This page includes some general information about South Korea, its history and culture. Further information can be found using the links page. Further information on the city of Busan (home of the Rotary club of Busan Tongbaek), including Haeundae and Tongbaek, can be found using the More on Busan link on the left hand side navigation menu.

The following content list can be used to jump to the relevant sections of this page.

• South Korean borders
• A brief history of South Korea
• South Korea - population, culture and economy
• Taegukki - The South Korean national flag

South Korean borders

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A brief history of South Korea

In Korean the country's name is Daehan, meaning "Great Han", "Han" being another traditional name for Korea. It has a total area of 99,390 sq km (38,375 sq mi), including numerous offshore islands in the south and west. The largest Island is Cheju (with an area of 1,829 sq km/706 sq mi).

According to the Korean mythology, the first of their kin was born in 2333 BC. However, Scientists believe Korea was first inhabited by tribes from central and northern Asia in around 30,000 BC. Under constant pressure from China, these tribes banded together to found a kingdom in the 1st century AD. By 700 AD the Silla Kingdom had fully evolved, and many palaces, pagodas and pleasure gardens were constructed. In the early 13th century the Mongols reached Korea and when the Mongol Empire later collapsed, the Chosun Dynasty took over. During this time the first Korean script was developed.

In 1592 Japan invaded, followed later by China and the Koreans gave way to the Chinese Manchu Dynasty. Korea then closed its doors to outside influence until the early 20th century, when Japan again invaded in 1904. By 1910 Japan had officially annexed the peninsula and hung on until the end of WW2. Proving to be harsh masters, anti-Japanese sentiment in Korea grew strong.

After WW2, US forces occupied the south of the peninsula, while the USSR took over the north. Elections to decide the fate of the country were held only in the south, and when the south declared its independence, the north invaded. The ensuing Korean War lasted until 1953, by the end of which two million people had died and the country had been officially divided.

After a few years of semi-democracy in the South, martial law was declared in 1972. The next 15 years saw alternating democracy and repressive martial law and by late 1980s the country was at flashpoint. Large scale student protests enveloped the country and workers all over Korea were walking off the job to join them. Among the demands were democratic elections, freedom of the press and the release of political prisoners. Civil war was averted by President Chun suddenly decided that the protesters demands would be met.

In 1988, Seoul hosted the Olympic Games and elections produced a new president, Roh Tae-woo. Roh significantly freed up the political system and relations were re-established with China and the Soviet Union. In 1992, Roh was replaced by Kim Young-sam of the Democratic Liberal Party, and this saw the start of moves to abolish corrupt practice which had been prevalent in the country.

1997 was a very bad year for South Korea's economy, the so called Asian-Crisis severely affecting the Korean economy. The Korean Won fell against other currencies and this turn affected many businesses including tourism. In February 1998, Kim Dae-jung became president, the first time a non-conservative had headed the country in its 50 years of independence. Kim Dae-jung promised to introduce economic and democratic reforms and to improve relations with North Korea.

By mid-1998 the South Korean economy had shrunk for the first time in 20 years. Rising bankruptcies and soaring unemployment led to large-scale labour unrest, but this has since subsided with an general economic recovery.

Making good on promises of more neighbourly relations with North Korea, Kim made an historic visit to shake the hand of reclusive North Korean leader, Kim Jong Il, in June 2000. In October 2000 he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. His desire for collaboration also extended to Europe and in December 2001 he was the first Asian leader to speak before the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

The World Cup football finals were hosted jointly by South Korea and Japan in 2002 and this resulted in a massive increase of global awareness of Korea and its culture. This year also saw the appointment of Roh Moo-hyun as President and continual government reforms are greatly contributing to the counties higher global acceptance, There are undoubtedly significant challenges ahead and we await a favourable resolution of nuclear tensions that currently cloud the peninsula.

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South Korea - population, culture and economy

Current figures (2003) indicate that the total population of South Korea is around 48 million people. The Capital and largest city of South Korea is Seoul in the northern part of the Country and, including satellite cities, is home to some 15 million people. The second largest city is Busan which is located on the south eastern coast line and is home to some 4.5 million people. Busan is also the home of the Rotary Club of Busan Tongbaek.

Korean society is largely based on the principles of Confucianism, a system of ethics developed in China around 500 BC. Confucianism focuses on devotion and respect for parents, family, friends and those in positions of authority. Confucius also emphasised justice, peace, education, reform and humanitarianism. Many Koreans attribute the country's success in recent decades to this respectful attitude and dedication.

In modern Korean society, Confucianism is most noticeable in relations between people. Such relationships prescribe the behaviour between ruler and subject, father and son, husband and wife, old and young, and between friends. Outside such relationships, you can be forgiven for feeling that Koreans are rude. In reality they are not. After the first introduction, the relationship falls under the rules of 'friends' and things will improve considerably.

The South Koreans have adapted to many art forms. Traditional music is similar to that of Japan and China, the two main forms being the 'Chongak' (traditional) and 'Minsogak' (folk like). Among the folk dances are drum dances (Mugo), mask dances (Talchum), monk dances (Seungmu) and spirit-cleansing dances (Salpuri). The most important work of Korean literature is Samguk Yusa, written in the 12th century by the monk Illyon. Recent literature has been somewhat tainted, with many works being produced by student protesters and Taoist-style ecologists. Koreans also consider their language an art form, and are particularly proud of their script, Hangul.

The visual arts are strong with traditional paintings adopting many Chinese and calligraphic elements. Most traditional sculptures are Buddhist related statues and pagodas. The capital city of Seoul remains as a showpiece of modern and traditional architecture, examples being the city gates and the Chosun-era Gyeongbokgung Palace.

The South Korean economy has been one of continual development and change. Having received significant investment during the past 20 years, the current principle industries include shipbuilding, car manufacture, machinery production, electronics, chemicals and textiles. Major Korean industrial names include Hyundai, Samsung and Daewoo and these companies are now recognised worldwide for their high quality and performance standards rivaling competitors in the West.  Major trading partners are the USA, Japan, Germany.

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Taegukki - The South Korean national flag

South Korea's flag shows a red and blue Yin-Yang symbol; red (yang) on top; blue (yin) on the bottom, in the centre of a white background. Four groups of three long and short black bars (called Kwae) surround the Ying-Yang symbol. The flag was adopted on 25th January 1950 and is called Taegukki or, "Great Extremes".

The white background in this philosophical flag represents peace and purity. Symbolically, the Yin-Yang symbol represents opposites. It is the belief that all things in the universe have two opposite aspects that cannot exist without each other. The Kwae symbols combine various permutations of full and broken bars; the broken bars symbolising yin (dark and cold) and the unbroken bars symbolising yang (bright and hot). The four Kwae represent: heaven (three unbroken bars), the Earth (three broken bars), water (one unbroken line between two broken bars), and fire (one broken bar between two unbroken bars). The Kwae symbols are placed to provide balance, i.e. heaven opposite Earth, and fire opposite water.

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