Korea, 

peninsula in Asia, divided since 1948 into two political entities:

 the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea) and
 the Republic of Korea (South Korea).

Korean art and architecture

Bronze Bell
Bronze casting was brought to ancient Korea by the Mongols in 1000 BC. During that period
Korean artisans made mirrors, small weapons, and bells such as this one, which is in the Seattle
Art Museum in Seattle, Washington.

Pulguksa Temple, South Korea

The Pulguksa Temple, dating from AD 751, is one of the most ornate Buddhist temples in
South Korea. The stairways leading to the temple entrances are symbolic of the Buddhist journey
toward spiritual enlightenment. They were constructed without mortar by placing cut stones in
perfect arrangement.

Sokkuram Cave Temple, South Korea

This statue of a seated Buddha is located in the Sokkuram cave temple in southeastern South
Korea. The carved-granite temple was constructed on a mountainside near Gyeongju, the capital
of the Silla kingdom, in the 8th century. The small dome-shaped temple resembles a cave
because its exterior is covered in a thick layer of sod and grass.

Korean Celadon Vessel

An example of celadon from the Korean Koryŏ (Goryeo) dynasty (918-1392). It is light green
celadon with inlaid mishima decoration. The unique color is the result of combining the gray
clay underneath with the translucent green glaze on top. The floral designs are carved into the
surface and filled with white and brown clay.

Korean Celadon Vessel

An example of celadon from the Korean Koryŏ (Goryeo) dynasty (918-1392). It is light green
celadon with inlaid mishima decoration. The unique color is the result of combining the gray
clay underneath with the translucent green glaze on top. The floral designs are carved into the
surface and filled with white and brown clay.

Changgyeong Palace, Seoul

A temple in Seoul, South Korea, sits within the Changgyeong Palace grounds. The palace
compound was originally built in the early 1100s as the summer residence of the Koryŏ (Goryeo)
dynasty.
Korean Pottery, Chosŏn Dynasty

A ceramic vase dates from the Korean Chosŏn (Joseon) dynasty (1392-1910). The vase
exhibits the blue and white style characteristic of traditional Chosŏn pottery. Noted for its
elaborate decoration, Chosŏn pottery ranks as some of the most beautiful in the world.

Korean language

Korean Newspaper
In the Korean language, each symbol represents a letter, and the letters that make up a syllable
appear together in syllable blocks, several of which appear in this newspaper’s headline. Most
texts are written from left to right, and from top to bottom.

Korean war

The Korean War originated in the division of Korea into South Korea and North Korea after
World War II (1939-1945). Efforts to reunify the peninsula after the war failed, and in 1948 the
South proclaimed the Republic of Korea and the North established the People’s Republic of
Korea.

Korean Prisoners of War

The Korean War caused great devastation to the people of the Korea Peninsula. Although 20
other nations eventually became involved in the war, the Koreans saw it primarily as a civil war
between the North and the South. In this photograph, Koreans suspected of being Communists
are held by anti-Communist South Korean troops.