literally, the island of three
abundances, namely, stones, women, and wind).
Jejudo is famous for its many special farming and marine
products of which the prickly palm cactus (Opuntia ficusindica),
also known as baengnyeoncho (hundred-year plant), has recently
amazed many scientists of the world for its extraordinary
beneficial effects on human health. For some Korean tourists, Jeju
is significant in that it has jurisdiction over the southernmost part
of the Korean territory, a tiny island called Marado located about
10km off its southwestern coast, and Ieodo, a submerged rock 4.6
147
1
2
1. Dodong Port in
Ulleungdo
A volcanic island lying in
the East Sea
2. Dokdo (Ulleung,
Gyeongsangbuk-do)
Dokdo consists of two
rocky islets, Dongdo and
Seodo, situated about
150 meters apart, and 89
rocky outcrops around
them.
meters below sea level located 149km southwest of Marado, the

location of the Ieodo Ocean Research Station.
Ulleungdo and Dokdo
Located about 130km east of the Korean Peninsula, Ulleungdo
is a volcanic island of about 72km2 that is rimmed with steep
rocky cliffs and has a basin (called Nari Basin) on the top. It is
historically connected with a group of rocky islets called Dokdo
situated 87.4km to its southeast, thus forming the easternmost
part of the Korean territory. Now guarded by the Dokdo Coast
Guard, Dokdo consists of two large rocky islets and eighty-nine
small rocks, and is home to about seventy plant species, although
most of the islets are barren. It was designated as the Dokdo
Seabird Breeding Area and Natural Monument No. 336 in 1982
and then as the Dokdo Protection Area in 1999.
Hallyeosudo (Hallyeohaesang National Marine Park)
The area of coastal seas ranging from Yeosu in Jeollanam-do to
Hansando in Gyeongsangnam-do has long been praised for its
breathtakingly beautiful seascapes characterized by sparkling
blue seas, islands of all sizes, fantastically-shaped rocky cliffs, and
dramatic coastlines. The area is also famous as the habitat of
diverse marine species, and became Koreas first national marine
park in 1968.
Yeosu, one of Koreas leading industrial cities and host of the
Odongdo Camellia
Odongdo, a tiny islet just
off Yeosu, has about 3,000
camellia trees that remain
in bloom from October to
mid-winter.
148
World Expo in 2012, contains some of the most popular tourist

attractions in the national marine park such as Odongdo, a tiny
islet covered with camellia trees, beautiful beaches, and historic
sites related with the victories of the Joseon navy, under the
149
Hallyeosudo
Koreas first national
marine park - famous for
the spectacular seascapes
created by many
differently-sized islands
floating on blue seas.
leadership of General Yi Sun-sin, against the Japanese forces that

invaded Korea in 1592. A new attraction was added in February
2013 with the opening of Yi Sun-sin Bridge, the worlds fourth
longest bridge, connecting two of the largest industrial cities in
the area, Yeosu and Gwangyang.
Namiseom Island
Namiseom Island - located 3.8km south of Gapyeong-gun,
Gyeonggi-do, in the middle of a large artificial lake created
by Cheongpyeong Dam, built in 1943 - has become a very
popular tourist attraction among Hallyu (Korean Wave) fans
across Asia thanks to the huge success of the TV series Winter
Sonata, parts of which were filmed here. The island is dense
with trees including Korean nut pine, dawn redwood, white
150
Metasequoia Forest
Walkway on Namiseom
Island
151
Prayer ribbons tied to a

barbed wire fence located
between the DMZ and
Freedom Bridge
birch and gingko, creating a number of romantic nature trails.

In addition to walking, the island offers visitors places and
facilities for various indoor and outdoor activities including
cycling courses, art galleries, museums, craft workshops,
bungalows and campsites.
Korean Demilitarized Zone
The cessation of the Korean War in 1953, following the signing
of the Korean Armistice Agreement, led to the creation of the
Military Demarcation Line (MDL) and the Korean Demilitarized
152
Zone (DMZ), which is 250km long and approximately 4km wide,

i.e. 2km on the Souths side and another 2km on the Norths.
On the western part of the DMZ there is a farming village
called Daeseongdong, better known as Freedom Village among
South Koreans. The western part of the DMZ also contains the
Panmunjeom where the 1953 Korean Armistice Agreement was
signed. It is now known as the Joint Security Area (JSA) which
only those holding a permit issued by the Military Armistice
Commission (MAC) are allowed to visit. The prohibition of public
access to the DMZ for the last 60 years has helped maintain
the environment in pristine condition, a quality for which in
recent times it has attracted the interest of scientists and
conservationists the world over.

Gyeongju, the Millennium Capital
Gyeongju in Gyeongsangbuk-do was once the capital of the
ancient Korean Kingdom of Silla (57 BCE 935) for about
one millennium, and contains a great wealth of heritage sites
and relics that reflect its remarkable cultural achievements.
The remaining historical and cultural heritage led to the citys
registration as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, under the name
of the Gyeongju Historic Areas, in 2000. Tangible evidences of
Sillas cultural glory include Bulguksa Temple, which was founded
to represent the ideal world of Buddhism which Sillas people
aspired to, Seokguram, a man-made grotto admired for its
unique architectural structure and outstanding sculptural works,
and Cheomseongdae, which is regarded as Asias oldest extant
astronomical observatory.
153
The royalty and aristocracy of Silla left behind large tombs in

and around todays Gyeongju. Archaeologists discovered priceless
treasures in some of these tombs, such as the image of a heavenly
horse painted on a piece of white birch bark (Cheonmachong
Tomb), and gold crowns lavishly decorated with exquisite and
advanced skills (Geumgwanchong Tomb). Apart from the fabulous
archaeological discoveries, these ancient tombs clustered in
downtown Gyeongju create fantastic and fascinating landscapes
in themselves.
Silla Buddhists in the 8th century made a great temple bell
now known to be the Sacred Bell of Great King Seongdeok.
As well as its imposing size, the bell is known for having several
unique devices designed to help produce a clear, long lingering
sound when struck, such as the sound pipe, and elaborate
carvings decorating the outer surface of its body. Some of the
most valuable treasures of Silla Buddhism, stone images and
pagodas in particular, can be seen in Namsan, making Gyeongjus
guardian mountain one of the holiest places of Korean Buddhism.
1
2
Gongju and Buyeo, Capitals of Baekje

Gongju and Buyeo are two cities in Chungcheongnam-do,
1. Namsan Mountain in
Gyeongju
A seated Buddha image
carved on a rock face on
Namsan Mountain
each of which served as the capital city of the ancient Korean
2. Tomb of King
Muryeong (Gongju,
Chungcheongnam-do)
The burial chamber of the
tomb of King Muryeong,
the 25th ruler of Baekje,
and his consort shows the
influence of the Chinese
Southern Dynasties.
are best represented by the Tomb of King Muryeong and other
154
Kingdom of Baekje during the period from the late 5th to the
7th century. The cultural achievements of Baekje in this period
ancient tombs in Gongju, Nakhwaam Rock, and Gungnamji
Pond in Buyeo.
The Ancient Tombs in Songsan-ri, Gongju consist of seven
tombs of Baekjes royalty including that of King Muryeong and
155
1
2
his consort. Archaeologists discovered inside the tomb a wealth

of precious burial objects preserved in near original condition that
1. Hahoe Byeolsingut
Tallori
A traditional mask dance
preserved in Hahoe Village
in Andong that satirizes
the corrupt ruling elite of
Joseon society
now provide important clues to the lifestyle of Baekjes people.
2. Yangdong Village in
Gyeongju
A village that has
maintained the traditional
lifestyle for over 500 years
countries. Other Baekje heritage sites preserved in the city,
Buyeo, which was the last capital of Baekje for 123 years until
660, also contains valuable relics dating from the cultural heyday
of a Kingdom that exerted a powerful influence on neighboring
including Nakhwaam Rock, which is connected with the last days
of Baekje, and Gungnamji containing the features of a Baekje
palace garden, have now become major tourist attractions.
Hahoe Village in Andong and Yangdong Village in Gyeongju
In 2010, two old villages, Hahoe in Andong and Yangdong in
Gyeongju, were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites,
Seonyu Julbullori
This traditional firework
festival involves hanging
up bags of mulberry root
charcoal powder upon
four long (approx. 230m)
ropes hung between
Mangsongjeong Pavilion
on the riverbank of
Nakdonggang and the
summit of Buyongdae
Terrace across the river.
under the title Historic Villages of Korea. The villages were

created and developed by a few influential aristocratic families
of Joseon, and still preserve the original living conditions in
which the houses and their environments were built hundreds
of years ago. Each village was established in a site chosen
according to the traditional principles of feng shui, i.e. "Mountain
Behind and Water in Front", and consisted of dwelling houses
with family shrines, communal academies,
pavilions. It also had farming fields around it
which provided the villagers with all the basic
necessities they needed.
Hahoe Village in Andong was formed in
the 17th century when some families of the
Pungsan Ryu Clan settled there. The village,
now containing about 450 traditional tile-
156
157
roofed or thatched houses, is surrounded by the Nakdonggang
1
2
3
River, with pine trees crowding the riverbank, creating a beautiful
1. Bukchon Hanok Village

2. Jeonju Hanok Village
3. Seongyojang House in
Gangneung
4. Bukchon guesthouse
rural landscape. The village is also connected with a traditional

performance, byeolsingut tallori, which is performed to invoke
divine help for the villages safety and prosperity, and Seonyu
julbullori, a local firework festival held at riverside beaches.
The other historical village, Yangdong, located 16km northeast
of Gyeongju, has a history of about 500 years. It consists of
about 160 traditional houses, both tile-roofed and thatched, and
is surrounded by attractive natural surroundings, shallow valleys
and gentle hills. The village is prized not only for its attractive old
houses but also for other heritage that preserve the influence of
Confucian ideology and ancient customs.
Hanok Villages
The recent revival of interest in modernized traditional Korean
houses (called hanok) among architectural designers and house
Tourism Korea
The number of foreign visitors to
Korea has increased rapidly in recent
years, rising from 5 million in 2001
to more than 12 million in 2013.
Number of foreign tourists in Korea

Unit: 1,000
12,170
Source: Korea Tourism

Organization
11,140
9,790
Observers believe that the

increase is largely connected with
Hallyu (Korean Wave) fans from
5,140
across Asia and people seeking

advanced medical services and
shopping in Korea.
158
2001
2011
2012
2013
159
buyers from across Korea has also helped attract numerous tourists
to Koreas old villages and districts where they can experience the
traditional Korean lifestyle in an authentic environment. Two of
the most popular destinations for enthusiasts are Bukchon Hanok
Village in Seoul and Jeonju Hanok Village in Jeonju.
Bukchon Hanok Village in Seoul refers to a residential area
located north of the Jongno and Cheonggyecheon Stream area in
downtown Seoulhence the nameonce occupied by wealthy
aristocratic families during the Joseon Period. The area has become
one of Seouls main tourist attractions, largely because of the oldworld atmosphere and the well-preserved traditional houses and
the narrow winding alleys linking them. Flanked by the two main
Royal Palaces of Joseon, Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung, with
Inwangsan and Bukhansan Mountains rising directly behind them,
and modern skyscrapers in the south, the district exhibits a unique
harmony between Seouls present and past.
The largest Hanok district in Korea and one of the most
popular tourist destinations among visitors is that in Jeonju.
The Jeonju Hanok Village consists of about 700 traditional tileroofed houses, some of which have been turned into guesthouses,
restaurants, teahouses and workshops, providing visitors with
opportunities to experience the local cultural heritage. The district
also contains some of the citys most important heritage sites
such as Gyeonggijeon Shrine, which houses the official portrait
of King Taejo, founder of the Joseon Dynasty, a local Confucian
school (hyanggyo), and Omokdae Terrace, which commands a
great view of the entire district.
There are but a few mansion houses dating from the Joseon Period
across Korea, of which Seongyojang in Gangneung is particularly
160
famous for its exquisite, fully preserved 300-year-old buildings and

well-tended traditional garden. Built by a minor member of Joseon
royalty and still used as a dwelling house by one of his descendants,
Seongyojang is regarded as a fine example of a dwelling of the wealthy
ruling class of Joseon. It also consists of rooms such as an inner quarter
(anchae) for women, detached outer quarter (sarangchae) for guest
receptions, servants quarter (haengnangchae) for servants and separate
rooms (byeoldang), as well as an artificial pond at the entrance and a
pavilion called Hwallaejeong.
Local Festivals
As in many other parts of the world, local communities in Korea
have developed a variety of cultural programs and events to
Andong International
Maskdance Festival
This festival contributes
to the effort to preserve
and revive the Hahoe
byeolsingut tallori and
boost other mask-related
cultural activities around
the world.
161
mark their achievements or to celebrate the cultural and natural

heritage bequeathed to them. In Boryeong in Chungcheongnamdo, for instance, the local mud festival attracts summer
holidaymakers from all over Korea and from overseas, while in
Andong of Gyeongsangbuk-do the annual international mask
dance festival entertains tourists visiting the city.
Other popular festivals include the Gimje Horizon Festival,
which is focused on the local agricultural heritage preserved
Boryeong Mud Festival
One of the most popular
summer festivals in Korea
today, the Boryeong Mud
Festival attracts tens of
thousands of international
holidaymakers every year.
162
in Gimje, Jeollabuk-do, the Jeonju Hanji Culture Festival, and

the Jeonju Bibimbap Festival, which is held to celebrate the
heritage that has helped the city of Jeonju gain an international
reputation. In Jinju of Gyeongsangnam-do, the Jinju Namgang
Yudeung Festival has begun to serve a similar function. Held

to commemorate the ordinary people of Jinju, who fought
heroically to protect their hometown against invading Japanese
forces during the Imjin Waeran (Japanese Invasion of 1592)
at the turn of the 16th century, the festival provides tourists
with fantastic nighttime views of lanterns floating along the
Namgang River. In Chuncheon, Gangwon-do, the Chuncheon
International Mime Festival (CIMF) offers an exciting range of
performances presented by mime theater companies gathered
for the event from across the world.
163
6
3
4
7
1
6
9
10
10
5
Please visit www.visitkorea.or.kr
for further information
on Koreas diverse festivals.
164
Chungcheongnam-do
Gyeongsangnam-do
1. Cheonan Heungtaryeong Festival

The festival entertains visitors with exciting festive
events related to folk dances of the world.
Period: Sep 30-Oct 5, 2014.
Venue: Cheonan Samgeori Park, and Arario Park,
Cheongan-si
Website: cheonanfestival.com
6. Hadong Wild Tea Cultural Festival

This festival holds various entertaining events and
programs focusing on the Korean tradition of tea
drinking.
Period: May 16-18, 2014
Venue: Hadong Tea Culture Center,
Hwagae-myeong and Agyang-myeon

in Hadong-gun
Website: festival.hadong.go.kr
2. Geumsan Insam Festival

This autumn festival focused on health and
wellbeing presents an array of experience-based
events and competitions related with insam,
Korean ginseng grown in Geumsan.
Period: Sep 19-28, 2014.
Venue: Ginseng and Herbal Street, and Ginseng

Expo Square, Geumsan-gun
Website: www.insamfestival.co.kr
Gangwon-do
3. Hwasan Sancheoneo Ice Festival
This winter festival held on the frozen
Hwacheoncheon Stream provides visitors with
various fun events including an ice fishing contest
and a competition to catch mountain trout with
ones bare hands.
Period: Jan 4-26, 2014.
Venue: Hwacheoncheon Stream and five eup and

myeon districts in Hwacheon
Website: www.narafestival.com
4. Chuncheon International Mime Festival
This festival presents a variety of performing arts
and merrymaking events highlighting the human
body as a powerful artistic medium.
Period: May 25-Jun 1, 2014
Venue: Chuncheon-si
Website: www.mimefestival.com
5. Yangyang Pine Mushroom Festival
This festival celebrates the season of pine
mushrooms with a range of exciting activities
related with this special local product of Yangyang.
Period: Oct 1-5, 2014
Venue: Vicinity of Namdaecheon Stream in
Yangyang-gun
Website: song-i.yangyang.go.kr
7. Jinju Namgang Yudeung Festival

Launched to mark the tradition of floating lanterns
on the Namgang River during the Japanese Invasion
in 1592, this festival offers a range of exciting
history-based events including an exhibition of
traditional lanterns from around the world, floating
river lanterns, and a fireworks display.
Venue: Vicinity of Namgang River, Jinju
Website: www.yudeung.com
Jeollabuk-do
8. Gimje Horizon Festival
This festival offers a variety of experience-oriented
events and programs focused on local agricultural
traditions.
Venue: Byeokgolje Plaza, Gimje
Website: festival.gimje.go.kr
Jeollanam-do
9. Hampyeong Butterfly Festival
The festival presents diverse exhibitions and fun
events centered on flowers and butterflies.
Period: May 2-11, 2014
Venue: Hampyeong Expo Park, Hampyeong-gun
Website: www.hampyeong.go.kr
10. Gangjin Celadon Festival
This festival holds various activities and programs
aimed at the preservation and further development
of the cultural heritage of Goryeo celadon.
Period: Jul 26 Aug 3, 2014
Venue: Goryeo Celadon Kiln Sites in Gangjin
Website: www.gangjinfes.or.kr
165
Sports
How South Korea Became a Sporting Powerhouse

2011 World Championships in Athletics
Taekwondo
5
Sports
South Koreas national team surprised the world by ranking 5th

place in the medals table (gold, silver and bronze) at the 2012
London Summer Olympics. It is also worth noting that the team
won the soccer bronze medal at those Games. The potential
of the countrys soccer is explained by the presence of several
South Korean players in European football (soccer) leagues. Also,
at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the South Korean team won the
gold medal for baseball with several South Korean players now
enjoying great popularity among fans in the United States and
Japan as members of local teams.
Asians used to do poorly in figure skating, but Yuna Kim, a
South Korean changed that by breaking world records in the
discipline. In fencing, which used to be regarded as a sport for
2
1
3
1. Shin-soo Choo is an
outfielder for the Texas
Rangers of the Major
League Baseball of the
United States.
2. Yuna Kim won the
World Figure Skating
Championships in 2013.
3. In-bee Park was selected
as the LPGA Player of the
Year in 2013.
168
westerners and the nobility, South Korean athletes have won

many medals. It is a well-known fact that many South Koreans
have won both the PGA and LPGA championships. It is also
noteworthy that three or four Koreans continually rank in the
top ten at each LPGA championship. Formula 1 also visited Korea
between 2010 and 2013 with the Korean Grand Prix held at
Yeongam, Jeollanam-do, South Korea. And another international
sporting event held in South Korea is the Tour of Korea, an annual
professional road bicycle stage race.
169
How South Korea Became a Sporting Powerhouse

The most important factors behind South Koreas transformation
into a sporting powerhouse are the countrys large number of sports
lovers and efficient investment. The country strives to find promising
young athletes, train them efficiently, and help them build their skills
by accumulating a wealth of experience in domestic competitions.
There are also professional sporting facilities dedicated solely to the
training of athletes selected for international events such as the
Olympic Games or the Asian Games.
National Sports Infrastructure
Many South Korean soccer lovers gather together early in the
morning of a holiday to enjoy the sport. Teams from neighboring
villages often take part in games and tournaments with the
number of teams composed of neighbors currently standing at
about 500,000.
The countrys sports infrastructure is solid and wide-ranging.
Chuncheon Marathon
Held in Chuncheon,
Gangwon-do every
October
170
Changes in the number of neighborhood sports clubs and their members

93
95
98
98
83
82
75
90
4,132
3,646
2,702
2,914
2,985
3,081
3,086
3,081
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
Clubs
Members
2012
2013
(Unit: Thousands of clubs and people/

Source: Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism)
As of 2013, the number of ordinary sports lovers clubs came to

4.13 million, i.e. 8.1% of the entire population. The number of
soccer lovers who have joined clubs (590,000) is at the top of the
list, followed by the number of members of tennis, badminton,
table tennis, gate ball, and daily calisthenics clubs.
Olle Trail in Jeju
A hiking course in Jejudo
Island
Olle is a local word
from the Jeju dialect that
refers to a narrow path
between a thoroughfare
and the entrance of a
house. Ms. Seo Myeongsuk, a journalist, started
using the word for
mountain hiking courses
on the island after
drawing inspiration from
the pilgrimage trail to
Santiago de Compostela
in northern Spain.
(Source: Jeju Olle Foundation)
171
The government strives to encourage people to engage in

more positive physical activities by providing support for sports
clubs. Most sports clubs hold events from time to time. Over
the past few years, the number of marathon clubs has increased
drastically. In spring and fall, marathon competitions are held
every weekend all over the country. An amateur marathon
competition attracts thousands or even tens of thousands of
participants. A relevant organization estimates the number of
people engaging in jogging, running, and marathon events at
somewhere between 800,000 and 4 million.
More than 20,000 people, professionals and amateurs, took
part in a marathon event held recently.
As a mountainous country, South Korea has an ideal
environment for mountain climbers and hikers. There are many
mountains near large cities, enabling city dwellers to enjoy
mountain climbing and hiking conveniently. The country also has
Average number of spectators attending

each game of major professional sports
10,983
KISS
The Korea Institute of
Sport Science in Nowongu, Seoul engages in
the development and
distribution of physical
exercise methods,
research aimed at helping
athletes enhance their
skills, the training of
future sports leaders, and
comprehensive research
on sports science.
172
13,747
13,055
12,873
11,402
11,562
11,374
10,709
7,157
5,358
1,471
4,575
Volleyball
4,092
2010
Basketball
5,687
1,744
1,744
1,472
2009
5,400
7,656
2011
Soccer
Baseball
1,525
2012
2013
(Source:MCST)
many popular rock climbing spots.

In recent years, the hilly trails of Jejudo Island have emerged
as a favorite destination for hikers. Amid the new hiking boom,
local governments have vied with each other in their efforts to
establish good hiking paths. Bike riding has also become the focus
of attention as an environmentally friendly sport, and the number
of cycling clubs has increased accordingly. A vast network of bike
paths has been established across the country, and many people
Jincheon Training Center

The training center
has a facility that can
accommodate 350
athletes in twelve sports
(i.e. athletics, shooting,
swimming, tennis,
soft tennis, volleyball,
basketball, baseball,
softball, rowing, canoeing,
and rugby), ancillary
facilities designed to
help athletes adjust their
physical condition, and
convenience facilities.
now enjoy cycling along the countrys major rivers on weekends.

A large number of people are attracted to professional baseball,
soccer, and volleyball games. Rooting for ones favorite team is a
fun pastime. Professional baseball and soccer games are attended
by 8 million and 3 million people, respectively, each year.
Collaboration of Sports and Science
At the 2012 London Summer Olympics, a South Korean won the
gold medal in the vault final. This achievement was the result
of collaboration between science and sports. Sports scientists
studied what the optimal conditions should be to pull through
the hardest skills. They reached the conclusion that the optimal
time span for an athlete to touch the vaulting horse was 0.15
seconds and that the optimal angle between arm and body was
22 degrees in order to stay in the air longer and make more rapid
turns. The South Korean athlete was able to win the gold medal
as a result of training based on optimal conditions suited to his
body structure.
The Korea Institute of Sport Science (KISS) employs experts
in sports dynamics, psychology, physiology, and so on. These
specialists help athletes to achieve the best possible results in
173
competitions. Five experts accompanied the national team during

the 2012 London Summer Olympics. There are sixteen sportsrelated societies in the country in total, all of which exchange
information through an integrated computer system.
Korea has many practice and training facilities, including
the Taereung Training Center in Seoul. The center in Taereung
is equipped with training facilities, running tracks, indoor and
outdoor courts, an indoor swimming pool that meet international
standards, and a dormitory for 300 athletes.
In 2011, the country built a new training facility in Jincheon,
Chungcheongbuk-do for athletes selected for international events.
Among those who practiced here were the winners of gold and
silver medals in track and field, swimming, and rifle shooting at the
2012 London Summer Olympics. The facility in Jincheon will be
expanded to accommodate up to 800 athletes in 25 sports. Another
facility specializing in the enhancement of athletes cardiopulmonary
functions is in Hambaeksan Mountain near Taebaek.

The 24th Summer Olympic Games were held in Seoul in 1988,
with a record number of athletes (8,391 from 159 countries)
Emblem of the 1988
Olympics
The emblem was designed
based on the triple
Taegeuk, a traditional
pattern handed down
among Koreans for many
generations. The pattern
has been widely used
in entrances to private
houses and handicrafts.
It was used to symbolize
wishes for the promotion
of peace through the
Olympics.
174
attending the event. The Games adopted reconciliation and

progress as the basic spirit. The organizing committee set
the following objectives: participation of the largest number
of athletes, worldwide harmony, best results, safety, and cost
saving. South Korea became the 16th country (and only the 2nd
in Asia) to host the Summer Olympic Games. The competitions
were held in 23 formal disciplines and 2 demonstration sports.
South Korea ranked 4th overall, winning 12 gold medals, 10
silver medals, and 11 bronze medals

The 1988 Seoul Summer Olympics were significant in that
they were focused on reconciliation between the Western and
Eastern Blocs, after the Western Blocs boycotting of the 1980
Moscow Olympics and the Eastern Blocs retaliatory boycotting
of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. The event in Seoul transcended
ideological conflict and racial discrimination pursuant to the
Olympic Charter, and served as an occasion for publicizing the
Red Devils take to the

Streets
After their enthusiastic
support for their national
team in red T shirts during
the 2002 FIFA World Cup
Korea/Japan, South Korean
sports fans acquired the
nickname Red Devils. It
is said that about half of
all South Koreans took
part in the supporting
events during the 2002
tournament.
status of the countrys economic development and traditional

culture, and the potential of Koreans worldwide.

Held for 31 days (May 31 to June 30), the 2002 FIFA World Cup
Korea/Japan was the first World Cup to be jointly hosted by
two countries. It was also the first World Cup Tournament to
South Koreans supporting

the national team in front
of Seoul City Hall during
the 2002 FIFA World
Cup Korea/Japan. Many
foreigners said that they
were deeply impressed by
the fans enthusiasm and
unity.
175
be held outside Europe and the Americas. The event produced

a series of unexpected results, of which the most unexpected
was probably South Koreas remarkable success in reaching
the semi-finals. The event also served as an occasion to reveal
another aspect of South Koreans to people all over the world:
soccer fans in red T shirts enthusiastically supporting their
national team. Tens of thousands of fans fervently cheering on
their team in the dead of night created quite a sight. During the
South Korean teams match against Germany for 4th place, a
total of 6.5 million people filled the streets nationwide to cheer
on their national team.
2011 World Athletics Championships

The event was held in Daegu, the countrys third largest city, from
August 27 to September 4, 2011, with more than 100 million
spectators over the world. Daegu Stadium is also the venue where
many other international sports competitions, including the 2002
FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan and the 2003 Summer Universiade,
were held. During the 2011 IAAF World Championships in Daegu,
the stadiums high-definition electric signboard displayed minute
differences of hundredths of a second in the athletes times,
presenting vivid scenes of an athletics competition to spectators
1
all over the world.
1. Competitors in the
steeplechase at the 2011
IAAF World Athletics
Championships in Daegu.
2. The South Korean
national team enters the
stadium for the Opening
Ceremony of the 2012
London Summer Olympics.
176

At the 2012 London Summer Olympics, South Korea took 5th
place in terms of the number of gold, silver, and bronze medals
it won. Among Asian countries, Korea ranked 2nd only after
China. South Korean athletes won 13 gold, 8 silver and 7 bronze
177
South Korean Medalists

in the 2012 London Summer Olympics
Ki Bo-bae
(Archery)
Ki Bo-bae won two
gold medals in the
womens individual
and team archery
events.
Park Tae-hwan
(Swimming)
Park Tae-hwan won
two silver medals
in the mens 200m
freestyle and 400m
freestyle.
Kim Jang-mi
(Shooting)
Kim Jang-mi won the
gold medal in the
womens 25m pistol
event.
178
Choi In-jeong
(Fencing)
The countrys fencing
team achieved
notable results at
the 2012 London
Summer Olympics.
Choi In-jeong won
a silver medal in the
womens epee team
event.
Kim Jae-bum
(Judo)
Kim Jae-bum won
a gold medal in
the mens 73-8kg
category at the
World Championship
and the 2012 London
Summer Olympics.
Yang Hak-seon
(Gymnastics)
Yang Heok-seon
presented the
country with a gold
medal in gymnastics.
He ranked the
highest score of 7.4
with his 180-degree,
triple vault twist.
179
medals in archery, rifle shooting, fencing, gymnastics, judo, and

swimming. It is noteworthy that the country won gold medals
in various mens individual, womens individual, and womens
team events, and won the bronze medal in a mens team event.
In rifle shooting, the country won 3 gold medals and 2 silver
medals, letting the world know that it is a powerhouse in rifle
shooting. One archer and one rifle shooter won two gold medals
each. The country also won 2 gold medals in judo and a gold
medal in wrestling.
More than any other country, the South Korean team
surprised the world in the London Olympics, with only the
three sporting superpowers and the host nation exceeding the
South Korean performance. To win six medals in fencing, once
regarded as a sport for Western aristocrats, is quite remarkable,
but perhaps the most notable achievement of South Koreas
national team was the gold medal won in artistic gymnastics on
the pommel horse. Yang Hak-seon presented the country with
its first gold medal in the Olympic history of pommel horse,
displaying great skill. In Taekwondo, in which the country used
to win many gold meals, the team won only one gold medal,
apparently as a result of the sports adoption by many other
countries.
For its participation in the 2012 London Summer Olympics
the motto of the South Korean national team was From London
to London, referring to the teams return to London after the
1948 London Olympic Games. It also refers to the shift in the
countrys status from a foreign aid recipient to an aid donor in
just 64 years and its wish to share the wealth and experience
accumulated by it with other countries.
180

The 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics will be held
between 9th and 25th February 2018. Pyeongchangs
bids to host the 2010 and 2014 Winter Olympics
failed, but the city finally made it at the third attempt
for 2018. Thus, South Korea became the host of the
Olympic Games once again after the 1988 Seoul
Summer Olympics. The 2018 Pyeongchang Winter
Olympics will be the second winter Olympics held in
Asia after the Games held in Nagano, Japan in 1998.
The Summer and Winter Olympic Games, the FIFA World Cup,
and the IAAF World Championships in Athletics are said to be the
four most important international sporting events. South Korea
will be the sixth country to have hosted all of them by 2018 -
2018 Pyeongchang
Winter Olympics
IOC President Jacques
Rogge announces
Pyeongchang as the Host
City for the 2018 Olympic
Winter Games.
after France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and Russia.
Taekwondo
Originated in Korea, Taekwondo is a martial art of self-defence
in which the competitors use both their hands and feet. In
ancient times, Koreans practiced Taekwondo as a mandatory
preparation for war.
With the passage of time, Taekwondo gradually became a
folk sport. In 1971, it was designated as Koreas national sport.
In 1973, the 1st World Taekwondo Championship were held in
Seoul and in 1980, the IOC adopted it as an official event of the
Olympic Games. It has grown into an international sport with
around 100 million participants globally.
Taekwondo stresses the importance of spiritual discipline and
for this reason it enjoys popularity among both men and women.
181
A Taekwondo
demonstration in Times
Square, New York
The South Korean government assists with the dispatching of

Taekwondo masters worldwide. Active UN Peacekeeping Forces
teach Taekwondo to local residents in disputed territories, where
they are stationed. In many parts of the world, Taekwondo is
182
viewed as a symbol of South Korea. As for its educational effects

associated with spiritual discipline and tenacity, Taekwondo
is emerging as an option for the treatment of young people
suffering from addictions.
183
History

Goryeo
Joseon
The Fall of Joseon: Imperial Japans Annexation of Korea
Transition to a Democracy and Transformation
Hand Axe
This multifunctional tool dates back to the Paleolithic period, it was discovered in
Jeongok-ri, Yeoncheon-gun, Gyeonggi-do.
186
6
History

The history of the Korean nation began in Manchuria and the
Korean Peninsula when people started settling there 700,000
years ago. Representative historic sites associated with the people
of the Paleolithic Age, who used tools made of animal horns and
chipped stone tools, include Geomeunmoru Cave in Sangwon,
Pyeongannam-do; Jeongok-ri in Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi-do;
Seokjang-ri in Gongju, Chungcheongnam-do; and Durubong Cave
in Cheongwon, Chungcheongbuk-do. The early inhabitants of the
peninsula survived by hunting for animals and collecting edible
plants in groups.
Comb-pattern Pottery
This object with a pointy
bottom was discovered
in Amsa-dong, Seoul, a
representative historic site
of the Neolithic Age.
(Source: National Museum of
Korea)
In Korea, the Neolithic Age began around B.C.8,000. People

started farming, cultivating cereals such as millet, and used polished
stone tools. They started settling down permanently in places and
formed clan societies. One of the most representative features of
the Neolithic Age is comb-patterned pottery, examples of which
have been found all across the Korean Peninsula, including Amsadong, Seoul; Namgyeong, Pyeongyang; and Suga-ri, Gimhae.
The Bronze Age started around the 10th century BC on the
Korean Peninsula and the 15th century BC in Manchuria. Historic
sites associated with the Bronze Age are found in Liaoning and
187
Jilin Provinces, China and across the Korean Peninsula. With the
development of the Bronze culture, a society emerged in which
the head of a clan exercised great influence. The strongest clan
leaders started merging many clans into one, and these groups
very gradually developed into early states.
The tribes that played a central role in the establishment of
Gojoseon, which emerged as the first recognizable state of the
Korean people, believed in the King of Heaven and worshipped
bears. The two factions jointly upheld Dangun Wanggeom as their
chief priest and political leader. Gojoseon fostered an independent
culture in Liaoning, China and along the Daedonggang River.
By the 3rd century BC, kings such as King Bu and King Jun had
become powerful and bequeathed the throne to their sons.
They established a solid system of rule, backed by high-ranking
retainers and military officers.
Towards the end of the 3rd century, the Qin Dynasty was
replaced by the Han Dynasty in China, creating a period of
social upheaval. Many people moved southward to Gojoseon.
Their leader, Wiman, acceded to the throne in B.C.194 and
188
Gojoseon expanded its territory under his rule. By this time,

Gojoseon had adopted iron culture, developed agriculture and
various handicrafts, and increased its military strength. It tried to
monopolize profit, while serving as an intermediate in the trade
between the Korean Peninsula and China, taking advantage of
its geographical proximity to China. This led to confrontation
between Gojoseon and Han China. Han attacked Gojoseon with
a large number of ground and naval forces. Gojoseon defiantly
resisted the attack and won a great victory in the early stage of
the war, but its capital at Wanggeomseong Fortress fell after a
year of war, and Gojoseon collapsed in B.C.108.
Dolmen
The Seven Wonders of the World include sites such as the Great
Pyramid of Giza, the Great Wall of China, and Stonehenge in
England among others. The many dolmens scattered around the
Korean Peninsula compare favorably with them for the following
reasons:
First, the Korea Peninsula has over 36,000 dolmens, or about
Dolmen Park in Suncheon,

Jeollanam-do
189
half of all the dolmens in the world.

Second, diverse artifacts, including
human bones, stone objects, jade and
bronze artifacts, have been unearthed
from the dolmens, although many of
them were also found to contain no
objects. Such discoveries raised many
pertinent questions such as who
Table-type dolmens in
Bugeun-ri, Ganghwa
made the dolmens, when, and why? What kind of life did their
builders lead?
Third, one can only wonder about how such large stones were
transported and from where, and what kind of skills were used to
build the dolmens.
In the past, the dolmens in Korea used to be classified into
two categories: the northern type (table type), which includes the
dolmens located north of the Hangang River, and the southern
type (go-table type). However, after go-table dolmens were found
north of the Hangang River, and table-type dolmens were found
south of the river, the northern/southern-type appellations were
dropped. Meanwhile, other scholars have added new types to this
Mandolin-shaped
Bronze Dagger and
Slender Bronze Dagger
(Gojoseon)
These two artifacts
represent the Bronze Age.
They are thought to be
either weapons or ritual
objects. The one on the
left looks similar to a bipa
(Korean mandolin), while
the one on the right is
more slender and displays
a straight line.
Korea)
190
system of classification.
Dolmens are often referred to as tombs, but it is difficult to
make this claim with any certainty. Yi Gyu-bo, a great scholar
of Goryeo in the 12th century, left the following remarks about
dolmens: People say that the saints put the dolmens there in the
olden days. It is indeed a wonderful technique (that enabled men
to position such huge rocks in that way).
In the early 20th century, American missionary Horace Grant
Underwood claimed that dolmens were not tombs but rather
that they were put there for sacrificial rituals offered to the gods
of the earth. A Korean folklorist named Son Jin-tae pointed to
a folktale in which dolmens were believed to be the houses of
witches (Mago halmeoni in local legends).
Dolmens are rarely found in China, except for Manchuria,
or Japan, yet many thousands of them can be seen across the
Korean Peninsula. They were erected over many thousands of
years, but this process stopped sometime before Christ. There
are many unsolved mysteries surrounding the dolmens, such as
the reason for their concentration in such great numbers on the
Korean Peninsula in Northeast Asia and their connectivity with
those found in Europe or India. UNESCOs acceptance of the
South Korean governments application for registration of the
dolmens in Ganghwa, Hwasun, and Gochang in 2000 as a world
cultural heritage attests to the worlds growing interest in their
importance in the field of cultural anthropology.

Towards the end of the Gojoseon Period, tribal states came
into being one after another in Manchuria and on the Korean
Stele for Great King

Gwanggaeto (Goguryeo;
5th Century)
King Gwanggaeto the
Great, the 19th king of
Goguryeo, expanded the
territory of his Kingdom
into Manchuria and the
Maritime Provinces of
Siberia. In 414, his son
King Jangsu set up a
stele (6.39m high, 37
tons) in present-day Jian,
Jilin Province, China to
commemorate his fathers
great achievements. The
inscription, comprising
1,775 characters, explains
how Goguryeo was
founded and how it
expanded its territory.
Peninsula. Buyeo was established in the plains along the

Songhuajiang River in Manchuria and Jilin. The people of Buyeo
grew crops and raised livestock, including horses. They also made
furs. By the early 1st century AD, they started calling their main
leader the King and actively engaged with other countries, even
entering into diplomatic relations with China. By the end of
the 3rd century, Buyeo had been incorporated into Goguryeo.
The people of Buyeo held an annual festival called Yeonggo in
December. During the festival, they held a sacrificial rite for
191
heaven, sang and danced together, and released prisoners.

The Kingdom fell apart during the establishment of the
regional confederation, but the factions that founded Goguryeo
and Baekje took pride in their status as the inheritors of Buyeo.
Samguk sagi (History of the Three Kingdoms) states that
Gojumong, who founded Goguryeo in B.C.37, was originally from
Buyeo. Goguryeo prospered greatly in areas close to Baekdusan
Mountain and along the Amnokgang (Yalu) River. Right after its
foundation, the Kingdom conquered a number of small states in
the area and moved its capital to Gungnaeseong (Tonggu) near
the Amnok. Through many wars, it drove away the factions loyal
to Han Dynasty and expanded its territory as far as Liaodong in
the west and to the north of the Korean Peninsula in the east. It
became a powerful state, exerting control over Manchuria and the
northern part of the Korean Peninsula.
There were also a number of small states, such as Okjeo
and Dongye, in present-day Hamgyeong-do and the north of
Gangwon-do along the East Coast of the Korean Peninsula.
Located in outlying areas, they did not develop very rapidly. Okjeo
offered tributes, such as salt and fish, to Goguryeo. The people
of Dongye held a sacrificial rite for heaven called Mucheon in
October, building a spirit of collaboration by singing and dancing
together. Their specialty products included an archery bow,
known as a dangung, and the gwahama (a horse small enough to
pass unhindered beneath fruit trees). These two states were also
incorporated into Goguryeo.
The area to the south of Gojoseon was occupied by a large
group of small states including Mahan, Jinhan, and Byeonhan.
Mahan was a confederacy of fifty-four small states (composed of
192
The Three Kingdoms and Gaya (5th Century AD)
Goguryeo
East Sea
Pyeongyang
Usanguk
Dokdo
West Sea
Ungjin (Gongju)
Sabi (Buyeo)
Baekje
Silla
Gaya
Geumseong
(Gyeongju)
Tamna
100,000 households in total) located in present-day Gyeonggi,

Chungcheong, and Jeolla Provinces. Byeonhan was located in
an area that included present-day Gimhae and Masan. Jinhan
was located in an area that included present-day Daegu and
Gyeongju. Each of the latter two was composed of 40,000
50,000 households. The three mini-states were collectively known
as Samhan (Three Han States). The people of Samhan held rites of
sacrifice for heaven in May and October. On such occasions, they
gathered together to enjoy liquor, food, singing and dancing.
193
A painting of hunting
scenes in the Tomb of the
Dancers (5th century,
Goguryeo Kingdom)
Dynamic hunting activities
of the people of Goguryeo
(37 BCE-668 CE)
Jar with Clay Figurines

(Silla; 5th Century)
In ancient times, people
made animal-shaped clay
figurines for use as toys
or burial accessories. This
jar indicates the religious
belief of the people of
Silla. It is an important
material for scholars and
enthusiasts of history
and art.
Korea)
Along with the spread of iron culture and the development

of farming skills, powerful states such as Goguryeo, Baekje and
Silla gradually became established in Manchuria and the Korean
Peninsula.
Goguryeo
Goguryeo was the first of the three Kingdoms to firmly establish
itself as a sovereign country. It started expanding its territory in
the late 1st century and adopted a system centered on the King
by the late 2nd century. By the early 4th century, King Micheon
of Goguryeo had driven away factions loyal to Han Dynasty from
the Korean Peninsula.
In 372 (the 2nd year of King Sosurims reign), Goguryeo
adopted Buddhism and announced a code of laws in an effort
to establish a proper ruling system. It also established the
Taehak, a Confucian educational institute. King Gwanggaeto the
194
Gold Crown of Gaya

This crown was unearthed in
Goryeong, Gyeongsangbukdo. It features upright
decorations and curved jade
pendants.
Great, a son of King Sosurim, drove away the Khitan, Sushen,

Dongbuyeo and expanded his territory into Manchuria. He also
captured many of Baekjes fortresses in the south and helped Silla
overcome a crisis by driving away Wako invaders.
Baekje
Baekje was established in B.C.18 jointly by the people who lived
along the Hangang River, people originating from Buyeo and
Goguryeo, and migrants from elsewhere. By the mid-3rd century,
during the reign of King Goi, the Kingdom had seized complete
control over the areas along the Hangang River and established
a solid system of political governance by accommodating
the advanced culture of China. By the mid-4th century, King
Geunchogo occupied Mahan and expanded the territory as far as
the south coast of present-day Jeollanam-do. Along the northern
border, Baekje confronted Goguryeo in a bid to take control of
195
present-day Hwanghae-do. It also exerted control over Gaya in

the south. At that time, Baekjes territory included present-day
Gyeonggi-do, Chungcheong-do, Jeolla-do, the middle reaches of
the Nakdonggang River, Gangwon-do, and Hwanghae-do.
Silla
Silla originated in Saroguk, one of the mini states of Jinhan. It was
established as a Kingdom in B.C.57 by the natives of present-day
Gyeongju and people from other regions. Those with the family
names Park, Seok, and Kim acceded to the throne in turn. By
around the 4th century, the Kingdom occupied most of the areas
east of the Nakdonggang River. During the reign of King Naemul,
Silla allowed Goguryeo troops to remain within the Kingdom to
help drive away Wako invaders. It also adopted Chinese culture
and civilization through Goguryeo.
In Byeonhan, located along the lower reaches of the
Nakdonggang River, the Gaya Confederation emerged, with
Geumgwan Gaya playing a leading role. The confederation
developed an iron culture and exerted considerable influence on
areas along the Nakdonggang River. Mini states of Gaya started
rice farming early on and traded actively with Wa (Japan) and
Lelang, taking advantage of locally produced iron and convenient
sea routes.
Unification of the Three Kingdoms under Silla
By the 5th century, each of the three Kingdoms (Goguryeo,
Baekje, and Silla) on the Korean Peninsula was committed to a
policy of territorial expansion under a firmly established ruling
apparatus centered on the King. In Goguryeo, King Jangsu, a son
196
of King Gwanggaeto, moved the capital to Pyeongyang in 427.

He occupied Hanseong (present-day Seoul), the capital of Baekje,
and areas along the Hangang River, expanding his territory
down to present-day Jungnyeong Pass (Danyang and Yeongju)
and Namyang-myeon, Gyeonggi-do. Thanks to this territorial
expansion, Goguryeo emerged as a power to be reckoned with in
Northeast Asia
Great Gilt-bronze Incense

Burner of Baekje (6th
Century)
This precious object has
helped researchers broaden
their understanding of
the production skills,
handicrafts, artistic culture,
religion, and ideas of
Baekje.
Korea)
Looking at Baekje, the Kingdom moved its capital to Ungjin

(present-day Gongju) in 475, after yielding the areas along the
Hangang River to Goguryeo. It strived to rebuild its strength to
regain the lost territory. King Dongseong confronted Goguryeo
by reinforcing the alliance with Silla. King Muryeong reinforced
local control in an effort to lay the foundation for prosperity.
King Seong, a son of King Muryeong, relocated the Baekje
capital to Sabi (present-day Buyeo), strove to reform
the ruling system, and regained control over areas along
the Hangang River in an alliance with Silla.
As for Silla, Saroguk changed its name to Silla
in the early 6th century, reformed its political
system, and reorganized its administrative zones,
including the capital, during the reign of King Jijeung. King
Jijeung incorporated Usanguk (composed of present-day
Ulleungdo and Dokdo) into the territory of Silla in
512. King Beopheung stabilized the ruling system by
proclaiming laws, setting rules about official robes,
and adopting Buddhism as the official state religion.
He also incorporated Geumgwan Gaya in a drive to
expand the territory. King Jinheung reorganized
Hwarangdo into a national organization and
197
Sacred Bell of Great King

Seongdeok
(Unified Silla, 8th Century)
Weighing 18.9 tons, this
is the largest bell in the
country. It is also called
the Emille Bell. The Flying
Apsaras in the picture
on the right displays the
exquisite decorative skills
of Silla.
expanded the territory considerably. He seized lands along the

Hangang River from Baekje, conquered Dae Gaya in Goryeong,
wrested areas along the Nakdonggang River, and expanded the
territory as far as Hamheung along the East Coast.
In 612, Sui China, which unified all of mainland China into one
state, attacked Goguryeo, mobilizing more than a million troops.
General Eulji Mundeok of Goguryeo drowned most of the Chinese
invaders in the Salsu (present-day Cheongcheongang River). The
Sui Dynasty sustained enormous damage due to the failure of
the campaign and fell to the Tang Dynasty in 618. Tang China also
attacked Goguryeo several times, but failed at each attempt.
In the meantime, Baekje frequently attacked Silla. Silla
unsuccessfully sought the assistance of Goguryeo, and then
invaded in an alliance with Tang China. Silla troops led by Kim
Yu-sin defeated an elite force of Baekje troops commanded by
Gyebaek in Hwangsanbeol and marched to Sabi, the capital of
Baekje. Troops of Tang China invaded Baekje through the estuary
of the Geumgang River. Finally, Baekje surrendered to the Silla198
Tang forces in 660.

The Silla-Tang forces then attacked Goguryeo, once the most
powerful Kingdom in Northeast Asia. However, Goguryeo had
depleted its resources in two large-scale wars against the two
dynasties of China, and fell in 668.
Upon conquering Baekje and Goguryeo in alliance with Silla,
Tang China attempted to exert control over the entire Korean
Peninsula, including Silla. Silla waged a war against Tang, defeated
its navy in Gibeolpo near the estuary of the Geumgang River, and
drove all of Tangs forces out of the peninsula, thus accomplishing
the important feat of unifying the Korean Peninsula in 676.
North and South States Period:

With the unification of the three Kingdoms on the Korean
Peninsula in 668, Silla enjoyed a marked expansion of both its
territory and population. Unified Silla entered a period of dazzling
economic development. It mended fences with Tang China. The
two countries saw vigorous exchanges between traders, monks,
and Confucian scholars. Silla exported gold/silver handiworks and
ginseng to Tang and imported books, chinaware, satin silk fabric,
clothes, and craftwork products. Goods from Central Asia were
introduced to Silla, and traders from that region paid visits to Silla
via the Silk Road and sea routes.
The major ports of Silla included Ulsan and Danghangseong
(present-day Hwaseong, Gyeonggi-do), through which numerous
goods from Central and Southern Asia were imported. In the early
9th century, General Jang Bo-go of Silla established a forward
base in Cheonghaejin (present-day Wando, Jeollanam-do) to
199
deal with the pirate menace and encourage trade with nearby
countries including China and Japan.
In the meantime, the survivors of the fallen Kingdom of
Goguryeo resisted Tang Chinas rule. In 698, a group of them led
by Dae Jo-yeong, jointly with the Mohe, founded Balhae near
present-day Dongmiaoshan in Jilin Province, China. The new
Kingdom would eventually confront Silla in the south.
Unified Silla and Balhae (8th Century)
Balhae
Sanggyeong
East Sea
Pyeongyang
Usanguk
West Sea
Silla
Geumseong
(Gyeongju)
Tamna
200
Dokdo
Balhae started expanding its territory and regained control

over most of the former territory of Goguryeo. During the reign
of King Mu, Balhae controlled northern Manchuria. King Mun
reformed the system of governance and moved the capital to
Sanggyeong (present-day Ningan-xian, Heilongjiang Province)
in about 755. The people of Balhae took pride in their Goguryeo
inheritance. Letters held in Japan show that the kings of Balhae
referred to themselves as the Kings of Goguryeo. Balhae
eventually grew so large and strong that the people of Tang China
called it Haedong seongguk (prosperous country in the east),
but it fell in 926 as a result of the devastation caused by an
eruption of Baekdusan Mountain and an invasion of the Khitan.
Celadon Prunus Vase

with Inlaid Cloud and
Crane Design (Goryeo,
12th Century)
The jade green celadon
ware represents the
ceramics of the Goryeo
period. The exquisite
patterns on these objects
were created by inlaying
white and black clay into
grooves etched on their
surface. Inlaid designs such
as this are recognized as a
unique skill.
Goryeo
By the late 8th century, Silla had been weakened by
an internal struggle for power among the nobility;
and, by the 10th century, leaders of powerful local
factions, such as Gyeon Hwon and Gungye, had
established their own regimes. In 892, Gyeon Hwon
established a Kingdom named Later Baekje, with
Wansanju as its capital, and gained control of presentday Jeolla-do and Chungcheong-do.
In 901, Gungye, a member of the Silla royal family,
founded Later Goguryeo, exerting control over present-day
Gangwon-do and Gyeonggi-do. He expanded the territory,
reformed the ruling system, and relocated the capital to
Cheorwon. He also changed the name of the country to
Taebong.
Gungye lost popularity among his people while exerting
201
control over local leaders and strengthening his claim to the

throne. In 918, he was driven away by Wang Geon, a local leader
from Songak. Wang Geon changed the name of the country to
Goryeo, announced that the country would inherit Goguryeo, and
moved the capital to Songak. Goryeo remained hostile to Later
Baekje and adopted a policy of positive engagement with Silla.
In 935, Unified Silla was peacefully incorporated into Goryeo.
Following a power struggle among leaders in Later Baekje, Gyeon
Hwon surrendered to Wang Geon. In 936, Later Baekje fell to
Goryeo. Thus, Wang Geon unified the Later Three Kingdoms on
the Korean Peninsula.
Goryeo adopted Confucianism as its political ideology and
established an effective education system by founding the
Gukjagam (a national higher education institution) and numerous
hyanggyo (local private schools). Buddhism also exerted a
considerable influence on Goryeo society in general. The Kingdom
adopted a more tolerant approach towards the acceptance of
other religions, as indicated by the Yeondeunghoe (Lotus Lantern
Festival) and Palgwanhoe (Festival of the Eight Vows), rites in
which prayers were offered for blessing, based on a syncretic mix
of folk religions and Buddhism.
Goryeo engaged in brisk trade with many countries, including
Song China. Many traders from Song China, Central Asia, Arabia,
Southeast Asia and Japan travelled to Byeongnando, the gateway
to the capital, Gaeseong. Traders from Song China sold satin, silk
and medicinal herbs, while traders from Goryeo sold hemp cloth
and ginseng. Gems such as ivory, crystal, amber were imported
from Arabia. And, finally, the name Korea originated from Goryeo
during this period.
202
The Goryeo Kingdom gave birth to a splendid culture. The

inlaid designs found on Goryeo jade-green porcelain attest to a
unique artistry unparalleled elsewhere in the world at that time.
The Tripitaka Koreana (a Korean collection of the Tripitaka, or
Buddhist scriptures, carved onto 81,258 wooden printing blocks),
which was made during the Goryeo Period, is the essence of
Buddhist culture and the pinnacle of achievement of wooden
printing block technology. The worlds first metal printing types
were also invented during the Goryeo Period. According to the
pertinent records, the people of Goryeo invented metal printing
Goryeo (11th Century)
Seogyeong
(Pyeongyang)
East Sea
Gaegyeong (Gaeseong) Usanguk

Namgyeong (Seoul)
Dokdo
West Sea
Donggyeong
(Gyeongju)
Tamna
203
t y p e s m o re t h a n 2 0 0 ye a rs b e fo re
Johannes Gutenburg in Europe. A book
entitled Jikji (Anthology of Great Buddhist
Priests' Zen Teachings) was printed in 1377
with metal printing types, 78 years ahead
of its European homologue printed in 1455.
Jikji is kept at the National Library of France
Jikji (1377), the oldest
extant text printed with
movable metal type
and was registered as a Memory of the World in 2001.

War with the Mongols
In the early 13th century, the situation in China changed
abruptly. The Mongols conquered the Jin Dynasty of China and
expanded their influence into the Korean Peninsula. They invaded
Goryeo seven times between 1231 and 1259. In an effort to
resist these attacks, Goryeo moved its capital to Ganghwa. Even
ordinary people and slaves fought the invaders. In 1259, a peace
agreement was signed between the two countries. The Yuan
Dynasty of China established by the Mongols accepted Goryeos
six conditions for peace, including a guarantee of the continued
existence of the Goryeo Dynasty and Mongol troops immediate
withdrawal from the Korean Peninsula. The agreement was a
result of Goryeos persistent resistance to the Mongols plan to
bring Goryeo under its direct control.
Despite the agreement with the Mongols, a group of Goryeo
troops continued to fight them, moving their base of operations to
Jindo and then to Jejudo. They continued to fight until 1273. Their
forty-two-year campaign of resistance against the Mongols, the
worlds strongest power at that time, attests to their perseverance
and indomitable spirit. However, the national land was devastated
204
and peoples lives were destroyed due to the long years of war. The
Mongols destroyed many precious cultural heritages, including the
nine-tier pagoda at Hwangnyongsa Temple.
Joseon
Towards the end of the 13th century, Goryeo found itself in a
difficult situation due to internal and external problems, including
a struggle for power among the nobility and incursions by red-
Joseon (15th Century)
Hamgil-do (Hamgyeong-do)
Pyeongan-do
Hamheung
Pyeongyang
East Sea
Hwanghae-do
Haeju
Gyeonggi-do Gangwon-do
Ulleungdo
Hanseong(Seoul)
Wonju
West Sea
Chungcheong-do
Gongju
Jeonju
Dokdo
Gyeongsang-do
Daegu
Jeolla-do
Jejudo
205
206
and founded a new dynasty, Joseon. As the first King Taejo of
Cheonsang yeolcha
bunya jido
(Joseon, 17th Century)
This (on the left)
astronomical chart
from Joseon shows the
constellations.
Joseon, he chose Hanyang (present-day Seoul) judged to be a
(Source: National Palace

Museum of Korea)
turbaned bandits and Wako pirates. At that time, General Yi

Seong-gye had become popular among the people for his role in
driving away foreign invaders. He overthrew the Goryeo Dynasty
propitious spot according to the principles of feng shui as the

capital of the new dynasty. He also ordered the construction of
Gyeongbokgung Palace and Jongmyo Shrine, as well as roads
and markets. The new capital, located in the center of the Korean
Peninsula, was easily accessible via the Hangang River, which
flowed directly through its heart.
King Taejong, the third King and a son of the founder of the
dynasty, made a significant contribution to stabilizing the system
of governance. He adopted a system by which all people were
registered under the Hopae Act, and launched six ministries,
namely, the Ministries of Personnel Administration, Finance,
Protocol, Defense, Justice, and Public Works, to govern the
country. King Sejong, the fourth King and a son of King Taejong,
ushered in an era of great political, social, and cultural prosperity.
Scholars at the Jiphyeonjeon (Hall of Worthies) developed strong
and effective policies. During the reigns of Sejo, Yejong, and
Seongjong, the Gyeongguk daejeon (National Code) was drawn
up with the aim of establishing a long-lasting ruling system.
The Creation of Hangeul
Koreans had used Chinese characters as their alphabet and
writing system for many centuries. Idu and Hyangchal, systems
for writing the spoken word, using Chinese characters, had been
developed, but they left much to be desired. In 1443, King Sejong
207
supervised the creation of Hangeul (the Korean alphabet) and

promulgated it to the people three years later, in 1446. The
shapes of the Korean alphabet were based on the shapes made by
the human vocal apparatus during pronunciation. Many scholars
have stated that Hangeul is the most scientific and easy-tolearn writing system in the world. It certainly went a long way
towards enhancing communication between the people and the
government, and played a decisive role in laying the foundations
of a culturally advanced country.
Development of Science and Technology
During the Joseon period, the countrys science and technology
developed considerably. The Jagyeongnu (clepsydra), Angbuilgu
Angbuilgu (Joseon;
17th~18th Centuries)
A sundial capable of
marking changes in both
time and season (Left)
(Source: National Palace
Museum of Korea)
Rain Gauge (Joseon,

18th Century)
This rain gauge used
to be installed in
Seonhwadang, Daegu
(Right)
208
(sun dial), and Honcheonui (armillary sphere) were all invented

in the early period of the dynasty. A rain gauge, the first of its
particular kind in the world, was used. Devices for land survey and
mapmaking were also made. During the reign of King Taejo, the
Cheonsang yeolcha bunya jido (Celestial Chart) was made based
on a previous version drawn up during the Goguryeo Period.
During the reign of King Sejong, Chiljeongsan (Calculation of the
Motions of the Seven Celestial Determinants) was made based
on the Shoushili calendar of China and the Islamic calendar of

Arabia. Noticeable advances were made in the sphere of medical
science. Hyangyak jipseongbang (Compilation of Native Korea
Prescriptions) and Uibang yuchi (Classified Collection of Medical
Prescriptions) were compiled. Metal printing types, such as
Gyemija and Gabinja, were made during the reigns of Taejong and
Sejong, making it possible to publish many books.
Joseons Foreign Relations
Joseon maintained friendly relations with Ming China. The two
Tsushima Clan Leader of Japan for bilateral trade. Joseon also
White Porcelain Jar with

Plum, Bamboo, Bird
Design (Joseon; 15th
Century)
This vase made in the
early Joseon Period
displays a uniquely
Korean atmosphere in
its refined portrayal of
bamboo, plum, and birds.
traded with Asian countries, such as Ryukyu, Siam, and Java.

Korea)
countries exchanged royal envoys every year and engaged in

busy cultural and economic exchanges. Joseon also accepted
Japans request for bilateral trade by opening the ports of Busan,
Jinhae, and Ulsan. In 1443, Joseon signed an agreement with the
Development of Handcraft Skills

Chinaware is perhaps the most representative handcraft
of the Joseon Period. Grayish-blue-powdered celadon
or white porcelain was widely used at the Royal
Court or government offices. By about the 16th
century, Joseons chinaware production skills
had reached their zenith. Its white porcelain
typically exhibited clean, plain shapes based on
the tradition established during the Goryeo Period.
They were suited to the aristocratic taste of the
Confucian scholars.
209
Imjin Waeran (Japanese Invasion of 1592)

Throughout the 14th and 15th centuries, Joseon maintained good
relations with Japan. In the 16th century, however, Japan called
for a larger share of the bilateral trade, but Joseon refused to
comply with the request. Japanese threw the country into turmoil
by causing disturbances in 1510 and 1555. In Japan, Toyotomi
Hideyoshi brought the confusion of the 120-year-long Warring
States Period to a conclusion and unified the country. Then, in
1592, he invaded Joseon with around 200,000 troops, with the
aim of dissipating local lords strength and stabilizing his rule in
Japan. The war lasted until 1598.
Feeling threatened by the invading Japanese troops, King
Seonjo of Joseon fled to Uiju, close to Ming China, and asked the
Ming to come to his aid. The Japanese invaders marched into the
northern provinces of Joseon. Korean militias started fighting
the invaders here and there across the country. It is particularly
noteworthy that Korean naval forces led by Admiral Yi Sun-sin
won one victory after another against the invaders and defended
the nations breadbasket in Jeolla-do Province. The Japanese forces
pulled out of Korea, but invaded Joseon again in 1597. Although
Admiral Yi Sun-sin was left with only thirteen warships, he won
a devastating victory against the Japanese fleet of 133 ships. The
sea battle waged in the Strait of Myeongnyang was one of the
greatest military engagements of all time, and is surely worthy of
inclusion in any record of the world history of naval battles.
Following the death of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the Japanese
invaders returned home. During the seven-year war, many cultural
heritages in Joseon, including Bulguksa Temple, were destroyed.
The Japanese took away books, printing types, and works of art
210
from Joseon. With these spoils of war, the Japanese were able
to enhance scholarship and the arts in their own country, while
porcelain makers whom the Japanese troops abducted from
Joseon helped Japan develop its own china culture.
Development of Grassroots Culture
In the late Joseon Period, commerce and industry entered a period
of rapid development. Many children could receive education
at private schools in their local neighborhood. With these
improvements in the quality of life of the people, they began to
enjoy diverse entertainments. Stories written in easily understood
Hangeul, as opposed to literary works published in Chinese,
were widely distributed. Pansori (a genre of musical storytelling)
and mask dance developed. In the late 19th century, Sin Jaehyo arranged pansori saseol (stories). Five leading pansori songs,
namely, Chunhyangga (The Song of Chunhyang), Simcheongga
(The Song of Sim Cheong), Heungboga (The Song of Heungbo),
Sandaenori
This is a type of
traditional stage play, in
which masked actors and
actresses engage in gags,
dances, songs, etc.
211
Jeokbyeokga (The Song of Red Cliff), and Sugungga (The Song of

the Rabbit and the Turtle) have been handed down to the present
day. Mask plays such as Tallori and Sandaenori enjoyed great
popularity among ordinary people.
The Fall of Joseon:

Imperial Japans Annexation of Korea
With the onset of the Industrial Revolution in the 18th century,
capitalism developed in Europe and large businesses came into
being. European countries expanded their colonies in Asia and
Africa. By the mid-19th century, the western powers had forced
Qing China and Japan to open their doors and then asked the
same of Joseon, but Joseon duly rejected such requests. Joseon
did not yield to pressure applied in the form of naval attacks in
1866 (by the French) and 1871 (by the Americans).
In the ensuing period, the western powers did not stop
exerting pressure. In 1875, Japan dispatched the battleship Unyo
Maru to attack Ganghwado and Yeongjongdo Islands, demanding
that Joseon open its doors to foreign trade missions. Ultimately,
Joseon was forced to sign the highly unequal, one-sided
Ganghwado Treaty with Japan in 1876 under the threat of force.
Subsequently, imperialist powers, including Japan, vied with each
other to pillage Joseons resources. In 1897, Joseon changed its name
to Imperial Korea and pushed ahead with reforms and the opendoor policy, but it was too late. Japan soon won major victories in
Ganghwado Treaty
The Ganghwado Treaty
was a highly unequal, onesided trade treaty signed
between Joseon and Japan
on February 27, 1876
under threat of force.
212
its wars against Qing China and Russia, emerged as a strong power
in Northeast Asia, and took steps to annex Joseon. Many Korean
patriots, including Ahn Jung-geun, resisted such a plan, but to no
avail. In August 1910, Imperial Korea became a Japanese colony.
During the colonial period (1910-1945), the Japanese pillaged
Joseons resources, banned the use of the Korean language even going so far in 1939 as to require Koreans to change their
personal names to Japanese style surnames and given names
under the Name Order, and conscripted Koreans into their
work force or as uniformed soldiers in the Pacific War. Koreans
engaged in persistent struggles to regain their independence.
They organized clandestine organizations to fight the Japanese
Leaders of the Provisional

Government
They played a pivotal
role in the independence
movement between
April 1919, when the
Provisional Government
was established in
Shanghai, China, and the
country's liberation in
August 1945.
213
within the country. They also established forward bases for the
independence movement in China, Russia, and the United States.
In March 1919, Korean leaders announced the Declaration of
Independence. Students and ordinary people joined them by
staging street demonstrations across the country. These protests
continued for 12 months, involving about 2 million people, and
were violently suppressed by the Japanese, with many thousands
killed and wounded. The movement spread to the Koreans
resisting in Manchuria, the Maritime Provinces of Siberia, the
United States, Europe, and even to Japan. Following the March
1919 Independence Movement, organizations representing
Koreans were established in Seoul, the Maritime Provinces of
Siberia, and Shanghai. The Provisional Government of Korea
established in Shanghai was the countrys first democratic
republican government; it was equipped with a modern
Constitution and a political system that separated the three basic
branches (executive, legislative and judicial) of government.
Koreans also carried out armed struggles against the Japanese.
In the 1920s, more than thirty Korean independence army units
engaged in resistance activities in Manchuria and the Maritime
Provinces of Siberia. In June 1920, a Korean independence army
unit led by Hong Beom-do dealt a devastating blow to Japanese
troops in Fengwutung, Jilin Province, China. In October 1920,
Korean volunteers led by Kim Jwa-jin won a great victory against
Japanese troops in Helongxian, Manchuria. This is known as the
Battle of Cheongsalli among Koreans.
In 1940, the Provisional Government of Korea (PGK) organized
the Korean Liberation Army in Chungqing, integrating many
scattered volunteer independence fighters in Manchuria. The
214
PGK declared war against Japan and dispatched troops to the

front lines in India and Myanmar to fight on the side of the Allied
Forces. Some young Koreans received special training from a
special military unit of the United States to better equip them
to attack Japanese forces in Korea. On August 15, 1945, Koreans
finally received what they had looked forward to for so long: the
countrys liberation as a result of Japans surrender in the Pacific
War. U.S. and Soviet troops were deployed to the south and
north of the 38th parallel, respectively to disarm Japanese troops
remaining on the Korean Peninsula.
Transition to a Democracy and Transformation

In May 1948, the countrys first democratic election was held
in South Korea under the UNs supervision to elect the 198
Gyeongbu Expressway
Korea's first national
expressway connecting
Seoul and Busan was
opened in 1970.
215
members of the National Assembly. In July of the same year, the

Constitution was enacted and Rhee Syngman and Yi Si-yeong,
two independence fighters deeply respected by Koreans, were
elected as the countrys first President and Vice President. On
August 15, 1948, the Republic of Korea (ROK) was launched as
a free democracy, inheriting the legitimacy of the PGK. The UN
recognized the government of the ROK as the only legitimate
government on the Korean Peninsula.
However, to the north of the 38th parallel, a general election
under UN supervision could not be carried out due to the Soviet
Unions opposition. On September 9, 1945, the Democratic
Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK) was established as a
communist country, and Kim Il-sung, who had served as an officer
of the Soviet Russian Army, was sworn in as the President. Amid
the confrontation between a free democracy in the south and a
communist dictatorship in the north, the ROK government led by
President Rhee Syngman was burdened with many problems, such
as the establishment of domestic order, the elimination of any
remaining traces of the colonial rule, and conflicts between the
right and the left among others.
On June 25, 1950, North Korean troops armed with Sovietmade tanks and fighters invaded the South, thus triggering an allout war. The UN Security Council unanimously condemned the
North Korean invasion and published a resolution recommending
that its member states provide military assistance to South
Korea. When the tide of the war turned against the North with
the intervention of the UN Forces, Red Chinese troops intervened
in the war on the Norths side. The two sides engaged in fierce
battles until, on July 27, 1953, the two sides finally signed the
216
armistice agreement. President Rhee Syngman did not sign the

agreement, calling strongly for the prolongation of the war with
the goal of unifying the entire country in the Souths favor.
The three-year-long internecine war started by the
The 18th President, Park

Geun-hye
She was inaugurated in
February 2013 as the
countrys first female
President.
Communists reduced the entire Korean Peninsula to rubble.

Millions of troops and civilians were killed. Most of the countrys
industrial facilities were destroyed. South Korea became the
poorest country in the world. However, the war taught South
Koreans the preciousness of freedom. The experience provided
the foundation that inspired patriotism in the hearts of young
students and uniformed soldiers alike, and became the principal
engine of the countrys modernization.
President Rhee Syngman strengthened his authoritarian rule.
217
In 1960, the ruling Liberal Party rigged the Presidential election.

Young students took to the streets in protest. The situation
deteriorated when many demonstrators were shot down by the
police. President Rhee Syngman announced his step-down and
took refuge in Hawaii. Shortly thereafter, the Constitution was
amended, and the Cabinet system and the bicameral National
Assembly were adopted. Under the new constitution, the regime
led by Prime Minister Jang Myeon was launched, but the political
situation became extremely fragile amid political struggles and
continued street demonstrations by students.
In May 1961, a group of young army officers led by General
Park Chung-hee seized power in a coup dtat. In the presidential
election held in October 1963, after two years of military rule,
Park Chung-hee, having retired from the military, was elected
as President and inaugurated in December that same year. The
government led by President Park set up a 5-year economic
development plan under the slogan of modernization of the
fatherland and achieved rapid economic growth by implementing
an export-oriented policy.
Observers called it the Miracle on the Hangang River.
The country vigorously pushed ahead with the development
of national land, including the construction of the Gyeongbu
Expressway and subway lines in large cities. The country also
carried out the Saemaeul Undong (New Community Movement),
turning the impoverished agricultural society into a country
focused mainly on manufacturing.
When the government announced the Yusin (Revitalization
Reform), which were designed to extend the term of the
incumbent government after eighteen years of dictatorship, in
218
October 1972, students and ordinary people engaged in the

democratization movement. After the assassination of President
Park in October 1979, a new group of army officers led by General
Chun Doo-hwan (Singunbu) seized power through a coup dtat.
Singunbu suppressed the voices calling for democratization,
including the May 18 Democratization Movement, by force.
Chun Doo-hwan was sworn in as the President and ruled with an
authoritarian grip. The Chun Doo-hwan government concentrated
on economic stabilization, successfully bringing inflated prices
under control. Under his leadership, the country accomplished
continued economic growth.
In June 1987, Roh Tae-woo, a presidential hopeful of the
ruling party, made a special announcement to the effect that
he would accept the peoples request for democratization and
direct election of the President. In December of the same year,
he was elected to a five-year term as President. He was sworn in
as President in February 1988. The Roh Tae-woo administration
established diplomatic relations with Communist countries,
including the Soviet Union, China, and those in Eastern Europe.
During his term, the two Koreas joined the UN simultaneously, in
September 1991.
The Kim Young-sam government, which was inaugurated
in 1993, strove to eliminate corruption by making it a rule for
high-ranking public officials to register all their assets and by
prohibiting the use of false names in all financial transactions. The
level of transparency in business transactions was considerably
enhanced by this measure. The government also implemented
the local autonomy system in full force. Kim Dae-jung was
inaugurated as President in 1998. His government succeeded in
219
overcoming the foreign exchange crisis that had hit the country
one year earlier, and strove to develop both democracy and the
market economy. In its relations with the North, the government
adopted the sunshine policy. In June 2000, the leaders of the
two Koreas met at a summit held in Pyongyang, North Korea,
and made a joint statement. Then, the two Koreas established
a system of reconciliation and cooperation, and agreed on
the reunion of dispersed family members, reconnection of
the Gyeongui and Donghae railroad lines, revitalization of the
unification movement led by the private sector, and the expansion
of economic cooperation, including sightseeing in Geumgangsan
Mountain.
The Roh Moo-hyun government, which was inaugurated in 2003,
concentrated on three leading objectives, namely, the realization
of democracy with the participation of the people, balanced social
development, and the construction of Northeast Asia with the focus
on peace and prosperity. The government also held the second
summit between the leaders of the two Koreas in Pyongyang in
October 2007 and signed an FTA with the United States.
The Lee Myung-bak administration, which was inaugurated
in February 2008, announced five leading indicators in a bid
for the establishment of a new development system with the
focus on changes and practicality. The government stressed that
it would be a government that would serve the people. It also
made efforts to reduce the government organization, privatize
public corporations (in addition to making them operate more
efficiently), and reform administrative regulations. Other policies
adopted by the government included the forging of a creative
alliance with the United States as befits the 21st century, and
220
the creation of a global Korea under the South-North Economic

Community.
Ms. Park Geun-hye became the countrys first woman to be
elected President in the election held in December 2012. She was
inaugurated in February 2013. Her government presented a new
vision: Nations Development and Peoples Happiness. Over the
past sixty-five years (1948-2013), the country has transformed
itself from one of the most impoverished countries in the world
to an economic powerhouse and an exemplar of free democracy.
This process may be viewed as a unique example in world history.
221
History at a Glance
Samguk sagi (History of the Three Kingdoms) and Samguk yusa (Memorabilia of the
Three Kingdoms) divide the history of the Silla Dynasty into three periods: early, mid,
and late Silla Dynasty.
The Three-Kingdom Period
Silla (B.C.57 ~ A.D.935)
Baekje (B.C.18 ~ A.D.660)
Goguryeo (B.C.37 ~ A.D.668 )
Comb-patterned
pottery
They are
earthenware
representing the
Neolithic Age that
contain geometric
patterns, such as
dots, lines, circles
on the surface
Gold crown (Silla; the 6th Century)

It features three twig-shaped upstanding
decorations, two deer horn-shaped
decorations, and decorations composed of
round gold plates and comma-shaped jade.
It also has two tree leaf-shaped hanging
accessories.
The Bronze Age

Gojoseon
The Samhan Period
Liaoning-style bronze dagger and

Slender bronze dagger
They are bronze daggers
representing the Bronze Age
through the early Iron Age.
Gaya (42~562)
Armor and helmet
It was made during the Gaya Period (5th
Century). The steel plates were curved to
meet the contours of the human body and
attached to each other with nails.
The Iron Age

Buyeo
The Paleolithic Age

The Neolithic Age
Korea
B.C.
5000
2000
1000
500
200
100
A.D.
200
300
400
500
China
Sui (581~618)
The Bronze Age
Shang (1600~1046)
The Warring States Period (475~221)

Qin (221~206)
Former Han (B.C. 206~A.D. 25 )
South and North

Dynasties (420~589)
Zhou (1046~256)
The Chun Qiu Period (770~476)
Later Han (25~220)
The Three-Kingdom Period (220~280)

Chin (265~420)
Western
Mesopotamian civilization
Dynasty of a Unified Egypt
Birth of Jesus Christ

The Roman Empire declared Christianity
the state religion (392)
East-west division of the Rome Empire(395)
Greek civilization
Establishment of the Roman Empire (735)
Socrates (470~399)
Alexander the Great (356~323)
222
Julius Caesar (101~44)

The 1st Punic War (264~241)
The 2nd Punic War (219~201)
The 3rd Punic War (149~146)
Anglo Saxons
built a kingdom
in England (449)
Mahomet
(570~632)
The classification of periods based on ruling dynasties was the generally accepted
practice from the early 20th century. However, various new systems entered
widespread usage with the adoption of western methods of research on early
modern history.
Joseon (1392-1910)
Unified Silla (676~935)
Buddha at Seokguram
Grotto
This work represents the
esthetic beauty of Unified
Silla. It displays the statue
of Shakyamuni who reached
the stage of enlightenment.
The 2002 FIFA World Cup

Korea/Japan
Hunminjeongeum
This book explains the
principles on which
Hangeul is based. Hangeul
is the countrys writing
system which was
created by King Sejong (r.
1418~1450).
Goryeo (918~1392)
Janggyeongpanjeon Depositories of Haeinsa

Temple
Tripitaka Koreana [a Korean collection of the
Tripitaka (Buddhist scriptures) carved onto
roughly 81,258 wooden printing blocks)] is the
oldest extant collection of Buddhist scriptures
with the most comprehensive contents.
The Korean War (1950~1953)

Establishment of the government of the
Republic of Korea (1948)
Imperial Korea (1897-1910)
Balhae (698~926)
600
700
Tang (618~907)
900
The 24th Seoul Summer

Olympics (1988)
1000
1100
1200
Song (960~1279)
The Period of Five

Dynasties and Ten
Kingdoms (907~960)
1300
1400
1500
Ming
(1368~1644)
1800
1900
Qing
(1616~1911)
2000
Establishment of the
Peoples Republic of
China (1949)
Yuan (1271~1368)
Establishment of the
Republic of China (1912)
First Crusade
(1096~1099)
WW I
(1914~1918)
WW II
(1939~1945)
Marco Polo (1254~1324)

Magna Carta (1215)
The Hundred Years War
Charles the Great
(1344~1434)
became the Western Roman emperor
Gutenberg's printing technology (1455)
(800)
Columbuss discovery of America (1492)
Hijra (622), the first year of the Islamic calendar
Luthers religious revolution (1517)
The American Civil War (1861~1865)

The United States Declaration of Independence (1776)
The French Revolution (1789~1793)
The Thirty Years War (1618~1648)
223
Constitution and
Government
Constitution
Executive, Legislative, and the Judiciary
Local Government
7
Government
The government of the Republic of Korea was launched on August

15, 1948. Three months earlier, the first members (198) of the
National Assembly had been elected in the countrys first general
election held under UN supervision. On July 17 of the same year,
the first National Assembly promulgated the Constitution. Its
members elected Rhee Syngman as the first President on July 20.
Rhee Syngman was widely known both in and out of the country
as a leader of the countrys independence movement. The 3rd UN
General Assembly held in Paris in December of that year passed
a resolution that the government established in the south of the
38th parallel was the only legitimate government on the Korean
Peninsula.
Constitution
The countrys Constitution was promulgated on July 17, 1948
after a month and half of work for its enactment. The government
observes it as a national holiday. The first amendment to the
Constitution was made in July 1952, while the 9th and last
amendment was passed by referendum on October 27, 1987.
The countrys Constitution adopts liberal democracy as the
basic principle of governance. The Constitution guarantees the
peoples freedom and rights under various laws. It also guarantees
226
equal opportunities in all sectors, including politics, economy,

society and culture, and recognizes the necessity of establishing a
welfare state. The Constitution also stipulates that all people have
the obligation to pay taxes, engage in national defense, educate
their children, and work.
The Constitution states that the country should endeavor
to maintain international peace. It stipulates that international
treaties signed by the country and generally accepted
international laws have the same effects as domestic laws. Under
the Constitution, the status of aliens is guaranteed in accordance
with international laws and treaties.
Executive, Legislative, and the Judiciary

The National Assembly is an institution that represents the
peoples opinions. All the laws of the country are made by the
National Assembly. At present, the National Assembly has 300
Seats of the 19th National Assembly Occupied by Political Parties

Independent (2)
Justice
Party (5)
Unified
Progressive
Party (5)
Saenuri Party (158)
The 19th
National
Assembly
New Politics
Alliance for
Democracy (130)
227
members, each of whom is elected for a term of four years. The

National Assembly is composed of 246 members elected in
local constituencies and 54 members elected by political parties
for the purpose of proportional representation. The latter are
meant for vocational representation. At present, the ruling party
is the Saenuri Party, as it has the largest number of seats at the
Government Organization Chart

President
The Board of Audit and Inspection of Korea
Korea Communications Commission
National Intelligence Service
Prime Minister
Ministry of Public Safety and Security
Korea Fair Trade Commission
Ministry of Personnel Management
Financial Services Commission
Ministry of Government Legislation
Anti-corruption and Civil Rights
Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs
Commission of Korea
Ministry of Food and Drug Safety
Nuclear Safety and Security Commission
Ministry of
Strategy and
Finance
Ministry of
Education
Ministry of Science,
ICT and Future
Planning
Ministry of
Foreign Affairs
Ministry of
Unification
Ministry of
Justice
Ministry of
National Defense
Ministry of Government Administration

and Home Affairs
Ministry of
Culture, Sports
and Tourism
Ministry of
Agriculture, Food
and Rural Affairs
Ministry of
Trade, Industry
and Energy
Ministry of
Health
and Welfare
Ministry of
Environment
Ministry of
Employment
and Labor
Ministry of
Gender Equality
and Family
Ministry of
Land, Infrastructure
and Transport
Ministry of
Oceans
and Fisheries
228
National Assembly. The leading opposition party is the New

Politics Alliance for Democracy. The first National Assembly was
launched in May 1948. The members of the current 19th National
Assembly (May 2012 May 2016) were elected in the election
held in April 2012. The National Assembly building is located in
Yeouido near the Hangang River that flows through Seoul.
The executive right of the government is exercised by the
Executive Branch headed by the President. At present, the
President is elected through a direct election for a term of five
years. Under the Constitution, the President cannot be reelected
for a second term. The current President Park Geun-hye was
elected as the countrys first female president in December 2012
and was inaugurated in February 2013.
The Cabinet Meeting, in which the President and the Prime
Minister serve as the Chair and the Vice Chair, respectively,
deliberates on important policies under the rights accorded
to the Executive Branch of the government. In the absence of
the President, the Prime Minister controls the ministries of the
government on his/her behalf. At present, the Executive Branch
of the government operates two boards, five offices, twenty two
ministries, sixteen administrations, and six committees.
The Judiciary Branch of the government is composed of
the Supreme Court, appellate courts, district courts, family
courts, administrative courts, and the patent court among
others. The Supreme Court Chief Justice is appointed by the
President with the consent of the National Assembly, and other
Supreme Court justices are appointed by the President upon the
recommendation of the Chief Justice. The term for the Chief
Justice and justices is six years.
229
Presidents
230
Park Geun-hye
Lee Myung-bak
Roh Moo-hyun
18th President
(2013 - )
17th President
(2008-2013)
16th President
(2003-2008)
Kim Dae-jung
Kim Young-sam
Roh Tae-woo
Chun Doo-hwan
15th President
(1998-2003)
14th President
(1993-1998)
13th President
(1988-1993)
11th and 12th President

(1980-1988)
Choi Kyu-hah
Park Chung-hee
Yun Bo-seon
Rhee Syngman
10th President
(1979-1980)
5th, 6th, 7th, 8th,

and 9th President
(1963-1979)
4th President
(1960-1962)
1st, 2nd
and 3rd President
(1948-1960)
Besides the Executive, Legislative, and Judiciary Branches of the
government, a number of other agencies carry out their respective
independent functions.
The Constitutional Court has the right to review whether
a specific law is unconstitutional, to judge an appeal for the
impeachment of a high-ranking official, and decide on the
disbandment of a political party under the Constitution. The
Constitutional Court is composed of three judges appointed by
the President, three judges appointed by the National Assembly,
and three judges appointed by the Supreme Court Chief Justice.
The President of the Constitutional Court is appointed by the
President with the consent of the National Assembly.
The National Election Commission handles matters
associated with elections, fair management of referendums,
political parties, and political funds. A member of the
commission is not allowed to join a specific political party
or engage in political activities. Their term is six years. The
chairman is elected from among the members.
The National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK)
performs the role of respecting and realizing the dignity and
values of human beings as sovereign individuals by protecting
and promoting their basic rights. The commission was launched
in November 2001 in light of the peoples earnest desire
for improvement of the countrys human rights conditions
expressed during the democratization process. The commission
also handles cases concerning human rights infringement or
discrimination involving a foreigner residing or working in the
country.
231
Sejong Special SelfGoverning City

This is the countrys
17th high-level local
government. It was
launched in July 2012
with a view to solving the
problem of overpopulation
in the Greater Seoul
area by distributing the
functions nationwide as
well as to promoting the
balanced development
of national land and
decentralization. The
central governments 17
ministries will move from
Seoul to the said city by
the end of 2014.
Local Government
The country adopted the local autonomous system in June 1995.
The Local Autonomy Act was enacted in 1949, but local autonomy
was not implemented during the period of political upheaval,
including the Korean War, the April 1960 Student Revolution, the
May 1961 Coup dtat.
Local governments are divided into high-level and lowlevel local governments. With the inclusion of Sejong Special
Autonomous City in July 2012, the number of high-level local
governments was increased to seventeen (i.e. Seoul Special City,
six metropolises, eight provinces, and Jeju Special Self-Governing
Province). The number of low-level local governments stands at
227 (i.e. si/gun/gu).
The heads of local governments and councilors are elected
through direct election. The term for local government heads
is four years, and they can be reelected for up to three terms.
There is no limit on how many terms a local councilor may serve.
The local autonomous system is very significant as a means of
realizing the goal of grassroots democracy through local residents
participation.
South Korea strives to promote friendly and cooperative
relations with other countries. By July 2012, the country had
established diplomatic relations with 189 countries, operating
permanent embassies in 112 countries, in addition to 42
consular offices and 4 representative offices. In the past, the
countrys diplomacy focused on western countries, including
the United States, but it has pushed ahead with diversified
232
Local Governments
Provincial Governments
9
Gyeonggi-do
Office Location: Suwon

Population: 1.22 million
Land area: 10,171km2
www.gg.go.kr
10
10
9
12
11
11
15
3
5
13
6
16
7
4
14
17
12
Seoul
Incheon
Office Location: Jeonggak-ro,

Namdong-gu
Land area: 1,041km2
www.incheon.go.kr
3
Daejeon
Office Location: Dunsan-ro, Seo-gu

Land area: 540km2
www.daejeon.go.kr
4
Gwangju
Office Location: Naebang-ro, Seo-gu

Land area: 501km2
www.gwangju.go.kr
Chungcheongbuk-do
Office Location: Cheongju

Land area: 7,406km2
www.cb21.net
Jeollabuk-do
Office Location: Jeonju

Land area: 8,067km2
www.jeonbuk.go.kr
Metropolitan Governments
Office Location: Sejong-daero, Jung-gu
Land area: 650km2
www.seoul.go.kr
Chungcheongnam-do
Office Location: Hongseong

Land area: 8,204km2
www.chungnam.net
13
Gangwon-do
Office Location: Chuncheon

www.provin.gangwon.kr
5 Daegu
Office Location: Gongpyeong-ro, Jung-gu
Land area: 884km2
www.daegu.go.kr
6
Ulsan
Office Location: Jungang-ro, Nam-gu

Land area: 1,060km2
www.ulsan.go.kr
7
Busan
Office Location: Jungang-daero, Yeonje-gu

Land area: 770km2
www.busan.go.kr
8
Sejong
Office Location: Guncheong-ro,

Jochiwon-eup
Population: 120,000
Land area: 465km2
www.sejong.go.kr
14
Jeollanam-do
Office Location: Muan

www.jeonnam.go.kr
15
Gyeongsangbuk-do
Office Location: Daegu

www.gyeongbuk.go.kr
16
Gyeongsangnam-do
Office Location: Changwon

www.gsnd.net
17
Jeju Special SelfGoverning Province
Office Location: Jeju

Population: 590,000
Land size: 1,849km2
www. jeju.go.kr
233
South Koreans serve the

world as members of the
international community
through international
cooperation carried out
at the government level
and through private
organizations voluntary
activities.
diplomacy through brisk exchanges even with socialist countries,
(Photo: South Korean COPION

volunteers with locals in
Kathmandu, Nepal)
the UN in 1991, and joined the OECD in 1996. The country has
since the end of the 1980s.

The country is committed to carrying out positive activities as
a member of diverse international organizations such as UNESCO,
IMF, APEC, IAEA, ILO, WHO. South Korea became a member of
also carried out activities as a member of the IOC since 1947.
International Cooperation
South Korea does its best in the sector of international
cooperation in keeping with its enhanced economic strength. The
country takes part in programs designed to provide support for
impoverished countries through the World Bank, the IMF, and the
OECD. Recently, the country has also joined worldwide efforts
234
for peacekeeping, global economic stabilization, environmental

conservation, etc.
South Korea chaired the G20 Summit held in Seoul in
November 2010, confirming its status as a leading country, under
the slogan Shared Growth Beyond Crisis. Observers said that
the country dealt with the foreign exchange issue, which was a
core agenda concerning the then current global economic crisis,
very efficiently. The Seoul event was the fifth G20 Summit and
the first one held in Asia.
The Nuclear Security Summit Seoul 2012 was another event
that showed the status of South Korea as a central country in
the struggle for world peace. The Seoul event was held to discuss
how to protect countries nuclear facilities, including power
plants, and how to organize international cooperation to block
nuclear terror attempts. It was the second nuclear securityrelated summit after the one held in Washington DC in April
2010. At the Seoul event, the participating countries adopted
the 11-item Seoul Communique about concrete methods of
implementing nuclear security.
South Korea is enhancing its status in the international
community by achieving noticeable results in the Green Growth
sector. Leading examples of such initiatives include the opening of
the headquarters of the UN Green Climate Fund (GCF) in Seoul
and the transformation of the Global Green Growth Institute
(GGGI) into an international body. The GGGI, which was launched
in June 2010 with the South Korean government playing a
central role, had its status upgraded as an international body
based in Seoul at the United Nations Conference on Sustainable
Development (Rio+20) held in June 2012 in Rio de Janeiro,
235
Brazil. It is expected that the GGGI will be able to contribute

greatly to the development of the international community as an
international corporation.
The GCF is called the

World Bank of the
Environmental Sector. It
is the first international
financial institution that
South Korea succeeded
in attracting to Songdo,
Incheon (in October 2012).
At the 16th session of the
conference of the parties
to the UNFCCC held in
Cancun, Mexico in 2010,
the participants agreed to
the establishment of the
said fund.
(Photo: Central Park in Songdo
International City, Incheon)
236
Provision of Support for Developing Countries

In only half a century, South Korea transformed itself from one
of the most impoverished countries in the world into a developed
country capable of providing aid to others. Given this phenomenal
success story, South Korea was a fitting host for the High Level
Forum on Aid Effectiveness, the largest-scale international
meeting in the development and cooperation sector, which was
held in Busan in November 2011.
South Koreas foreign aid programs are coordinated by the
Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA). This body was
established in 1991, and organizes programs designed to provide

support for developing countries and to share South Koreas
own development experience. KOICA provides ODA (Official
Development Assistance) of US$400-500 million annually to
developing countries in Asia and Africa; these funds contribute
to numerous areas, including education, health, agriculture/
forestry/fisheries, public administration, and industrial energy,
among others.
South Korea is also actively trying to improve governance
in developing countries by training public officials. The Central
Officials Training Institute provides education in many disciplines,
including leadership, personnel management, economic and
industrial planning, and rural development (modeled on South
Koreas New Community Movement of the 1970s). A total of
1,500 foreign officials have attended these courses since 1984.
South Korea is also pleased to be making a contribution
to world peace and security through taking part in a wide
variety of UN peacekeeping operations and by supporting the
UN peacekeeping budget. Currently, South Korean troops are
stationed in eight countries including Lebanon, South Sudan,
India, Pakistan, and West Sahara, where they are tasked with
the maintenance of order, rehabilitation, medical services, and
other activities
237
Economy
The Korean Economy the Miracle on the Hangang River

Industrial Brand Leaders and Korean Industrial Standards
8
Economy
The Korean Economy the Miracle on the Hangang River

The Constitution of South Korea stipulates that the right of
property shall be guaranteed for every citizen. In short, the
country has adopted the market economy system, respects
individuals and businesses right to conduct free economic
Cars Exported from
Hyundai Motors Ulsan
Factory
Cars are one of the
countrys major export
items.
240
activities, and guarantees the profits and properties made and

accumulated by them.
However, the Constitution does not guarantee the limitless,
unfettered pursuit of capitalistic free economy. The Constitution
South Koreas five leading export items and export amounts

Liquid crystal devices 28,160
Liquid crystal devices 25,971
Petroleum
products
Petroleum
products
56,098
Ships
52,787
Ships
37,168
2012
2013
39,753
Semiconductors
Semiconductors
57,143
50,430
Cars 47,201
Cars 48,635
[Unit: Millions of dollars /Source: Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy]
stipulates that an unjust situation should be rectified if the abuse

of capital is found to cause damage to people as an apparatus set
to improve things relating to the free market economy.
South Korea has achieved economic growth at an unprecedented
speed. Observers called what the country has accomplished the
Miracle of the Hangang River, as most of the countrys industrial
facilities were destroyed during the three-year-long Korean War,
and the country was devoid of capital and natural resources.
In the early 1960s, the country pushed ahead with exportoriented economic development plans. At first, the countrys
major export items were mainly light industrial products
manufactured in small factories, or raw materials. In the 1970s,
the country invested in heavy chemical facilities and laid the
basis for the export of heavy industrial products. At present, the
country has a number of industries that boast solid international
241
competitiveness, such as the shipbuilding, iron/steel, and chemical

industries. The foundation of such strong competitiveness was
built around that time.
The country hosted the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games, which
provided the country with the momentum to join the ranks of
semi-advanced countries. The international mass media called
the country one of the four Asian tigers, along with Taiwan,
Singapore, and Hong Kong. In December 1996, the country
became the 29th country to join the OECD, which is largely
composed of advanced countries.
In 1960, South Koreas exports amounted to US$ 32.8 million;
but by 2013 they reached US$ 559.6 billion. In 1948 GDP percapita was a paltry US$ 60; whereas in 2013 it was US$ 26,205.
South Korea gradually established an export-oriented
GDP
Per-capita GNI
2013
13,043
26,205
11,292
2012
22,489
2011
11,164
2011
22,489
2010
10,147
2009
8,344
2008
10,493
2000
5,335
1990
1980
1970
2010
20,759
2009
9,309
2007
2,703
643
81
(Unit: Hundreds of millions dollars / Source: Bank of Korea)
242
2013
2012
17,193
2008
19,296
2007
21,695
2000
11,292
1990
1980
1970
6,303
1,660
225
(Unit: Dollar / Source: Bank of Korea)
economic structure centered on large businesses in the process

of pursuing growth as a country with insufficient capital and
resources. Conglomerates came to dominate industry, while the
countrys economic structure became heavily reliant on exports
and imports, leaving it susceptible to external conditions.
In November 1997, a foreign exchange crisis hit the country,
forcing it to turn to the IMF for a bailout. It was the first ordeal
the country had had to face after years of rapid economic growth.
The country took the drastic step of driving poorly performing
businesses out of the market and then pushed ahead with
industrial restructuring. In only two years, the country regained its
previous growth rate and price levels as well as a current account
balance surplus. In the process, some 3.5 million people joined in
the campaign to collect gold to help the government repay the
South Koreas Foreign Trade Volume (2013)

4,157
3,848
2,541
1,547
1,246
China
U.S.A.
Germany
Japan
1,233
Netherlands France
1,118
U.K.
1,075
983
966
South Korea Hong Kong Canada

(Unit: Billions of dollars / Source: IMF)
243
Foreign Currency Reserves

2013
346.5
2012
327.0
2011
306.4
2010
291.6
2009
270.0
2008
201.2
2007
2000
262.2
96.2
(Unit: Billions of dollars / Source: Bank of Korea)
fund borrowed from the IMF. A total of 227 tons of gold were
collected. The world marveled at the Koran peoples voluntary
participation in the determined effort to repay its national debts.
While making concerted efforts to extricate itself from the
foreign exchange crisis, the country benefitted from certain
ancillary effects, such as the adoption of the globalized economic
and financial system. However, the restructuring process also had
its dark sides. The governments fiscal expenditure increased and
the income imbalance deepened.
After overcoming the economic crisis, the South Korean
economy continued to record solid growth. Nominal GDP
doubled from US$504.6 billion in 2001 to US$1,049.3 billion by
2007, recording a high growth rate of 4~5% a year, except during
the period of global economic crisis. In fact, during the period
2008-10, when most of the world was experiencing a devastating
financial crisis, the country recorded an amazing 6.3% economic
growth rate. The worlds major mass media organs referred to the
244
The Signing of the

Korea-US FTA
Mr. Kim Hyun-jong, the
representative of South
Korea, and Deputy USTR
Karan K. Bhatia, shake
hands upon completing
the bilateral FTA
negotiations.
countrys accomplishment as a textbook recovery.

By 2010, South Korea had emerged as the worlds 7th largest
exporting country. From 2011 to 2013, the total volume of
the countrys exports and imports stood at US$1 trillion. Thus,
the country became the worlds 9th country to attain the
target of US$1 trillion in annual foreign trade. The countrys
foreign currency reserves stood at US$346.5 billion as of the
end of December 2013, and the country is in a sufficiently
stable position to cope with a foreign exchange crisis, with the
percentage of its short-term foreign debts being 27.7% in 2013
The countrys sovereign credit rating has risen in recognition
of the dazzling economic results recorded by the country.

South Korea has adopted the open market economy, and is
thus negotiating with other countries to sign more FTAs, as
well as allowing foreigners to invest in the country freely while
245
encouraging domestic businesses to invest in foreign countries

equally freely. The country offers advantages to foreign investors
under the long-term objective of establishing itself as a major
financial hub and logistics base of Northeast Asia.
Market Opening and FTAs
The country has opened its market in most sectors, including
agriculture. Koreans have traditionally attached great importance
to agriculture, viewing it as the basis of the universe. Nonetheless,
the country plans to open its rice market, which will be the last
item to be opened in the agricultural sector, completely by 2015.
The country is pushing ahead with the complete opening of
the market through FTAs. The country plans to sign FTAs with
numerous countries with the aim of expanding its economic
territory worldwide.
As of May 2013, South Korea has signed FTAs with 46
countries, including Chile, Singapore, EFTA, ASEAN, India, the EU,
Peru, the United States, and Turkey. The FTA signed with Columbia
is awaiting effectuation. The country is currently engaged in FTArelated negotiations with RCEP, Indonesia, and Vietnam.
Support for FDI (Foreign Direct Investment)
South Korea encourages FDI under the Foreign Investment
Promotion Act. In South Korea, FDI refers to a foreigners
acquisition of 10% or more of the equity share of a domestic
business through an investment of not less than 100 million won,
or a foreign-based businesss borrowing of a long-term (5 years or
longer) loan from its parent business in a foreign country and the like.
Under the Foreign Investment Promotion Act, the government
246
guarantees the profits earned by foreign investors and offers them

a variety of benefits, such as tax incentives, cash support, and
A view of Busan Harbour,

the largest port in South
Korea
mitigation of land-related regulations. The country also protects

foreigners intellectual property rights and foreign exchange
transactions. Foreign investors are allowed to take the profits they
earn in South Korea out of the country, on the basis of creative
and efficient operation.
Foreign investors are eligible for support from the South
Korean government concerning the land required for the
establishment of a factory or research facilities, the purchase or
lease or construction of a building, or the installation of electric
or communication facilities. They may ask for partial payment of
the amount for up to 20 years in cases involving the purchase of
land owned by either the central or a local government.
The government also provides cash support in consideration
247
of the FDI amount and the number of locals to be employed. The

government is ready and willing to provide land and capital if
a foreign business displays excellent technological prowess and
maintains the employment of a given number of locals.
FDIs in the country surged right after the foreign exchange
crisis in 1998, with the increasing trend continuing. The
accumulated reported amount of FDI as of 3Q of 2014 stood
at $14.82 billion, the highest among the past 3Q accumulated
figures. The FDI amount suggests balanced growth trend in
terms of business types, regions, and investment types.
The government continues to improve the system for the
provision of support to foreign investors. In October 2010, the
government mitigated the criteria for cash support for foreign
investors and expanded the scope of state/municipality-owned
land eligible for private contracts in a bid to mitigate the FDI
conditions. Korea improved the conditions for FDI. In 2014, the
Enforcement Decree and the Enforcement Rules of the Foreign
Investment Promotion Act were amended to provide the basis
for the recognition of headquarters and R&D facilities of global
business. The country also plans to attract FDIs by providing cash
support for such headquarters and R&D facilities and incentives
such as tax reduction/exemption, including holding IR sessions, etc.
The country also invites newly emerging countries with surplus
funds, including China and the Middle Eastern countries, to invest
in the service sector of the country with high added value. To that
end, the China Desk was launched in May 2010, and a red carpet
service is also provided to foreign investors. The country also
designates locals in the Unites States, the United Kingdom, China,
and Japan as PR ambassadors for FDI in the country.
248
Investment to Become a Regional Logistics Hub

South Korea is making preparations for a period when its
combined export/import volume is expected to reach US$2
trillion. The country is also striving to become a major logistics
hub of Northeast Asia.
The country is investing heavily in automation and the
sophistication of export/import cargo stevedoring facilities, with
the aim of greatly enhancing its logistics competitiveness.
The country is striving to invigorate its air cargo network
and expand industrial complexes situated close to airports. The
country ranks third in the world in terms of ICAO-subscribed
heavy cargo transportation, while Incheon International Airport
ranks second in the world in terms of its international cargo
handling capacity.
Air cargo has high added value. It accounts for about one
Foreign Direct Investment

16,286
15,454
14,548
13,673
11,563
11,712
2005
2008
9,093
3,204
1996
1999
2002
2011
2012
2013
(Unit: Millions of dollars / Source: Ministry of Trade, Industry & Energy)
249
Incheon Airport as a Hub

Airport
One important prerequisite
for a regional hub airport
i s a l l - we a t h e r ro u n d the-clock operation. In
Northeast Asia, the main
re gi o n a l hu b a i rp o r t s
include Kansai Airport
in Osaka, Chek Lap Kok
Airport in Hong Kong ,
Pudong Airport in Shanghai,
and Incheon Airport in
South Korea.
(Photo: A view of Incheon
International Airport)
quarter of the total transportation charge, although it accounts

for only 0.2~0.3% of all forms of transportation cargoes in terms
of weight. The South Korean government has expanded the cargo
terminal of Incheon Airport and trains talented young people
to take charge of airfreight logistics at the relevant educational
institutions.
In addition, the country is committed to improving the
airfreight logistics system to a great extent, using high-end
information technology. Incheon International Airport operates a
sophisticated system for information-based operation of airfreight
logistics, which handles such matters as airfreight booking and
250
tracking. It is expected that the volume of international cargo

handled at Incheon International Airport will increase dramatically
from 2.72 million tons in 2010 to 3.5 million tons by 2015.
It is noteworthy that Incheon International Airport has
ranked first in the world for nine consecutive years in the annual
evaluation of airport services conducted by the ACI (Aviation
Consultants, Inc), a consultative council for more than 1,700
airports around the world. This testifies to the sheer quality of
operation of Incheon International Airport. Furthermore, the
airport became the first airport in the world to be registered with
the Airports Council International Hall of Fame.
Located on the peninsula, South Korea has many international
trade ports including Busan, Incheon, Pyeongtaek, Gwangyang,
Trends in air Cargo through put and transshipment volume at Incheon International Airport
50.1
46.7
46.2
46.4
48.1
46.2
49.2
47.8
44.2
1.70
1.84
2002
2003
2.13
2.15
2004
2005
43.8
2.34
2.56
2.42
2.31
2008
2009
45.6
44.6
42.9
2.68
2.54
2.46
2.46
2010
2011
2012
2013
1.18
2001
2006
Cargo throughput (in metric tons)
2007
(Source: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport)
Transshipment volume (% of cargo throughput)
251
Cargo Volume (including transshipment) handled at ports in South Korea

39.7
37.7
36.4
35.4
34.9
35.5
35.5
35.1
35
34.5
35.7
34.3
21.61
31.1
9.99
2001
11.89
2002
13.19
2003
14.52
15.22
15.97
2004
2005
2006
17.54
17.93
2007
2008
22.55
23.47
2012
2013
19.37
16.34
2009
Container throughput (in millions of TEU)
2010
2011
(Source: Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries)
Transshipment volume (% of container throughput)
Ulsan, Pohang, and Donghae. In 2013, the volume of cargo

handled at the countrys ports stood at 1,358.96 million tons,
showing an overall increase of 1.5% year-on-year. Of this,
container throughput amounted to 23.47 million TEU and transshipment volume amounted to 9.32 million TEU, a 4.1% increase
and 9.7% increase, respectively, from the previous year. Such
growth served to cement the nations role as a major logistics
base in Northeast Asia.
Industrial Brand Leaders and

Korean Industrial Standards
The government is committed to diversifying export items and
enhancing their quality through the annual selection of firstrate quality goods. Among the first-rate quality goods selected
252
in 2012, the number of those enjoying the highest world market

share stood at 143 items, including memory semiconductors,
TFT-LCDs, seawater desalination facilities, LNG carriers, and flash
memory. Their number has increased year on year.
Information technology is the strongest element of the
Competitiveness in
shipbuilding
South Korea's shipbuilding
industry boasts a
competitive edge in
ships with high added
value associated with
resource development and
transportation.
countrys economy, a sector that encompasses all the skills

required for management innovation and administrative reform
as well as skills relating to computer software, the Internet,
multimedia, and communication devices.
South Korea is the worlds leading force in mobile communications
technology, with a formidable communications infrastructure:
there are currently two nationwide 4G networks, using WiBro
and Long-Term Evolution (LTE) technologies. On the back of this
infrastructure, the countrys IT-related foreign trade recorded a
253
Hanbit Nuclear Power

Plant
South Korea has made
continuous investments in
nuclear power generation.
Nuclear power occupies
an important position
in the countrys power
generation. The country
displayed its technological
prowess worldwide with
the export of a Koreantype nuclear power plant
to the UAE in 2011.
surplus of more than US$700 million in both 2011 and 2012. The
country displays solid international competitiveness in cellphones,
semiconductors, computers, and peripheral devices, and continues
striving to maintain its leading position in these sectors amid the
rapidly changing information technology environment.
Shipbuilding is another South Korean success story, and
in 2011, the country won orders worth 13.55 million CGT,
accounting for 48.2% of global shipbuilding orders. The country
boasts strong competitiveness- particularly in the building of
ships and structures with high added value, such as offshore
plants, large-sized container ships, and LNG ships.
In 2012, the country ranked 5th in the world in terms of the
254
number of cars produced (4.56 million), apparently as a result

of efforts to improve quality and the signing of FTAs with other
countries. It is noteworthy that the number of cars produced in
2012 was a record figure achieved amid a worldwide economic
recession and high international oil prices.
Many countries use nuclear power, but most of these rely
upon a handful of countries to design and build their nuclear
Video Games, Leading

Cultural Contents
South Korea has emerged
as a leading exporter of
cultural contents, such
as K-Pop, broadcast
programs, and video
games, as well as cars and
electronic goods.
(Photo: young people playing
video games at the G-Star
2013 event held in Busan.)
power plants for them. Currently only five countries: the US,
Japan, Russia, France, and now South Korea are equipped with
nuclear power plant technology. The country became the
worlds 6th nuclear power plant exporting country by supplying
a Korean-developed plant to the UAE. The country also boasts
255
The G20 Seoul Summit

2010.
solid international competitiveness in the iron/steel and

chemistry sectors.
A relatively new export sector for South Korea, and one which
is growing strongly, is cultural products, including publishing,
music, video games, and TV and film production. In 2008-12 the
value of this sector grew from US$ 23.38 to 46.12 billion, partly
on the back of hallyu (the current vogue for South Korean pop
culture). The country is pouring considerable efforts into video
game contents, which are viewed as a promising sector that
combines film and computer technology with creative ideas.
South Korea is perhaps the only country in the world with so
many PC cafes across the country and where so many young
256
people spend their time playing video games in them.

In 2012, the countrys video game industry generated 10
trillion won in domestic sales and exported goods worth a
combined total of 2.853 billion won. The cultural contents
industry is important for its significant contribution to the
economy in terms of exports and job creation, and has great
growth potential as a promising sector of the future.
South Korea is doing its utmost to enhance its international
competitiveness in the information technology sector. The
country is pushing ahead with the work of integrating information
technology with other technologies under the blueprint Vision
2020 - A Country with IT-related Creative Ideas. Such ideas include
the convergence of communications technology with the carmanufacturing industry or the enhancement of safety by fusion
information technology with the shipbuilding industry. It is
expected that such efforts will go a long way towards improving
quality and promoting the development of sectors with high
added value.

At present, South Korea is striving to transform itself into a global
economic system. Although the country accomplished rapid
growth within a short period of time, this led to the problem of
an imbalance in the development of large businesses and SMEs
due to the implementation of an economic policy that was
heavily dependent on the export of large enterprises. As such, the
need for shared growth was singled out as a potential solution to
the problem. The issue emerged as a problem that would have to
be resolved at the international level amid the global economic
257
crisis in 2008.
In 2010, the Presidential Commission for Shared Growth
for Large and Small Companies was launched with a view to
settling conflicts between large-sized businesses and SMEs.
The commission is assigned with the duties of fostering an
atmosphere conducive to shared growth in industries, monitoring
and announcing large businesses shared growth indices,
designating sectors and items suitable for SMEs, and settling
conflicts between large businesses and SMEs based on a social
consensus.
The G20 Summit in Seoul in 2010 was held under a similar
theme. The G20 Summit came into being following the global
economic crisis in 2008, based on the view that it was necessary
to have major emerging countries take part in international
economic discussions, as the G7 Summit inevitably had
certain limitations in this respect. It was pointed out that the
international financial system had failed to reflect the fact that
the share and role of emerging countries had expanded to a
considerable extent over the previous three decades.
At the G20 Summit held in Seoul in 2010, South Korea
assumed the position of the Chair, indicating that the country
had assumed a positive role in the international economic order.
The G20 Summit Seoul adopted the 20-item Seoul Summit
Leaders Declaration and came up with an agreement containing
74 items. Other results of the summit included the announcement
of the Seoul Development Consensus for Shared Growth, the
Multiyear Action Plan, and the Anti-Corruption Action Plan.
The Seoul Summit Leaders Declaration stressed the role of
developing and emerging countries in a move to put an end to
258
the foreign exchange war between major countries and to reform

the IMF, which used to be centered on industrialized countries.
Its contents were focused on the pressing need to stabilize global
financial markets and provide support for impoverished countries
striving for economic development. The declaration went a long
way towards enhancing the status of South Korea in global
economic and financial markets.
259
Inter-Korea
Relations
Simultaneous Admission of the two Koreas to the UN
9
Inter-Korea Relations
Although conflicts and confrontations have raged between the two

Koreas across the DMZ for over sixty-five years, an atmosphere of
dialogue and exchange and cooperation was fostered temporarily
between the two countries following the Summits held in 2000
and 2007. However, there is tension along the DMZ at present due
to the Norths continuing threats and provocations.
With Japans surrender in the Pacific War in August 1945 four
decades of Japanese colonial rule ended and U.S. and Soviet
troops came to be stationed on the Korean Peninsula to both the
south and north of the 38th parallel respectively. This resulted in
1950. 6. 25.
Outbreak of the Korean War
262
1953. 7. 27.
The signing of the Armistice Agreement
1972. 7. 4.
Announcement of South-North Joint

Statement on July 4, 1972
the division of Korea into two separate countries.

On June 25, 1950, North Korea attacked the South on all
fronts, igniting a three-year internecine war. Since the signing of
the armistice agreement on the 27th July 1953, the Peninsula has
remained divided.
Simultaneous Admission of the two Koreas to the UN

Even before the Inter-Korean Summits held in 2000 and 2007,
an atmosphere of reconciliation emerged as a result of the South
Korean governments northern diplomacy. As a result, the two
Koreas agreed to join the UN simultaneously at the 46th UN
General Assembly in September 1991.
Their simultaneous admittance to the UN had historic
significance, as it brought to an end the legitimacy controversy
between the two countries and ushered in an era of reconciliation
and coexistence.

Between September 1990 and October 1992, the two Koreas
1972. 11. 30.
The first meeting of the South-North

Coordinating Committee
1985. 9. 20.~23.
The first reunion of dispersed family

members
1998. 11. 18.
Commencement of South Koreans visit to

Geumgangsan Mountain
263
engaged in a total of eight bilateral meetings, including the first

High-Level Talks held in Seoul. In December 1991, the two sides
signed the Agreement on Reconciliation, Nonaggression, and
Exchanges and Cooperation between the South and the North
(also called the Inter-Korean Basic Agreement). The agreement
was focused on mutual respect between the two nations, the
renunciation of armed aggression, exchange and cooperation
in many sectors, and the guarantee of free exchange of people
between the two countries.
From the mid-1990s onward, the Souths government
continued to provide support to the North, which was continuing
to experience serious economic difficulties.
In the period 1999-2007, the South supplied a total of 2.55
million tons of fertilizers to the North in an effort to help the
North Korean people who were suffering from a food shortage
caused by the inefficiency of the Norths farming system and a
lack of fertilizers and chemicals.
The Inter-Korean Summits held in 2000 and 2007 provided
the momentum for a dramatic invigoration of dialogue, exchange,
2000. 6. 13~15.
The first inter-Korean Summit
264
2000. 9. 15.
Athletes of the two Koreas at the opening

ceremony of the 2000 Sydney Olympics
2003. 6. 30.
Commencement of the work on the

Gaeseong Industrial Complex
and cooperation between the two sides. However, the South

temporarily suspended the supply of food and fertilizers after the
Norths continuing series of provocative actions culminated in the
launch of long-range missiles and nuclear tests, but did not stop
providing humanitarian support for children or emergency relief aid.
Reunion of Dispersed Family Members
There are about ten million dispersed family members in the
two Koreas.
The first Inter-Korean Red Cross meeting was held in August
1971 to discuss the possibility of reuniting dispersed family
members, but little progress was made due to differences of
opinion. The two sides resumed the meeting in the 1980s, and,
finally, reciprocal visits materialized. A group of thirty people
from the North paid a visit to the South while a group of thirtyfive people from the South paid a visit to the North for four days
from September 20, 1985. It was a truly significant event after 40
years of division. The two sides also allowed exchanges between
groups of artists during the event.
2005. 9. 19.
The joint statement on non-nuclearization of the Korean Peninsula

announced at the 4th Six-Party Talks
2005. 9. 19.
The second inter-Korean Summit
265
The family reunion became a routine event following the Summit

held in 2000, and was subsequently held on eighteen occasions
between August 2000 and October 2010. The North provided a
special venue at Geumgangsan Mountain for these reunions. In
addition, video reunions were carried out on seven different occasions
between August of 2005 and November of 2007.
Gaeseong Industrial Complex
The Gaeseong Industrial Complex Project carried out by the
North allows private businesses from the South to build factories
on leased land in Gaeseong (lease period: 50 years) and produce
goods. Gaeseong is the third largest city in the North after
Pyongyang and Nampo. The city offers clear advantages to
businesses from the South due to its close geographical proximity
to the South. Gaseseong is only 8km from Panmunjeom.
Following an initial proposal made in 2000, the project
was formally commenced in November 2002 with the Norths
promulgation of the Gaeseong Industrial District Act. The work
commencement ceremony was held in June 2003, with political
2007. 12. 5.
Commencement of South Koreans' visit to Gaeseong
266
2007. 12. 11.
Commencement of freight transportation on rail between Munsan

in the South and Bongdong in the North
Production volume and workers of Gaeseong Industrial Complex

46,950
40,185
32,332
25,142
22,378
25,648
18,478
53,448
7,373
52,329
49,866
46,284
42,561
38,931
1,491
22,538
11,160
6,013
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
Production volume (Unit: Millions of dollars)
2010
2011
2012
2013
(Source: Ministry of Unification)
Number of North Korean workers
and economic celebrities from the two sides in attendance. At

present, more than 130 manufacturers from the South and their
subcontractors are operating in the Gaeseong Industrial Complex,
while more than 50,000 North Koreans are working there. The
production of goods began in December 2004.
Concerning the Gaeseong Industrial Complex, the two sides
have signed four agreements on the Normalization of Gaeseong
Industrial complex, etc. in addition to the agreements on
communications, customs clearance, quarantine, and stay.

The government of the South has made efforts for a permanent
settlement of peace on the Korean Peninsula and the
267
development of good relations with the North through dialogues

and exchange and cooperation. It has stuck to its basic stance, i.e.
it will continue to strive to improve its relations with the North
through dialogue and cooperation even during periods of extreme
tension such as that occasioned by the Norths temporary closure
of the Gaeseong Industrial Complex. Generally speaking, the
government of the South and the South Korean people have
succeeded in maintaining a calm and stable social atmosphere.
The South copes flexibly with all outbreaks of tension on the
Korean Peninsula by continuing dialogue and cooperation to
maintain peace with neighboring countries. As such, South Korea
may be claimed to be one of the safest countries in the world.
Since its inauguration in February 2013, the Park Geunhye government of the South has been pushing ahead with
the Trust Building Process on the Korean Peninsula in a bid to
develop better relations with the North, primarily by building
trust between the two Koreas based on a solid national security
stance, securing peace on the Korean Peninsula, and laying the
basis for unification. The government is doing its best to promote
deterrence, dialogue and cooperation in a balanced fashion and
to encourage the North to make the right choices, including
renunciation of its nuclear program. It will accelerate its efforts
for joint development with the North in order to lay the basis for
peaceful unification, and will also make efforts to contribute to
peace and prosperity in Northeast Asia and the world through the
countrys unification.
268
269
Relevant Websites
Korean Cultural Center, Brazil

brazil.korean-culture.org
Gateway to Korea
Korean Cultural Center, UK

london.korean-culture.org
Korean Culture and Information Service

www.korea.net
Korean Cultural Center, Germany

germany.korean-culture.org
Korea Tourism Organization

www.visitkorea.or.kr
Korean Cultural Center, France

www.coree-culture.org
Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency

www.kotra.or.kr
Korean Cultural Center, Russia

russia.korean-culture.org
Korean Cultural Information
Korean Cultural Center, Kazakhstan

kaz.korean-culture.org
Korean Cultural Center, China

china.korean-culture.org
Korean Cultural Center, Turkey

tr.korean-culture.org
Korean Cultural Center, Shanghai

shanghai.korean-culture.org
Korean Cultural Center, Poland

pl.korean-culture.org
Korean Cultural Center, Tokyo

www.koreanculture.jp
Korean Cultural Center, Hungary

hu.korean-culture.org
Korean Cultural Center, Osaka

osaka.korean-culture.org
Korean Cultural Center, Spain

www.spain.korean-culture.org
Korean Cultural Center, Vietnam

vietnam.korean-culture.org
Korean Cultural Center, Belgium

brussels.korean-culture.org
Korean Cultural Office, Sydney

koreanculture.org.au
Korean Cultural Center, Nigeria

ngr.korean-culture.org
Korean Cultural Center, Philippines

phil.korean-culture.org
Executive Branch
Korean Cultural Center, Indonesia

id.korean-culture.org
Ministry of Strategy and Finance

www.mosf.go.kr
Korean Cultural Center, Thailand

thailand.korean-culture.org
Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning

www.msip.go.kr
Korean Cultural Center, India

india.korean-culture.org
Ministry of Education
www.moe.go.kr
Korean Cultural Center, Washington, D.C

www.koreaculturedc.org
Ministry of Foreign Affairs

www.mofa.go.kr
Korean Cultural Service, NewYork

www.koreanculture.org
Ministry of Unification
www.unikorea.go.kr
Korean Cultural Center, L.A.

www.kccla.org
Ministry of Justice
www.moj.go.kr
Korean Cultural Center, Argentina

argentina.korean-culture.org
Ministry of National Defense

www.mnd.go.kr
Korean Cultural Center Mexico

mexico.korean-culture.org
Ministry of Government Administration and Home Affairs

www.mospa.go.kr
270
Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism

www.mcst.go.kr
Cultural Heritage Administration

www.cha.go.kr
Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

www.mafra.go.kr
Rural Development Administration

www.rda.go.kr
Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy

www.motie.go.kr
Korea Forest Service

www.forest.go.kr
Ministry of Health and Welfare

www.mw.go.kr
Small and Medium Business Administration

www.smba.go.kr
Ministry of Environment
www.me.go.kr
Korean Intellectual Property Office

www.kipo.go.kr
Ministry of Employment and Labor

www.moel.go.kr
Korea Meteorological Administration

www.kma.go.kr
Ministry of Gender Equality and Family

www.mogef.go.kr
Multifunctional Administrative City Construction

www.macc.go.kr
Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport

www.molit.go.kr
Korea Coast Guard

www.kcg.go.kr
Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries

www.mof.go.kr
Korea Communications Commission

www.kcc.go.kr
Ministry of Government Legislation

www.moleg.go.kr
Korea Fair Trade Commission

www.ftc.go.kr
Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs

www.mpva.go.kr
Financial Services Commission

www.fsc.go.kr
Ministry of Food and Drug Safety

www.mfds.go.kr
Anti-corruption & Civil Rights Commission of Korea

www.acrc.go.kr
National Tax Service

www.nts.go.kr
Nuclear Safety and Security Commission

www.nssc.go.kr
Korea Customs Service

www.customs.go.kr
Legislature
Public Procurement Service

www.pps.go.kr
The National Assembly

www.assembly.go.kr
Statistics Korea
www.kostat.go.kr
Judiciary
Supreme Prosecutors Office

www.spo.go.kr
Military Manpower Administration
www.mma.go.kr
Defense Acquisition Program Administration
www.dapa.go.kr
Korean National Police Agency
www.police.go.kr
National Emergency Management Agency
www.nema.go.kr
Supreme Court
www.scourt.go.kr
Constitutional Court
www.ccourt.go.kr
National Election Commission
www.nec.go.kr
National Human Right Commission
www.humanrights.go.kr
271
Sources of Photos
Andong Festival Tourism Foundation
Korean Cultural Properties Craftsman Association
Anseong Muncipal Namsadang Baudeogi Pungmuldan
Korean Olympic Committee
Archaeological Site in Amsa-dong, Seoul
KTV
Boryeong Mud Festival
Kyujanggak Institute For Korean Studies
BUSAN International Film Festival
Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art
Cheonan Foundation for Arts and Culture
Munhwailbo(Newsbank)
Cheung-ju Early Printing Museum
Nara Organizing Comittee
Chosunilbo
National Folk Museum of Korea
Chungdong First Methodist Church
National Gugak Center
Cultural Heritage Administration of Korea
National Museum of Korea
DAEGU METROPOLITAN CITY
National Palace Museum of Korea
Discovery media
Newdaily
Ewhamedia
NEWSIS
Gagok Inheritance Center
OhmyNews
Gangjin Celadon Museum
Photographer Kim Bien Hun
Gangneung Danoje Festival Committee
Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival
GWANGJU BIENNALE FOUNDATION
Seo Heun Kang
Gyeongju National Museum
Seocheon County
Haeinsa Temple
Shuttrestock
Hanbit Nuclear Power Plant
Suh jae sik
Hasisi Park
The Korean Taekgeon Association
Incheon Free Economic Zone
The National Library of Korea
Incheon International Airport Corporation
The traditional Paper Artist Association
Institute of Traditional Korean Food
The Yeongsanjae Ritual
Jeju Olle Foundation
Tong Yeong-City
Jeju World Natural Heritage Center
TOPIC IMAGES
JEONGOK PREHISTORY MUSEUM
Travel Writer Lee Dong Mi
Jeonju International Film Festival
Victory Production & Company
Jongmyo Jerye Preservation Association
Yangdong Village Committee
JoongAng Ilbo
Yangyang County
KANSONG ART AND CULTURE FOUNDATION
Yeondeunghoe Preservation Committee
Kim Cheol Hwan
YG ENTERTAINMENT INC
KOCIS(Korean Culture and Information Service)
Yonart Printing
Korea Meteorological Administration
Yonhap News Agency
Korea National Park Service
Yoon's Color
Korea Tourism Organization
272
www.korea.net

Facts About Korea 2015

Încărcat de

Informații document

Titlu original

Drepturi de autor

Formate disponibile

Partajați acest document

Partajați sau inserați document

Opțiuni de partajare

Vi se pare util acest document?

Este necorespunzător acest conținut?

Drepturi de autor:

Formate disponibile

Facts About Korea 2015

Încărcat de

Drepturi de autor:

Formate disponibile

FACTS

FACTS ABOUT KOREA

Clothing and Fashion

Historical Heritage of Seoul

Tourist Attractions and Shopping Centers

Festivals, Celebrations and Holidays

Tourist Attractions outside Seoul

Major Local Festivals in Korea

South Korea Summary

2011 World Championships in Athletics

UNESCO Heritage in Korea

2012 London Summer Olympics

2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics

Hallyu (Korean Wave)

The Beginnings of the Countrys History

The Korean Economy

Three Kingdoms and other States

Koreas Open Market Capitalist Economy

Unified Silla and Balhae

Industrial Brand Leaders and Korean Industrial

Efforts to Grow as a Global Power

Inter-Korean Relations _ 260

Efforts for Lasting Peace

Relevant Websites _ 270

Clothing and Fashion

Since their settlement in prehistoric times on the land now known

A family wearing Hanbok

wealth of unique cultural traditions related to the way they dress,

Clothing and Fashion

mature so that it has improved taste and

years. The degree of fermentation is a key factor in the taste and

They say that a longer period of fermentation makes it tastier.

Making Baechu (Cabbage) Kimchi

1 Ingredients for kimchi

that create excitingly diverse flavors and tastes. The most

recently begun to attract worldwide attention for its nutritional

to tteok and made and ate it according to those meanings. They

Injeolmi Rice Cake

digestive problems. In recent years juk houses have begun to

of Korea, Jeonju and Gwangju, are particularly famous for this

commemorative occasions. Currently some 300 traditional

to ferment, and has an alcohol content of 6-7%, making it a

distinctive feature of the hanok (traditional Korean house) is an

of its sides, with a stream or river passing in front, thus providing

detached houses are also reliant on the legacy of the ondol

Professor Robert Fouser and Hanok

Festivals, Celebrations and Holidays

Korean parents mark the one-hundredth day anniversary

husbands and wives were given by their parents or matchmakers

Public Holidays in Korea

New Years Day

The first day of the year.

Commemorates the March First Movement,

Celebrates the birth of Shakyamuni Buddha.

A great variety of celebratory and fun events

A national memorial service is held at

Celebrates the 1945 liberation of Korea from

Known by different names such as Chuseok

Commemorates the foundation of Gojoseon,

Marks the invention and promulgation of

Celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ with a

the earliest public displays of Korean resistance against the

(Gwangbokjeol, August 15), celebrating national liberation from