History of North Korea - History of North Korea Following World War II, Korea was split into a northern, Communist socialist half and a southern, US-dominated capitalist half. North Korea was formed on September 9, 1948 amidst complex politics that followed the defeat of Japan in World War II (Japan ruled the Korean peninsula from 1910-1945). The Democratic People's Republic of Korea was based on the democratic "people's committees" of the sovereign, unified "Korean People's Republic" which had popular support but was never recognized by the United States or the Soviet Union. The people's committees were outlawed in the south. With the backing of the Soviet Union, Kim Il-Sung started on a series of popular social and economic reforms which included land redistribution and nationalizing Japanese assets. The Korean War, which soon.
Geography of North Korea - Geography of North Korea Location: Eastern Asia, northern half of the Korean Peninsula bordering the Korea Bay (Yellow Sea) and the Sea of Japan, between the People's Republic of China and South Korea Geographic coordinates: 40 00 N, 127 00 E Area: total: 120,540 sq km land: 120,410 sq km water: 130 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Mississippi Land boundaries and coastline Land boundaries: total: 1,673 km border countries: People's Republic of China 1,416 km, South Korea 238 km, Russia 19 km The Korean Peninsula extends for about 1,000 kilometers southward from the northeast Asian continental landmass. The 8,460 kilometer coastline of Korea is highly irregular, with North Korea's half of the peninsula having 2,495 kilometers of coastline. Some 3,579 islands lie adjacent to.
George W. Bush administration policy toward North Korea - George W. Bush administration policy toward North Korea George W. Bush administration policy toward North Korea was most prominently defined when George W. Bush named North Korea part of the "Axis of Evil" in early 2002. Unlike the U.S. plan to invade Iraq, policy toward North Korea, even following the revelation of a clandestine North Korea nuclear weapons program in October 2002, has been marked by diplomatic efforts. In December 2002, Spanish troops boarded and detained a shipment of Scud missiles from North Korea destined for Yemen, at the United States' request. After two days, the United States released the ship to continue its shipment to Yemen. This further strained the relationship between the US and North Korea, with North Korea characterizing the boarding an "act of piracy." On April 16,.
Flag of North Korea - Flag of North Korea Flag Ratio: 1:2 The national flag and ensign of North Korea was adopted on September 8, 1948. The famous red star of Communism can be seen on this flag on a white disk, which may relate to the yin yang symbol, which is a symbol used in Korean culture. The colour red represents revolutionary patriotism. The blue stripes connote "The aspiration of the Korean people to unite with the revolutionary people of the whole world and fight for the victory of the idea of independence, friendship and peace.".
Foreign relations of North Korea - Foreign relations of North Korea North Korea's relationship with the South has informed much of its post-World War II history and still drives much of its foreign policy. North Korea and South Korea have had a difficult and acrimonious relationship in the five decades since the Korean war. North Korea occupies the northern portion of a mountainous peninsula projecting southeast from China, between the Sea of Japan and the Yellow Sea. Japan lies east of the peninsula across the Sea of Japan. North Korea shares borders with the People's Republic of China along the Yalu River and with China and Russia along the Tumen River. The military demarcation line (MDL) of separation between the belligerent sides at the close of the Korean war forms North Korea's boundary with.
Economy of North Korea - Economy of North Korea North Korea's faltering economy and the breakdown of trade relations with the countries of the former socialist bloc--especially following the fall of communism in eastern Europe and the disintegration of the Soviet Union--have confronted Pyongyang with difficult policy choices. Other centrally planned economies in similar straits have opted for domestic economic reform and liberalization of trade and investment. Despite its recent moves toward limited economic opening, North Korea has thus far avoided making any fundamental changes. Its leadership seems determined to maintain tight political and ideological control. About 80% of North Korea's terrain consists of moderately high mountain ranges and partially forested mountains and hills separated by deep, narrow valleys and small, cultivated plains. The most rugged areas are the north and east.
Kim (Korean name) - 金) is the most common family name in Korea. In South Korea in 1985, out of a population of between roughly 40 and 45 million, there were approximately 8.8 million Kims--roughly 20% of the population. The name is also common in North Korea. The name is very occasionally also transliterated as Gim. Famous Kims in Korean history have included the politican Kim Ku, the North Korean leaders Kim Il-sung and his son Kim Jong-il, the South Korean presidents Kim Young-sam and Kim Dae-jung, and the fashion designer Andre Kim..
Korea - Korea Korea is a peninsula in eastern Asia where people have lived since 12,000 - 15,000 years ago. It was once a huge unified country that had governed territories in Manchuria and limited territories of what is called Siberia today. At one point, it was the world's center for the very best silk in the world as noted by ancient Chinese scripts (but unknown to Europeans) and had the world's best goldsmiths during the 7th-8th Century. The art of movable metal type was invented in Korea before 1232, long before Gutenberg's inception in Europe. Politically it is currently divided into the communist country of North Korea and the capitalist country of South Korea, since the 1950s when the Korean War occurred. For more on the regions.
Korean language - The Korean language is spoken primarily and officially in Korea (South Korea and North Korea), also in the People's Republic of China (Yanbian). Worldwide, there are around 78 million Korean speakers, including large groups in the former Soviet Union, the United States, Canada, and Japan. Korean is considered by many to be a member of the Altaic family, but its proper classification is not universally agreed on. The native Korean writing system, the Hangul is alphabetic and phonetic. Along with Sino-Korean characters (Hanja), well over 50% of the Korean vocabulary comes directly or indirectly from from Chinese. Korean Spoken in: Korea Total speakers: 78 Million Ranking: 12 Genetic classification: Language isolate Official status Official language of: North Korea South Korea ISO 639-1: ko ISO 639-2: kor SIL: KKN Table of contents.
Korean War - 1950 to July 27, 1953, was a conflict between communist North and anti-communist South Korea. It was also a proxy war between the United States and the Soviet Union. Principal combatants were North and South Korea, the United States and the People's Republic of China, although many nations sent troops under the aegis of the United Nations. The Soviet Union also supplied combat advisors and aircraft pilots, in addition to arms, for the Chinese and North Korean troops. In US parlance Korea was officially a police action, not a war. Table of contents showTocToggle("show","hide") 1 Origins 2 The War Begins 3 Western Reaction 4 Inchon Landing 5 Entrance of the Chinese 6 Stalemate 7 Legacy 7.1 Korea 7.2 United States 7.3 China 7.4 Japan 8 Artistic Depiction 9 Further reading 10.
Korean reunification - reunification Korean reunification refers to the unification of North Korea and South Korea under a single government..
Korea Energy Development Organization - Korea Energy Development Organization The Korea Energy Development Organization, or KEDO, is a consortium of the United States, South Korea, Japan, and the European Union that is responsible for carrying out the 1994 U.S.-North Korea nuclear pact. KEDO discussions take place at the level of a U.S. Assistant Secretary of State, South Korea's deputy foreign minister, and the head of the Asian bureau of Japan's Foreign Ministry..
Korean Workers' Party - of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. It is led by Kim Jong Il. In theory, the national party congress is the supreme party organ. The party congress approves reports of the party organs, adopts basic party policies and tactics, and elects members to the KWP Central Committee and the Central Auditing Committee. The election, however, is perfunctory because the members of these bodies are actually chosen by Kim Jong-Il and his few trusted lieutenants. When the party congress is not in session, the Central Committee acts as the official agent of the party, according to Article 14 of the party rules. As of September 1992, the KWP had 160 Central Committee members and 143 Central Committee alternate (candidate) members. The Central Committee meets at least once every six months. Article.
Korean-Japanese disputes - Korean-Japanese disputes South Korea, North Korea, and Japan have had disputes concerning many things. Korea and Japan hadn't have a friendly relationship in history, even today; however, the countries are trying to maintain cooperation and friendship. These below are some of the issues that are still argued about. Table of contents showTocToggle("show","hide") 1 Corea/Korea 2 Dok-do/Takeshima 3 East Sea/Sea of Japan 4 Hangeul/Jindai-Moji 5 Korean Government Policies 6 North Korean nuclear weapons claims 7 North Korean kidnapping of Japanese citizens Corea/Korea Some South Koreans claim that Japanese intentionally promoted the spelling of Korea instead of Corea during the colonial era, the reason being that K comes after J in the Latin alphabet. In 1594, the map created by Petrus Plancius of the Netherlands is known to be the oldest existing.
Korea Strait - Korea Strait Korea Strait is a sea passage between the East China Sea and the Sea of Japan (in South Korea known as the East Sea). To the north it is bounded by the south coast of the Korean peninsula, to the south by the Japanese islands of Kyushu and Honshu. The strait has a depth of about 90 metres and is split by the Tsushima islands. To the east the Korea Strait is often referred to as Tsushima Strait, to the west it was formerly known as Chosen Strait. In another classification, the whole strait is called Tsushima Strait. In this case, the West Channel is called Korea Strait. A branch of the Kuroshio (Japan Current) passes through the strait. It is the warm branch.
Korean Shamanism - There are a number of shamanistic practices that are developed in Korea. They have deep roots and been influenced by Buddhism. Even though belief in Korean shamanism is not considered widespread these days, the practices are kept alive. In the past such shamanistic rites have doubled as agricultural rites, such as prayers for abundant harvest. With a shift away from agriculture in modern Korea this has been completely lost. The rites themselves underwent a number of changes through the Silla and Goryeo periods. Even during the Joseon Dynasty which was Confucian in every way, shamanistic rites were allowed to continue. Korean shamanism is distinguished by its seeking to solve human problems through a meeting of humanity and the spirits. This meeting is mediated by a shaman. This can be seen clearly.
Korean mythology - remarkable ammount of variation which has occurred. Even so it is possible to make some generalisations. The original religion of Korea was a form of the Eurasian Shamanism, though it shows some similarity with the original religion of China & Taoism. There has been a mass conversion to Christianity occur amongst the population since the Korean War. After the Korean War Koreans became embarrassed about their own mythology and though many figures are still alive in the consciousness of the general population, much of the oral tradition about the relationship between the mythological figures has been lost. While Tangun is still remembered as a semi-historical dynasty, much else regarding the family of Gods he descends from has been brushed away from the national consciousness. A prime example of this was during.
Korean Demilitarized Zone - Demilitarized Zone The Demilitarized Zone (or DMZ) in Korea is a strip of land running across the Korean Peninsula that serves as a buffer zone between North and South Korea. The DMZ cuts the Korean Peninsula roughly in half, crossing the 38th parallel on an acute angle, with the west end of the DMZ lying south of the parallel and the east end lying north of it. It is 248 km long and approximately 4 km wide. History The 38th parallel — which cuts the Korean Peninsula roughly in half — was the original boundary between the American and Soviet occupation zones established at the end of World War II, and became the border between North Korea and South Korea upon the formation of those two countries in 1948. (See Division.
Korean Romanization - Korean, namely: Revised Romanization of Korean: official in South Korea since 2000 and quite common on the Internet; McCune-Reischauer: official in North Korea and formerly in South Korea, and common in popular literature; Yale Romanization: used mainly in academic (linguistic) literature..
Koreans - an ethnic group. Most Koreans live in Korea. Korea's population is one of the most ethnically and linguistically homogenous in the world, with the only minorities being very small Chinese communities in South and North Korea, and a very small Japanese one in North Korea. According to 2000 estimates, the population was: North Korea: 21,687,550 South Korea: 47,470,969 China: 1,760,000 The United States: 1,460,000 Japan: 730,000 Russia: 500,000 Table of contents showTocToggle("show","hide") 1 Culture 2 Koreans in Central Asia 3 Koreans in China 4 Koreans in Japan 5 Koreans in other countries 6 See also 7.
