South Korea Overview

Country Profile

The southern half of the Korean Peninsula in east Asia is referred to as “the Republic of Korea,” an area of 99,600 square kilometers and population of 48.82 million, nearly all Korean. Residents are Buddhist and Christian. The language is Korean, and the currency is the won. The capital is Seoul (Seoul).

South Korea National Flag

The flag is white, with the yin and yang pattern in the middle (also known as Tai Chi pattern). Under the blue and red pattern, pictorial symbols gather around the four groups, left to right, symbolizing day. The lower right has Kun, symbolizing land. The top right has the Hom, symbolizing water, and the lower left has the representation of fire.

History Summary

In ancient times, the peninsula was populated by the Silla, Goguryeo, and Baekje people, three of the oldest in the world. By the mid-7th century, the Silla dominated the peninsula. In the 10th century AD, Korea replaced Silla. In August 1910, Korea become a colony of Japan. On August 15, 1945, Korea was liberated. Meanwhile, the Soviet United and to the United States set the latitude 38 ° line as the boundary between the northern and southern half of Korea. On 15 August, 1948, the Nichinan part of the Republic of Korea was proclaimed.

Kimchi

Many types of amazing kimchi can be pickled. Korean pickled vegetables are known as the “Golden Qi,” which means gold. The production method is unique in the mix of the cabbage, onions, ginger, garlic and the like, then shrimp paste is added into the fermentation tank, and they always add pepper. Common cabbage is made to become the best of dishes. Storage of kimchi varies according to geographic differences. With low temperatures in the northern region, they use less salt and condiments, made light in order to maintain the freshness of vegetables; in the southern region is the pickling is more into taste. If using salt alone, adjust to short, but it then lacks taste, so add more fish sauce, and sometimes add broth. More northern is kimchi soup, light and refreshing; in the southern region kimchi is bright color, and almost never a soup.

Economy and Culture Overview

South Korea is now an emerging force in the chemical industry. Iron and steel, electronics, textiles, machinery, and automobiles are huge, with powerful world-renowned Korean enterprises. South Korea’s Pohang Iron and Steel Company is the world’s second largest steel company. Korea’s high-tech electronics industry, particularly rapid development of semiconductor integrated circuits, is one of the world’s top ten electronics industries. Korea’s shipbuilding industry currently ranks second in the world. Korea also has other developed businesses and tourism.

Affected by the impact of geography and ethnicity, Koreans love land, industry, courage, and warm and pleasant personalities. Under the influence of traditional Chinese culture, the Korean people believe in filial piety, respect for ancestors, loyality to friends, attention to the family, and regionalism. Traditional Korean etiquette when meeting is to bow. Juniors, seniors, or less-experienced people should bow, greeting, and stand aside, allowing others to go first, to show respect. South Korean officials generally shake hands with or gently nod to each other. Women generally do not shake hands with people. Ceramics, lacquer ware inlaid with mother-of-pearl and fine wood craft are major traditional Korean handicrafts. Korean celadon and white porcelain have always been famous, especially Koryo celadon and the early buncheongsagi of the Joseon era and, later, the most famous white porcelain. Black lacquer inlaid with mother-of-pearl is bordered by a shell of rosy lacquer, silver, copper wire and colorful mother-of-pearl, with exquisite workmanship.

Taekwondo

Taekwondo is a practice of sports activities that is not only physical but also stimulates the brain. It’s all action, based on self-defense. Taekwondo practitioners always bow on different occasions, because Taekwondo always emphasizes the “ceremony” as the training content. In this way, practitioners develop a respectful humility, patience and friendly attitude and learning style, additionally developing the quality of indomitable will.
Taekwondo practitioners are divided according to level.

Haeinsa Tripitaka and Sciences Library

Haeinsa Gyeongsang Gaya is located south of the foothills of mountains. Among Buddhist temples in Korea, it one of the three best-known. Haeinsa was built in the magic years 1236-1251 AD and is the temple of Buddhist texts inscribed “Korea Tibet,” a total of 81,250 wooden plates. Tripitaka is a 23.9 cm high, 69.5 cm wide camphor wood version of Kojo. There is square carved, wooden Scripture on both sides. Each side has 23 lines of 14 characters, and the above is also engraved with the classic name, volume number and box number.

Suwon Hwaseong Fortress

Hwaseong Fortress is of the Yi Dynasty (1392-1910), later built in the city of Suwon City. The wall of the Suwon Hwaseong Fortress is 5.52 km long, and the construction is of a variety the city does not see in other military facilities. At the top of the wall, one can not only cover oneself, but also monitor and attack the enemy. In Suwon city, there are streams flowing through the walls that meet where the Watergate office is set up, a total of seven small streams arching over Watergate.

Jeju Island

Located in the North Pacific Ocean off of South Korea is Korea’s largest, most famous island, whose beautiful scenery it is famous for. “No more than three three three treasures” are the characteristics of Jeju Island (more than three: wind, stone, and a woman more; three nos: nowhere, no bandits, no beggars; Sambo: seafood, plants, dialect). South Korea’s Jeju Island has become the preferred destination of young honeymooners and is known as the “Island of Romance” and “Honeymoon Island.”

The sea women are among the local tourist attractions, and the most distinctive one; some agile and amazing young women dive into the sea, collecting abalone, sea cucumber and other seafood.

South Korea Map