FA C T S A B O U T K O R E A

한
국
의
어
제
와
오
늘

한
국
의
어
제
와
오
늘

F A C T S A B O U T K O R E A
www.korea.net
COVER STORY

Gyesangjeonggeodo, one of the works in the Manuscript

Treasure 585, is a painting of Jeong Seon (pen name: Gyeomjae),
a well-known landscape painter from the Joseon dynasty.
This particular work depicts the life and philosophy of
Yi Hwang (pen name: Toegye) and the beautiful nature of Korea.
The painting, currently depicted on the obverse side of the South Korean
1,000 bill, has been reinterpreted by artist Lee Cheol-min through pointillism.

FACTS ABOUT KOREA 한

국
Copyright © 1973
의
Published by 어
제
와
Korean Culture and Information Service
Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism
2020 Edition 오
늘
408, Galmae-ro, Sejong-si, Government Complex-Sejong,
Republic of Korea
Tel 82.44.203.3300 FACTS
Fax 82.44.203.3592
All rights reserved ABOUT
Printed in Seoul
ISBN 978.89.7375.634.6(03910)
KOREA

For further information about Korea, please visit:

www.kocis.go.kr ┃ www.korea.net
 005
Contents
section 01

Life
section 06
006

• Clothing and Fashion 196 History

• Food
• The Beginnings of Korea’s History (Prehistoric Period – Gojoseon)
• Housing
• Three Kingdoms and Other States
• Festivals, Celebrations, and Holidays
• Northern and Southern States Period: Unified Silla and Balhae
• Religion
• Goryeo Dynasty
• Joseon Dynasty
section 02
• The Fall of Joseon: Imperial Japan’s Annexation of Korea

Society
• Independence Movement
036 • Transition to a Democracy and Transformation into an Economic Powerhouse

• South Korea – Summary

section 07
• Education, Research, and Industry
•

•
Labor and Social Welfare System
Becoming a Society that Respects Cultural Diversity
238 Government
• Constitution
section 03 • Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary
• Independent Organizations
058 Culture • Local Governments
• International Relations
• UNESCO Heritage in Korea
• Traditional Arts section 08
• Hallyu (Korean Wave)

section 04
250 Economy
• The Korean Economy - the Miracle on the Hangang River
122 Tourism •

•
Korea’s Open Market Capitalist Economy
Industrial Brand Leaders and Korean Industrial Standards
• Harmony between Tradition and Modernity • Efforts to Grow as a Global Power
• Gourmet Travel
• Nature and Its Healing Power section 09
• Travel Activities
• Popular Places (Attractions) 270 Inter-Korean Relations
• Medical Tourism
• Local Festivals • Peace, A New Start: The Panmunjeom Declaration
• Historical Background
section 05 • Inter-Korean Exchanges and Cooperation
• Efforts for Lasting Peace

174 Sports section 10

History and Development of Korean Sports

Appendix
•

• Infrastructure for Promoting Sports 282

• Growth into a Sports Powerhouse
• UNESCO Heritage in Korea
• Higher Status as a Host for International Competitions
• National Museums in Korea
• Professional Sports, a History Written in Sweat
• Major Local Festivals in Korea
• Transforming into an Advanced Sports Country
• Local Governments
• Relevant Websites
• Sources of Photos
 007

Clothing and Fashion

Food
Facts about KOREA

Life

Life
Housing

Festivals, Celebrations,
and Holidays

Religion
 009

Life A fashion show marking Hanbok Day takes place showing

rich colors and various designs of hanbok.

·
Korea, surrounded by waters on three sides, features four distinct seasons
and more mountains than plains. In these natural conditions,
Korean people have developed unique and remarkable food, clothing,
housing, and lifestyles. To survive a harsh winter and the intense heat of
summer, they developed distinctive clothing made of diverse materials,
and various healthy dishes made with the mindset that health comes
directly from food. To adapt to the natural environment,
they also developed a unique housing setup called hanok.
Facts about KOREA

Clothing and Fashion

Life
The Korean people learned to use various clothing materials, 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 wadding soft cotton between two pieces of cloth, silk, or
cotton fabric, and stitching them in fine lines, and produced cool summer clothes
with hemp and ramie. Hanbok is the traditional Korean attire made with these
materials, typically featuring graceful lines and forms with a serene aura.
Korea’s traditional clothing, hanbok, has maintained its basic traditional features
throughout Korea’s 5,000-year history while its styles and forms have evolved in
various ways based on the lifestyle, social conditions, and aesthetic taste of the times.
History reveals that in general, Korean people in the past tended to prefer
simple, white clothes to fancy ones. That is why they were often referred to as “the
white-clad people” among their neighbors who admired them for being peaceful
people. Nonetheless, Korea has also had a long tradition of enjoying colorful clothes
with complex designs depending on the period and the wearer’s social status.
Today, South Korea is in the global spotlight because of a variety of hanbok
designs that reinterpret traditional Korean designs and patterns in a modern

artistic sensibility. The music videos of K-pop singers such as BTS and BLACKPINK
also contribute to the higher global recognition of hanbok as an attractive costume
for its unique style and beauty. In addition, its value is getting admitted popularly
thanks to increasing attention even to the ornaments such as gat (Korean
traditional hat) that appeared in the Korean drama, Kingdom, which was released
for streaming on Netflix, the world’s largest over-the-top (OTT) platform.
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 special family occasions such as weddings.
Their love of tradition and yearning for the new sometimes led to the creation of
attractive “modernized hanbok.”
Gangnam-gu in Seoul, which is now a household name across the world
thanks to “Gangnam Style,” a K-pop song that shook the world in 2012, is a large
Facts about KOREA
district where wealthy residential areas sit alongside high-end art facilities and
the busiest fashion streets. This special fashion zone attracts numerous fashion-
minded tourists from around the world with special fashion events by inviting
global designers and holding contests for emerging talents to show their designs.
Another fashion district in Seoul that enjoys an international reputation is
Dongdaemun-gu, now a hub of the regional fashion industry, which provides
creative, affordable fashion items for the young at heart. With its fully developed
distribution and sales networks, highly efficient production facilities, and a throng
of talented, aspiring designers, this district is now a must-visit attraction in Seoul
for foreign tourists.
Food
Since ancient times, the Korean people have believed that food and medicine
share 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.
011
Traditional Fermented Foods
One of the key words to understanding traditional Korean food is fermentation,
a metabolic process that helps food to “mature” so that it 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). The fermentation can
take anywhere from several months to several years.
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 formed 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
Life
remove impurities and odors during the fermentation process. 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 (Korean Chili Paste)
Gochujang 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
toward 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.
 013

· ···
Doenjang Jjigae Saeujeot (Salted Shrimp)
(Soybean Paste Stew) Saeu-jeot is a variety of jeotgal, salted and fermented
This stew-like Korean food, which is the most consumed jeotgal along with
dish is made by myeolchi jeot (salted anchovies)
boiling an assortment in South Korea. Salted fermented shrimp is used to
of ingredients improve the taste of dishes, including kimchi.
such as meat,
clams, vegetables,
mushrooms, chili,
tofu, and soy paste.

Jeotgal (Salted Seafood)

Jeotgal is almost an indispensable kimchi seasoning and a very popular condiment
used to enhance the taste of food. It 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. It is said that the longer it
is fermented, the better it tastes. The tradition of making fermented fish sauce
Facts about KOREA

yielded several special delicacies including sikhae, which is made by fermenting

Life
fish mixed with rice and condiments.

Kimchi
Kimchi, which is gaining a worldwide reputation as one of the representative
Korean dishes, has been praised for its anti-carcinogenic properties and
nutritional value, as well as numerous variations that create excitingly diverse
·· flavors and tastes. The most common type of kimchi is made by mixing salted
Jangdokdae
(Soy Jar Terrace) white cabbage with kimchi paste made of chili powder, garlic, spring onion,
An area outside the Korean radish ginger, fish sauce, and other ingredients like fresh seafood. Kimchi
kitchen used to store large
brown-glazed pottery jars can be eaten fresh but is normally consumed after fermentation for several days.
containing soy paste, soy
Some prefer mugeunji, which is fully fermented for over one year.
sauce, and chili paste.
Korean pottery jars allow The ingredients of kimchi vary according to regions and special local produces
for proper ventilation,
so they are perfect for and traditions. Seoul, for instance, is famous for gungjung kimchi (royal kimchi),
preserving fermented
bossam kimchi (wrapped kimchi), chonggak kimchi (whole radish kimchi), and
food. The ideal location for
Jangdokdae would be a kkakdugi (cubed radish kimchi), and Jeolla-do is well known for godeulppaegi
well-ventilated area with
sufficient sunlight. kimchi (Korean daisy kimchi) and gat kimchi (leaf mustard kimchi).
Kimchi is getting well-known and well-received around the world. In 2001, the
Codex Alimentarius Commission designated Korean kimchi as an international
 015

Making Baechu
(Cabbage) Kimchi standard instead of Japanese kimuchi, and in 2012 officially published the term of
cabbage made in Korea as “kimchi cabbage,” which had previously been referred
to as “Chinese cabbage” until then. In 2003, when severe acute respiratory
syndrome (SARS) was spreading throughout the world, foreign media reported
that the Korean people were safe from SARS because they eat kimchi, which
triggered global attention to its efficacy. In 2006, Health Magazine, an American
monthly, selected kimchi as one of the world’s five healthiest foods.

Bibimbap
Bibimbap (literally “mixed rice”) is a Korean rice dish served after mixing it with
an assortment of fresh and seasonal vegetables, fried egg, minced beef, and
Facts about KOREA

Life
01. Ingredients 02. Cut the cabbage 03. Rinse well-brined
for kimchi lengthwise through cabbages in cold water
the stem into quarters and drain them.
and soak them
in salted water.

04. Mix seasonings

with fermented fish
05. Spread fillings
evenly between
06. Fold the cabbages in
half and wrap around ·
sauce to make fillings. the cabbage leaves. into firm bundles Bibimbap
and store them in Cooked rice served with fresh and seasoned vegetables, minced beef, and chili paste
a cool place.
 017

other ingredients. It is also served in a sizzling hot stone bowl, which is called
dolsotbibimbap (Hot Stone Pot Bibimbap). The dish is closely related to Jeonju, a
UNESCO-designated Creative City of Gastronomy, where food festivals such as
the Bibimbap Festival are held every autumn, thereby attracting gastronomes
from across South Korea and beyond.
Bibimbap, along with kimchi and bulgogi, is considered one of the three
representative dishes of Korean cuisine. It is getting more preferred as an airline
meal, and more efforts have been put into the development of different bibimbap
products to popularize Korean cuisine as a universal global food.

Bulgogi
Bulgogi, which literally means “fire meat,” refers to a traditional Korean dish made
by grilling meat after marinating slices of beef or pork in sweet soy sauce mixed
Facts about KOREA

with a great variety of condiments mainly made with soy sauce, sugar, and pear

Life
juice. Bulgogi is also popular among foreigners, so many South Korean fast-food
restaurants serve bulgogi-flavored fast food such as bulgogi hamburgers and
bulgogi pizza.

Japchae (Stir-Fried Glass Noodles and Vegetables)

Japchae is one of the most popular traditional celebration dishes. Japchae is a
mixture of various ingredients, creating a unique taste. It is made by mixing
boiled glass noodles, fried vegetables such as spinach, carrots, and mushrooms,
meats, and other ingredients. It was first served at a royal banquet in the Joseon
dynasty in the 17th century. For this reason, japchae is considered a luxurious
and elegant dish and always served on special occasions such as a birthday, a
wedding reception, and a 60th birthday party.

Jeon (Pancakes)
Jeon, also known as Korean pancakes, refers to all kinds of food made by cutting
·
ingredients into slices and coating them with wheat flour and an egg wash before Bulgogi

frying them in oil. It can be made with different ingredients such as meat, fish, Stripped or shredded beef marinated
with soy sauce–based condiments and grilled
and vegetable. Some jeon called hwajeon is made out of glutinous rice flour and
 019

edible petals from seasonal flowers such as azalea and chrysanthemum.

Jeon is eaten itself, but the taste becomes richer with soy sauce. Preferred by
all people of ages, it is served on feasts, holidays, and other important occasions.

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 eaten as a staple food, rice is sometimes
served as a variety of rice cakes on 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 serve different varieties of traditional rice cakes with various
Facts about KOREA

symbolic meanings on special occasions. For instance, one is baekseolgi (white

Life
steamed rice cakessnow-white rice cake) served on the first birthday of a baby as
it symbolizes a long life. Another is patsirutteok (red-bean-coated rice cake) used
when they start a business as the red color is believed to help repel evil forces.
They celebrate New Year’s Day with tteokguk (rice cake soup), which consists of
a broth with rice flakes, and Chuseok (the 15th Day of the 8th Lunar Month) with
songpyeon, bite-sized half-moon shaped rice cakes stuffed with honey, chestnut,
soybean, or sesame mixture. Nagwon-dong is famous for a cluster of rice cake
houses still operating downtown in Seoul.

Juk (Porridge)
Juk, cooked in water for a long time with various grains, is a Korean-style porridge
that was usually used to treat children, the elderly, or people suffering from
digestive problems. In recent years, juk houses have sprung up in many parts
of South Korea. They usually prepare the dish with a wide range of ingredients,
· mostly grains and vegetables, developing numerous varieties, some of which are
Gyeongdan
Gyeongdan (sweet rice balls) is a type of small rice cake made by now served at small specialty dinners. Even more, companies present different
kneading glutinous rice powder with hot water, shaping the dough into balls,
instant porridges for commercial sale.
boiling them in hot water, and coating them with powder such as bean or sesame seed powder.
These days, sponge cake crumbs are also used to coat the sweet rice ball.
 021

Noodles
Korean people have developed a wide range of noodle dishes with different
symbolic meanings. One of such dishes is janchi guksu (noodles in broth), which
is served in a hot anchovy broth to the guests at a wedding reception. This dish is
so closely related to 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. There are two main
varieties: Pyongyang-style and Hamheung-style cold buckwheat noodles. The
former is served as a cold soup containing noodles while the latter with a spicy
dressing and eaten all mixed.
Facts about KOREA

Hanjeongsik (Korean table d’hote)

Life
Hanjeongsik, also known as the Korean table d‘hote, normally consists of cooked
rice, soup, and three to five (largely vegetable) side dishes. Although the higher
standard of living contributes to the creation of more new side dishes and thus ·
Hanjeongsik (Korean table d’hote)
the Korean table d‘hote becomes more luxurious involving tens of dishes, it This traditional Korean-style full-course meal typically consists of a separate appetizer,
a staple food mainly made of grains, an assortment of side dishes, and dessert.
always consists of three basic dishes: rice, soup, and kimchi. Two cities in the
This meal is often divided into subgroups according to the number of side dishes added:
southwestern part of South Korea, Jeonju and Gwangju, are particularly famous 3 cheop, 5 cheop, 7 cheop, 9 cheop, and 12 cheop bansang.

for this traditional Korean-style full-course 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 proteins and other substances required for the monks and
nuns to remain healthy while refraining from flesh meat. Temple cuisine is
now preferred 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 South Korea to meet the needs specific to local communities during holidays,
festivals, memorial rites, and other commemorative occasions. Currently, some
300 traditional beverages have survived, including Munbaeju (pear-flavored
liquor) and Songjeolju (pine knot liquor) in Seoul; Sanseong Soju (distilled
liquor) in Gwangju, Gyeonggi-do; Jindo Hongju (red liquor) in Jeollanam-do and
Jeonju Igangju (distilled liquor) in Jeollabuk-do; Hansan Sogokju (rice wine) in
Chungcheongnam-do; Geumsan Insamju (ginseng liquor) in Chungcheongnam-
do; Gyodong Beopju (rice liquor) and Andong Soju (distilled liquor) in Gyeongju,
Gyeongsangbuk-do; and Okseonju (distilled liquor) in Hongcheon, Gangwon-do.
Makgeolli (rice wine) is one of the most popular traditional alcoholic beverages

across South Korea. It is also known by other names such as nongju (farmer’s
wine), takju (cloudy wine), and dongdongju (rice wine). It is made by a process in
which steamed rice, barley, or wheat is mixed with nuruk and left to ferment, and
has an alcohol content of 6%–7%, making it a fairly mild drink. Recognized as a
healthy fermented liquor, it is gaining popularity among foreign tourists visiting
South Korea.
Another hugely popular alcoholic beverage is soju, which is made by adding
water and flavorings to alcohol extracted from sweet potatoes and grains.
Although its alcohol content varies but is significantly higher than makgeolli, it is
widely loved by ordinary people for its affordable prices in South Korea and is also
rapidly gaining enthusiasts abroad.
Facts about KOREA
·
Makgeolli
Makgeolli is a traditional Korean rice wine, made by fermenting steamed rice, barley,
or wheat mixed with nuruk, a traditional Korean fermentation starter.
023
Housing
Korean people have developed unique architectural techniques to build housing
that is properly adapted to the natural environment, providing dwellers with
better protection. One of the distinctive features of the hanok (traditional Korean
house) is an underfloor heating system called ondol. Ondol, which literally means
“warm stones” and was developed during the prehistoric period, 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 architectural feature is the board-floored room called maru located
at the center for multiple purposes. The room is usually larger than other rooms
and is raised from the ground to allow warm and cold air to freely circulate under
it. This creative natural air-conditioning system ensures a cool living environment
Life
during the summer. In other words, the traditional Korean house is scientifically
designed to incorporate these smart ondol-maru systems in harmony. The roof
is typically covered with either giwa (tiles) with different colors or byeotjib (rice
straw). While most of the roof tiles are dark gray, some exhibit more vibrant
colors as demonstrated, for example, by Cheongwadae, the official residence
of the South Korean President, which literally means “Blue House” because 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. Presumed to have been built in the early 1200s, the Geungnakjeon
Hall of Bongjeongsa Temple in Andong, Gyeongsangbuk-do, is Korea’s oldest
extant wooden building. The ideal location for hanok is believed to have hills or
mountains at the back of the house to prevent the cold wind and a stream or
river in front to ensure easy access to water. Houses built in such a place create
a great harmony with the surroundings, attracting more and more admirers at
home and abroad.
These days, over 60% of Seoul’s population live in modern apartments, but,
interestingly, these tall, multistoried buildings are almost without exception
 025
Facts about KOREA

Life
·
Hanok, traditional Korean houses
Myeongjae Gotaek, the ancient house of a Confucian scholar of
the late Joseon (1392–1910) dynasty, in Nonsan, Chungcheongnam-do
 027

furbished with a heating system inspired by the age-old ondol system. Similarly,
newly built detached houses are also reliant on its legacy to heat the floor,
although the traditional heat passages are now replaced with under-floor metal
pipes with running water heated either by gas or electricity. This traditional
Korean heating system has been gaining more popularity not only in South Korea
but also in other countries with wide variations in daily temperature.

Festivals, Celebrations, and Holidays

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. Because
·
Facts about KOREA

farming was hugely important for the subsistence of the members, such society Sebae (New Year’s Bow)
Korea has a long tradition of starting the New Year (by the lunar calendar) with

Life
developed a great variety of semi-religious events intended to pray for a good
the deep traditional bows made by children to their elders.
harvest and abundant food. Those events gradually evolved into communal
celebrations and festivals.
Korean people celebrate the Lunar New Year’s Day (Seol or Seollal), with a
special festival dish called tteokguk or rice cake soup. They believe they can grow
one year older after consuming a bowl of rice cake soup on that day. In addition,
younger people make a deep traditional bow to their elders and wish them a
happy new year, which is called sebae (New Year’s bow). Then, the elders typically
reward this gesture by giving New Year’s gift money to their juniors.
Another important seasonal festival called Daeboreum (Greater Full Moon) is
celebrated on the 15th 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 a good harvest.
Along with the Lunar New Year’s Day, Chuseok, also known as hangawi, is one
of the biggest and most important holidays in Korea, which is held on the 15th ··
Chuseok and Songpyeon
day of the 8th lunar month. On this day, all family members gather together and
Family members gather together and make songpyeon (half-moon shape rice cake),
hold a ritual with newly harvested crops and fruits to express their appreciation one of representative Chuseok delicacies.
 029

to their ancestors and to nature. As it falls in the harvest season, a time of

abundance, there is a Korean saying that goes, “May things be just like hangawi,
no more, no less.”

Celebrations
Korean parents mark the 100th 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 baby’s 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 South Korea.
It was not until the 20th century when most Korean people began to choose
their spouse in person, not getting married by the arrangement of their parents
Facts about KOREA

or matchmakers.

Life
In the past, a wedding ceremony in Korea was more like a village festival.
Families, relatives, and villagers would gather together to celebrate the couple.
The groom wore samogwandae, which refers to the uniforms of government
officials, and the bride was dressed in a lavishly embroidered bridal robe, such
as hwarot or wonsam, and a bejeweled headdress or a coronet named jokduri.
Today, the Western style of a wedding ceremony is widely regarded as
the norm, but there are some remaining traditional rituals such as Pyebaek
(traditional custom where the bride pays respect to the groom’s family right after
·
Traditional Wedding
the wedding ceremony) and Ibaji (wedding food that the bride presents to the The traditional Korean wedding ceremony largely consists of three stages:
Jeonallye, in which the groom visits the bride’s family with a wooden goose;
groom’s family). Gyobaerye, in which the bride and groom exchange ceremonious bows; and Hapgeullye,
where the marrying couple shares a cup of wine.
In South Korea, babies are one year old as soon as they are born because the
The photo shows a bride and groom exchanging ceremonious bows
period when they are in their mother’s womb is also considered for calculating during the Gyobaerye stage of their wedding ceremony.

age. A person’s 60th birthday used to be celebrated with a grand party as that
age was regarded as enough to have experienced all the principles of heaven
and earth. However, today, the average life expectancy of South Koreans is more
than 80 years, so people celebrate their 70th birthday in such a grand manner National Holidays
rather than their 60th birthday. In South Korea, there are five national holidays designated by the government.
First, March 1st Movement Day commemorates the Korean independence

movement, which was held by the public on March 1, 1919 to show resistence Public Holidays in Korea
against the Japanese occupation of Korea. Second, Constitution Day or Jeheonjeol
is observed on July 17th, the day that the South Korean constitution was Jan. 1
proclaimed in 1948. Third, National Liberation Day (Gwangbokjeol, August 15), New Year’s Day
The first day of the year.
celebrated annually on August 15th, is to commemorate Victory over Japan Day
at the end of World War II. Fourth, National Foundation Day (Gaecheonjeol),
celebrated annually on October 3rd, is to mark the foundation of Gojoseon, the
first state of the Korean nation, on the 3rd day of the 10th lunar month, 2333 BCE.
Fifth and last, Hangeul Proclamation Day (Hangeul Day), celebrated annually on
October 9th, is to commemorate the invention and proclamation of the Korean
Apr. 8
writing system. (Lunar Calendar)
Buddha’s Birthday
Intended to celebrate
Public Holidays the birth of Shakyamuni
Facts about KOREA
Buddha, a variety of
The public holidays during which work is suspended by law in South Korea include
celebratory events are
New Year’s Day, Seollal (or Lunar New Year’s Day, celebrated for 3 days), Chuseok held in Buddhist temples
across the country.
(Mid-autumn Festival on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, celebrated for 3
days), Buddha’s Birthday (on the 8th day of the 4th lunar month), Children’s Day Aug. 15
(May 5), Memorial Day (June 6), and Christmas Day. There are 15 public holidays Liberation Day
It is intended to celebrate
in total on which businesses are closed by law and employees have a day off, from the liberation of Korea
which Constitution Day is excluded. from Japanese colonial
rule in 1945. Also, on
August 15, 1948, the
Republic of Korea was
formally established.
Religion
South Korea is a country where all the world’s major religions, Christianity,
Buddhism, Confucianism, and Islam, peacefully coexist with shamanism.
Oct. 9
According to the 2015 statistics, 44% of South Koreans identified with a religion.
Hangeul Day
Among them, Buddhism and Confucianism have been more influential than It is intended to
commemorate King
any others upon the life of the Korean people, and over half of the country’s listed
Sejong’s promulgation of
cultural heritage is related to the two religions. Since Buddhism arrived in Korea Hunminjeongeum (The
Hangeul Manuscript) and
in 372, tens of thousands of temples have been built across the country. promote the research
and dissemination of
Adopted as the state ideology of the Joseon dynasty (1392–1910), Confucianism hangeul.
is more of a code of ethical conduct that emphasizes the importance of loyalty,
031
Jan. 1
(Lunar Calendar)
Seollal
The first day of the year
by the lunar calendar.
It is a three-day
celebration where people
eat rice cake soup and
make a deep traditional
bow to their elders.
May. 5
Children’s Day
It is designated to raise
awareness of love for
children, with various
events held for parents
and their kids to enjoy
together across the
country.
Aug. 15
(Lunar Calendar)
Chuseok
Chuseok, also known as
hangawi, is a seasonal
festival. Families gather
together to hold a
memorial service for their
ancestors at home or at
family graves, and they
make wishes under the
full moon at night.
Dec. 25
Christmas
It is intended to celebrate
the birth of Jesus Christ
with a great variety
of religious and secular
events enjoyed by
all the people regardless
of their religion.
Mar. 1
Independence
Movement Day
Intended to commemorate
the declaration of the
Korean Independence
Movement in 1919, it was
a massive, nonviolent
public protest against the
Japanese colonial rule.
Jun. 6
Memorial Day
It is intended to honor
and commemorate the
achievements of war
heroes and veterans,
with a national memorial
Life
service held at the
National Cemetery.
Oct. 3
National
Foundation Day
It is intended to
commemorate the
foundation of Gojoseon,
the first Korean state,
by Dangun in 2333 BCE.
PUBLIC
HOLIDAYS
IN KOREA
 033

filial piety, and ancestor worship. Based on the concepts of Confucianism, the
Joseon Dynasty established a code of conduct to settle the manners and customs
of the people’s lives. It stresses the importance of chung, the loyalty of subjects
to their king, hyo, filial, the obedience of children to their parents, and yeol, duties
between the husband and the wife.
Catholicism was introduced to Korea during the late Joseon dynasty period by
diplomats who returned from China and Catholic priests who were invited by the
Korean Christians. The early Roman Catholics in Korea were subjected to severe
persecution, but the religion continued to spread among the common people

Size of Religious Groups [Unit: 10,000 people / Statistics Korea, 2015]

·
Facts about KOREA

Chungdong First Methodist Church in Seoul

Korea’s first Protestant church founded in 1897

Life
Others 37

Those with a religion Catholics 389

2,155
2%
18%

Protestants
44%
45% 968
56%
2015
35%
Those with no religion Buddhists
2,750 762

※ “Others” include Confucianism, Won Buddhism,

Jeungsangyo, Cheondogyo, Daejonggyo, and Islam.

Diversity in Religious Life *

··
South Korea is rapidly changing into a multiethnic, multicultural, and multireligious society, protecting
religious diversity by law. People in South 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, Lotus Lantern Festival
Buddhism, Catholicity, Confucianism, Islam, and ethnic religions or as adherents of Korean native
The festival is held to celebrate the birth of
religions such as Won Buddhism and Cheondogyo.
Shakyamuni Buddha on the 8th day of the 4th lunar month.

Interior of Myeongdong Cathedral in Seoul
· ··
Facts about KOREA
across the country. Through the persecution many Christians were martyred by
the rulers at that time, which led Korea to yield the world’s fourth-largest number
of Christian saints.
Protestantism was brought to Korea during the late Joseon dynasty period
and quickly won people’s hearts through school education and medical services.
Even today, Protestants in South Korea operate a great number of educational
institutions, middle and high schools, colleges and universities, and medical
centers.
In addition to these, there are a rich array of native religions such as
Cheondogyo, Won Buddhism, and Daejonggyo, which are still active in increasing
the number of their adherents. Cheondogyo, founded 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
035
Seoul Central Mosque in Itaewon, Seoul
Life
Korea. Daejonggyo was established in the early 20th century to worship Dangun,
the founder of the first Korean state. In 1955, the Korea Muslim Society was first
established, which elected the first Korean imam (Islamic leader), later growing
large enough to become the Korea Muslim Federation in 1967.
Still, shamanism has also played an important part in the daily life of the
Korean people. Some believe shamans can predict their future or they can
console the spirit of the deceased. Others visit fortune-tellers when they start a
business or get married.
 037

South Korea – Summary

Education, Research,
Facts about KOREA

and Industry

Society
Society
Labor and Social Welfare System

Becoming a Society
that Respects Cultural Diversity
 039
Russia

Society China

Korea has a unique language and its own writing system,

Baekdusan
“Hangeul,” which was invented by King Sejong (1397–1450)
during the Joseon dynasty. Korean are very proud of
this remarkable achievement. Hangeul is a very efficient
and easy script to learn and use, and most of all,
its promulgation was exactly recorded, which is unique in the world.
Hangeul is composed of 14 consonant letters
Myohyangsan
and 10 vowel letters. It can express virtually all the sounds
produced by nature and humans.
Facts about KOREA

Pyongyang

Society
East Sea
Geumgangsan

Seoraksan
Gaeseong
Baengnyeongdo

Ganghwado Seoul
Incheon
Taebaeksan Ulleungdo
Island Dokdo
Island

West Sea
Sejong
South Korea – Summary
Daejeon

Geographical and Topographical Features Daegu

Ulsan
The Korean Peninsula (lat. 33˚–43˚; long. 124˚–132˚) lies in the middle of Northeast Korea Strait
Busan
Asia, flanked by China to its west and Japan to its east. The peninsula is 950 km Jirisan
Gwangju
Geojedo
long longitudinally and 540 km wide latitudinally. The total area of South Korea is
100,364 km2. Excluding the northern end, which is joined to the Asian continent, Scale 1:6,000,000 Jindo

the peninsula is surrounded by water on three sides, with flat land and mountains Legend
Jeju Strait
accounting for 30% and 70% of the entire territory, respectively. Mountains over Demarcation line

City Hallasan
1,000 m above sea level make up only 15% of the mountainous areas, while Jeju Island Japan
Mountain

mountains lower than 500 m account for 65%.

 041

South Korea Overview (As of 2019) 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
1. 2. 3. 4. small and large, originate from the high mountainous areas in the east and flow
Country Name Capital City National National Flag toward the West and South Seas, forming plains suitable for grain cultivation.
Republic of Korea Seoul Anthem Taegeukgi
(since 1394) Aegukga The climate created by the mountainous areas in the east has an impact
on people’s lives. The easterly wind’s 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
5. 6. 7. 8. transportation, as these areas have undergone very little development compared
National Flower Language Land Size Official Script
Mugunghwa Korean 100,364 km2 Hangeul to the area to the west of the high mountains. However, the slow pace of
(Rose of Sharon) development has brought at least one advantage to local residents: the natural
scenery has remained unspoiled, and many people now choose these areas as
Facts about KOREA

travel destinations.

Society
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
9. 10. 11. 12.
generally deeper than 1,000 m. According to the result of a sonar measurement
Geographical Standard Time Population Political
Location 9 hours ahead of 51.71 million System carried out by the Korea Hydrographic and Oceanographic Agency, the deepest
The Korean Greenwich Mean Liberal
part of the East Sea lies in the area north of Ulleungdo Island (2,985 m deep). In
Peninsula Time democracy;
(lat. 33˚– 43˚; presidential contrast, the sea along the West Sea is shallow, which has led to the formation
long. 124˚–132˚) system
of wide tidal flats.
During the summer holiday season, Haeundae Beach in Busan attracts around
1 million visitors per day. Gyeongpodae Beach in Gangneung and Daecheon
Beach on the West Sea are also popular holiday destinations during the summer.

13. 14.
President Economic Indicators
Moon Jae-in (since 2017) · GDP: USD 1,646.3 billion
· Per Capita GNI: USD 32,115
· GDP Growth Rate: 2.0%
· Currency: Won (USD 1 = KRW 1,156.4)
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˚C–18˚C. 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 35˚C. In spring, azaleas and forsythias bloom earlier than in the past.
Over the past 4–5 years, many new and extraordinary climate-related records
have been reported.
Summer heat waves have become more common, and precipitation patterns
are also changing. During the monsoon seasons in the past, rain used to fall
nationwide because of the influence of a wet front. Today, torrential downpours,
which bring rain to a concentrated area, are often observed. In winter, heavy
snow also tends to fall in concentrated regions. Only 10 years ago, it was usual
for cold and warm weather to succeed each other on the peninsula every three
or four days, but that pattern has almost completely disappeared as well.
Facts about KOREA
Population
Archaeologists think that people started settling in the Korean Peninsula around
700,000 BCE during the Paleolithic Age. South Korea’s 2019 population was
estimated at 51.71 million, and according to the 2018 Population and Housing
Census, 49.8% of the population resided in the Seoul metropolitan area. This was
up by 0.7% from 49.1% in 2010, showing a distinct trend toward the concentration
of the population in the capital.
Meanwhile, the country’s low birth rate has emerged as a serious social
problem. In 2019, the total fertility rate, meaning the average number of
childbirths by fertile women, stood at 0.92, with the number of newborns
reaching 3,02,700, all of which were the lowest ever recorded. Meanwhile, the
life expectancy of South Koreans reached 82.7 years (as of 2018), higher than the
OECD average (80.7 years).
The international migration of South Koreans began at the end of the 19th
century and the early 20th century, with people leaving for China and Russia.
Around the mid-20th century, after the 1945 Liberation of Korea, the United
States was their main destination, though Koreans also started to emigrate to
diverse regions around the world including Europe, the Middle East, and South
America. As a result, the number of overseas South Koreans amounted to 7.49
043
million (2019). Statistics showed that the largest number of Korean expatriates
was in the United States (2.54 million), followed by China (2.46 million), and Japan
(820,000).
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. Despite fluctuations every year, the number
of inflows of foreign nationals has been increasing as a whole. According to
Statistics Korea, the number of foreigners entering Korea reached 293,000 in
2010, 373,000 in 2015, and 438,000 in 2019, respectively. With respect to the
purposes of their entry into the country, a short-term stay (34.5%) topped the list,
followed by employment (26%), study (14.9%), and arrivals of overseas Koreans
(12%). Although not included in the major rankings, the number of people
entering the country because of permanent residence and marriage increased
by 7.7% year on year (as of 2019).
Society
Language and Letters
Korea has a unique language and its own writing system, “Hangeul,” which was
invented by King Sejong (1397–1450) during the Joseon dynasty. Koreans are
very proud of this remarkable achievement. Hangeul is a very efficient and easy
script to learn and use, and most of all, its promulgation was exactly recorded,
which is unique in the world.
Hangeul is composed of 14 consonant letters (ㄱ ㄴ ㄷ ㄹ ㅁ ㅂ ㅅ ㅇ ㅈ ㅊ ㅋ ㅌ
ㅍ ㅎ) and 10 vowel letters (ㅏ ㅑ ㅓ ㅕ ㅗ ㅛ ㅜ ㅠ ㅡ ㅣ). 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 a tacit recognition of his greatest accomplishment, the
creation of Hangeul, which is easy to learn and use.
 045
Facts about KOREA

Society
· ··
King Sejong the Great National Hangeul Museum
Sejong was the fourth king of the Joseon dynasty. He made many great accomplishments The museum was established to preserve, disseminate,
in the spheres of science, economy, defense, art, and culture. One of his greatest accomplishments was and recreate the value of Hangeul and its culture.
the creation of Hangeul in 1443, an easy-to-learn, efficient, and scientific writing system. The picture shows the Hangeul photo zone in the exhibition hall of the museum.
He is respected as one of the country’s greatest kings among Koreans.
 047

National Flag (Taegeukgi) National Symbol

The Taegeukgi consists of a red and blue taegeuk pattern in the center with four
black trigrams located at each corner against a white background. The Taegeukgi
was first used as the national flag when the Korean Empire was proclaimed in
1897. Today, the pattern has somewhat changed from the flag used at that time.
Mainly designed around the taegeuk pattern that Koreans have long
enjoyed using in their lives, the national flag represents the Korean people’s
ideals of endless creation and prosperity in harmony with the universe. The
white background symbolizes brightness, purity, and peace-loving ethnic
characteristics. The taegeuk symbolizes harmony between yin (blue) and yang
(red), which embodies the truth about Mother Nature: All things in the universe
are created and evolved through the interaction between yin and yang. Aegukga
The four trigrams indicate the mutual changes and development of yin and “Patriotic Song” (National Anthem)
Facts about KOREA

yang through the combinations of horizontal lines (yin: “ ” and yang: “ ”). Among Moderato Ahn Eak-tai

Society
them, geongwae symbolizes the sky; gongwae the earth; gamgwae
water; and rigwae fire. The four trigrams represent movement and harmony
centered around the taegeuk.
Until the day when the waters of the East Sea run dry and Baekdusan Mountain is worn away,

National Anthem (Aegukga)

Aegukga, the national anthem of South Korea, was composed in 1935 by Mr. Ahn
Eak-tai, who added a melody to the lyrics written in the early 1900s. Initially, the
God protects and preserves our nation; Hurray to Korea
national anthem was sung to the tune of the Scottish folk song Auld Lang Syne. It
was officially adopted with the establishment of the government of the Republic
of Korea in August 1948.

National Flower (Mugunghwa) (Refrain) Three thousand ri of splendid rivers and mountains covered with mugunghwa blossoms.

The Mugunghwa (Rose of Sharon) is the national flower of South Korea, literally
meaning “eternal blossom that never fades.”It is deeply associated with what is
regarded as the most typical Korean characteristics: a sincere heart, inwardness,
and tenacity. The national anthem includes the line: “Three thousand ri of splendid Great Korean people, stay true to the Great Korean way!
rivers and mountains covered with mugunghwa blossoms.” The emblem of the
government and the National Assembly contains the shape of a mugunghwa.
 049

National Flag National Flower

Taegeukgi Mugunghwa (Rose of Sharon) Education, Research, and Industry

Geon Gam
(Sky) (Water) Education System
The Korean people have long regarded education as very important. In the
Red: Yang
process of industrialization, human resources emerged as an important factor
Blue: Yin in connection with the need to cope with scarce capital and resources more
efficiently. Parents’ fervor regarding their children’s education has resulted in the
Ri Gon
(Fire) (Earth) production of a large number of well-educated people, which, in turn, has helped
the country achieve rapid economic growth. The basic school system is composed
of kindergarten (1–3 years), elementary school (6 years), middle school (3 years),
high school (3 years), and university (4 years). There are also junior colleges (2 or
Political System 3 years) and graduate schools (for masters and PhD degrees).
The country has adopted a Presidential system in which the President is elected All South Koreans are required to finish middle school under compulsory
Facts about KOREA

by the direct vote of the people for a five-year term. President Moon Jae-in was education. Since 2013, the government has provided child care subsidies for

sworn in as the 19th president of South Korea on May 10, 2017.
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 14 six-year
term Supreme Court justices. There are 17 upper-level local governments and
226 lower-level local governments. The heads of the local governments and the
members of local councils are each elected for a four-year term.
Division
In 1948, the two Koreas established their respective governments: the Republic
of Korea (South Korea) and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North
Korea). Defined as two different countries under international law, they joined
the United Nations simultaneously. The Constitution of South Korea, however,
regards North Korea as part of the Republic of Korea.
Society
young children aged up to five years.
High Educational Competitiveness
Thanks to the remarkable education system and the high regard for education,
the country has many skilled people in virtually all sectors. Korea’s universities
produce talented young people specializing in basic science, including physics,
and other major sectors, such as electronics, mechanical engineering, business
management, economics, and accounting. Many educated adults can make
themselves understood in English, some of whom can speak 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 OECD’s Programme for International Student Assessment
(PISA), South Korean students display a high level of academic achievement in
reading, mathematics, and science. The PISA 2018 results showed that Korea was
among the highest ranked OECD countries, ranking 2nd to 7th in reading, 1st to
4th in mathematics, and 3rd to 5th in science.
 051

Number of Schools in Korea [Unit: Schools / Ministry of Education, 2020]

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
8,705
world to commercialize the CDMA and WiBro technologies as well as established
6,120 nationwide 4G Long-Term Evolution (LTE) networks. In March 2019, South Korea
launched the world’s first nationwide 5G mobile networks.
These sophisticated information and communication technologies have
3,223
led changes in diverse social sectors, including the innovation of government
2,367
1,124
administration. With the help of such advanced technologies, the procedures
for reporting a baby’s birth, moving home, or registering a person’s death are
182 191
136
45
handled more efficiently.
In addition, two-way communication systems based on social networking
services (SNSs) allow the government to provide useful information for the people,
Facts about KOREA

who, in turn, can report any inconveniences in their lives to their government. In

Society
Kindergarten Middle Special University University 2018, the number of exports of South Korea’s e-government systems totaled 201,
School School Graduate
School whose value reaches USD 258 million.
Elementary High Junior Graduate
School School College School
According to the 2020 UN E-Government Survey, South Korea ranked second,
following Denmark. In the same survey of 2010, 2012, and 2014, South Korea
ranked first.
R&D Investment The expansion of advanced communication infrastructure and the increased
South Korea has a large number of talented people engaged in cutting-edge distribution of mobile devices have actualized global communication in real time,
research. Government-funded research institutes for basic science research, thus drastically transforming the conventional exchange information systems.
universities, and many world-leading corporations are dedicated to a vast range KakaoTalk, a smartphone messenger app developed in South Korea, is an
of projects from basic research to the development of advanced technologies indispensable platform when it comes to digital communication among South
and new commercial innovations. Koreans. Also, many of them actively utilize social networking services such as
In recent years, more research and development projects have focused on Instagram and TikTok.
the fields of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, including artificial intelligence (AI),
electronics, computers, the Internet of Things (IoT), and big data.
As of 2018, the total number of researchers in South Korea stood at 514,000,
·
showing a high-level equivalent to 14.7 per 1,000 of the economically active Social Network Service
A social networking service (SNS) is a service system that helps
population. Their activities result in numerous patent applications, both at home people strengthen their existing personal networks and create
and abroad. relationships, thereby further broadening their human networks.
 053

A podcast, another form of social networking service, is establishing a
new area in the communication (broadcasting) sector. Now, social networking
services are exerting influence even over politics through the formation of public
opinion, in addition to its inherent functions such as the delivery of information
or entertainment.
Facts about KOREA
Changes and Vision
South Korea is rapidly changing into a knowledge-based society, thus prioritizing
human resources. In a knowledge-based society, human capital is more important
than natural resources or industrial production, and humans are the barometer
of national competitiveness.
In South Korea, the development of creative good-quality 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. The representative
examples of the country’s successful items as cultural products include not only
K-pop, enrapturing the world, but also TV dramas such as Kingdom and Crash
Landing on You, and TV animations for infants such as Pororo.
According to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the
country’s Human Development Index (HDI) is rising, apparently as a result of the

growing emphasis on investment and the development of human resources as

Society
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. In 2018, South Korea’s HDI
came to 0.906, ranking 22nd among 189 countries.

·
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 while engaged in media editing, documentation, and research.
Labor and Social Welfare System

Korean Social Security System

South Korea operates a labor and welfare system that meets international
norms. It guarantees the three basic rights of labor. Public officials also have
their basic rights guaranteed as workers despite some restrictions on their right

·· to collective action.
Pororo, the country’s In 1988, the country adopted the minimum wage system, whose purpose is
representative character
for infants, plays a leading to protect the rights and interests of workers. There has been a gradual increase
role in the progress of the
future cultural industry by
in the statutory minimum wage, and the hourly minimum wage for 2020 was
introducing a variety of set at KRW 8,590. Other relevant acts have been enforced, such as the Equal
products using educational
animations and characters. Employment Opportunity and Work-Family Balance Assistance Act, which realizes
 055

equal employment for both genders by guaranteeing equal opportunities and United Nations E-Government Survey [UNPAN, 2020]

treatment in employment between men and women, in addition to the mandatory

1 1
employment quota for people with disabilities, which requires companies to hire
workers with disabilities above a certain rate.
st st
In addition, social insurance schemes are carried out against contingencies
E-Participation Online Service
relating to disaster, disease, unemployment, and death. Workers are covered Index (Overall) Index (Overall)
by industrial accident compensation insurance against work-related accidents,

2 4 23
diseases, or deaths. All of the people shall be covered by national health insurance.
As of the end of 2018, 51 million people or 98.6% of the entire population
nd th rd
enjoyed the benefits provided under the state-run national health insurance
E-Government Telecommunication Human Capital
system. The Korean national health-care system, which provides a high-quality Development Index Infrastructure Index Index
(Overall)
medical service for reasonable service fees, has been appraised as an exemplary
case by other countries.
Facts about KOREA

Workers are covered by employment insurance. When an insured worker is

dismissed voluntarily, he/she is entitled to half of his/her wage for a given period
and to job transfer training. Workers are also subject to retirement pension and
national pension plans.
In addition, workers are entitled to take partially paid parental leave for one
year. Pregnant employees are eligible for 90 days of maternity leave before and
after giving birth. Male employees are also allowed to request paternity and child
care leave in relation to their child’s birth and child rearing.
Elementary students are provided with the Dolbom (care) class service. The
whole-day care program is to be expanded to all elementary school grades.
Information Systems of Administrative Agencies *
The administrative agencies utilize information and communication technologies to carry out their
administrative businesses more efficiently by providing information services relating to individual
sectors such as customs clearance, patents, budget accounting, disaster management, immigration
control, mail classification, public complaints, employment, transportation, civil affair documents, the
registration of residence, etc.
The Four Social Insurance Schemes *
Relevant individuals, businesses, and the government share the burden of four major social insurance
schemes: National Pension, National Health Insurance, Employment Insurance, and Industrial Accident
Compensation Insurance Scheme.
Society
With an increasing number of senior citizens, welfare for the elderly has
emerged as an important social issue. To address this, the country adopted a
national long-term care insurance system for the elderly and a basic old-age
pension system.
In 2018, the government launched a new program named State Responsibility
for Dementia, which lowers the financial burden for patients with severe dementia
and covers the cost of dementia diagnoses made via neurocognitive tests and
imaging (MRI, CT, etc.) and so on, through national health insurance.
In 2001, the Ministry of Gender Equality was established, and its name was
later changed to the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family. It also covers policies
for teenagers and multicultural families. In 2013, Park Geun-hye became the first
woman President in South Korea’s 65-year history.
According to the 2018 Gender Inequality Index (GII) released by the UNDP,
South Korea ranked 10th among 189 nations, which shows the global recognition
of South Korea as a leader in the realization of gender equality. The percentage
of female ministers in the Moon Jae-in administration set a government record
of 30%.
 057

Becoming a Society that Respects Cultural Diversity Foreign Nationals Residing in South Korea [Statistics Korea, 2019]

South Korea has long been a culturally homogeneous society, but the number
of migrant workers and foreign students has rapidly increased since the end of
the 20th century. According to the Population and Housing Census conducted in 16.0% Others
November 2018, the number of foreign nationals residing in the country stood
at 1.65 million, accounting for nearly 3.2% of the total population, and 46.0% of 2.0% Mongolians
these were Chinese nationals. 2.2% Nepalese

Recently, the rapidly growing number of multicultural households has reached 2.3% Indonesians 45.2%
Chinese (including
330,000, which is largely attributed to increasing international marriage. The 2.7% Cambodians ethnic Koreans)
2.8% Filipinos
government launched an office dedicated to providing support for foreign citizens’
2019
social activities within the country and enacted the Multicultural Families Support 3.5% Uzbeks

Act. Under the act, 228 multicultural family support centers (www.liveinkorea.kr) 4.0% Americans

are in operation as of 2020 across the country to provide the following services:
Facts about KOREA

9.1% Thais
Korean language education sessions designed to help foreigners adapt to life in

Society
Korea; psychological counseling; events for experiencing the cultures of foreign 10.2% Vietnamese

spouses; and employment support programs with affiliated agencies such as

Saeil Center (Career Development Center for career interrupted women).
The South Korean government has recognized the importance of disparate
foreign cultures and thus is taking diverse measures to avoid social problems
arising from the inflow of foreign cultures. One of those measures is to support
the transformation of multicultural villages into tourist destinations.
Chinatown in Seollin-dong in Incheon is one of the representative examples
of a unique foreign culture in South Korea. Its history began when ethnic Chinese
settled there to do business by taking advantage of the geographical proximity
to China during the modernization in the late 19th century. Nowadays, serving
as a forward base for exchanges with China, this area has also emerged as a new
cultural tourism destination for enthusiasts as its history and culture are drawing
public attention.
Another example is the Ansan Multicultural Village Special Zone in Gyeonggi-do.
People from China, India, and Pakistan living in the zone can purchase specialties
of their home countries. Seoul is well-known for its global villages: the Japanese
Village in Ichon 1-dong and the Muslim village around the Seoul Central Mosque
in Itaewon-dong, both of which are located Yongsan-gu; the French village called
Seorae Village in Banpo-dong, Seocho-gu; the Vietnamese town in Wangsimni,
Dongdaemun-gu; and the Nepalese town in Changsin-dong, Jongno-gu.
In 2013, the Seoul Metropolitan Government chose Daerim 2-dong in
Yeongdeungpo-gu, in which a large number of foreigners reside, as a trial area
for a project to invigorate multicultural village communities. Subsequently, a new
cultural complex center, Dadeurim Cultural Center, was opened in the area in
March 2018.
Currently, a number of foreign-born Koreans are serving as public officials
in the central or local governments. Foreign residents with various cultural
backgrounds are also actively working in the broadcasting industry. Their
participation will greatly contribute to the creation of an environment where
diverse cultures coexist in harmony, and even to social integration.
 059

UNESCO
Heritage in Korea
Facts about KOREA

Culture
Culture Traditional Arts

Hallyu (Korean Wave)

 061

Culture
Korea’s vibrant cultural legacy, comprising music,
art, literature, dance, architecture, clothing,
and cuisine, offers a delightful combination of tradition and modernity.
South Korea preserves a wealth of priceless cultural heritage,
the majority of which have been inscribed on
UNESCO’s World Heritage List to be protected for future generations.
Facts about KOREA

Culture
Since the earliest settlements during prehistoric times, the people of Korea have
developed a unique culture based on their outstanding artistic sensibility. The
geographical conditions of the peninsula provided Koreans with opportunities
to receive both continental and maritime cultures and ample resources, thereby
forming original cultures of interest to and value for the rest of humanity, both
then and now. Korea’s vibrant cultural legacy, comprising music, art, literature,
dance, architecture, clothing, and cuisine, offers a delightful combination of
tradition and modernity.
At the present time, Korean arts and culture are attracting many enthusiasts
around the world. Korea’s cultural and artistic achievements through the ages
are now leading many of its young talents to the world’s most prestigious
music and dance competitions, while its literary works are being translated
into many different languages for global readers. Recently, Korean Dansaekhwa
(monochrome paintings) have become the talk of the global art world. ·
Gyeongju Historic Areas
The world’s craze for K-pop reached its zenith in August 2020, when the South
Gyeongju was the capital of Silla for about one millennium. The city still contains a wealth
Korean boy band BTS achieved its first No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart 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.
with its first all-English-language single entitled “Dynamite.” BTS has become the
 063

first all-South Korean act to top the Billboard Hot 100, as well as the first one
in Asia since 1963. This outcome reflects the popularity of K-pop throughout
the world, including the United States, South America, and Europe, as well as
Japan, China, and Southeast Asia, rather than just a feat of a specific group. It is
in the same context that music videos of K-pop stars such as BLACKPINK, a South
Korean girl group, have recorded explosive views on YouTube and become more
popularized.
As such, the artistic excellence of globally recognized Korean culture was not
built overnight. The original 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). In addition, the DNA of this artistic sensibility has
been handed down through the generations to today’s Korean people.
Facts about KOREA

South Korea preserves a wealth of priceless cultural heritage, the majority

Culture
of which have been inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List to be protected
for future generations. As of 2020, a total of 50 South Korean heritage items are
listed either as World Heritage Sites or Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity,
or included in the UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register.

UNESCO Heritage in Korea

World Heritage Sites

Changdeokgung Palace
Changdeokgung Palace, located in Waryong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, is one of the
five Royal Palaces of the Joseon dynasty (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 dynasty’s official Royal Residence after Gyeongbokgung,
the original principal palace, was destroyed by fire in 1592 when Japanese ·
Injeongjeon Hall in Changdeokgung Palace
forces invaded Korea. Thereafter, it maintained its prestigious position until Injeongjeon Hall is the throne hall of Changdeokgung Palace,
where important state affairs were conducted, including the coronation of a new king,
1867, when Gyeongbokgung was renovated and restored to its original status.
an assembly of officials, and the reception of foreign envoys.
Changdeokgung was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1997.
 065

Although it was built during the Joseon dynasty, 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 geographical features of
Eungbong Peak of the ridge of Bukakdan Mountain. The original palace buildings
have been preserved intact, including Donhwamun Gate (the main gate at
the entrance of Changdeokgung), Injeongjeon Hall, Seonjeongjeon Hall, and
a beautiful traditional garden to the rear of the main buildings. Located inside
Changdeokgung Palace, Nakseonjae is a compound of exquisite traditional
buildings set up as a residence for members of the royal family.

Jongmyo Shrine
·
Facts about KOREA

Jongmyo, located in Hunjeong-dong, Jongno-gu in Seoul, is the royal ancestral Jongmyo Shrine

Culture
Central Confucian shrine of the Joseon dynasty,
shrine of the Joseon dynasty (1392–1910). It was built to house 83 spirit tablets of
which houses the spirit tablets of Joseon kings and their queen consorts
the Joseon kings and their queen consorts, and direct ancestors of the dynasty’s
founder who were posthumously invested with royal titles. As Joseon was founded
based on Confucianism, the 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 are differences in the height of the
raised platform, the height of the eaves and the rooftop, 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 to commemorate the life and
achievements of the royal ancestors of the Joseon dynasty are still performed at
the shrine.

Hwaseong Fortress ··
Hwaseong Fortress
Located in today’s Jangan-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do, Hwaseong Fortress is an
This fortification was built for defensive purposes,
impressive structure stretching for 5.7 km and was built in 1796 during the reign based on military construction techniques from both the East and West, at that time.
 067

of King Jeongjo (r. 1776–1800) of the Joseon dynasty. The 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 structured rationally and practically to effectively perform its
function of protecting the city enclosed within it. The fortress and related facilities
are well-known for having been constructed by means of scientific devices
developed by the distinguished Confucian thinker and writer Jeong Yak-yong
(1762–1836), including the Geojunggi (a 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 slope of Tohamsan Mountain in Gyeongju,
Gyeongsangbuk-do, is the representative stone temple which was completed
Facts about KOREA

in 774 to serve as a dharma hall. This grotto is the product of outstanding

·

Culture
architectural techniques. It is placed in such a way that the first rays of the sun Bulguksa Temple

rising over the East Sea would strike the forehead of the seated Buddha statue This Silla temple is architecturally known for being one of
the finest examples that embody the Buddhism doctrines.
in the rotunda. The photo shows Cheongungyo (Blue Cloud Bridge) and Baegungyo (White Cloud Bridge).

Completed the same year as Seokguram Grotto, Bulguksa Temple consists

of exquisite prayer halls and various monuments, including two stone pagodas,
Dabotap Pagoda and Seokgatap Pagoda, standing in the front courtyard of
the temple’s main prayer hall called Daeungjeon. The two pagodas are widely
regarded as the finest extant Silla pagodas: the former is admired for its
elaborately carved details, the latter 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 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. This pagoda is now generally regarded as the archetype of all the
three-story stone pagodas built across Korea thereafter. ··
Seokguram Grotto
Among the other treasures preserved at the temple are the two exquisite The principal Buddha
stone bridges, Cheongungyo (Blue Cloud Bridge) and Baegungyo (White Cloud seated on a lofty lotus
pedestal at the center
Bridge), leading to Daeungjeon, the temple’s principal dharma hall. These bridges of the grotto
 069

symbolize the journey every Buddhist needs to make to reach the Pure Land of ·
Donggureung
Bliss.
A cluster of 9 neung-
type tombs of 7 kings
and 10 queen consorts
Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty and concubines who
The Joseon dynasty (1392–1910) left behind a total of 44 tombs of its kings and reigned during the
Joseon dynasty period
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, 40 tombs are registered as UNESCO ··
World Heritage sites. Yeongneung
The tombs of King
The Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty are highly regarded as tangible Sejong and his consort
heritage reflecting the value of Joseon funeral customs, which were derived from Queen Soheon

Confucianism and geomancy. It is worth noting that these historical remains

Facts about KOREA

have been preserved in their original conditions.

Culture
Haeinsa Temple Janggyeong Panjeon,
the Depositories for the Tripitaka Koreana Woodblocks
The Printing Woodblocks of the Tripitaka Koreana, which was made during the
Goryeo period (918–1392), are housed in the Janggyeong Panjeon complex
specially made for that purpose in 1488 at Haeinsa Temple. As the oldest ···
Mongneung
remaining buildings at the temple, the Tripitaka depositories are marked by the The tombs of King
Seonjo and his
consorts, Queen
Uiin and Queen
Inmok
Stone Warrior, the Guardian of the Royal Tombs

The Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty feature one or more

semispherical mounds protected with curbstones set around the
base and elaborately carved stone railings and stone animals such as
a lamb and a tiger, in particular, both of which represent meekness
and ferocity. In the front area is a rectangular stone table that was
used to offer sacrifices to the spirits of the royalty buried there. On
both sides of the table stand tall octagonal stone pillars, which can be
seen in the distance. In addition, stone lanterns are located in front
of the stone animals. One or more pairs of stone guardians (civil and
military officials) stand on both sides of each stone lantern, with
their horses being behind them. The mound is further protected by
a low wall standing at the back and on both sides.
 071

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 700 m above sea level) in
the precincts of Haeinsa Temple, which is located on the mid-slope of Gayasan
Mountain.
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 Mountain. The 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.
Facts about KOREA

Namhansanseong

Namhansanseong located about 25 km southeast of Seoul, was originally
constructed in 672 as Jujangseong Fortress in the Unified Silla era, and later was
restructured in 1626 during the 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 defensive position of the fortress was reinforced by exploiting the rugged
topography of the mountain (average height: at least 480 m). The perimeter of
its wall is about 12.3 km. According to a record dating back to the Joseon period,
about 4,000 people lived in the town built inside the fortress, which also served
as a temporary capital for the royal family and military commands to take refuge
in during emergencies. Accordingly, temporary palaces, the Jongmyo shrine, and
Sajikdan Altar were built in the fortress in 1711 during the reign of King Sukjong
of Joseon.
This fortress is also understood as the important evidence of the wide-ranging
exchange of architectural techniques used for fortification through wars between
Korea (Joseon), Japan (Azuchi-Momoyama Period), and China (Ming and Qing),
which lasted 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” that shows
Culture
·
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
the changes in the fortification technique methods by era from the 7th–19th
centuries.
Baekje Historic Areas
Baekje, one of the three ancient kingdoms on the Korean Peninsula, existed
for 700 years from 18 BCE to 660 CE. Baekje Historic Areas comprise the eight
cultural heritages located in Gongju-si, Buyeo-gun, and Iksan-si. They are
the Gongsanseong Fortress and the Royal Tombs in Songsan-ri in Gongju-si,
Chungcheongnam-do; the Archeological Site in Gwanbuk-ri, Busosanseong
Fortress, the Royal Tombs in Neungsan-ri, the Jeongnimsa Temple Site, and the
 073

··
Facts about KOREA

Royal Tombs in Songsan-ri

Culture
The Songsan-ri tombs contain the graves of kings and royal families during the Ungjin period (475–538),
seven of which have been restored including the Tomb of King Muryeong.

·
Gongsanseong Fortress
A fortress, which was built along the mountain ridge and valley near
the Geumgang River, initially called Ungjinseong during the Baekje period but
later renamed Gongsanseong after the Goryeo period

Naseong City Wall in Buyeo-gun, Chungcheongnam-do; and the Archaeological

Site in Wanggung-ri and the Mireuksa Temple Site in Iksan-si, Jeollabuk-do.
These archaeological sites represent the historical relationships among the
East Asian ancient kingdoms of Korea, China, and Japan from the 5th to the 7th
centuries, and the resulting architectural development and spread of Buddhism.
The Buddhist temples, ancient tombs, architecture, and stone pagodas are a ···
Jeongnimsa Temple Site
testament to the culture, religion, and aesthetics of the Baekje kingdom.
Located in Dongnam-ri, Buyeo-eup, the temple site has a five-story stone pagoda
and a stone seated Buddha from the Baekje period
 075

Seowon, Korean Neo-Confucian Academies

Seowon were educational institutions intended to teach Neo-Confucianism, which
was introduced from China and flourished greatly during the Joseon dynasty.
Most were established from the mid-16th to 17th centuries. It comprises nine
representative seowon: Sosuseowon, Namgyeseowon, Oksanseowon, Dosanseowon,
Piramseowon, Dodongseowon, Byeongsanseowon, Museongseowon, and
Donamseowon Confucian Academies, all of which are located across the central and
southern parts of South Korea. They are recognized as an exceptional testimony
to the excellent Neo-Confucianism and educational culture of Korea.
The local literati led seowon and made a significant contribution to the
development and prosperity of seowon-centered culture in the Joseon dynasty.
The local literati at seowon created educational systems and tangible structures
so that their younger scholars could devote themselves to learning. Learning,
Facts about KOREA

veneration, and interaction were the essential functions of the seowon, which are

Culture
closely reflected in their design.

Memory of the World

Hunminjeongeum (The Proper Sounds for the Instruction of the People)

·
Dosanseowon Confucian Academy
Dosanseowon is a Confucian academy, which was built in 1574 to commemorate
and honor the learning and virtues of Yi Hwang (1501–1570), a scholar of the mid-Joseon dynasty
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
a 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 Haeryebon
(Hunminjeongeum Manuscript) 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
UNESCO’s 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
 077

them to learn to read and write and express themselves fully. Hunminjeongeum
originally consisted of 28 letters, but only 24 are used now.

The Annals of the Joseon Dynasty

The Joseon dynasty left behind a vast collection of annual records of Joseon rulers
and their officials spanning the 472 years from 1392 to 1863. The records, Joseon
wangjo sillok (also known as the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty), consist of a total of
1,893 chapters in 888 books, which are housed by the Kyujanggak Institute for
Korean Studies at Seoul National University and the Busan Repository under the
National Archives of Korea.
The annals of each Joseon ruler were usually compiled after his death during
the early phase of his successor’s rule based on the daily accounts, called
“historical drafts” (sacho), made by historiographers. The annals are regarded
Facts about KOREA

as extremely valuable historical resources as they contain detailed information

Culture
about the politics, economy, culture, and other aspects of Joseon society.
Once the annals had been compiled and placed in the “history 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 Mountains.

Seungjeongwon Ilgi: Diaries of the Royal Secretariat

· This collection of documents contains the records of the Joseon rulers’ public life
Yongjarye in the Hunminjeongeum Manuscript
and their interactions with the bureaucracy; they were made on a daily basis by
The pages shown here contain the examples of the Korean
language at that time in 94 words for the three sounds, first, the Seungjeongwon, or Royal Secretariat, from the third month of 1623 to the
middle and last, that form the sound of a Korean character.
eighth month of 1910. The records are collected in 3,243 diaries and include the

· Uigwe: The Royal Protocols of the Joseon Dynasty
Ilseongnok (Joseon, 18th–20th Centuries)
Private journals concerning personal daily
activities and state affairs kept by the rulers
of late Joseon from 1760 to 1910
··
Protocol on the Marriage of King Yeongjo
and Queen Jeongsun (Joseon, 18th century)
Garye refers to a royal wedding or
Facts about KOREA
enthronement of the king, and particularly,
garye dogam uigwe refers to records about
a wedding or formal installation of a crown
prince or his eldest son, or the prince
imperial or his son. 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
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: Records of Daily Reflections
This vast collection of daily records made by the kings of the late Joseon period
(from 1760 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 the East and the West from the 18th to
the 20th century.
079
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 and King Jeongjo’s formal visit to 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 in 1592. The remaining 3,895
books of Uigwe were published after the war, some of which were stolen by the
French Army in 1866 and kept in the Bibliothèque Nationale de France until 2011,
Culture
when they were returned to South Korea following an agreement between the
governments of South 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, Gyeongsangnam-do, was made during the Goryeo period
(918–1392) under a national project that started in 1236 and took 15 years to
complete. The collection is generally known by the name Palman Daejanggyeong,
literally “the Tripitaka of 80,000 woodblocks,” as it consists of 81, 258 blocks of wood.
The Tripitaka Koreana woodblocks were made by the people of Goryeo who
sought the Buddha’s 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.
 081

Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity

Royal Ancestral Ritual in the Jongmyo Shrine and Its Music

The Royal ancestral ritual (Jongmyo Jerye) in the Jongmyo shrine is now held on
the first Sunday of May to honor the deceased Joseon kings and their queen
consorts at the Jongmyo shrine in Seoul. It was the most important state
ceremony designed to maintain the social order and promote solidarity and the
practice of duties as a human after the establishment of Joseon as a Confucian
state in 1392.
This ritual consists of performances of ceremonial orchestral music (Jerye-ak)
and graceful and fancy dance moves (munmu and mumu) praising the civil and
Facts about KOREA

Culture
·
Tripitaka Koreana Woodblocks
A total of over 80,000 woodblocks carved with the entire canon of Buddhist scriptures,
showing the flow and aspects of politics, culture, and philosophy during the Goryeo dynasty

Human Rights Documentary Heritage 1980 Archives for

the May 18th Democratic Uprising against Military Regime, in Gwangju
The May 18 Democratization Movement was a popular uprising that took place
in the city of Gwangju from May 18 to 27, 1980, during which Gwangju’s citizens
made a strong plea for democracy in Korea and actively opposed the then military
dictatorship. This pro-democracy struggle in Gwangju ended tragically but
exerted a powerful influence on similar democratic movements that spread across
East Asia in the 1980s. This UNESCO records consist of the documents, videos,
photographs, and other forms of records made about the activities of Gwangju’s
citizens during the movement, and the subsequent process of compensation ··
Jongmyo Jeryeak (Royal ancestral ritual music in the Jongmyo shrine)
for the victims, as collected by the May 18 Memorial Foundation, the National
The Royal ancestral ritual held seasonally at the Jongmyo shrine involves
Archives of Korea, Republic of Korea Army Headquarters, the National Assembly the performance of the civil and military dances munmu and mumu.
The former features quiet and gentle moves while the latter strong and powerful ones.
Library of Korea, and various organizations in the United States.
 083

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 the original features for over 500 years but also
for its unique syncretic and composite art form.

Pansori Epic Chant

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

·
Facts about KOREA

This festival is held in Gangneung, Gangwon-do, for about 30 days until Dano Day Pansori Epic Chant

Culture
Performance of a solo artist assisted by a drummer, which symbolically expresses
on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. It is one of Korea’s oldest folk festivals
a story using chang (traditional narrative songs), aniri (descriptive speech), and ballim (gesture)
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 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 (Korea’s unique nonverbal performance by masked
players), swing riding, ssireum (Korean wrestling), nongak (traditional Korean
music performed by farmers) contests, 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. ··
Gangneung Danoje Festival
A masked couple dancing at the Gwanno Mask Dance during the Gangneung Danoje Festival, a traditional
local festival held from the fourth month to the fifth month of the year according to the lunar calendar
 085

Ganggangsullae
·
Namsadang Nori

This traditional event combining a circle dance with singing and folk games Performance
presented by the
was performed by women around the coastal areas of Jeollanam-do during namsadang, an
itinerant troupe
traditional holidays such as Chuseok (Harvest Moon Festival/Thanksgiving) and
of about 40 male
Jeongwol Daeboreum (the first full moon of the New Year on the lunar calendar), in performers led by
a percussionist called
particular. While today, the dance part is selected to be performed by professional kkokdusoe (the head of
the troupe).
dancers, the original performance included several different folk games such as It was popular among
Namsaengi nori (Namsadang vagabond clowns’ play), deokseok mori (straw mat common people
during the late Joseon
rolling), and gosari kkeokgi (bracken shoot picking). The performers sing the Song period.

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 toward the end.
Facts about KOREA

Namsadang Nori

Culture
Namsadang nori, generally performed by an itinerant troupe of male performers,
consists of several distinct parts including pungmul nori (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 dance, such as the barrel buk (drum), janggu (hourglass-
shaped drum), kkwaenggwari (small metal gong), jing (large metal gong), and
two wind instruments called nabal and taepyeongso. It was intended to reduce
fatigue and increase cooperation during hard work such as weeding, weeding a
rice paddy, rice-planting, etc.

Yeongsanjae
Yeongsanjae is a Korean Buddhist ritual performed on the 49th day after one’s
death, which is to guide the soul of the deceased to the Pure Land of Ultimate
Bliss (Buddhist paradise). The ritual, known to have been performed since the
Goryeo dynasty (918–1392), aims to enlighten both the dead and the living about
Buddha’s teachings so that they can be freed from all defilement and suffering. ··
Yeongsanjae
Its value as a Buddhist ritual lies in the engagement of the public rather than a
A Buddhist memorial ritual performed on the 49th day after one’s death to
unilateral performance. It is also performed as a Buddhist ceremony to pray for guide the spirit to the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss
 087

the peace of the country and the well-being of the people.

Jeju Chilmeoridang Yeongdeunggut

This age-old shamanic ritual was at one time performed in almost all the towns
and villages in Jeju Island, with worshippers praying for a good catch and the
safety of fishermen working at sea. According to the traditional folk belief of Jeju
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 Island, bearing tidings about the harvest in the oncoming ·
Taekkyeon
autumn. A traditional Korean
martial art marked by
elegant yet powerful
Taekkyeon, A Traditional Korean Martial Art physical movements

One of the surviving traditional martial arts developed in Korea, Taekkyeon,

Facts about KOREA

which is different from taekwondo historically and technically, used to be known

Culture
by several different names such as Gakhui (“sport of legs”) and Bigaksul (“art of
flying legs”). 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 one’s self-defense techniques and promoting physical and mental
health through the practice of orchestrated dance-like bodily movements, using
the feet and legs in particular. Compared to other martial arts, Taekkyeon focuses
more on defensive techniques than on offensive ones, characterized by fluid,
dynamic foot movement. The way of playing the match is simple. To be a winner,
the fighters knock the opponent down with their hands and feet or jump up and
kick the other on the face, while maintaining a stance where one foot is placed in
front of the other, pointing to the opponent.

Jultagi, Tightrope Walking

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 on a tight rope. He is generally assisted by an eorit Jultagi

gwangdae (clown) on the ground who responds to his words and movements Traditional Korean performance of tightrope walking combined
with jokes, mimicry, songs, and dance along with acrobatic movements
with witty remarks and comic actions intended to elicit an amused response from
 089

the spectators. Tightrope walking was formally performed at the royal court to
celebrate special occasions such as the (Lunar) New Year’s Day or to entertain
special guests such as foreign envoys. However, the aspiration of Joseon’s rulers
toward a more austere lifestyle gradually pushed it toward villages and markets,
and it ultimately became entertainment for the common people. While 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, A Living Human Heritage

Korea has a long tradition of keeping and training falcons and other raptors
to hunt wild pheasants or hares. Archaeological and historical evidence shows
that falconry on the Korean Peninsula started several thousand years ago and
Facts about KOREA

was widely practiced during the Goryeo period (918–1392) in particular. The

Culture
sport was more popular in the north than in the south, and usually conducted
during the winter when farmers were available. Falconers would tie a leather
string around the ankle of their bird and an identification tag and a bell to its tail.
The Korean falconry was inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible
Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2010 jointly with falconry preserved in 11 other
countries around the world, including the Czech Republic, France, Mongolia,
Spain, and Syria.

Arirang, Lyrical Folk Song in the Republic of Korea

· “Jeongseon Arirang” originating in Gangwon-do, “Jindo Arirang” in Jeollanam-do, and
Arirang
English version of Arirang, which is the most widely loved of all Korean folk songs,
featuring the refrain “Arirang, Arirang, Arariyo”
Arirang is a Korean folk song that represents Korean culture. It is not a single
song but has been handed down in different versions by region. At present, there
are an estimated 3,600 variations of 60 different versions of “Arirang.”
Arirang has been created together by people over several generations. As
anyone can create new lyrics and melodies, it has been handed down in various
versions tailored to local characteristics. The most famous Arirang versions include
“Miryang Arirang” in Gyeongsangnam-do. Although the melodies and lyrics vary in
each region, all of them include a refrain similar to “arirang” or “arari” in common.
 091

The contents of the song are as diverse as the versions. They are sung in
different situations and for purposes. In other words, they can be sung to soothe
the difficulties of farming, to confess one’s true heart to one’s beloved, to pray for
an affluent and peaceful life, and to entertain people gathered for a celebration.
One thing in common is that the song embodies the emotions of joy, anger,
sorrow, and pleasure that people feel in their daily lives. The lyrics and melodies
of Arirang depend on a singer’s situations, and this characteristic has provided a
catalyst for enriching the diversity of Korean culture.
Today, Arirang is sung at important national events, playing a role in unifying
the Korean people. For example, the Korean national team sang the song when
they entered the stadium at the 27th Olympic Summer Games: Sydney 2000. Also,
during the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan, Red Devils, the official supporting
group for the Korea Republic national football team, sang Arirang to cheer up
Facts about KOREA
Kimjang refers to a collective practice of making and sharing large quantities
of kimchi, thus closely associated with the communal culture of Korea. Kimjang,
therefore, is meaningful as the age-old tradition is still maintained as a collective
cultural event, strengthening solidarity and reaffirming Korean identity among
today’s Korean people even in the modern society where individualism is
prevalent. In addition, the tradition is significant in the sense that it symbolizes
the sharing culture of Korea that has been passed down through generations.
Recognized for such contribution by UNESCO, “Kimjang: Making and Sharing
Kimchi” was inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural
Heritage of Humanity on December 5, 2013.

their national football team.

Culture
Kimjang, Making and Sharing Kimchi
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.
It takes a whole year to make preparations for kimjang. In spring, households
procure a selection of seafood including shrimps and anchovies, in particular,
which they salt and leave to ferment until they are ready for use in the kimchi-
making 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.
 093

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 Performance of Yeomillak (“Joy of the People”)
court music composed during the reign of
serious study and was developed into a system, resulting in the creation of the King Sejong in the 15th century
Facts about KOREA

Culture

first mensural notation system called jeongganbo in Asia. King Sejong’s efforts
to reform the court music led not only to the creation of Korea’s own notation
system but also to the composition of special ritual music called Jongmyo Jeryeak
to be performed during the royal ancestral ritual (Jongmyo Jerye) in the Jongmyo—
inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of
Humanity in 2001—and 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
Facts about KOREA
beompae; and poetic songs beloved of the literati elite such as gagok and sijo. Of
the numerous folk songs, Arirang—inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of
the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2012—is particularly cherished
by the common people and there exist many variations with special lyrics and
melodies unique to each region such as Miryang, Jeongseon, and Jindo.
Gugak instruments are similarly diverse. 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, 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 (idler’s dance), buchaechum (fan dance), geommu
(sword dance), and seungmu (monk’s 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
095
tradition. Most performances are presented in a marketplace or on the fields and
involve drumming, dancing, and singing, all of which are used to create a highly
elated atmosphere.
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 to the beliefs of the early Korean people about
humanity and the universe, as well as to their artistic sensibilities and techniques.
Their art had been influenced by China and disseminated to Japan. 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
not only to idealized landscapes but also to the symbolism of plants and animals,
such as the Four Noble Lords (Sagunja, namely, the orchid, chrysanthemum,
Culture
bamboo, and plum tree) and the Ten Creatures of Longevity (Sipjangsaeng),
including crane, tigers, and deer.
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 people in their work. Kim Hong-do preferred depicting the
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 to
ink and wash painting because these forms use similar techniques and the tools
commonly called the “Four Treasures of the Study” (i.e., paper, brush, ink stick,
and inkstone). Korea has produced an abundance of master calligraphers, of
whom Kim Jeong-hui (1786–1856) is particularly famous for developing his own
style known as Chusache or Chusa Style (Chusa was his pen name). His calligraphic
works are still widely admired for their remarkably modern artistic beauty.
 097

· Pottery
Buchaechum
(Fan Dance)
Korean pottery, which nowadays attracts the highest praise from international
A traditional form of
Korean dance usually collectors, is typically divided into three groups: Cheongja (blue-green celadon),
performed by groups
Buncheong (slip-coated stoneware), and Baekja (white porcelain). Celadon refers
of female dancers
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 and Buan of Jeollabuk-do were the two main
producers during the Goryeo period (918–1392).
Facts about KOREA

Culture
··
“Myeong-Seon
(Meditation with Tea)”
by Kim Jeong-hui (pen-name:
Chusa, 1786–1856) (Joseon,
19th century)

···
“Ssireum (Korean wrestling)” by Kim Hong-do
(pen-name: Danwon, 1745–1806) (Joseon, 18th century)
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 Kiln Site in Gangjin, Jeollanam-do
surrounded by engrossed spectators.
The remains of ancient kilns can be seen in Gangjin,
the largest production site of celadon during the Goryeo period.
 099
Facts about KOREA

Culture
· ···
Celadon Jar with Peony Design Buncheong Bottle with Lotus and Vine Design
(Goryeo, 12th century) (Joseon, 15th century)
·· ····
Celadon Melon-Shaped Bottle White Porcelain Bottle with
(Goryeo, 12th century) String Design in Underglaze Iron
(Joseon, 16th century)

100 to 600 years ago, white porcelain ware was the main representation of
Korean ceramic art. 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 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 is Buncheong ware, which was
independently made by Goryeo potters 500 to 600 years ago after the fall of
their Kingdom.
Today, traditional artworks such as paintings, calligraphy works, and pottery
are widely traded through auctions in galleries and antique shops in Insa-dong,
Seoul.
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
 101

· ·· Korean mulberry paper dolls made of

Two-Tier Chest Women’s toiletry cases hanji is Korean traditional handmade paper
This durable and practical wooden chest used
for storing clothes is lavishly decorated with a
·····
mother-of-pearl inlay design.
Facts about KOREA

Culture
····
Norigae/maedeup (knots of norigae) and
other embroidered accessories

···
Naturally dyed fabrics with different colors

red lacquer harvested from nature to make them stronger and more beautiful.
Later, they developed the art of using beautifully dyed ox-horn 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 by
women to make attractive garments, household objects, and personal fashion
ornaments.
 103
Facts about KOREA

Culture
·
BTS
BTS has opened a new chapter in the history of K-pop.
In August 2020, upon the release of its new digital single entitled “Dynamite,”
it topped the Billboard Hot 100 for the first two weeks in a row.
 105

Hallyu (Korean Wave)

From the mid-1990s to the mid-2000s, South Korean TV dramas and popular
music gained great popularity in Asian countries such as China and Japan. In
1997, when the TV drama entitled What Is Love was aired by the Chinese major
state broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV), it ranked second in China’s all-
time imported video content. Then, the term Hallyu or the “Korean Wave” first
appeared, referring to the global craze for Korean culture.
The Korean Wave landed in Japan in 2003 when the KBS TV drama series
Winter Sonata was aired via NHK. The drama became a megahit, and Nami Island
in Chuncheon, the filming site of the drama, was a must-visit destination for
Japanese tourists.
From the mid-2000s to the early 2010s, the spread of the Korean Wave was
mainly led by Korean boy groups and girl groups called idol stars such as Big
·
Facts about KOREA

Bang, Girls’ Generation, and Kara. During this period, the Korean Wave extended EXO, one of the most popular idol groups

Culture
that have captivated the world with their perfectly in-sync group dances
its fan base into the global stage, including Latin America and the Middle East
beyond Asia, especially loved by young people in their teens and 20s.
The Korean Wave, which had established a solid foundation through popular
culture such as TV dramas and music, has been pushing the boundaries of its
influence since the 2010s. As the unique charm of Korean culture is widely known
to people around the world through global online platforms such as YouTube
and social networking services, the craze has expanded to Korean traditional
culture, food, literature, and language, creating more and more enthusiasts.
In 2020, the film Parasite, which was nominated in six categories, won four leading
awards at the 92nd Academy Awards, including Best Director and Best Picture, which
serves as an opportunity to introduce Korean movies around the world.
The number of Hallyu-related organizations enthusiastic about Korean culture
is on the rise. Every year, the number of these organizations increases by 7% and
the number of members by 36%. As of 2020, the total number of members who
have joined Hallyu-related organizations in all countries around the world have
reached nearly 100 million. This is a five-fold increase over five years. The majority ··
TWICE, loved by local and international fans,
of them consist of K-pop fan clubs such as ARMY, BTS’s global official fan club, shows off a passionate performance.
and BLINK, BLACKPINK’s official fan club. In addition, other organizations and

communities are also active in various fields such as South Korean dramas, food,
and tourism.
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. K-pop is a generic term for popular music from South Korea,
which was originally called gayo, meaning pop music. Recently, the term “pop,”
which originally referred to British and American pop music, has been used to
refer to popular music in other countries by adding it to the first letter of the
country’s name, like “K-pop” of Korea. For example, popular music in Thailand,
Japan, and China is called T-pop, J-pop, and C-pop, respectively. In the same
context, Korean pop music is called K-pop.
Facts about KOREA
In the mid-2000s, idol groups such as TVXQ, Kara, Big Bang, Girls’ Generation,
and 2NE1 gained explosive popularity in Asia including China, Japan, Taiwan, and
Singapore, which consequently triggered global interest in K-pop.
In 2009, the girl group Wonder Girls became the first Korean singers to
· Fans are contributing to the growth of the singers and, furthermore, K-pop
Enthusiastic global K-pop fans
107
appear on the Billboard Hot 100 with the English variant of “Nobody.”
In 2012, as Psy’s “Gangnam Style” maintained its ranking as No. 2 on the
Billboard Hot 100 for seven consecutive weeks and finally reached three billion
views on YouTube, the K-pop craze began to spread around the world in earnest.
The worldwide success of “Gangnam Style” was followed by a surge of K-pop
boy group, BTS. BTS topped the Billboard 200 chart in 2019 and won the Top
Social Artist award for the third consecutive year at the Billboard Music Awards.
This attracted attention from the world, resulting in the global recognition of
K-pop as a genre. After landing atop the Billboard 200 chart in February 2020,
“Map of the Soul: 7” maintained high rankings for 23 consecutive weeks. BTS
has achieved various Guinness World Records titles, including a title for most
viewers for a music concert livestream. In August 2020, BTS made history by
becoming the first South Korean act to top the Billboard Hot 100 with its first
English-language song “Dynamite.”
Culture
The influence of K-pop is further expanding. In 2019, Best K-pop, was launched
as a new category at the MTV Video Music Awards, an award show presented by
the cable channel MTV to honor the best in the music video medium.
K-pop features remarkable feats of idol groups. Among more than 150 idol
groups active in South Korea, the representative ones include BTS, BLACKPINK,
TWICE, EXO, Red Velvet, SF9, NCT, ITZY, MONSTA X, and more.
K-pop has special value in many areas and not just limited to music. The
popularity of K-pop lies in a splendid performance that harmonizes excellent
singing skills, stage manners, and flashy dance moves. The songs and
choreography of the idol groups for perfect performance are not built in a day
or two. They are attributed to years of thorough planning in conjunction with
systematic training programs and sweat during their trainee periods.
Active communication with fans also accounts for K-pop’s ever-growing
popularity. Idol group members are devoted to real-time communication with
their fans from around the world by means of social media, thereby quickly
building stronger intimacy and bonds with them.
through active fan club activities. Fans do not think of singers as just their stars.
 109

Descendants of the Sun was exported to 32 countries,

Fans who have supported idol groups since their debut or early days watch generating an economic effect worth more than KRW 1 trillion.

them grow up to be adults from boys or girls, and feel like they are also growing ·
together. This naturally leads to forming stronger bonds by sharing satisfaction
and rewards.
Recently, K-pop has been pursuing diversification. While the idol groups still
play a pivotal role, indie pop musicians are constantly active in making their music
careers. Collaboration between idol groups and indie musicians has been done
to explore genre diversification.
Idol stars such as IU, Sunmi, (G)I-DLE, BTOB, and Seventeen are moving a step
forward as singer-songwriters who create songs in person without relying on
existing composers or lyricists.
In addition, major entertainment companies are developing and selling
products such as idol goods through secondary content based on idol groups,
Facts about KOREA

thus maximizing the added value of K-pop. The representative examples include

Culture
books with graphic lyrics of BTS’s “Butterfly” and BLACKPINK’s AR avatar service.
These provide K-pop fans with new joy and value.

TV Dramas
Moving beyond the Hallyu craze South Korean dramas are gaining attention from
around the world, recognized as an independent genre called K-dramas.
Korean dramas have been steadily loved around the world after What Is Love
made a splash in China in 1997 and Winter Sonata was a big hit in Japan in 2002.
Dae Jang Geum (MBC), an epic TV series about royal cuisine, which aired
between 2003 and 2004, was exported to 91 countries around the world including
Japan, China, and Turkey. This drama expanded the scope of the Korean Wave into
Korean food, fashion, and medicine while drawing global interest in Korean culture.
In 2013, TV dramas such as My Love from the Star and That Winter, the Wind
Blows, were loved by international fans, while in 2016, Dokkaebi (Guardian: The
Lonely and Great God), Moonlight Drawn by Clouds, and Descendants of the Sun
revived the Hallyu craze.
In 2019, Netflix’s first original Korean drama Kingdom successfully gained
international traction. The high recognition of its cinematography based on
the well-organized script and directing ability naturally led to the production
of Kingdom Season 2 and the creation of a new genre called K-zombies. It is
interesting that foreign viewers, using their social networking services, freely
expressed their appreciation for the architecture and clothing styles of the Joseon
dynasty, the background of the drama series. In particular, the growing curiosity
about the Korean traditional hat for men called gat contributed to the increase in
its sale on the global online shopping website Amazon.com.
As such, Korean dramas, recognized for their topicality and cinematography,
have been expanding their fan base abroad in 2020. This is because they have
benefited from the over-the-top (OTT) market, which has rapidly grown worldwide
because of COVID-19.
Crash Landing on You, which aired in 2020, was premiered in 190 countries
through Netflix. This drama is about a romance between a South Korean heiress

Crash Landing on You, a South Korean television series about a romance between
a South Korean heiress of chaebol (conglomerate) and a captain in the North Korean Army
Facts about KOREA
of chaebol (conglomerate) and a captain in the North Korean Army. It caused a
sensation in Asia, including Japan, where it reached the list of the top 10 most
popular TV shows on Netflix in Japan for 10 weeks.
Movies
The cinema of South Korea has become a large market in the world, with the
increasing global success and globalization of the Korean film industry.
According to the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), the value of
the cinema of South Korea in 2018 was USD 1.6 billion out of the global film market
of USD 41.1 billion, placing the value of South Korean cinema at the fifth largest in
the world following North America, China, Japan, and the United Kingdom.
South Korea ranks first for attendance frequency per capita in the world, and
Korean films take 51% of the local box offices.
111
Film Festivals in South Korea
Busan International Film Festival
The Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), held
every October since its launch in 1996, is one of the
most significant film festivals in Asia. BIFF serves
as a venue for introducing a new vision of Asian
cinema, encompassing documentaries, animation,
commercial film, independent film, and both digital
film and analog film. It is also where Asian directors
and actors/actresses are in the spotlight around
the world.
www.biff.kr
Jeonju International Film Festival
The Jeonju International Film Festival (JEONJU IFF),
launched in 2000, is held every April or May in
Jeonju, the home of traditional Korean culture. JIFF
celebrates low-budget independent films, most of
which are evaluated as challenging and creative
fictional features.
www.jeonjufest.kr
Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival
The Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival
(BiFan), held every July since its launch in 1997,
focuses on Asian films including Korean films. BiFan
mainly presents South Korean and international
horror, thriller, mystery, and fantasy movies.
Culture
www.bifan.kr
Seoul International Women’s Film Festival
The Seoul International Women’s Film Festival
(SIWFF) is the largest international women’s film
festival. It first took place in April 1997 with the
catchphrase “See The World Through Women’s
Eyes.” SIWFF presents films that explore “women’s
reality from the women’s perspectives” and strives
to strengthen the diversity, publicity, and popularity
of women’s films.
www.siwff.or.kr
 113

Korean cinema, the history of which spans 101 years, has been recognized
for its cinematic quality at international film festivals, and is currently being
introduced widely around the world. Since 1961, when The Coachman became
the first Korean film to win the Silver Bear Extraordinary Jury Prize at the Berlin
International Film Festival, South Korean films have stood out at the most
prestigious film festivals in the world, known as the Big Three: Berlin (Germany),
Cannes (France), and Venice (Italy).
Films such as Old Boy, Oasis, Burning, and On the Beach at Night Alone won
leading awards in major categories. Famous Korean film directors such as Bong
Joon-ho, Im Kwon-taek, Lee Chang-dong, Park Chan-wook, Hong Sang-soo, and
Kim Jee-woon are attracting attention in the global film industry.
In 2019, Bong Joon-ho became the first Korean director to win the Palme d’Or
at the Cannes Film Festival for his latest film Parasite, which also won four leading
Facts about KOREA

awards at the Academy Awards in 2020. This has triggered more global interest

Culture
in Korean films.
As Parasite took home the most awards at the Oscars 2020, winning four
Academy Awards including Best Picture, Directing, International Feature Film, and
Writing, world media began earnestly reporting about Korean films. For example,
the British newspaper, Guardian, recommended the film The Handmaiden, and
Rotten Tomatoes, an American review-aggregation website for film and television,
spotlighted Poetry.
Furthermore, South Korea also holds various international film festivals to
enhance the status of its films, which serve as a driving force for the further
development of the Asian film industry. For instance, the Busan International
Film Festival, the largest film festival in South Korea, the Bucheon International
Fantastic Film Festival, and the Jeonju International Film Festival attract attention
from filmmakers around the world each year with a variety of concepts and programs.
In addition, South Korean films are gaining great popularity through OTT
platforms. Specifically, #Alive, a South Korean zombie film released in June 2020,

· is an example of successful Korean films introduced abroad through OTT media

In 2020, Parasite, won leading awards services. It topped the global movie charts in 35 countries two days after its
at the 92nd Academy Awards such as Best Picture and Best Director.
release on Netflix.

Music
Many Korean classical artists are playing a vibrant role in the world of classical music.
In 2015, pianist Cho Sung-jin was the first Korean to win the world’s prestigious
International Frederick Chopin Piano Competition in the Polish capital, Warsaw.
Pianist Sohn Jeung-beum was the first Korean to win First Prize in the piano
category of the 66th ARD International Music Competition in Munich, the largest
international classical music competition in Germany.
In addition, Korean singers were placed in the top three spots at the Gian
Battista Viotti International Music Competition held in Vercelli, Italy, in 2016, and
Korean pianists also swept the top three spots at the Prague Spring International
Piano Competition in that year.
Facts about KOREA
· whose creativity is highly regarded on the world stage. Korean musical theatre
Maestro Chung Myung-whun served as the Music Director
and resident conductor of the Opéra de la Bastille in Paris.
He received the Una Vita Nella Musica award (Lifetime Music Prize) from
the Teatro La Fenice in Venice in July 2013.
115
South Korea has continued to produce distinguished vocalists, such as Sumi Jo
(soprano), Hong Hei-kyung (soprano), Shin Youngok (soprano), Kwangchul Youn
(bass), and Samuel Yoon (bass baritone), who 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) are receiving the spotlight.
Lee Hee-ah, known as a four-fingered pianist, is also widely acclaimed for
her great performances and heroic fight against challenging physical conditions.
Korea’s first generation of classical pianists includes Han Tong-il and Kun-woo
Paik, who fascinated international audiences between the 1950s and the 1970s
and still play for their enthusiastic fans.
Chung Myung-whun, a world-renowned pianist, has received more acclaim
for his conductorship in recent years. He has conducted some of the world’s
most prestigious orchestras, including the Berlin Philharmonic and the London
Culture
Philharmonic, before going on to serve as the musical director and resident
conductor of the Opéra de la Bastille in Paris. In addition, he served as the
principal conductor of the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra and now leads the One
Korea Youth Orchestra. He is also widely known in the global music scene as a
member of the Chung Trio with his two sisters, violinist Chung Kyung-wha and
cellist Chung Myung-wha.
Kim Eun-seon, a world-renowned South Korean conductor, is the next musical
director of the San Francisco Opera starting in 2021. This means that she will be
the first female director of a major opera house in the United States, inaugurating
a new era in the classical music world.
Musical Theater
Korean theatergoers can enjoy a variety of Broadway musicals such as Jekyll &
Hyde and Chicago, along with new musicals written and directed by Korean talents,
performers are invigorating a K-musical boom by going on performance tours or
giving licensed musical performances in Southeast Asia including Japan, China,
and Taiwan. The representative musicals include Finding Mr. Destiny and Laundry
 117

(BBALLAE), both of which have been big hits in South Korea.

In recent years, idols have often performed in musicals, providing important
opportunities for their foreign fans to take interest in K musicals.

Contemporary Dance and Ballet

The launch of the National Dance Company of Korea in 1962 provided the
momentum for the Korean people to become more interested in contemporary
dance. 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 to 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 to contemporary
dance.
Facts about KOREA

Today, the Korean National Ballet, the Universal Ballet, and the Seoul Ballet are

Culture
still actively performing classical ballet at home and abroad. The world-renowned
ballerina in South Korea is Kang Sue-jin, who has been the artistic director of the
Korean National Ballet. She was the first and youngest Asian ballerina to be a
member of the Stuttgart Ballet.
With respect to other successful ballet dancers, Seo Hee joined the ABT
Studio Company in 2004 and became a principal dancer at the ABT in 2012. In
2011, Kim Ki-min became the first Asian ballerina to join and become First Soloist
at the Mariinsky Ballet, one of the world’s leading ballet troupes.
Park Seon-mee, a student at the Korea National University of Arts, became
the first Korean to win the Moscow International Ballet Competition, one of the
three major ballet competitions in the world, in June 2017.
Park Se-eun is the first Korean ballerina to serve as a principal dancer (Premier
Danseur) at the Paris Opera Ballet. She was proudly chosen in a list of the world’s
top ballerinas after being named best female dancer at the Benois de la Danse in
2018, which is considered the equivalent of the Oscars for ballet dancers. ·
Swan Lake
Performed by Mariinsky Ballet & Orchestra.
Mariinsky ballet dancers Olesya Novikova and Kim Ki-min,
who is the first Asian dancer to join the Mariinsky Ballet of the Mariinsky Theatre.
 119

Contemporary Art
·
Gwangju Biennale

It seems that Korean contemporary art is becoming more and more recognized Emerged as a major installation art
show in Asia, the Gwangju Biennale has
as Korean artists have steadily achieved meaningful results on the global stage. played a key role in linking the city of
Gwangju with the rest of Korea
Korean-born video artist Nam June Paik, who passed away in 2006, is
and the world via contemporary art
considered the father of contemporary video art. Dansaekhwa masters Lee Ufan, since the establishment
in 1995 as the first of its kind in Asia.
Ha Chong-hyun, and Park Seo-bo are attracting attention from major collectors
around the world. Park Seo-bo’s Ecriture series of paintings were successfully
exhibited at the Guggenheim Museum in New York in 2020.
Yang Hye-kyu is a world-renowned contemporary artist who works in Seoul
and Berlin and whose practice spans a wide range of media from paper collage
to performative sculpture and large-scale multi-sensorial installation. She ranked
36th in the 2019 Power 100 List announced by ArtReview, the world’s leading
international contemporary art magazine in the United Kingdom. Currently, she
Facts about KOREA

has been actively engaged in her solo exhibitions in the US, Canada, the UK, and

Culture
other countries.
Works of prominent contemporary artists can be enjoyed in Insa-dong and
Samcheongdong in Seoul, where many art galleries are located, such as Insaart
Center, Gongpyeong Art, and the Kyung-in Museum of Fine Art. Recently, more
art galleries have been opening in Cheongdam-dong and Hannam-dong in Seoul.
Various contemporary art festivals are held in South Korea. Among well-
known art festivals is the Gwangju Biennale, a contemporary art biennale, which
was first held in 1995. ··
The Vegetarian by the internationally
acclaimed Korean writer, Han Kang
Contemporary Literature
In recent years, Korean literature, especially including Korean novels, has been
recognized in the international literary world for its potential for global themes. As for Shin Kyung-sook, the English-translated version of her novel entitled
This change was made possible because of the achievements made by writer Please Look After Mom entered the top 10 in the Amazon best-sellers rank upon
Shin Kyung-sook in 2011 and writer Han Kang in 2016. its release in the United States. Subsequently, this book was promptly translated
Han Kang’s novel entitled The Vegetarian won the 2016 Man Booker and published in about 30 countries in Asia (including Japan) and Europe, and in
International Prize, which is regarded as one of the world’s three most prestigious Australia.
literary awards. Her other book Human Acts also won the 2017 Malaparte Prize, Thanks to these splendid feats, the number of Korean literature works
Italy’s authoritative literary award. published overseas has increased significantly every year: 69 in 2017, 74 in 2018,
 121

and 91 in 2019. While Koreans and other Asians largely visited Korean restaurants in the past,
The popularity of Korean literature can be analyzed in many aspects. Most locals now account for more than half of the customers at Korean restaurants.
of all, the narrative style that dissolves global social issues into the characters’ A survey reported that bibimbap and bulgogi are the most popular dishes in
personal history can be seen to resonate with the readers. A representative Korean restaurants in Paris, and bibimbap, in particular, is further recognized as
example is Kim Ji-young Born 1982, a fiction novel by Cho Nam-joo, which is labeled a vegetable-oriented well-being food.
a feminist novel. Along with the exportation of the copyright to 18 countries, Recently, more people have tried to make their own Korean dishes by
80,000 copies were sold in just two months after its release in Japan in 2018, following the recipes on Korean cooking channels on YouTube.
becoming the best-seller in the Asian literature category except for Japan and
China. Thanks to the popularity of the novel, its movie adaptation was released in
South Korea with the same title.
In addition, a variety of works by different Korean artists, ranging from senior
artists such as Park Wan-suh and Hwang Sok-yong to young artists such as Chang
Kang-myoung and Jung Eun-young, are being vigorously introduced overseas.
Facts about KOREA

Culture
Korean Cuisine and Culinary Customs
The Korean Wave is expanding into other cultural areas such as food and culinary
traditions. Restaurants serving traditional Korean dishes began to open in the
world’s largest 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 have combined traditional
Korean dishes with Western traditions, creating the bibimbap burger, kimchi
hotdog, and gochujang steak for New Yorkers.
Interestingly, Korean cuisine is recognized as a well-being diet, not just out
of curiosity, but in line with the global trend in preferring healthy food. Korean
cuisine consists of a properly balanced diet of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats
and ensures a sufficient intake of vitamins and minerals through vegetable side
dishes. In recognition of these merits, the World Health Organization (WHO)
selected Korean cuisine as a nutritionally well-balanced model in 2004. USA
Today, a US general-interest newspaper, selected kimchi, along with Vietnamese
rice noodles and cabbage, in its prediction of most popular foods in 2020.
 123

Harmony between Popular Places

Tradition and Modernity (Attractions)
Facts about KOREA

Gourmet Travel Medical Tourism

Tourism
Tourism
Nature and Its Healing Power Local Festivals

Travel Activities
 125

Tourism
South Korea boasts abundant tourist attractions.
Tourists can experience distinctive harmony
between historical cultural heritage and modern culture.
With these preserved local identities,
tourists can also explore and enjoy local cultures,
natural environments, and unique food.

·
Facts about KOREA

Bukchon Hanok Village

Tourism
Located on the top of a hill, Bukchon Hanok Village commands a unique landscape where
Korean traditional houses and modern structures harmonize together.

Harmony between Tradition

and Modernity
Among popular tourist attractions in South Korea, modern values are often
projected onto historic cultural heritage, or conversely, traditional elements are
added to modern spaces. They serve not only as precious cultural heritage and
vibrant living spaces for Koreans but also as a starting point for foreigners to visit
Korea.

Hanok Village
South Korea boasts of different types of hanok villages. Recently, a hanok village
becomes more popular as a new tourist destination for visitors to experience an ··
Jeonju Hanok Village
old village composed of traditional Korean wooden houses other than modern
hanok architecture.
 127

Located in the heart of Seoul teeming with high-rise buildings, Bukchon

Hanok Village and Namsangol Hanok Village allow visitors to feel the coexistence
of the past and the present. As the largest hanok district in South Korea,
Jeonju Hanok Village consists of about 625 traditional tile-roofed houses in
conjunction with modernized hanok architecture. This village is one of the most
popular destinations for enthusiasts not just because it is a cultural product for
sightseeing, but because it also serves as a venue for tourists to experience
traditional experiences such as a tea ceremony and a hanji-making program.
In addition, Gongju Hanok Village located in Chungcheongnam-do, Gangneung
Ojukheon Hanok Village in Gangwon-do, and Yeongam Gurim Hanok Village in
Jeollanam-do are not as large as Jeonju Hanok Village, but they are large enough
for visitors to enjoy Korean culture.
Located in Gangneung, Gangwon-do, Seongyojang House, which was a
Facts about KOREA

typical upper-class residence during the Joseon dynasty, also allows visitors

Tourism
to experience traditional Korean houses, although not a hanok village. This
300-year-old traditional house is still inhabited by the descendants.

Moonlight Tour at Palaces

A royal palace, which is an indispensable destination for Korean tourism, features
distinctly different sentiments between day and night. Tourists flock to the palace
during the day to experience a tranquil and relaxed atmosphere. When covered
with a veil of darkness, the palace boasts of a different mood. The subtle lighting
and mysterious acoustic effects add up different charms. As those attractive
features are known through social networking services, royal palaces have
recently emerged as new night attractions.
Among royal palaces that open at night are the four major palaces in
Seoul (Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeok Palace, Changgyeong Palace, and
Deoksugung Palace) and Hwaseong Haenggung Palace in Suwon. Whether tour
programs are available depends on each royal palace, but if it is, reservations
must be made on the website. ·
The Moonlight Tour at Gyeongbokgung Palace is
one of the most popular tour programs in South Korea.
 129

Sungnyemun Gate and Namdaemun Market

Sungnyemun Gate, unofficially known as Namdaemun Gate, was the gate on the
south side of the Fortress Wall of Seoul among eight gates. As South Korea’s
National Treasure No. 1, it is the largest extant castle gate stone structure. The
ancient gate was destroyed in an arson attack in 2008. Following several years of
restorative work, Sungnyemun Gate can now be enjoyed in all its glory.
Namdaemun Market is a large traditional market located on the east side of
Sungnyemun Gate. Teeming with things to see, shop, and eat, this popular attraction
is always crowded with shoppers and tourists. It features not only diverse products
such as clothes, kitchenware, home appliances, and daily miscellaneous goods, all
Facts about KOREA

Tourism
··
Sungnyemun Gate
· Seoul, the capital of the Joseon dynasty, was protected by a long stone wall with eight gates.
At night, Changdeokgung Palace becomes far more colorful Sungnyemun (Namdaemun or South Gate), literally meaning the
and magical under the moonlight and lighting. “Gate of Exalted Ceremonies,” is the Korean National Treasure No. 1.

of which are available at low prices, but also well-known food alleys such as Galchi
Jorim (stewed beltfish) Alley and Kalguksu (noodle soup) Alley.
Heunginjimun Gate and Dongdaemun Market
Heunginjimun Gate, unofficially known as Dongdaemun Gate, was the gate on
the east side of the Fortress Wall of Seoul among eight gates. Near the gate is
a massive commercial district, commonly referred to as Dongdaemun Market.
Facts about KOREA
·
Heunginjimun Gate
Heunginjimun (Dongdaemun or East Gate) is the only one of
the eight fortress gates protected by a semicircular gate-guard wall.
131
Dongdaemun Market encompasses Gwangjang Market, Pyeonghwa Market,
Sinpyeonghwa Market, and Dongdaemun Shopping Complex. The term
“Dongdaemun fashion” was coined because most of these markets deal with the
sale of clothes. In addition, they operate in the form of wholesale markets at night
and thus create new clothing culture and consumption, contributing greatly to
market revitalization.
In 2014, Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP), the world’s largest irregular
architecture, opened in the vicinity of Dongdaemun Market. The futuristic
design has somewhat changed the simple and common-class atmosphere of
Dongdaemun Market into a modern one, expanding the main consumer base to
young people and foreigners.
Gwanghwamun Square
Gwanghwamun Square is a large square located in the middle of the road
Tourism
between Gwanghwamun Gate and Sejong-ro Junction. This public open space
was opened in 2009 by renovating a roadway into a park.
Intended to return the central street of Seoul with 600-year history to
its citizens, Gwanghwamun Square was completely reborn as a historical and
cultural space for people. With the statues of King Sejong and Admiral Yi Sun-shin
unveiled to the public, this was designed to provide a wonderful view of natural
scenery including Gyeongbokgung Palace and Bugaksan Mountain.
Culture Station Seoul 284 and Seoullo 7017
Culture Station Seoul 284 is the product of transforming former Seoul Station
into a multipurpose arts and cultural complex. To commemorate the historical
significance of being the oldest railway station in South Korea, it preserves the
same old appearance as that in 1925 when the station opened.
Seoullo 7017, built atop a former highway overpass, is an elevated public
park for pedestrians. Visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of Seoul’s historic sites,
including Culture Station Seoul 284, Namdaemun Gate, and Seoul Station.
 133

Gourmet Travel

Gwangjang Market
To experience Korean food culture properly, one should visit traditional markets.
In a cozy atmosphere, visitors feel free to enjoy Korean food loved by the locals.
Gwangjang Market in Jongno, Seoul, is historically meaningful as it is Korea’s
first permanent market with over 100 years of history. The taste of finger-sized
mini gimbap dipped in mustard sauce is so addictive that it is called mayak
gimbap or drug gimbap, attracting people with its strong magnetism. Other
famous dishes include beef tartare and mung bean pancakes.
Facts about KOREA

Tourism
· ··
Culture Station Seoul 284 (former Seoul Station) Gwangjang Market
The product of transforming former Seoul Station Gwangjang Market, South Korea’s first permanent market,
into a multipurpose arts and cultural complex is a paradise for people to enjoy ordinary food such as
gimbap and mung bean pancakes.
 135

Tongin Market
Located in Jongno-gu, Seoul, Tongin Market provides people with a unique
experience that can’t be done anywhere while tasting various dishes. This is
because of “yeopjeon dosirak.”
Dosirak literally means a lunch box. Yeopjeon is a Korean brass coin with a
square cut in the middle and was used during the Joseon dynasty. The coin is not
used in South Korea, but can be used as currency in Tongin Market. When the
customer purchases yeopjeon, a lunch box is provided, which serves as a kind of
wallet, and people can enjoy the different experience of exchanging yeopjeon for
the food they want to buy while looking around the market.
The market offers different kinds of simple and plain food. They include rice
and soup, the staple food of the Korean people, as well as side dishes such as
spicy rice cakes, grilled rib patties, rice balls, and omelet rolls.
·
Facts about KOREA

Tongin Market

Tourism
Tongin Market allows visitors to enjoy a variety of
Jeonju Food Tour
dishes like a buffet, including the market’s signature dish, crispy pan-fried spicy rice cakes.
Jeonju is a city Koreans are also willing to visit to taste its dishes. This city has long
developed its food culture thanks to fresh seafood acquired from the West and
South Seas and crops harvested from the fertile land.
Jeonju-style bibimbap is a must-eat food in Jeonju. It is made by first cooking
rice with Jeonju bean sprouts and then mixing the cooked rice with each handful
of fresh ingredients, including egg yolk, gingko nut, pine nut, chestnut, walnut,
and vegetables.
Jeonju Hanjeongsik (Korean table d’hote) is a menu with more than 30 side
dishes, including soup, stew, seasoned vegetables, and salted seafood, all of
which are set on a single table. This represents the generous hearts and minds
of the Korean people.
Located in Samcheon-dong, Seosin-dong, and Gyeongwon-dong, Jeonju
Makgeolli Alleys are waiting for their visitors to feel free to enjoy makgeolli (rice
wine). Each order of a makgeolli kettle is served with 20 kinds of dishes and
nibbles. ··
Jeonju Makgeolli
In addition, Jeonju also has its unique food culture called “gamaek,” which is
Jeonju Makgeolli Alleys are famous for the rich table setting, which allows visitors to
a shorthand for “gagae (corner store) maekju (beer).” Jeonju is famous for small experience the tastes of Jeonju and feel the warmth of South Koreans.

corner stores or kiosks equipped with several tables, where people can buy cold
beer and drink it with some nibbles such as grilled dried squid, dried pollack
fillet, and snacks served with Jeonju’s unique seasoning. Thanks to the growing
popularity of gamaek, the Gamaek Festival has been held every year since 2015.
Sokcho, Seafood Heaven
As a bustling port city on the east coast, Sokcho, Gangwon-do boasts of abundant
seafood acquired from the East Sea, thus providing a variety of dishes made of
fish, squid, and shrimp, and more.
The deep-fried shrimp alley near Daepohang Port is a must-see in Sokcho for
tourists. Fresh shrimp are fried on the spot, and thus, the crispy taste is excellent.
In addition, visitors can enjoy diverse dishes such as sliced raw squid, stuffed
squid, moray soup, spicy red snow crab, and grilled fish in the vicinity of Sokcho
Facts about KOREA
Tourist Fish Market, the dock for a raft-like platform boat called “gaetbae,”
Daepohang Port, and Dongmyeonghang Port.
Although not seafood, glazed fried chicken bites called dak gangjeong are
also representative food in Sokcho. This crispy and crunch dish is made by deep-
frying bite-sized chicken, which is then smothered in a sweet or spicy sauce that
has been boiled down to a thick consistency.
Busan Food Tour
Busan is an optimized city for gourmet travel because of convenient public
transportation and plenty of food everywhere.
Jagalchi Market, well-known for its catchphrase, “Oiso (Come), Boiso (See),
and Saiso (Buy),” is the largest fish market in South Korea. It teems with sliced raw
fish, crabs, lobsters, shrimp, shellfish, grilled fish, and other seafood. Its signature
dishes, which are difficult to taste elsewhere, include whale meat and hagfish
grilled over a briquette.
The Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) Square, the Gourmand Alley in
Nampo-dong, and Gukje Market are street food paradises. It is recommended to
try sugar-filled seeded griddlecake, fish cake skewers dipped in soup, and spicy
glass noodles mixed with fresh vegetables.
137
Mokpo’s special delicacies
Located in the southern part of the Korean Peninsula, Jeollanam-do is known
for its delicious food thanks to the geographical condition, where the sea and
land meet, and mild climate. As a port city located in the southwestern part of
Jeollanam-do, Mokpo is home to the signature dishes of the Jeolla Province along
with Jeonju.
Whiparm octopus is a specialty that is caught only off the coast of Mokpo.
It is prepared into different dishes including sannakji (live octopus)—eating live
octopus whole by rolling it up in wooden chopsticks—and octopus soup made by
boiling octopus with vegetables.
The fermented skate has a sharp, pungent aroma and taste, so some people
like it but others don’t. However, it is recommended to experience the taste at
least once if you come to Mokpo.
Tourism
Traditional Jeju Food
Jeju Island, one of the most beloved destinations for Koreans, has developed
unique local dishes because of its geographical condition—being far from the
mainland. Rather than cooking with various ingredients or adding various spices,
most of dishes are simply cooked to preserve the original flavors of the ingredients.
Typical folk foods include black pork grilled on charcoal to a chewy texture,
oozing with juices; gulfweed soup made from pork broth and meat, gulfweed,
and buckwheat flour; and omegi rice cake and omegi liquor made from glutinous
millet, which used to be the staple food of Jeju people in the past.
Udo peanuts grown in the sea breeze of Udo Island are delicious even if eaten
with the skin and also enjoyed as Udo peanut ice cream or Udo peanut makegolli.
Tea Plantations in Boseong
Boseong is the largest tea-producing area in South Korea, boasting of 4,000
tea plantations, and it is a perfect place for tea lovers or those interested in
traditional Korean tea culture. Most tea plantations host tea-related programs so
that visitors can enjoy diverse experiences such as tasting green tea, picking tea
leaves, and making green tea, including the Korean Tea Ceremony.
 139

Otherwise, just savoring tea at a tea café inside the tea plantation and
appreciating the beautiful scenery is sufficient to make a satisfying trip.

Grilled Pork Belly Tour

Grilled pork belly is one of Koreans’ favorite restaurant and home-cooked dishes.
Grilled pork belly is a part of the pork ribs called samgyeopsal, meaning three
alternate layers of lean flesh and fat in the pork belly that appear when cut. In the
Western countries, they primarily process pork belly as cured bacon, but most
Korean people favor grilled or roasted bellies. In addition, they are served with
vegetables for wraps such as lettuce and perilla leaves, pickled onions, seasoned
scallions, or dipping sauce such as ssamjang, a thick spicy paste made with
Korean soybean paste.

· Grilled pork belly is a popular dish, not a local specialty, so it can be tasted
Facts about KOREA

Squid on Jeju Island anywhere in the country.

Driving along the coastal road of Jeju Island, people can encounter the scenery of
squid being dried on lines in the sea breeze.
··
Green Tea Plantations in Boseong
The tea plantations in Boseong provide opportunities for visitors to taste green tea
and experience Korean tea culture.
Tourism
Service Area Food Court
Express service areas in South Korea are much loved as multipurpose spaces
that provide more than just a short break on the road. Each service area reflects
the unique culture depending on locations, serving as new tourist destinations.
For example, Andong Service Area in Andong, famous for its traditional
crafts, has Andong Cultural Experience Center designed to display crafts. Yeoju
Service Area in Yeoju, well-known for ceramics, has a pottery experience center
where tourists are allowed to fire pottery. The food court is not just a place for
satisfying one’s hunger, but it provides a variety of dishes intended to introduce
the representative local food culture. This allows tourists to enjoy tasting the local
specialties with comfort and ease.
Gangneung Service Area serves Chodang tofu and dried pollack hangover
soup, which is made with the local food of Gangneung, Chodang tofu (tofu made
with seawater). Cheongsong Service Area in Cheongsong, famous for apple
plantations, offers pork cutlets with apple sauce. In Insam Land Service Area in
Geumsan, people can have an opportunity to taste ginseng and short rib soup
made from ginseng, a specialty of Geumsan.
 141

Gangneung Coffee Street

A number of distinctive cafés are lined up along
Anmok Beach in Gangneung.

··
Facts about KOREA

·
Service Area Snacks
Sotteok-sotteok, sausage and rice cake skewers,
is the representative snack provided in most service areas.
Tourism
Gangneung Coffee Street
There is a cluster of about 30 coffee shops called Gangneung Coffee Street or
Anmok Coffee Street near Anmok Beach in Gangneung. Since 2000, Gangneung
has become a mecca of coffee as the first generation of baristas who had led
the South Korean coffee culture began to settle in Gangneung. Most of them
are roastery cafés. They directly roast beans, offering a variety of the aroma and
tastes of fresh coffee differentiated from franchise coffee shops. As this is on
everyone’s tongue, Gangneung has been truly recognized as a coffee city.
In addition to Gangneung Coffee Street, Gangneung has been developing
a wide range of coffee-related content, including a coffee museum, a coffee
factory, and a barista academy.
 143
Facts about KOREA

Tourism
·
Spring scenery in the Jirisan National Park
 145

Nature and Its Healing Power Yumyeongsan Recreational Forest

with beautiful woods and clean valleys

National Parks
·
South Korea has designated and operated national parks to preserve the natural
ecosystems and natural and cultural wonders.
As the designation requirements are demanding, the national park is an
assorted gift set of healing benefits that allow visitors to enjoy natural ecosystems,
natural landscapes, and cultural wonders at once. National parks are a repository of
natural ecosystems, home to 45% of Korean native species and 65% of endangered
species. In addition, they are tourist destinations for 733 designated cultural
properties representing South Korea, including scenic points and prestigious
temples.
A total of 22 national parks across the country are loved by the Korean people
Facts about KOREA

as spaces for relaxation, including Naejangsan National Park, Odaesan National

Tourism
Park, Jirisan National Park, and Hallasan National Park.

Recreational Forests
Recreational forests are optimized places for people to heal their bodies and
minds in a clean nature. There are 170 recreational forests across the country.
They are popular among summer vacationers because of diverse valleys. They
are also well-equipped with facilities such as forest parks, hiking trails, walking
trails, auto campgrounds, and water parks. Thus, people can enjoy a comfortable
overnight stay.
Located in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi-do, Yumyeongsan Recreational Forest is the
first recreational forest in South Korea and has contributed to people’s physical
or psychological revitalization for 30 years. With easy access from the Seoul
metropolitan area and well-equipped facilities, it has the largest number of
visitors among the national recreational forests. A forest commentary program
is operated to provide visitors with knowledge of forests and the natural
environment and to guide them to the right experience in forests.
··
Namhae Recreational
Located in Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi-do, Jungmisan Recreational Forest is Cypress Forest
dense with hinoki
also accessible to the Seoul metropolitan area and has well-established trails. cypress trees
 147

Jungmisan Observatory, located within the Jungmisan Recreational Forest, allows

visitors to enjoy the stars at night.
Located in Hoengseong, Gangwon-do, Cheongtaesan Recreational Forest
is a forest park packed with large conifers such as nut pine trees. Along with
a leisurely forest bathing trip while breathing in phytoncide released by these
trees, people can appreciate the beautiful snowy landscape in winter.
Located in Namhae, Gyeongsangnam-do, Namhae Recreational Cypress
Forest is a lush forest with hinoki cypress trees. Overlooking the southern coastal
waters, it allows visitors to enjoy the beautiful surrounding scenery and observe
rare animals and plants.
Located in Chungju, Chungcheongbuk-do, Gyemyeongsan Recreational
Forest is at the northern foot of Gyemyeongsan Mountain. It is also located
east of Chungju Lake, which includes Woraksan National Park. No wonder these
Facts about KOREA

recreational forests are very popular as tourist destinations.

Tourism
Namsan Park
Located in Jung-gu, Seoul, Namsan Park is considered a must-see in Seoul for
tourists along with Myeong-dong, but it is more like a neighborhood park for
Seoul citizens and nearby office workers. This is because the park is a recreation
area where people can take a walk during their free time such as weekends and
lunchtime to relax or stay healthy. Recently, it has been designated as an urban
forest park, so its value is further increasing as a green area and recreation area
as well.
Namsan Park allows visitors to realize the importance of nature and the
delight of walking. Namsan Mountain standing 265 m above sea level, it takes
one hour to reach its top on foot along the trail from the entrance to the park.
Atop the mountain sits Namsan Seoul Tower (Seoul’s landmark) and an octagonal
pavilion. The National Theater of Korea, the Seoul Metropolitan Library, and
Namsangol Hanok Village are located at the foot of the mountain, so people
can get some rest if they feel tired while taking a leisurely walk. One of the easy ·
and fast ways to go up to the area nearby the summit is to take an eco-friendly Namsan Seoul Tower (Seoul’s landmark)
sits atop Namsan Park.
circulation bus or cable car.
 149

As seen through its massive area of 430,000 m2, this forest consists of various
spaces by theme, such as Seoul Forest Plaza, Culture and Art Park, Educational
Experience Park, Eco-forest Park, and Riverside Park, and more.
The experience programs, such as feeding roe deer along with amusement
facilities, attract a large number of family visitors, while well-managed trails are
also popular among couples. There are many groups of bikers riding on the road
in spring and fall.
Facts about KOREA

Tourism
·
Located in the mid-slope of Namsan Park,
Baekbeom Plaza provides wide lawns and trails.

Seoul Forest
Just as there is Central Park in New York and Hyde Park in London, there is
Seoul Forest in Seoul. Seoul Forest, formerly an amusement park, was reborn
as an enormous forest and theme park for the citizens in 2005 through the
··
redevelopment project. Consequently, Seoul citizens have a greener space and Seoul Forest is a large urban park
where people can feel the breath of nature in the heart of the city.
thus can enjoy nature downtown without having to go far away.
 151

Jeju Island
Jeju Island is the most beloved destination and largest island in South Korea. It
is about 90 km south of the southwestern tip of the Korean Peninsula, offering
different views of nature from those on land. Its attractive features are largely
caused by natural factors, including the clear and transparent emerald sea,
Hallasan Mountain with scenic beauty, parasitic cones produced by volcanic
eruptions, strange rocks and bizarre stones created by wind and waves, and
tangerine farms. Thanks to those charms, this island has recently become popular
as a global recreation area for foreign tourists from China, Japan, and others.
Jeju Island, which was formed through volcanic activity, boasts of so diverse
and unique volcanic landforms that the entire island can be called a huge volcano
museum. There are 368 large and small parasitic cones on the ground, and 160
lava caves below the land are scattered all over the island.
Facts about KOREA

Recognized for such geographical features and value, Jeju Island was

Tourism
designated as a biosphere reserve in 2002. It was listed as a World Natural
Heritage site in 2007 and certified as a UNESCO Global Geopark in 2010.
Hallasan Mountain is the representative tourist destination of Jeju Island.
This is because it is the highest mountain in South Korea and allows people
to heal their bodies and minds while feeling the breath of nature. In addition,
this mountain has a variety of volcanic landforms such as steep rocks including
Yeongsil Rocks, 40 parasitic cones, and Baengnokdam Crater Lake, a crater lake
that sits on top of Hallasan Mountain. The mountain is mostly covered with basalt
rocks.
In addition, Halla Mountain shows a unique ecosystem and biodiversity.
Depending on the elevations, various plants are distributed from plants of
warm climates at low elevations to alpine plants at high elevations. Another
representative tourist destination is Seongsan Ilchulbong Tuff Cone. Located
east of Jeju Island, this 182 m–high tuff cone crater was designated as a natural
monument in 2000. At the top of it, people can enjoy the spacious crater and a
magnificent panoramic view of the sea unfolded before their eyes. This bowl-like ·
crater is home to more than 200 species of plants and animals including silver Seongsan Ilchulbong Tuff Cone on Jeju Island
A parasitic cone formed by hydrovolcanic activity upon a shallow seabed
grass. Sunrise from the summit is so spectacular that it is called Sunrise Peak. In

addition, the Seongsan Sunrise Festival is held on December 31 every year.
There is an island seen south of Seongsan Ilchulbong Tuff Cone. It is another
volcanic island, Udo, which is also called a small Jeju island. Its numerous sensuous
charms allow visitors to feel the wonders of nature, such as Seobinbaeksa Beach,
a white pebble beach with dazzling beauty, sea caves around the rocks, and the
Udo coastal road, well-known for a scooter tour among tourists.
Facts about KOREA
· spectacular. The valleys run down in different directions from Seonginbong Peak.
Baengnokdam Crater Lake of Hallasan Mountain
A cauldron-shaped volcanic crater
(108 m in depth and 1,720 m in circumference) atop Hallasan Mountain
153
A lava tube is one of the unique tourist attractions of Jeju Island. There are
more than 160 lava tubes formed by flowing lava beneath the surface of a lava
flow. Many tourists visit Manjanggul Cave, Gimnyeonggul Cave, Bengdwigul Cave,
and more to experience the mystery of nature. The 2.5 km–long Yongcheon Cave
is considered an unprecedented rare cave in the world as it has the characteristics
of lava tubes and limestone caves together. Unfortunately, the lava tube cannot
be accessed by the public to prevent any damage.
Gotjawal, meaning a forest in Jeju language, is nicknamed “Fantasy Forest.”
It has a unique, bumpy terrain formed by the split of lava emitted by volcanic
eruptions into large and small lumps of rock. Most of all, the Gotjawal is a rare
forest in the world where the tropical northern limit plants and the polar southern
limit plants coexist. It is also called the lungs of Jeju Island because of the dense
primeval forests and well-preserved ecosystems.
Designed to explore pristine nature and cultural properties, Jeju Olle is a
Tourism
series of walking trails that are 425 km long in total with 26 routes. Although
the routes can be freely chosen depending on the walkers’ physical strength
and preferences, it is recommended to select one route a day. Jeju Olle consists
of walking along the beach, climbing up parasitic cones, passing by falls, farms,
and salterns, and more. Depending on the routes, there are also wheelchair
accessible areas.
Ulleungdo Island and Dokdo Island
Ulleungdo Island is a volcanic island that represents South Korea along with Jeju
Island. Other than Ulleungdo Island, there are Dokdo Island, Jukdo Island, and
Gwaneumdo Island (uninhabited).
Ulleungdo Island is 130 km east of the land, where nature has been kept
intact from time immemorial. It is filled with natural wonders that cannot be seen
on the land, such as the clean sea, superb coastal scenery created by sheer cliffs,
Nari Basin, and the unique primeval forest. The distinct village structure is also
Because of the rugged terrain, straight roads are rare and villages are formed
around the island. Located 87.4 km to the southeast of Ulleungdo Island,
 155
Facts about KOREA

Tourism
·
Dokdo Island (Ulleung-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do)
Dokdo Island consists of two rocky islets, Dongdo and Seodo,
situated about 150 m apart, and 89 rocky islets around them.

Facts about KOREA
· ··
Dodong Port of Ulleungdo
A volcanic island in the East Sea
Dokdo Island is located in the far east of South Korea. As seen by the fact that the
island itself is designated as Natural Monument No. 336, it boasts of magnificent
views and unique natural scenery such as columnar joints. At present, Korean
guards and residents inhabit this island.
DMZ (Demilitarized Zone)
The Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) is a symbol of a cease-fire on the Korean
Peninsula. As the Korean Armistice Agreement was signed in 1953 to end the
Korean War, the Military Demarcation Line (DML) was drawn between the two
Koreas. A 4 km–wide strip of land, extending 2 km north and 2 km south of the
MDL, was designated as the DMZ. There is a village called Tae Sung Freedom
Village inhabited by civilians, which lies within the Korean DMZ. Public access is
usually prohibited but only allowed with permission from the military authorities.
157
Tourism
The DMZ has pristine, primeval forests.
Foreign tourists can also visit there. The natural environment of the Korean DMZ
is perfectly preserved, as human access to the area has been strictly restricted
for more than six decades since the end of the war. It is in the spotlight as an
ecological axis of the Korean Peninsula and a repository of animal diversity. It is
also now an important subject of academic research worldwide.
In terms of nature and ecology, the DMZ is largely divided into three zones:
a mountainous zone composed of high mountains and dense forests, an inland
zone encompassing plains and rivers, and a brackish water zone with large
wetlands and mudflats. These three forms of nature reveal ever-changing
primordial energy, and the zones adjacent to the DMZ incorporate excellent
vegetation and rare plant habitats. A total of 30% of the animals and plants on
the Korean Peninsula live here, including 82 species of endangered species.
 159

Suncheonman Bay Area

Suncheonman Bay is a coastal wetland located on the southern coast of South
Korea. This bay incorporates river topography such as natural mudflats, salt
marshes, natural levees, floodplains, and back marshes. It is well-known for
the phenomenal views of its S-shaped waterway and the vast reed field on the
endless mudflat.
The 5.4 km2 reed field is the widest and best preserved one in South Korea.
In autumn, many tourists come to see the reed beds in autumn colors swaying
in the wind.
Suncheonman National Garden is the first national garden in South Korea.
It was created in 2013 when Suncheonman International Garden Expo was
held. It consists of various themes such as an arboretum, a water garden, and a
medicinal herb garden.
Facts about KOREA

In 2023, Suncheonman International Garden Expo 2023 will be held in

Tourism
Suncheonman National Garden and the Suncheon area.

·
Hwadam Botanic Garden Suncheonman Bay reed beds,
the largest reed field in South Korea
Hwadam Botanic Garden, located in Gwangju, Gyeonggi-do, has recently emerged
as a new natural and ecological tourist destination. Opened in 2013 with the aim
of protecting the ecosystem, this garden is intended to collect and exhibit 4,000
species of endangered animals and plants.
The forest of pine trees and maple trees in harmony continues along the
valleys and the foot of the mountain, and low-slope trails run gently around
it. This allows visitors to enjoy a leisurely stroll. The largest Pine Tree Garden
and the unique Moss Garden are the pride of Hwadam Botanic Garden. Riding
an electrically powered eco-friendly monorail helps visitors reach the top more
easily.

··
Hwadam Botanic
Garden engaged
in preserving the
pristine forest
 161

Travel Activities

Riding a bicycle
Bicycle paths are well maintained throughout the country. Each city is well
equipped with public bicycles, so there is no problem enjoying riding a bicycle.
Although rental charges vary slightly depending on regions, public bicycles can
be easily used at an affordable price of around KRW 1,000 per hour. A number of
cities operate public bicycles under different names: Ttareungi in Seoul, Fifteen in
Goyang, Gyeonggi-do, Tashu in Daejeon, and Eoulling in Sejong.
The Hangang Bike Path is a typical riding route, stretching almost along the
riverside of the Hangang River in Seoul. Starting from Nanji Hangang Park (Nanji
Camping Site), this path is the longest riding route that runs through Mapo
Bridge, Banpo Bridge, and Seoul Forest to Gwangjin Bridge. It is loved by many
Facts about KOREA

Seoul citizens and tourists because it connects Seoul to satellite cities and is also

Tourism
located adjacent to Hangang Park.
Thanks to the recent “Newtro” craze, the riding path within the Gyeongchun
Line Forest Park is drawing attention from young people. This park was once an
unused railway line, but through a major restoration project, the sections of the
Gyeongchun Railway and all 12 of the original bridges have been restored. A well-
paved bicycle path stretches out along the railway.
The Bukhangang Bike Path connecting Seoul to Chuncheon passes through
beautiful lakes and mountains such as Cheongpyeong Lake and Uiam Lake.
Cyclists can enjoy beautiful landscapes while cycling comfortably.
Gyeongin Ara Waterway is the first canal in South Korea connecting the
Hangang River to the waters off Incheon. The bike paths on both sides of the
waterway are connected to the Hangang Bike Path, which allows cyclists to ride
their bikes from Seoul to the West Sea.

Auto Camping
As a growing number of South Koreans are participating in camping, the number
· of campers has increased by 33.9% in the last two years. The exponentially
The Hangang Bike Path adjacent to the Hangang Park
increased demand has resulted in an increasing number of campgrounds, with

Hangang Park Campground
Campgrounds, including Nanji Campground,
located in Hangang Park are always popular.
· such as water parks and water leisure parks.
Facts about KOREA
camping experiences being diversified. In South Korea, camping can be enjoyed
in diverse ways depending on one’s preferences, such as auto camping, glamping,
caravanning, car camping, and backpacking.
There are more than 2,300 auto campgrounds in South Korea. Most of all,
campgrounds located in the national recreational forests are preferred by many
campers because of higher cost-effectiveness. Reservations are available via the
Korea National Park Service website on the 1st and 15th of each month. Note
that the campgrounds are so popular that they are all booked in half a day soon
after reservations open.
There is also intense competition for reserving campgrounds located in the
city. Examples include Nanji Campground and Noeul Campground in Seoul, and
Jaraseom Auto Campground in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi-do. Campgrounds on the
163
beach are also popular because of their proximity to the sea during summer
vacation. Recently, more and more campgrounds are operating activity zones
Water Activities
Since a surfing boom began in Korea in 2015, more tourist attractions have been
available for water activities in South Korea. In particular, the number of surfers is
on the rise as surfing allows them to appreciate the beautiful sea while enjoying
both a big thrill and a sense of freedom given by the sea.
The top three surfing destinations in South Korea include Yangyang in
Gangwon-do, Busan, and Jeju Island. Well-equipped with surfing environments,
all of them attract many surfers from beginners to masters. Jukdo Beach in
Yangyang is one of the surfing meccas featuring the low depth of water and
waves suitable for surfing. Others include Songjeong Beach in Busan, Jungmun
Tourism
Saekdal Beach on Jeju Island, and Mallipo Beach in Taean, Chungcheongnam-do.
Canoeing and kayaking are activities that allow people to savor nature at
leisure. Recently, a clear kayak tour becomes more popular. It is an experience of
kayaking using a kayak with a clear or transparent bottom or hull, allowing them
to see underwater. Kayaking in a transparent boat is available in most parts of
Jeju Island. Examples include Pyoseon Beach, Handam Beach, Woljeongri Beach,
and Soesokkak Estuary where the freshwater meets the ocean.
Located in Samcheok, Gangwon-do, Janghohang Port is called the Naples
of South Korea because of its magnificent scenery, including strange rocks and
bizarre stones and the emerald ocean. It features the development of marine
activities such as kayaking with a clear kayak and snorkeling thanks to the clean
and shallow waters. Cheongpung Lake in Jecheon, Chungcheongbuk, is another
destination for kayaking.
Activities intended to explore the sea such as snorkeling and scuba diving are
consistently popular. The representative snorkeling destinations include Panpo
Port on Jeju Island, Bongpo Beach in Goseong, Gangwon-do, and Namae Beach
in Yangyang, Gangwon-do.
 165

Luge
A luge is a fun-filled adventure activity of racing down the sloped track in an
unpowered wheeled sled. It was first introduced in Tongyeong, Gyeongsangnam-
do, in 2017. Skyline Luge Tongyeong has become a must-visit tourist spot in the
southern coast of South Korea after causing a sensation on social networking
services. Ganghwado Island in Incheon is also attracting tourists with the longest
luge track in the East.

·
Facts about KOREA

Yangyang, Gangwon-do

Tourism
Many surfers flock to Yangyang to enjoy surfing.

·· ···
Soesokkak Estuary, Jeju Island Tongyeong is emerging as a new mecca for
Soesokkak Estuary allows people to enjoy a clear kayak tour while activity tourism as the luge becomes more popular.
appreciating the natural beauty of Jeju Island.
 167

Popular Places (Attractions)

Ikseon-dong Hanok Alley

In recent years, Ikseon-dong Hanok Alley have been in the spotlight as a popular
place favored by young Koreans. Most of the alleys are so narrow that it is difficult
to park or walk with more than three people side by side. This space, which was
for working or living, has been reconstructed with modern accents into a space
for new cultural consumption, providing unusual enjoyment.
Located in Jongno-gu, Seoul, Ikseon-dong Hanok Alley has been designated
as the oldest hanok village and last hanok district in Seoul. In recent years,
old hanoks have been renovated into restaurants, cafés, and cute prop shops
throughout the maze-like alleys. As this hanok village is widely publicized through
social networking services, it is a must-visit attraction in Seoul.
Facts about KOREA

Tourism
· ··
Ikseon-dong is the most photogenic tourist destination in Seoul. Ikseon-dong consists of maze-like alleys lined with modernized hanoks which
have been renovated into cafés and restaurants with a unique atmosphere.

Seongsu-dong Street
Seongsu-dong, located in Seongdong-gu, Seoul, had been known as a Seongsugu
Handmade Shoe Street since the 1970s. Since the 2010s, a series of unique
emotional cafés and trendy fashion shops have opened in this neighborhood,
with more and more digital nomads and couples visiting here for working and
dating, respectively. Now it is recognized as a popular attraction.
Nowadays, as famous fashion shows and cultural exhibitions are held in
Seongsu-dong, with more pop-up stores opening, the Seongsu-dong street has
rapidly emerged as a mecca of fashion and culture.
Facts about KOREA
· ··
Seongsu-dong, a handmade shoe factory zone in the past,
has been transformed into a popular cultural space for young artists.
169
Euljiro Street
Euljiro Street, located in Jung-gu, Seoul, was thought of as a desolate neighborhood
a few years ago. This is because it was packed with shabby shops such as print
shops and hardware stores, which are symbols of the old industry. Recently,
however, this street has emerged as a new cultural space. In particular, the
desolateness of Euljiro where time seems to stand still has rather stimulated
analogue sentiments and memories due to the recent “Newtro” craze. This serves
as a driving force for the transformation of the obsolete space into a new cultural
product. Cafés, pubs, and culture complexes targeting young people’s tastes
are combined with the old print shops and hardware stores, thereby creating a
heterogeneous but unique aura.
Tourism
Euljiro and Jongno, largely composed of long-established shops
and stores, attract young office workers and students, triggering their retro sensibility.

Tours in South Korea [Unit: 1,000 people / Korea Tourism Organization, 2020]
The number of foreign visitors to South Korea has increased rapidly
in recent years, rising from 13 million in 2017 to 15 million in 2018 and
more than 17 million in 2019. Observers believe that the increase is largely
attributed to the Hallyu (Korean Wave) craze. In particular, the number of
tourists from Asian countries is on the rise, including Chinese group tours.
Number of foreign tourists in South Korea
5,140 9,795 17,242 13,336 15,347
Facts about KOREA
2001 2011 2016 2017 2018
Medical Tourism
South Korea boasts world-class medical services. Gangnam in Seoul is a mecca
of medical tourism, with the number of medical tourists reaching more than
130,000 (as of 2019). Based on excellent medical technology, manpower, and
high-tech facilities, Gangnam provides the best medical services, featuring the
even distribution of medical institutions such as general hospitals, medical
centers, clinics, and others, all of which are engaged in a wide range of disciplines
such as cosmetic surgery and dermatology.
The street from Apgujeong Station to Eulji Hospital Sageori (intersection)
intensively consists of a cluster of medical institutions involved in cosmetic
surgery and dermatology. The growing interest in K-beauty, as well as in the
Korean Wave, has contributed to the increasing number of medical tourists who
visit this zone for plastic surgery and cosmetic procedures.
171
Gangnam Medical Tour Center provides a total medical tourism-related
service for medical tourists. Specifically, it offers concierge services for medical
tourism that support the entire process: entry into Korea, information on medical
institutions, hotel reservations, sightseeing, and interpreting and other language
services.
In particular, as therapy based on natural ingredients rather than chemicals
has attracted global attention, treatments by traditional Korean herbal medicine
have drawn global attention, which have in turn revitalized medical tourism
related to oriental medicine. As a result, more and more medical tourists involved
17,503
visit South Korea every year.
Daegu has been a hub of the distribution of medicinal herbs around the world
for over 300 years. In recent years, it has been visited by more tourists from China
and Southeast Asia to be treated for respiratory diseases caused by fine dust.
The Herbal Medical Experience Town operates different experience programs,
Tourism
through which people can experience not only oriental medicine through the
2019 acupoints acupressure thermotherapy bed and body composition analysis, but
also aesthetic medicine through diagnoses of skin aging and scalp conditions
and other services.
Local Festivals
Each region of South Korea has its own unique identity. This is because they have
different traditions, specialties, and natural environments. To further strengthen
and widely promote regional content, its local festivals are revitalized. Therefore,
one of the effective ways to learn Korean culture and enjoy sightseeing at once is
to participate in local festivals.
Festivals are held all year round due to the climatic characteristics for each
season. The most famous spring festival is the Jinhae Gunhangje Festival, which
is held every April in Changwon, Gyeongsangnam-do when cherry blossoms are
in bloom. Held in Boryeong, Chungcheongnam-do, the Boryeong Mud Festival is
a summer festival, also recognized as the largest foreigner-participating festival.
The Andong Mask Dance Festival is a famous autumn festival, which is an exciting
 173

dance festival mainly focusing on various masks from around the world. It is held
every September in Andong, Gyeongsangbuk-do. When it comes to the winter
festival, the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival is a well-known festival, which is
held every January.
To experience traditional Korean culture, it is recommended to participate
in the Jeonju Hanji Culture Festival, Jeonju Bibimbap Festival, and Jinju Namgang
Yudeung Festival. Recently, other different festivals combined with modern culture
are also gaining popularity, including Jarasum Jazz Festival, Jecheon International
Music and Film Festival, Chuncheon International Mime Festival, and more.

·
Facts about KOREA

Andong Mask Dance Festival

Tourism
This festival allows people to enjoy the culture related to the mask, a universal language of
cultures around the world, including hahoe byeolsingut talnori which has been established
as the world-class mask dance as well as traditional Korean mask dance.

··
Boryeong Mud Festival
Held in Boryeong, Chungcheongnam-do,
this festival is filled with mud-related hands-on activities.
 175

History and Development

of Korean Sports

Infrastructure for
Promoting Sports
Facts about KOREA

Growth into a Sports

Sports

Sports
Powerhouse

Higher Status as a Host for

International Competitions

Professional Sports,
a History Written in Sweat

Transforming into an
Advanced Sports Country
 177

Sports Sohn Kee-chung, the first Korean gold medalist

at the 1936 Summer Olympics

·
Korean sports have taken an active part in the global arena
over the past century, displaying Koreans’ fighting spirit even in harsh
environments. In addition, South Korea’s hosting of
successful international competitions has transformed the country
into a sports powerhouse and increased its citizens’ interest in the field.
South Korea continues to create sports-friendly environments to
further its status as a sports powerhouse, with the vision to build
a vibrant country where all people can enjoy sports.
Facts about KOREA

Sports
History and Development of Korean Sports
Since ancient times, the Korean people has developed sports culture based
on martial arts. For example, the Rite of Heaven incorporated some physical
activities, combinations of dancing and singing, and the Koreans of old enjoyed
physical activities related to martial arts including archery, horse riding, Taekkyon,
ssireum (Korean wrestling), subak, and Chajeon Nori. In addition, Koreans have
developed physical strength and teamwork through various folk games.
In the late 19th century, modern sports were introduced when the Joseon
dynasty opened up to the outside world. This served as an opportunity for the
Korean Empire to establish laws and systems related to modern sports and
sought to strengthen the people’s minds and bodies by encouraging physical
education, for example, making physical education a component of school
curriculum.
Physical education was used as a tool for regaining national sovereignty under
Japanese colonial rule. At that time, limited PE activities were allowed to Koreans
due to the colonial situations. However, the March 1st Movement aroused
people’s aspiration for national independence, thereby further invigorating PE
 179

activities. As a result, the Joseon Sports Council, the predecessor of the Korea succeeded on the global stage including Park Ji-sung, who played for Manchester
Sports Council, was founded on July 13, 1920. It hosted and sponsored games United, Tottenham Hotspur forward Son Heung-min, and Ki Sung-yueng at
composed of different events including the 1st All Joseon Baseball Tournament. Newcastle United.
After that, as various sporting events were disseminated across the country, Koreans also love playing soccer as sports for all. Many South Korean soccer
along with the emergence of professional athletes, public interest in sports lovers gather together early in the morning of a holiday to enjoy the sport. The
began to increase. number of people who have joined grassroots football teams stands at around
Korean sports have played an active part in the international arena over 600,000 nationwide, forming regional football clubs.
the past century, displaying the fighting spirit, so-called the hungry spirit, even
in poor conditions. South Korea won two bronze medals at the London 1948
Olympic Games, and Yang Jung-mo received a gold medal in the featherweight
division of wrestling at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal. After that, South
Korea ranked with sporting powerhouses in the 1980s. Since the 2004 Summer
Olympics in Athens, it has shown great performances at the international multi-
Facts about KOREA

sport event with four consecutive top-10 finishes.

Sports
As successfully hosting the 1986 Asian Games and the 1988 Summer Olympics,
South Korea was recognized as a host of international competitions. Since then, it
hosted the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan and the 2018 PyeongChang Winter
Olympics, showing its capacity as a truly advanced sporting nation.
The performance enhancement of South Korean athletes in conjunction
with various international sporting events held in South Korea has increased the
people’s interest in sports while contributing to the improvement of sports-for-all
environments.

Infrastructure for Promoting Sports

South Korea has a wider foundation for sports, as elite sports and sports for all
are closely connected with each other.
Football is one of South Korea’s most popular sports. The K League (Korea
Professional Football League) runs from March to November each year, with fierce
competition among 12 regional teams. It’s well worth seeing the enthusiastic
·
cheering by the Red Devils, the official supporting group for the Korea Republic Son Heung-min is a forward for the British Premier League club,
Tottenham Hotspur.
national football team. There are a number of South Korean footballers who have
 181

The popularity of baseball in the country is no less than that of football. There
are ten teams in the KBO league. In 2019, approximately 7.5 million people visited
stadiums to enjoy professional baseball games. More Korean players are making
their way to Major League Baseball, including pitcher Ryu Hyun-jin of the Toronto
Blue Jays, right fielder Choo Shin-soo of the Texas Rangers, and pitcher Kim Kwang-
hyun of the St. Louis Cardinals, also boosting the people’s interest in the sport.
Over the past few years, the number of marathon clubs has increased
drastically. In spring and fall, marathon competitions are held almost every
weekend all over the country. An amateur marathon competition attracts

··
Facts about KOREA

Chuncheon Marathon

Sports
An annual international marathon race held in Chuncheon,
Gangwon-do every October

thousands or even tens of thousands of participants. More than 20,000 people,

professionals and amateurs, take part in major marathon events.
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 many popular rock-climbing spots.
In recent years, the hilly trails of Jeju Island (Jeju Olle Trail) have emerged as
favorite destinations for hikers. Amid the new hiking boom, local governments
have vied with each other in their efforts to establish good and picturesque
trails. 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 bicycle paths has been established across the country, and many

· people now enjoy cycling along the country’s major rivers such as Hangang River,
Ryu Hyun-jin, a South Korean professional baseball pitcher for
Nakdonggang River, Geumgang River, and Yeongsangang River on weekends.
the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball (MLB)
The background to such revitalization of Korean sports for all lies not merely in
 183

Changes in the number of [Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, 2019]

sports-for-all clubs and their members

5,580
5,324

4,554
4,132
3,646

110 115
101
90
82
Facts about KOREA

2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Sports
No. of members [Unit: 1,000 people] No. of clubs [Unit: 1,000 clubs]

the rapid economic growth, improved living conditions, and increasing amounts
of leisure time. It also includes the dramatic change of people’s involvement from
indirect spectators just watching sports to direct engagement in sports since the
1988 Summer Olympics held in Seoul.
In addition, as some suggested a need for the revitalization of sports for all
as a basic prerequisite for the development of professional sports, sports for all
have rapidly grown quantitatively. Accordingly, the Korean government regularly
identifies the people’s demand for sporting activities and is promoting a variety

· of relevant policies to promote sports for all.

Jeju Olle Trail (a series of walking trails)
“Olle” is a local word from the Jeju dialect that refers to a narrow path between a thoroughfare
and the entrance of a house. Journalist-turned-walking enthusiast Seo Myeong-suk coined the word
for a mountain hiking route on the island after drawing inspiration from the pilgrimage trail to
Santiago de Compostela in northern Spain.
According to the 2018 Sports White Paper, the number of sports-for-all clubs
in South Korea stood at 115,303, and the members reached 5,579,640, or 10.8%
of the total population.

Facts about KOREA
· Training Center, consists of training facilities designed to accommodate 35
Taekwondo athletes competing in the Poomsae division in the training
facility of Jincheon National Training Center.
Growth into a Sports Powerhouse
The reason why South Korea has been able to become a global sporting powerhouse
is attributed to the people physically participating in a range of sporting activities
along with systematic investment. It discovers talented young players and trains
them scientifically, and allows them to participate in diverse games to gain
practical experience. In addition, athletes who will participate in the Olympics or
the World Athletics Championships are intensively trained at the separate athletic
training center.
South Korea boasts highly methodical systems dedicated to sports research.
Specialists in various fields from sports dynamics to psychology and physiology
help athletes achieve their best possible results in competitions. The Korea
185
Institute of Sport Science (KISS) is leading the scientific training of national athletes.
KISS, formerly the Sports Science Research Center, has incorporated science
and technology into training programs for various sports since its foundation.
The institute separately established the Research Department of Sports Science
composed of about 30 experts with the master’s and doctorate degrees for the
purpose of assisting the athletes in winning medals before participating in the
2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
In 1966, the Korea National Training Center, also known as the Taereung
Training Center, was established in Seoul to foster national athletes. It was
dedicated to the promotion of Sports Science in South Korea, consisting of
training facilities including a track and field stadium for different disciplines.
It was the country’s cradle of national athletes for 51 years but demolished in
2017 when the Jincheon National Training Center was completed in Jincheon,
Chungcheongbuk-do,
Sports
The Jincheon National Training Center, five times larger than the Taereung
disciplines and train 1,150 athletes. It thus provides everything needed for
national athletes to focus on nothing but their training programs. Located on
Hambaeksan Mountain in Taebaek, Gangwon-do, the Taebaek National Training
Center is also for the training of national athletes and candidates in highlands,
aiming at their cardiopulmonary improvement.
Higher Status as a Host for International Competitions
After liberation from Japanese colonization, Korean sports have made extraordinary
achievements. Particularly, since the 1976 Summer Olympics (Games of the
XXI Olympiad) and the 1984 Summer Olympics (Games of the XXIII Olympiad),
South Korea has ranked in the top ten, remaining as a sporting powerhouse. It
has hosted the world’s top five mega sports, the Summer Olympics, the Winter
Olympics, The FIFA World Cup, the World Athletics Championships, and the FINA
World Championships, as well as the Asian Games and the Universiade.
 187

South Koreans supporting the national team in front of

1988 Seoul Summer Olympics (Games of the XXIV Olympiad) Seoul City Hall during the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan (17th FIFA World Cup).
Many foreigners said that they were deeply impressed
The 1988 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIV Olympiad, by the fans’ enthusiasm and unity. Still, the Red Devils continue to
were held in Seoul in 1988, marking a record number of athletes ever: 13,304 cheer for the national team in major tournaments.

athletes from 160 countries. With the slogan: “Harmony and Progress,” the ··
organizing committee set up 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 very significant in that they served
as a venue for reconciliation between the Western and Eastern Blocs, after
the Western Bloc’s boycotting of the 1980 Moscow Summer Olympics (Games
Facts about KOREA

of the XXII Olympiad) and the Eastern Bloc’s retaliatory boycotting of the 1984

Sports
Los Angeles Summer Olympics (Games of the XXIII Olympiad). The event in
Seoul transcended ideological conflict and racial discrimination pursuant to
the Olympic Charter, and served as an occasion for publicizing the status of the
country’s economic development and traditional culture, and the potential of
Koreans worldwide.

2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan (17th FIFA World Cup)

Held for 31 days (May 31 to June 30), the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan (17th
FIFA World Cup) was the first World Cup to be jointly hosted by two countries.
It was also the first World Cup Tournament to be held outside Europe and the
Americas. The event produced a series of unexpected results. In particular, South
Korea astonished the whole world by achieving remarkable success, namely, by reaching the semi-finals. Also, the enthusiastic cheering of soccer fans in red T
shirts, called the Red Devils, also served as an opportunity to promote another
aspect of South Korea to people around the world. This led to massive crowds
·
Emblem of the 1988 Summer Olympics (Games of the XXIV Olympiad) to gather for street cheering nationwide. Tens of thousands of fans fervently
The emblem was designed based on the triple taegeuk, a traditional pattern cheering on their team in the dead of night created quite a sight. During the
handed down among Koreans for many generations. The pattern has been
widely used in entrances to private houses and handicrafts. It was used to
South Korean team’s match against Germany for 4th place, a total of 6.5 million
symbolize a wish for the promotion of peace through the Olympics. people filled the streets nationwide to cheer on their national team.
 189

· ··
Facts about KOREA

Competitors in the steeplechase Joint inter-Korean women’s ice hockey team

at the 2011 IAAF World Athletics Championships in Daegu.

Sports
Korea’s unified women’s
ice hockey team at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics.

2011 World Championships in Athletics

The 13th IAAF World Championships in Athletics was held in Daegu, the country’s
third largest city, from August 27 to September 4, 2011. Located in Daegu, an
international city that modern technology merges into history, Daegu Stadium,
also known as the Blue Arc, is a sports stadium where big international sports
events were successfully held, such as the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan (17th
FIFA World Cup in 2002) and the 2003 Summer Universiade. It has presented vivid
impressions of track and field events to the fans around the world through high-
definition electronic scoreboards combined with cutting-edge ICT technology.

2015 Summer Universiade

The 2015 Summer Universiade was held in the city of Gwangju from July 3 to 14,
2015. It was the third Universiade that South Korea hosted following the 1997 ···
South and North Korean athletes jointly enter the opening ceremony of
Winter Universiade held in Muju and the 2003 Summer Universiade in Daegu. A the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics.
total of 17,036 athletes from 143 countries participated in 21 sports.
 191

2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics

Held from February 9 to 25, 2018, the 2018 Winter Olympics, commonly known
as PyeongChang 2018, achieved new records in the history of winter sports. A
total of 2,920 athletes from 92 countries participated in this international winter
multi-sport event, the largest ever. Among the participating countries were six
countries taking part in the Winter Olympics for the first time: Nigeria, Eritrea,
Malaysia, Singapore, Ecuador, and Kosovo. This in turn expanded the base of
winter sports. The excellent ice quality led to three world records and 25 Olympic
records, and 1.08 million tickets were sold, making a big hit.
The 2018 Winter Olympic Games in Pyeongchang was filled with firsts. In
other words, it showed the world’s first 5G technology, virtual reality (VR), high-
speed video streaming, and autonomous driving. and CNN reported that the
PyeongChang Olympics was “the most high-tech Olympics ever” thanks to 5G
Facts about KOREA

technologies.

Sports
Above all, the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics was buried into the minds of
people around the world as a legacy of peace and reconciliation for the world,
embodying the values and spirit of the Olympics the best. In particular, North
Korea sent its largest number of participants: 22 athletes, a cheer squad with 229
women, and 27 senior officials. In addition, athletes from North Korea and South
Korea marched under a united flag at the opening ceremony, and a unified team
of the two Koreas competed under the title “Korea” for the first time in Olympic
history.
· This Olympics ran 1,800 programs, including programs that combined
South Korean Medalists in the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics
Choi Min-jeong (Short track speed skating) Hallyu with traditional Korean culture, also representing a model of the cultural
Choi Min-jeong took two gold medals with dominating races in the women’s 1,500 m
Olympics.
and 3,000 m relays although getting disqualified from the 500 m race.
South Korea ranked 7th with five gold, eight silver, and four bronze medals.
Yun Sung-bin (Skeleton racing)
Yun Sung-bin became skeleton’s new king at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics as In addition to ice sports, medals were won in other sports such as skeleton,
he won a gold medal marking the largest victory margin in Olympic skeleton history,
bobsleigh, and curling, thereby diversifying its winter sports portfolio. At the
and the largest margin in any Olympic sliding competition since 1972.
Paralympics, South Korea placed 16th with a gold medal in the men’s 7.5-km
Women’s curling
The five-member team of Kim Eun-jung, Kim Kyeong-ae, Kim Seon-yeong, Kim Yeong-mi, sitting cross-country skiing event.
and Kim Cho-hi received international attention with their stunning performance.
The so-called Team Kim advanced to the finals after beating traditionally strong teams and
claimed a silver medal after losing to Sweden.
 193

of 16 at the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa, and won the bronze medal at the
2012 Summer Olympic Games in 2012. The South Korean national baseball team
won the gold medal in the final victory at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing
Olympics in 2008, came in second in the 2009 World Baseball Classic (WBC), and
won the title in the WBSC Premier12 in 2015. Based on these achievements,
the people’s interest in South Korean professional sports has been steadily
increasing.

Transforming into an Advanced Sports Country

100 Policy Tasks of the Moon Jae-in Administration includes Task 72: To build a
Facts about KOREA

Average number of spectators [Unit: persons/ Ministry of Culture, Sports and

Sports
Tourism, 2020]
· per major sporting event
Jamsil Baseball Stadium is packed
with baseball fans cheering enthusiastically.
Volleyball Basketball

2,535 4,450
2,425 3,542
2,251 3,167
2,216 2,896 2,992
2,196

Professional Sports, a History Written in Sweat

South Korea has professional leagues in sports: soccer, baseball, basketball,
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
volleyball, e-sports and Go (baduk). Korean professional sports began to develop
in 1982 when six professional baseball teams were born. Subsequently, the
Korean football league started in 1983, followed by the professional basketball in Football Baseball
11,839
1997 and the professional volleyball in 2005. At present, professional sports are 5,769 11,744
11,389
4,747
4,644 4,644
actively developed, centered on four professional sports leagues: football, 10,357
10,280
3,812
baseball, basketball, and volleyball.
The four professional sports also demonstrated high performances in
international competitions. The South Korea national football team advanced to
the semifinals at the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan, advanced to the round 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
 195

In the 21st century, e-sports are rapidly spreading as attractive cultural

content. E-sports has been gradually recognized as official sports since 2018
when it was adopted as a demonstration sport for the 18th Asian Games, also
known as Jakarta–Palembang 2018. South Korea is the most advanced IT country
in Asia due to the fastest digitalization since the IT industry was promoted in 1998.
Now, its e-sports industry has also developed rapidly. Founded In 2001, the Korea
e-Sports Association (KeSPA) has systematized the athlete management, rules,
and competition methods, leading the popularization of e-sports. Currently, South
Korea has the largest number of world-class e-sports players and is recognized
as home to e-sports. The portion of South Korea in the global e-sports industry
is just 13.1%. However, it has world-class players, so the potential of e-sports in
South Korea is highly regarded around the world.
Facts about KOREA

Sports
·
An e-sports stadium filled with excitement

vibrant country where everyone can enjoy sports. The task is intended to highlight
the importance of sports for all as a means of promoting life and welfare and
building a healthy country, and to create an environment in which all citizens
are exposed to sports for all by expanding public sports clubs and personalizing
sports programs for each life cycle.
Accordingly, local governments expanded their personalized sports facilities
as well as communities and amenities for the entire nation by integrating sports
for all with elite sports from 2012 to 2015. They also developed sports-for-all
programs tailored to the life cycles of the local residents by investing profits
earned through sports and entertainment events in sports for all again. These
efforts have increased local residents’ engagement in sport-for-all programs by
a factor of three. As a result, South Korea has successfully established a virtuous
cycle of sports and welfare.
 197

The Beginnings of Joseon Dynasty

Korea’s History
(Prehistoric Period – Gojoseon)

Three Kingdoms and The Fall of Joseon: Imperial

Facts about KOREA

other States Japan’s Annexation of Korea

History
History
Northern and Southern States Independence Movement
Period: Unified Silla and Balhae

Goryeo Dynasty Transition to a Democracy and

Transformation into
an Economic Powerhouse

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 Paleolithic Age,
when people made tools of animal horns and chipped stone tools, include
the Komun Moru ruins in Sangwon, Pyeongannam-do, the Jeongok-ri
Site in Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi-do, the Seokjang-ri Prehistory Site in
Gongju, Chungcheongnam-do, and the Durubong Cave Site in Cheongju,
Chungcheongbuk-do. The early inhabitants of the peninsula survived
by hunting animals and collecting edible plants in groups.
Facts about KOREA
·
Comb-pattern Pottery
This comb-pattern vessel with a pointy bottom was discovered
in Amsa-dong, Seoul, a representative historic site of the Neolithic Age.
199
The Beginnings of Korea’s History
(Prehistoric Times – Gojoseon)
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 Paleolithic Age, when people made tools of animal
horns and chipped stone tools, include the Komun Moru ruins in Sangwon,
Pyeongannam-do, the Jeongok-ri Site in Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi-do, the Seokjang-
ri Prehistory Site in Gongju, Chungcheongnam-do, and the Durubong Cave Site in
Cheongju, Chungcheongbuk-do. The early inhabitants of the peninsula survived
by hunting animals and collecting edible plants in groups.
In Korea, the Neolithic Age began around 8,000 BCE. 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
History
of which have been found all across the Korean Peninsula, including in Amsa-
dong, Seoul, in Namgyeong, Pyongyang, and in Suga-ri, Gimhae.
The Bronze Age started around the 10th century BCE on the Korean Peninsula
and the 15th century BCE in Manchuria. Historic sites associated with the Bronze
Age are found in Liaoning and Jilin provinces, China and across the Korean
Peninsula. With the development of the Bronze Age culture, a society emerged
in which the head of a clan exercised great influence. The strongest clan leaders
··
Hand Axe
This multifunctional tool dates
back to the Paleolithic period,
which was discovered in Jeongok-ri,
Yeoncheon-gun, Gyeonggi-do.

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, respectively. 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 BCE, 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 194 BCE
Facts about KOREA
and Gojoseon expanded its territory under his rule. By this time, Gojoseon had
· ··
Dolmen Park in Suncheon, Jeollanam-do
201
adopted Iron Age culture, developed agriculture and various handicrafts, and
increased its military strength. It tried to monopolize profits, 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 the Han dynasty. 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 108 BCE.
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. However,
Korea’s dolmens are no less mysterious. About half of all the dolmens in the
world or around 40,000 dolmens have been found on the Korea Peninsula.
History
Table-type Dolmens in Bugeun-ri, Ganghwa
 203

The Three Kingdoms and Gaya (5th Century CE)

Diverse artifacts, including human bones, stone objects, and jade and bronze
artifacts, have been unearthed from the dolmens. The construction methods are
hard to guess, and the existence itself still remains a mystery.
The dolmens are classified into table-type and go-board dolmens, depending
on their shape. The former, mainly found in the northern part of the Korean
Peninsula, was made by positioning four stones to make the walls of a box,
Goguryeo
which were then capped by a stone lying on top of the supports. The latter is
characterized by underground burial with stones that supported the capstone.
They are often seen in the southern part of the Korean Peninsula.
Dolmens are often referred to as tombs, but it is difficult to conclude that they
are. 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 Pyongyang
East Sea
the olden days. It is indeed a wonderful technique (that enabled men to position
Facts about KOREA

such huge rocks in that way).”

History
In the early 20th century, American missionary Horace Grant Underwood Usanguk

claimed that dolmens were not tombs but rather that they were put there for West Sea
Dokdo
sacrificial rituals offered to the gods of the earth. Korean folklorist Son Jin-tae Ungjin Silla
Sabi Geumseong
claimed it was an altar pointing to a folktale in which dolmens were believed to
Gaya
be the houses of witches (Mago halmeoni in local legends). Baekje

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
Tamna
over many thousands of years, but this process stopped sometime before the
Common Era.
As this became known, scholars around the world are paying attention to the
importance of Korean dolmens in terms of the whole cultural history of mankind.
Dolmens in Ganghwa (Incheon), Hwasun (Jeollanam-do), and Gochang (Jeollabuk-
do) were listed as the UNESCO World Heritage sites in 2000. In addition, many Three Kingdoms and Other States
experts have been studying the correlation between dolmens in South Korea and Towards the end of the Gojoseon Period, tribal states came into being one after
ones in Europe and India, other than the reasons why dolmens are concentrated another in Manchuria and on the Korean Peninsula. Buyeo was established in the
on the Korean Peninsula. plains along the Songhua 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 CE, they started calling their main leader the King and actively engaged

Facts about KOREA
· small states (composed of 100,000 households in total) located in present-day
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
(6.39 m high, 37 tons) in present-day Ji’an, Jilin province, China to commemorate his father’s great
achievements. The inscription, comprising 1,775 characters,
explains how Goguryeo was founded and how it expanded its territory.
205
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 heaven, sang and danced together, and released
prisoners.
Buyeo 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 37 BCE, was originally from Buyeo.
Goguryeo prospered greatly through victorious wars in areas close to Baekdusan
Mountain and along the Amnokgang (Yalu) River. Right after its foundation,
Goguryeo conquered a number of small states in the area and moved its capital
to Gungnaeseong (Tonggu) near the Amnokgang River. Through many wars, it
drove away the factions loyal to the Han dynasty and expanded its territory as far
History
as Liaodong in the west and to the northeast of the Korean Peninsula. 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 northern parts 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. Dongye
held a sacrificial rite for heaven called Mucheon in October to build a spirit of
collaboration by singing and dancing together. Its specialties included dangung
(an archery bow) and gwahama (a horse small enough to pass unhindered
beneath fruit trees). These two states were also incorporated into Goguryeo.
The area south of Gojoseon was occupied by a large group of small states
including Mahan, Jinhan, and Byeonhan. Mahan was a confederacy of fifty-four
Gyeonggi-do, Chungcheong-do, and Jeolla-do. Byeonhan was located in present-
day Gimhae and Masan while Jinhan located in 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
 207

Samhan held rites of sacrifice for heaven in May and October. On such occasions,
they gathered together to enjoy liquor, food, singing and dancing.
Along with the spread of Iron Age culture and the development of farming
skills, powerful states such as Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla gradually were
established in Manchuria and on the Korean Peninsula.
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
strengthened a king-centered ruling system by the late 2nd century. By the early
4th century, King Micheon of Goguryeo had driven away factions loyal to the Han
dynasty from the Korean Peninsula.
In 372 (the 2nd year of King Sosurim’s reign), Goguryeo adopted Buddhism
and promulgated a code of law in an effort to establish a proper governing system.
It also established Taehak, a Confucian educational institute. King Gwanggaeto
Facts about KOREA
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 Age culture and exerted considerable influence
on areas along the Nakdonggang River. Gaya states started rice farming early
on, thus its farming culture flourishing. It also traded actively with Wa (Japan) and
Lelang, taking advantage of an abundance of iron and convenient sea routes.
·
A Painting of Hunting Scenes
in the Tomb of the Dancers

(Goguryeo, 5th Century)

the Great, a son of King Sosurim, drove away the Khitan, Sushen, and Dongbuyeo
Dynamic hunting activities of

History
and expanded his territory into Manchuria. He also captured many of Baekje’s the people of Goguryeo

fortresses in the south and helped Silla overcome a crisis by driving away Wako
invaders.
Baekje was established in 18 BCE 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, Baekje 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 ··
Gold Crown of Gaya
northern border, Baekje confronted Goguryeo in a bid to take control of present- (Gaya, 6th Century)
day Hwanghae-do. It also exerted control over Gaya in the south. At that time, This crown was unearthed in
Goryeong, Gyeongsangbuk-do.
Baekje’s territory included present-day Gyeonggi-do, Chungcheong-do, Jeolla-do, It features upright decorations
the middle reaches of the Nakdonggang River, Gangwon-do, and Hwanghae-do. and curved jade pendants.

Silla originated in Saroguk, one of the mini states of Jinhan. It was established
as a kingdom in 57 BCE 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

Facts about KOREA
· In 612, the Sui dynasty in China, which unified all of mainland China into one
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 philosophy of Baekje.
209
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 for territorial expansion under a
firmly established governing apparatus centered on the King. In Goguryeo, King
Jangsu, a son of King Gwanggaeto, moved the capital to Pyongyang 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 established a colossal empire in Manchuria and
on the Korean Peninsula, dominating as a power in Northeast Asia.
After yielding the areas along the Hangang River to Goguryeo, Baekje moved
its capital to Ungjin (present-day Gongju) in 475. It strived to rebuild its strength
to regain the lost territory. King Dongseong confronted Goguryeo by reinforcing
the alliance with Silla. King Muryeong strengthened local control in order to lay
History
a solid 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 the administrative zones, including
the capital, during the reign of King Jijeung. King Jijeung incorporated Usanguk
(composed of present-day Ulleungdo and Dokdo Islands) into the territory of
Silla in 512. King Beopheung stabilized the ruling system as a centralized state by
promulgating a code of law, setting up rules about official robes, and adopting
Buddhism as official state religion. He also incorporated Geumgwan Gaya in a
drive to expand his territory. King Jinheung reorganized the Hwarangdo into a
national organization and expanded the territory considerably. He seized lands
along the Hangang River from Baekje, conquered Daegaya in Goryeong, wrested
areas along the Nakdonggang River, and expanded the territory as far as to
Hamheung along the east coast.
state, attacked Goguryeo, mobilizing more than a million troops. General Eulji
Mundeok of Goguryeo drowned most of the Chinese invaders in the Salsu River

Facts about KOREA
·
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.
(present-day Cheongcheongang River), which is called the Battle of Salsu. 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 Silla-Tang forces in 660.
The Silla-Tang forces then attacked Goguryeo, once the most powerful
211
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 by
establishing the Ungjin Commandery in Baekje, the Protectorate-General to
Pacify the East in Goguryeo, and the Gyerim Territory Area Command even in Silla.
Silla waged a war against Tang, defeated its navy in Gibeolpo near the estuary of
the Geumgang River, and drove all of Tang’s forces out of the peninsula, thus
accomplishing the important feat of unifying the Korean Peninsula in 676.
Northern and Southern States Period: Unified Silla and Balhae
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
History
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 and silver handiworks and ginseng to
Tang and imported books, ceramic ware, 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 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 China’s 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.
Balhae started expanding its territory and regained control over most of the
former territory of Goguryeo. During the reign of King Mu, Balhae controlled
 213

Unified Silla and Balhae (8th Century)

that the people of Tang China called it Haedong Seongguk (“prosperous country
in the east”), but it fell in 926 as a result of an eruption of Baekdusan Mountain
and an invasion of the Khitan people.

Goryeo Dynasty
By the late 8th century, Silla had been weakened by an internal struggle for power
Balhae
among the nobility; by the 10th century, leaders of powerful local factions, such
Sanggyeong
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 present-day Jeolla-do and Chungcheong-do.
In 901, Gungye, a member of the Silla royal family, founded Later Goguryeo in
Songak (present-day Gaeseong), exerting control over present-day Gangwon-do
Facts about KOREA

and Gyeonggi-do. He expanded the territory, reformed the ruling system, and

History
East Sea relocated the capital to Cheorwon. He also changed the name of the country to
Pyongyang
Taebong.
Usanguk Gungye lost the support of his people while exerting control over local

Dokdo
leaders and strengthening his claim to the throne. In 918, he was driven away
West Sea Silla

Geumseong

·
Celadon Prunus Vase with Inlaid
Tamna 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.

the northern parts of 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
 215

Goryeo (11th Century)

·
Jikji (Goryeo, 14th Century),
the oldest extant text printed
with movable metal type

Seogyeong
East Sea

Goryeo adopted Confucianism as its political ideology and established

Facts about KOREA

Gaegyeong an effective education system by founding the Gukjagam (a national higher

History
Namgyeong
Usanguk education institution) and numerous hyanggyo (local private schools). Buddhism
West Sea Dokdo
also exerted considerable influence over Goryeo society in general. The
Kingdom adopted a more tolerant approach towards the acceptance of other
Donggyeong
religions, as indicated by the rites called Yeondeunghoe (Lotus Lantern Festival)
and Palgwanhoe (Festival of the Eight Vows), 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 the Song
Tamna
dynasty. Many traders from Song, Central Asia, Arabia, Southeast Asia and Japan
travelled to Byeongnando, a gateway to the capital, Gaeseong. Traders from
Song sold satin, silk and medicinal herbs, while traders from Goryeo sold hemp
by Wang Geon, a local leader from Songak. Wang Geon changed the name of cloth and ginseng. Gems such as ivory, crystal, amber were imported from Arabia.
the country to Goryeo, announced that the country would inherit Goguryeo, Finally, the name Korea originated from Goryeo during this period.
and moved the capital to Songak. Goryeo remained hostile to Later Baekje while The Goryeo dynasty gave birth to splendid culture. Specifically, the Goryeo
actively promoting a policy of engaging Silla. In 935, Unified Silla was peacefully celadon made by the inlaying technique attests to its unique artistry unparalleled
incorporated into Goryeo. Following a power struggle among leaders in Later elsewhere in the world at that time. The Tripitaka Koreana or Palman Daejanggyeong
Baekje, Gyeon Hwon surrendered to Wang Geon. In 936, Later Baekje fell to is a Korean collection of the Tripitaka, or Buddhist scriptures. Carved onto 81,258
Goryeo. Thus, Wang Geon unified the Later Three Kingdoms on the Korean wooden printing blocks, it is the essence of Buddhist culture and the pinnacle
Peninsula. of achievement of wooden printing block technology in the Goryeo period. The
 217

Joseon (15th Century)

world’s first metal printing types were also invented during the Goryeo period.
According to the pertinent records, the people of Goryeo invented metal printing
types over 200 years earlier than Johannes Gutenberg 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 and was registered as a Memory of
the World in 2001.

War with the Mongols Hamgil-do

In the early 13th century, the situation in China changed abruptly. The Mongols Pyeongan-do Hamheung
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 Pyongyang East Sea

effort to resist these attacks, Goryeo moved its capital to Ganghwa. Even ordinary Hwanghae-do
Haeju
Facts about KOREA

Gangwon-do
people and slaves fought against the invaders. In 1259, a peace agreement was Gyeonggi-do
Ulleungdo

History
signed between the two countries. The Yuan dynasty of China established by the Hanyang Wonju
West Sea Dokdo
Mongols accepted Goryeo’s six conditions for peace, including a guarantee of Chungcheong-do
Gongju
the continued existence of the Goryeo dynasty and Mongol troops’ immediate Gyeongsang-do
Jeonju Daegu
withdrawal from the Korean Peninsula. The agreement was a result of Goryeo’s
Jeolla-do
persistent resistance to the Mongols’ plan to bring Goryeo under its direct control.
Despite the agreement with the Mongols, a group of Goryeo troops called
Sambyeolcho continued to fight them, moving their base of operations to Jindo
and then to Jejudo. They continued to fight until 1273. Their 42-year campaign Jejudo

of resistance against the Mongols, the world’s strongest power at that time,
attests to their perseverance and indomitable spirit. However, the national land
was devastated and people’s lives were destroyed due to the long years of war.
The Mongols destroyed many precious cultural heritage sites and properties,
including the nine-tier pagoda at Hwangnyongsa Temple.
Joseon Dynasty
Towards the end of the 14th 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-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 and founded a
new dynasty, Joseon. As the first King Taejo of Joseon, he chose Hanyang (present-

day Seoul) – judged to be a 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 the 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 son of the founder of the dynasty, made a
significant contribution to stabilizing the centralized system of governance. He
adopted a system under the law of hopae (identification tags) to figure out the
population, and launched the major executive bodies called the Six Ministries
of Joseon: Personnel (Ijo), Taxation (Hojo), Rites (Yejo), Military Affairs (Byeongjo),
Punishments (Hyeongjo), and Public Works (Gongjo), all of which had to report
directly to their king. 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
Facts about KOREA
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 the Traditional Chinese characters for a 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.
Hangeul (the Korean alphabet), was created by King Sejong in 1443 and was
promulgated as the national writing system 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-to-learn writing system in the world. It contributed to drastically enhancing
communication between the people and the government, and played a decisive
role in becoming a culturally advanced country.
219
Development of Science and Technology
During the Joseon period, the country’s science and technology developed
remarkably. The Jagyeongnu (clepsydra), Angbuilgu (sundial), 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 to measure precipitation.
Devices for land surveying 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 (meaning the calculation of the motions of the seven
celestial determinants) was made on the basis of the Shoushili calendar of China
and the Islamic calendar of Arabia. Noticeable advances were made in the sphere
of medical science. Hyangyak jipseongbang (Collection of Native Prescriptions for
Saving Lives) and Uibang yuchwi (Classified Collection of Medical Prescriptions)
were compiled regarding Korean native medicines, and treatments. Metal
History
printing types, such as Gyemija and Gabinja, were making it possible to publish
many books.
· ··
Angbuilgu (Joseon, 17th-18th Centuries) Rain Gauge Support (Joseon, 18th Century)
A sundial capable of marking changes in both Rain gauge support in Seonhwadang, Daegu, on
time and season which a rain gauge is put to measure rainfall
 221

··
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.

Joseon’s Foreign Relations

Joseon maintained friendly relations with the Ming dynasty of China. The two
Facts about KOREA

countries exchanged royal envoys every year and engaged in busy cultural and

History
economic exchanges. Joseon also accepted Japan’s request for bilateral trade by
opening the ports of Busan, Jinhae, and Ulsan. In 1443, Joseon signed the Gyehae
Treaty with the clan of Tsushima Island for limited bilateral trade. and Joseon also
traded with other Asian countries such as Ryukyu, Siam, and Java.

Development of Handcraft Skills

Ceramic ware 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, Joseon’s ceramic
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.

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
Cheonsang Yeolcha Bunya Jido (Joseon, 17th Century)
trade, but Joseon refused to comply with the request. The Japanese threw the
This astronomical chart from Joseon shows the constellations.
Joseon society into turmoil by causing disturbances: the Disturbance of the Three
 223

Ports, also known as Sampo Waeran, in 1510 and Eulmyo Waebyeon (Japanese
pirates’ disturbance) in 1555. In Japan, Toyotomi Hideyoshi brought the 120-year-
long Sengoku period (Age of Warring States) 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 for 7 years until 1598, which is called the Japanese invasions of Korea of
1592–1598 or Imjin War.
Feeling threatened by the invading Japanese troops, King Seonjo of Joseon
fled to Uiju, close to the Ming dynasty, and asked Ming to come to his aid. The
Japanese invaders marched into the northern provinces of Joseon. Korean
militias started fighting against 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 nation’s
Facts about KOREA
understood Hangeul, as opposed to literary works published in Chinese, were
widely distributed. Pansori (a genre of musical storytelling) and mask dances
developed into the representative genres of the grassroots culture. In the late
19th century, Sin Jae-hyo adapted and rearranged pansori saseol (stories), which
is today called the five madang of pansori: Chunhyangga (Song of Chunhyang),
Simcheongga (Song of Sim Cheong), Heungboga (Song of Heungbo), Jeokbyeokga
(Song of Red Cliff), and Sugungga (Song of the Rabbit and the Turtle). In addition,
masked dance-dramas such as tallori and sandaenori enjoyed great popularity
among ordinary people.

breadbasket in Jeolla-do, and thus blocked the Japanese supply lines, thereby

History
demoralizing the Japanese army. 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.
Following the death of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the Japanese invaders returned
home. During the seven-year war, many cultural properties in Joseon, including
Bulguksa Temple, were destroyed. The Japanese took away books, printing types,
and works of art from Joseon. With these spoils of war, the Japanese were able
to enhance scholarship and the arts in their own country, while potters 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
·
Sandaenori

their local neighborhood. With these improvements in the quality of life of the This is a regional variant of Korean mask dance drama, in which masked actors and
actresses engage in witty jokes, dances, songs, etc.
people, they began to enjoy diverse entertainments. Stories written in easily

The Fall of Joseon:
Imperial Japan’s 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 the Qing dynasty of 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 pressure did not stop. 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 Korean-Japanese Treaty,
Facts about KOREA
or Ganghwa Treaty (1876) with Japan in 1876 under military threat.
Subsequently, imperialist powers, including Japan, vied with each other
to pillage Joseon’s resources. In 1897, Joseon changed its name to the Korean
Empire (Daehan Jeguk) and pushed ahead with reforms and an open-door policy,
but it was too late. Japan soon won major victories in its wars against the Qing
dynasty 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, the Korean Empire was formally annexed
by the Empire of Japan.
Independence Movement
During the colonial period, the Japanese pillaged Joseon’s 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
Korean-Japanese Treaty of 1876 *
The Korean-Japanese Treaty of 1876, commonly known as the Ganghwa Treaty was a highly unequal,
one-sided trade treaty signed between Joseon and Japan on February 27, 1876 under military threat.
225
soldiers in the Pacific War. Koreans engaged in persistent struggles to regain
their independence. They organized numerous clandestine organizations to fight
the Japanese within the country such as Joseon National Sovereignty Restoration
Group and The Korea Liberation Corps. They also established forward bases
for the independence movement in China, Russia, and the United States and
led unprecedentedly peaceful demonstrations. In March 1919, Korean leaders
announced the Declaration of Independence. Students and ordinary people
staged street demonstrations across the country shouting their motto, “Long
Live Korean Independence!” 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 1st Movement, organizations representing
Koreans were established in Seoul, the Maritime Province of Siberia, and
Shanghai. Of these, the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea, which
was established in Shanghai, China, is the country’s first democratic republican
History
government; it was equipped with a modern Constitution and a political system
that separated the three basic branches (executive, legislature and judicial) of
government.
Koreans also carried out armed struggles against the Japanese. In the
1920s, more than 30 Korean independence army units engaged in resistance
activities in Manchuria and the Maritime Provinces of Siberia. For example, in June
1920, the Battle of Fengwudong was a battle that occurred in Fengwutung, Jilin
province, China between Japanese forces and Korean independence militias led
by Hong Beom-do to a big victory. Another is the Battle of Qingshanli, which was
fought over six days in October 1920 between the Imperial Japanese Army and
the Northern Military Administration Office Army led by Kim Jwa-jin along with
other Korean armed groups. They won a great victory against Japanese troops in
Helongxian, Manchuria.
In 1940, the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea (PGK) organized
the Korean Liberation Army in Chungqing, integrating many scattered volunteer
independence armies and militias in Manchuria. The 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

Facts about KOREA
· left and the right.
Leaders of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea
The leading members of Korean Provisional Government (KPG),
officially established as the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea
in April 1919 in Shanghai, which played a pivotal role in the independence movements
right from April 1919 until the country’s liberation in August 1945.
227
a special military unit of the United States to better equip themselves to attack
Japanese forces in Korea. On August 15, 1945, Koreans finally received what they
had looked forward to for so long: the country’s liberation as a result of Japan’s
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
into an Economic Powerhouse
On May 10, 1948, the first general election was held in a democratic manner
in South Korea under the UN’s supervision to elect the 198 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
History
by Koreans, were elected as the country’s first President and Vice President,
respectively. On August 15, 1948, the Republic of Korea (ROK) was formally
established as a liberal democracy, which inherited 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 Union’s opposition. On
September 9, 1948, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) was
proclaimed 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 issues such as establishing domestic order, eliminating vestiges of
Japanese imperialism, and overcoming ideological confrontations between the
On June 25, 1950, North Korean troops armed with Soviet-made tanks and
fighters invaded the South, thus triggering an all-out war. The UN Security Council
unanimously condemned the North Korean invasion and published a resolution
 229

Gyeongbu Expressway
recommending that its member states provide military assistance to South South Korea’s first national expressway connecting Seoul and Busan opened in 1970.
Korea. When the tide of the war turned against the North with the intervention
·
of the UN Forces, the Chinese Red Army intervened in the war on the North’s
side. The two sides engaged in fierce battles until, on July 27, 1953, the two sides
finally signed the 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 South’s favor.
The three-year-long internecine war started by the Communists reduced the
entire Korean Peninsula to rubble. Millions of troops and civilians were killed.
Most of the country’s industrial facilities were destroyed. South Korea became
one of the poorest countries 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
Facts about KOREA

alike, and became the principal engine of the country’s modernization.

History
President Rhee Syngman strengthened his authoritarian rule. 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 by the police, which led to massive protests called the April 19 Revolution.
President Rhee Syngman announced his step-down and took refuge in Hawaii.
Shortly thereafter, the Constitution was amended, and a 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 d’état. In the presidential election held on October 15,
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. pushed ahead with the development of national land, including the construction
The government led by President Park set up a 5-year economic development of the Gyeongbu Expressway and subway lines in large cities. The country also
plan under the slogan of “modernization of the fatherland” and achieved rapid carried out the Saemaeul Undong (New Community Movement), turning the
economic growth by implementing an export-oriented policy. impoverished agricultural society into a country focused mainly on manufacturing.
Observers called it “the Miracle on the Hangang River.” The country vigorously Since the South Korean government was established in 1948, the country has

transformed itself from one of the most impoverished countries in the world to
an economic powerhouse and an exemplar of liberal democracy.
When the government announced the Yusin (Revitalization Reform) in October
1972, which was designed to extend the term of the incumbent government
after eighteen years of dictatorship, students and ordinary people continued to
engage in the democratization movement. After the assassination of President
Park on October 26, 1979, a new group of army officers led by General Chun Doo-
hwan (Singunbu) seized power through a coup d’état. Singunbu suppressed by
force the voices calling for democratization, including the May 18 Democratization
Movement. 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.
Facts about KOREA
On June 29, 1987, Roh Tae-woo, a presidential hopeful of the ruling party,
made a special announcement to the effect that he would accept the people’s
request for democratization and direct election of the President. On December
16, 1987, he was elected to a five-year term as President and sworn in as President
on February 25, 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
on September 17, 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. President Kim Dae-jung took office in 1998 and
his government succeeded in 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 North Korea, the government adopted
the Sunshine Policy. On June 15, 2000, the leaders of the two Koreas met at a
summit held in Pyongyang, North Korea, and made a joint statement. Then, the
231
two Koreas established a system of reconciliation and cooperation, and agreed
on the reunion of dispersed family members, the connection of the Gyeongui
and Donghae railroad lines, the revitalization of unification movements 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: the realization of democracy with the participation
of the people, balanced social development, and the realization of peace and
prosperity in Northeast Asia. The government also held the second summit
between the leaders of the two Koreas in Pyongyang on October 4, 2007 and the
same year signed an FTA with the United States.
The Lee Myung-bak administration, which was inaugurated in 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
History
stressed that it would be a government that would serve the people. It also made
efforts to streamline the government organization, privatize public corporations
equipped with higher efficiency, 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 the creation of a global
Korea under the South-North Economic Community.
With the election of the first female president of the Republic of Korea in
December 2012, the Park Geun-hye administration was launched, presenting
a new vision of the people’s happiness and the nation’s development. Her
government also stressed the need for implementing the creative economy
saying, “A creative economy based on science technologies and ICT is a challenge
that we must take on for our economic breakthrough and the only growth engine
of the Korean economy.”
Launched in May 2017, the Moon Jae-in administration unveiled its national
vision: “A Nation of the People, a Just Republic of Korea,” which signifies the
embodiment of the spirit of the candlelight rallies, in conjunction with five policy
goals to achieve the national vision: a Government of the People, an Economy
Pursuing Mutual Prosperity, a Nation Taking Responsibility for Each Individual,
 233

Well-balanced Development across Every Region, and a Peaceful and Prosperous
Korean Peninsula. As part of these efforts, the government has worked to
eradicate authoritarian culture, communicate with the people, and restore
democracy. It has also created more jobs, reduced the incidence of irregular
work, and increased the minimum wage in efforts to realize a “people-oriented
economy.”
Facts about KOREA
Moreover, the Moon Jae-in administration has paved the way to ease tension
on the Korean Peninsula and open an era of peace by holding inter-Korean
summits as well as South Korea–US and South Korea–China summits. In the face
of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the government has also focused on building
infrastructure, improving related regulations, and securing key technologies for
future generations.

History
·
Moon Jae-in, the 19th President of the Republic of Korea
In May 2017, Moon Jae-in was sworn in as the 19th president of the Republic of Korea.
Stressing the need for “national unity,” President Moon Jae-in pledged that his government
would pursue fairness and cooperation, reform and change, dialogue and communication,
and competence and expertise.
 The 23rd PyeongChang
Unified Silla (676-935)
Winter Olympics (2018)
Buddha at Seokguram Grotto
This work represents the esthetic beauty of
The Paleolithic Age The Three Kingdoms Period Unified Silla. It displays the statue of Shakyamuni
The Neolithic Age Silla (57 BCE–935 CE) Joseon (1392-1910)
who reached the stage of enlightenment.
Baekje (18 BCE–660 CE)
Comb-patterned pottery Goguryeo (37 BCE–668 CE) Hunminjeongeum
Earthenware representing the This book explains the principles on
Neolithic Age that contain geometric Gold crown (Silla the 6th Century) which Hangeul is based. Hangeul is
patterns, such as dots, lines, circles It features three twig-shaped Goryeo (918-1392) the country’s writing system which was
on the surface. upstanding decorations, two deer created by King Sejong (1397-1450).
Janggyeongpanjeon Depositories of Haeinsa Temple
horn-shaped decorations,
and decorations composed of Tripitaka Koreana [a Korean collection of the
round gold plates and comma- Tripitaka (Buddhist scriptures) carved onto The 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan (2002)
shaped jade. It also has two tree roughly 81,258 wooden printing blocks] is the
leaf-shaped hanging accessories. oldest extant collection of Buddhist scriptures
The Bronze Age
with the most comprehensive contents.
Gojoseon The 24th Seoul Summer Olympics (1988)

Liaoning-style bronze
dagger and Slender bronze dagger
Bronze daggers The Korean War (1950-1953)
representing the Bronze Age
through the early Iron Age. Gaya (42-562)
The Samhan Establishment of the government of
Period Armor and helmet
the Republic of Korea (1948)
These items date back to the Gaya period
(5th Century). The steel plates were curved
The Iron Age to meet the contours of the human body and Balhae
Buyeo attached to each other with nails. (698-926) The Korean Empire (1897-1910)
Korea

BCE 5000 2000 1000 500 200 100 CE 200 300 400 500 600 700 900 1000 1100 1200 1300 1400 1500 1800 1900 2000

The Bronze Age Establishment of the

The Period of Five Republic of China (1912)
Shang The Chun Qiu Period (770-476) Later Han
The Three South and North Dynasties and Ten Yuan (1271-1368) Qing (1616-1911) Establishment
(1600-1046) (25-220) Dynasties Kingdoms (907-960)
The Warring States Period (475-221) Kingdoms Period Sui (581-618) of the People’s
Zhou Qin (221-206) (220-280) (420-589) Republic of China
China (1046-256) Chin (265-420) Tang (618-907) Song (960-1279) Ming (1368-1644) (1949)
Former Han (B.C. 206-A.D. 25)

Western Julius Caesar Birth of Jesus Christ Hijra (622), Charles the Great The Hundred WW I (1914-1918)
(101-44) the first year became the Western Years’ War WW II (1939-1945)
of the Islamic Roman emperor (800) First Crusade (1344-1434)
Mesopotamian civilization (1096-1099) The American Civil War
Dynasty of a Unified Egypt The 1st Punic War (264-241) calendar (1861-1865)
The 2nd Punic War (219-201)
The 3rd Punic War (149-146) Mahomet The United States Declaration
Magna Carta (1215)
(570-632) of Independence (1776)
Marco Polo (1254-1324)
Socrates (470-399) The French Revolution (1789-1793)
Anglo Saxons built a kingdom
Alexander the Great (356-323) in England (449) The Thirty Years’ War (1618-1648)

Greek civilization The Roman Empire declared Christianity Luther’s religious revolution (1517)
Establishment of the the state religion (392)
East-west division of the Roman Empire (395) Gutenberg’s printing technology (1455)
Roman Empire (735)
Columbus’s discovery of America (1492)
 239

Constitution

Executive, Legislature,
and Judiciary

Facts about KOREA

Government
Government Independent Organizations
History
at a Glance
Local Governments
Great interest in periodization in Korean history
has been paid since ancient times. As seen in
Samguk sagi (History of the Three Kingdoms) and
Samguk yusa (Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms),
the history of the Silla dynasty can be divided into
three periods: early, mid, and late Silla dynasty.
The classification of periods based on ruling
dynasties had been a generally accepted practice International Relations
until the early 20th century. However, different new
attempts have been made since the introduction of
Western-style modern historical research methods.
 241

Government 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.

The government of the Republic of Korea was launched on

August 15, 1948. Three months earlier, the first 198 members of
Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary
the National Assembly had been elected in the country’s
The National Assembly of the Republic of Korea is the unicameral national
first general election held under UN supervision.
legislature of South Korea that represents the people’s opinions. All the laws of the
On July 17 of the same year, the first National Assembly promulgated
the Constitution. Its members elected Rhee Syngman as the first country are made by the National Assembly. At present, the members serve four-

President on July 20. Rhee Syngman was widely known both inside and year terms. The first National Assembly was launched on May 31, 1948. The 21st

outside of the country as a leader of the country’s independence movement. National Assembly was formed through the legislative elections on April 15, 2020.

The 3rd UN General Assembly held in Paris in December of The National Assembly Proceeding Hall is located in Yeouido near the
that year passed a resolution that the government established Hangang River that flows through Seoul. The National Assembly is composed of
Facts about KOREA

in the south of the 38th parallel was the only legitimate

Government
government on the Korean Peninsula.
Seats of the 21st National Assembly [As of September 2020]

Occupied by Political Parties

Independent 6 Transition Korea 1

Open Democratic Party 3 Basic Income Party 1
Constitution People’s Party 3
South Korea’s Constitution was promulgated on July 17, 1948 after a month and Justice Party 6
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.
People Democratic Party of
The country’s Constitution adopts liberal democracy as the basic principle Power Party 104 Korea 176
of governance. The Constitution guarantees the people’s freedom and rights
under various laws. It also guarantees 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 21st
The Constitution states that the country should endeavor to maintain National Assembly
international peace. It stipulates that international treaties signed and promulgated
 243

역대 대통령
Government Organization Chart

President

Office of the President Presidential Security Service Republic of Korea

Office of National Security Personal Information Protection Commission

National Human Rights Commission of Korea

Board of Audit and Inspection of Korea National Security Council

Moon Jae-in Park Geun-hye Lee Myung-bak Roh Moo-hyun
National Intelligence Service National Unification Advisory Council 19th President 18th President 17th President 16th President
(2017–) (2013–2017) (2008–2013) (2003–2008)
Korea Communications Commission National Economic Advisory Council
Presidential Advisory Council
on Science and Technology

Prime Minister
Facts about KOREA

Office for Government Policy Coordination Prime Minister’s Secretariat

Government
Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Korea Fair Trade Commission

Ministry of Personnel Management Financial Services Commission

Ministry of Government Legislation Anti-corruption and Civil Rights Commission

Ministry of Food and Drug Safety Nuclear Safety and Security Commission

Kim Dae-jung Kim Young-sam Roh Tae-woo Chun Doo-hwan

National Korea Ministry of Economy Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development
Tax Service Customs and Finance Food and Rural Affairs Administration
15th President 14th President 13th President 11th and 12th
Service (1998–2003) (1993–1998) (1988–1993) President
Public Ministry of Trade, Korea Forest Service (1980–1988)
Procurement Ministry of Education
Statistics Industry and Energy
Service Korea Korean Intellectual
Ministry of Science Ministry of Health Property Office
and ICT and Welfare

Ministry of Foreign Ministry of Korea Disease

Affairs Environment Control and
Supreme Prosecutors’ Prevention Agency
Office Republic of Korea Ministry of
Ministry of Unification Korea
Employment and Labor
Defense Acquisition Meteorological
Program Administration Ministry of Gender Administration
Ministry of Justice
Equality and Family
Military Manpower
Administration Ministry of Land,
Ministry of National National Agency for
Infrastructure and Administrative City
Defense
Transport Construction
Korean National
Police Agency Ministry of the Ministry of Oceans Saemangeum
Interior and Safety and Fisheries Development and Choi Kyu-hah Park Chung-hee Yun Bo-seon Rhee Syngman
National Fire Agency Investment Agency 10th President 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, and 4th President 1st, 2nd and
Ministry of Culture, Ministry of SMEs (1979–1980) 9th President (1960–1962) 3rd President
Sports and Tourism and Startups
Cultural Heritage Korea Coast Guard (1963–1979) (1948–1960)
Administration

253 members elected in local constituencies and 47 members elected through
proportional representation. The latter are meant as a means of bringing persons
with specific professional expertise into the assembly. As of September 2020, the
ruling party is the Democratic Party of Korea, due to its plurality in the legislature.
The leading opposition party is the People Power Party.
The executive power is vested in the Executive Branch headed by the
President. Under the Constitution, the President shall be elected by universal,
equal, direct and secret ballot by the people. The term of office of the President
shall be five years, and the President shall not be reelected. President Moon Jae-
in took office on May 10, 2017, after winning the presidential election held the
previous day.
The State Council, usually referred to as the "Cabinet meeting" shall deliberate
on important policies that fall within the power of the Executive. The President
Facts about KOREA
shall be the Chairperson of the State Council, and the Prime Minister shall be
the Vice-Chairperson. If the office of the presidency is vacant or the President is
unable to perform his or her duties for any reason, the Prime Minister controls
the ministries of the government on his/her behalf. As of August 2020, the
Executive Branch of the government operates 23 ministries, 18 administrative
authorities, 2 boards, 4 offices, and 7 committees.
The Judiciary 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.
Sejong Special Self-Governing City *
This is the country’s 17th high-level local government. It was launched in July 2012 for the purpose of
resolving overpopulation in the Seoul Capital Area by distributing the Seoul-centered functions nationwide
as well as of promoting the balanced development of national land and the decentralization system.
As of August 2019, the government relocated to Sejong City 21 executive ministries—including the
Office for Government Policy Coordination, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and the
Ministry of Health and Welfare—and 20 affiliated organizations such as the Tax Tribunal.
245
Independent Organizations
Besides the Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary of the government, a number of
other agencies carry out their respective independent functions.
The Constitutional Court of Korea is an independent and specialized court. Its
primary role is reviewing constitutionality under the Constitution of the Republic
of Korea in conjunction with administrative law functions such as giving final
decisions on impeachments and making judgments on the dissolution of political
parties. Nine Justices serve on the court. Three of the positions are appointed
directly by the President. Of the remaining six positions, three are appointed
by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, and three elected by the National
Assembly. The President of the Constitutional Court is appointed by the President
with the consent of the National Assembly.
The National Election Commission an independent constitutional body, whose
main tasks are managing elections for public office and affairs related to political
Government
parties and political funds. The term of office of the members of the Commission
shall be six years, and they shall not join political parties, nor shall they participate
in political activities. The chairman is elected from among the members.
The National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK) the independent
commission intended to realize the dignity and value of human beings as
sovereign individuals by protecting, advocating and promoting their fundamental
human rights. The commission was launched in November 2001 to reflect the
people’s earnest desire for the improvement of the country’s human rights
conditions revealed during the past democratization process. It also deals with
human rights violations and discriminatory acts received by foreigners residing
or working in South Korea.
Local Governments
South Korea adopted the local autonomous system in June 1995. The Local
Autonomy Act was enacted in 1949, but the act ceased to have effect or the
election was postponed through political upheavals including the Korean War,
the April 19 Revolution, and the May 16 military coup d’état.
 247

Local governments are divided into high-level and low-level local governments.
With the inclusion of the Sejong Special Self-Governing City in July 2012, the
number of high-level local governments increased to 17 (i.e. Seoul Special City,
six metropolises, eight provinces, and Jeju Special Self-Governing Province). The
number of low-level local governments stands at 226 (75 cities (si), 82 counties
(gun), and 69 districts (gu)).
Local government heads and local council members are elected by direct
popular vote for a four-year term. The head of the local government 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.
Facts about KOREA

Government
International Relations
South Korea strives to promote friendly and cooperative relations with other
countries. As of June 2020, South Korea maintains diplomatic relations in
191 countries in total. Among them, the government manages 115 resident
embassies, 5 permanent missions, and 46 consulate generals. The consulate
general provides consular services in a country where the embassy is established.
The permanent mission serves to assist in the realization of the purposes and
principles of the international organizations. In addition, 42 Korean Cultural
Centers are operated in 32 countries to promote South Korean culture.
South Korea 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 the UN in 1991, and joined the OECD in 1996.
The country has also engaged in various activities as a member of the IOC since
1947.

·
South Korea serves as a member of the international community through international
cooperation carried out at the government level and through voluntary activities by private
organizations. (Photo: South Korean COPION volunteers with locals in Kathmandu, Nepal)

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
for peacekeeping, global economic stabilization, environmental conservation in
response to global warming, 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 very efficiently with foreign
exchange issues, the core agenda during the global economic crisis.
The Nuclear Security Summit Seoul 2012 was another event that showed the
status of South Korea playing a key role in the struggle for world peace. 53 world
Facts about KOREA
leaders and 4 heads of international organizations participated in the summit to
discuss measures for further strengthening international cooperation to block
nuclear terrorism.
In December 2014, the ASEAN-ROK Commemorative Summit was held
in Busan. This summit was intended to further deepen trust and partnership
between the Republic of Korea and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
(ASEAN), commemorating the 25th anniversary of ASEAN–ROK dialogue relations.
As a follow-up to the summit, the ASEAN Culture House opened in September
2017 in Haeundae-gu, Busan.
South Korea is enhancing its reputation in the international community by
achieving notable results in the green growth sector. The country has hosted the
UN Green Climate Fund (GCF) designed to limit or reduce greenhouse gas (GHG)
emissions in developing countries, and to help vulnerable societies adapt to the
unavoidable impacts of climate change. In addition, the Global Green Growth
Institute (GGGI) is also headquartered in Seoul.
249
Provision of Support for Developing Countries
The 4th High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness, the largest-scale international
meeting in the development and cooperation sector, was held in November 2011
in Busan, the second largest city of South Korea. This showed the phenomenal
success story of South Korea which transformed itself in only half a century from
one of the most impoverished countries in the world into a donor capable of
providing aid to other countries.
South Korea’s foreign aid programs are coordinated by the Korea
International Cooperation Agency (KOICA). Since its establishment in 1991,
this agency has fulfilled a variety of programs designed to provide support for
developing countries, thereby increasing global understanding and awareness
of South Korea. KOICA provides ODA (Official Development Assistance) of USD
400–500 million annually for developing countries in Asia and Africa; these funds
contribute to numerous areas including education, health, agriculture/forestry/
Government
fisheries, public administration, and industrial energy, among others.
South Korea is also willing to make a great contribution to world peace and
security through participation in a wide range of UN peacekeeping operations
and support for the UN peacekeeping budget. Currently, South Korean troops
are stationed in eight countries including Lebanon, South Sudan, India, Pakistan,
and Western Sahara, where they are tasked with maintaining order, rehabilitation,
medical services, and other activities.
 251

The Korean Economy – the Miracle

on the Hangang River
Facts about KOREA

Korea’s Open Market Capitalist

Economy
Economy
Economy

Industrial Brand Leaders and Korean

Industrial Standards

Efforts to Grow as a Global Power

 253

Economy
Export shipment pier and dock of Hyundai Motor’s Ulsan factory
Cars are one of the country’s major export items.

South Korea has achieved rapid growth in a short period.

The country has displayed global competitiveness in various fields
such as mobile phones, semiconductors, automobiles, chemicals,
and steelmaking. In recent years, its cultural content, including music,
gaming, and webtoons, is emerging as an essential industry
in itself, taking the lead in the Korean economy.
Facts about KOREA

The Korean Economy – the Miracle on the Hangang River
The Constitution of South Korea stipulates that “the right of property of all citizens
shall be guaranteed.” In other words, South Korea is based on a market economy,
and thus it allows individuals and businesses to freely conduct economic activities
and guarantees their profits and properties.
However, the Constitution does not guarantee the limitless, unfettered
pursuit of capitalistic free economy. The Constitution stipulates that an unjust
situation shall be rectified if the abuse of capital is found to cause damage to
people. This serves as a minimal mechanism to improve issues 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 on the Hangang
River”, as most of the country’s 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 export-oriented economic
development plans. At first, the country’s major export items were mainly light
industrial products manufactured in small factories, or raw materials. In the 1970s,
Economy
the country invested in heavy chemical facilities and laid the basis for the export
of heavy industrial products. The country is now leading the semiconductor and
display sectors.
Hosting the 1988 Summer Olympic Games, commonly known as Seoul 1988,
provided the country with the momentum to join the ranks of semi-advanced
countries. The overseas mass media called South Korea one of the four Asian
tigers along with Taiwan, Singapore, and Hong Kong. In December 1996, the
country became the 29th member country of the OECD, which is largely
composed of advanced countries.
South Korea’s exports, which amounted to only USD 32.82 million in 1960,
surpassed the USD 10 billion mark in 1977 and reached USD 542.2 billion in
 255

2019. The country’s GNI per capita was a paltry USD 67 in 1953 around when the
government was established, yet rapidly increased to USD 32,115 in 2019.
South Korea established an export-oriented economic structure centered
on large businesses while pursuing growth in the face of insufficient capital and
resources. This led conglomerates to dominate industry, making the economic
structure heavily reliant on exports and imports, thus leaving the country
susceptible to external economic 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 to confront
after years of rapid economic growth. The country took the drastic step to drive
insolvent 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
Facts about KOREA
3.5 million people joined in the campaign to collect gold to help the government
repay the fund borrowed from the IMF. A total of 227 tons of gold were collected.
The world marveled at the South Koran people’s 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 systems. However, the restructuring
process also had side effects such as the government’s increased fiscal
expenditure and higher income inequality.
After overcoming the economic crisis, the South Korean economy continued
to record solid growth. The country’s GDP more than tripled from USD 504.6 billion
in 2001 to USD 1,646.3 billion in 2019, the 12th largest total in the world. In fact,
during the period 2008–2010, when most parts of the world were experiencing

Economy
South Korea’s five leading export [Unit: USD 1 million, MTI 3 / Korea International
GDP and Per-capita GNI [Bank of Korea, 2020]
Trade Association (KITA), 2019]
items and export amounts

93,930 43,036 16,233

17,252
16,463
15,000
Semiconductors Cars
11,439

5,335
2,703 33,564
643 32,115
81 31,734
29,394
22,118

40,691 22,535 20,657 1,660

6,303
11,292

Petroleum products 225

Automotive parts Flat panel display and
sensors

1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2016 2017 2018 2019

GDP [Unit: USD 100 million] Per capita GNI [Unit: USD 1]
 257

the devastating financial crisis, the country recorded an outstanding economic Trade Volume (Amount of export) [Unit: USD 1 million / Statistics Korea, 2017]

growth rate of 6.3%. The world’s major international news outlets referred to the
economic accomplishment as a “textbook recovery.”
By 2010, South Korea had emerged as the world’s 7th largest exporting 2,280,367

country. From 2011 to 2014, the country’s trade performance amounted to over 1,546,273
1,447,967
USD 1 trillion for four consecutive years. The trade volume retreated slightly in
2015 and 2016 but rebounded to USD 1 trillion in 2017. South Korea’s foreign 698,168

currency reserves amounted to USD 408.8 billion in 2019, and its short-term 573,694
534,977
foreign debt ratio stood at 32.9% as of 2019, which sits around the middle 527,776
506,241 497,579

range among G20 countries. The country’s sovereign credit rating has been at
a stable level.
Facts about KOREA

Korea’s Open Market Capitalist Economy China United Germany Japan South France Nether Italy Hong

Economy
States Korea lands Kong
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 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
Foreign Currency Reserves [Unit: USD 100 million / Bank of Korea, 2020]

base of Northeast Asia.

Market Opening and FTAs

The country has opened its market in most sectors, including agriculture. Koreans
3,636 3,680 3,711 3,893 4,037 4,088
have traditionally attached great importance to agriculture, viewing it as the basis
of the universe. In 2015, the country also opened its rice market, the final area of
the agricultural sector not subject to full international competition.
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.
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
As of 2017, South Korea signed FTAs with 52 countries, including Chile, EFTA,
ASEAN, India, the European Union, Peru, the United States, Turkey, Australia,
 259

Canada, China, New Zealand, Vietnam, and Colombia. In 2017, the country
initialed an FTA with five Central American countries—Costa Rica, El Salvador,
Nicaragua, Honduras, and Panama.
Support for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)
South Korea encourages FDI under the Foreign Investment Promotion Act. In
South Korea, FDI refers to a foreigner’s acquisition of 10% or more of the equity
share of a domestic business through an investment of not less than KRW 100
million, or a foreign-based business’s 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 guarantees
the profits earned by foreign investors and offers them a variety of benefits
such as tax incentives, cash support, and mitigation of land-related regulations.
Facts about KOREA
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.
All of these led to the improved conditions for FDI.
In 2014, South Korea amended the Enforcement Rules of the Foreign
Investment Promotion Act and the Enforcement Decree of the said Act to
establish the criteria for the recognition of headquarters and R&D facilities of
global enterprises. In 2016, the country amended the Foreign Investment
Promotion Act to unify the procedures for registering foreign investments, which

The country also protects foreigners’ intellectual property rights and foreign

Economy
exchange transactions. Therefore, 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.
Specifically, foreign investors are eligible for support from the South Korean
government concerning the land required for the establishment of 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 installment
payments for up to 20 years in cases of purchasing land owned by either the
central government or a local government.
In addition, the South Korean government also provides cash support taking
into consideration FDI amounts 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.
FDI in the country surged right after the foreign exchange crisis in 1998, with
the increasing trend continuing. The reported amount of FDI as of 2019 stood
at USD 23.3 billion; FDI had reached USD 20 billion for five consecutive years. ·
Busan Harbor, the largest port in South Korea
The FDI amount suggests a balanced growth trend in terms of business types,
 261

Foreign Direct Investment [Unit: USD 1 million / Ministry of Trade,

Industry and Energy, 2020]
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 USD 2 trillion. The country is also striving to
26,900 become a major logistics hub of Northeast Asia.
23,329 The country is investing heavily in automation and the sophistication of
22,943
21,299 export/import cargo stevedoring facilities, with the aim of greatly enhancing its
20,910 logistics competitiveness.
19,000 The country is striving to invigorate its air cargo network and expand industrial
complexes situated close to airports.
Incheon International Airport has marked an all-time record in cargo
volume. Growth continued, reaching 2.76 million tons in 2019. According to
Airports Council International (ACI), since 2013, Dubai International Airport
(UAE) has ranked 2nd in terms of international freight volumes, beating Incheon
Facts about KOREA

2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 International Airport. However, Incheon International Airport is striving to take

had previously differed by investment type. The government plans to shift its
policies in support of foreign investors and so called U-turn companies (Korean
firms that refocus their investment on Korea as opposed to investing more
abroad) to promote job creation.
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. In order to create a favorable environment
for FDI, the government hosts Foreign Investment Week (FIW) and provides a
Red Carpet Service for foreign investors. The government also operates projects
to promote FDI in local governments, including sending delegations to study
investment feasibility and supporting investment projects.
The country also designates locals in the Unites States, the United Kingdom,
China, and Japan as PR ambassadors for FDI in the country.
Economy
its spot back by securing a future growth engine through the introduction of the
incentive system to logistics in 2018.
Air cargo has high added value. It accounts for about one 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 aviation logistics system is being drastically improved by
utilizing advanced information and communication technologies. Incheon
International Airport is equipped with high-tech air logistics information systems
for cargo reservations and cargo tracking and continues to make up for the
errors.
With the opening of Terminal 2 in January 2018, the annual cargo capacity of
Incheon International Airport has increased from the previous 4.5 million tons to
5.8 million tons.
It is noteworthy that Incheon International Airport has ranked first in the world
for 12 consecutive years in the annual evaluation of airport services conducted
 263
Facts about KOREA

Economy
·
Incheon Airport as a Hub Airport
Incheon Airport is a regional hub airport, where all airplanes around the world can be
operated for 24 hours without worrying about weather condition. In Northeast Asia, the main regional
hub airports include Kansai Airport in Osaka, Chek Lap Kok Airport in Hong Kong,
Pudong Airport in Shanghai, and Incheon Airport in South Korea.
 265

Trends in air cargo through put and transshipment [Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and
Transport, 2019]
by the ACI, a consultative council for more than 1,700 airports around the world.
volume at Incheon International Airport
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
2.95
2.92
with the Airports Council International Hall of Fame.
2.71
2.68 Located on the peninsula, South Korea has many international trade ports
2.60
2.56
2.54
2.42 2.31
2.46 2.46 including Busan, Incheon, Pyeongtaek, Gwangyang, Ulsan, Pohang, and Donghae.
In 2019, the volume of cargo handled at the country’s ports stood at 1,643.97
million tons (RT), increasing by 1.2% year on year.
49.2 47.8
43.8 45.6 44.6 42.9 40.6 39.8 39.5 39.4
38.7

Industrial Brand Leaders

and Korean Industrial Standards
The government is committed to diversifying export items and enhancing their
Facts about KOREA

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
quality through the annual selection of first-rate quality goods. The project,

Economy
Cargo throughput [Unit: in metric tons] Transshipment volume [Unit: % cargo throughput]
which began in 2001 with 120 items and 140 companies, expanded to 817 items
and 917 companies in 2019, and their export share has also played a pivotal
role in the Korean economy, accounting for about 40% of the country’s exports
Container throughput and [Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, 2020]
over the past five years. In particular, the proportion of small and medium-sized
transshipment at ports
businesses increased from 37% in 2001 to 76% in 2019. Thus, it contributes to

1,097 enhancing their brand images and facilitating their entry into the global market.
1,089
1,053
1,000 Information technology is the strongest element of the country’s economy, a
970
952
913 914 sector that encompasses all the skills required for management innovation and
892
819 332
administrative reform as well as ones relating to computer software, the Internet,
317
720 260 multimedia, and communication devices.
246 243
233
210
The country’s well-established communication infrastructure was further
196
178 enhanced with a 4G nationwide network; 5G (fifth-generation wireless technology)
147
129 mobile internet services were already on offer in 2019. South Korea’s ICT-related
exports amounted to USD 176.9 billion in 2019.
The country displays solid international competitiveness in cellphones,
semiconductors, computers, and peripheral devices, and ceaselessly strives
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
to maintain its leading position in these sectors amid the rapidly changing
Container throughput [Unit: 1,000 T] Transshipment volume [Unit: 1,000 T] information technology environment.

Facts about KOREA
·
Video Games, Leading Cultural Content
South Korea has emerged as a leading exporter of cultural content,
such as K-pop, broadcast programs, and video games, in addition to cars and electronic goods.
The photo shows visitors enjoying diverse games at G-Star 2017 held in Busan.
South Korea is also one of the world’s largest car manufacturing countries.
In 2019, the country ranked 7th in the world, with the number of cars produced
reaching 39.51 million. In addition, the country boasts global competitiveness in
other industries such as steel and chemicals.
As a relatively new export sector for South Korea, the export amount of cultural
content rose significantly, from USD 2.3 billion in 2008 to USD 9.6 billion in 2018.
Cultural content includes publishing, music, video games, characters, broadcasts,
films and webtoons. Among these, South Korea focuses on the gaming industry
and the game content.
In 2018, the domestic gaming industry generated approximately KRW 14
trillion in sales, and also about USD 6.4 billion in exports. Korea’s PC and mobile
games are gaining popularity not only in Asia including China and Japan, but also
267
in North America.
The government proposed a blueprint for becoming a leading country in the
Fourth Industrial Revolution by supporting innovative start-ups and proactively
responding to technological change.
As part of such efforts, a special committee on the Fourth Industrial Revolution
will focus on creating an ecosystem for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, in which
new ICT technologies and services can create new pathways. The committee will
also serve as a strategic platform that prepares for the nation’s future through
regulatory reform, basic research, human resources development, and strategic
investment in future industries.
South Korea took the second spot in the 2020 Bloomberg Global Innovation
Index, having reigned in the top three for nine consecutive years since 2012. The
Bloomberg Innovation Index evaluates countries using seven metrics,
Economy
Efforts to Grow as a Global Power
At present, South Korea is putting every effort into transforming itself into a
global economic system. Although the country accomplished rapid growth within
a short period of time, this led to an imbalance in the development between large
businesses and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) due to the economic
policy that was heavily dependent on the export led by large enterprises. As
such, the need for shared growth was singled out as a potential solution to the
problem. This was recognized as a global issue amid the global economic 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 resolving conflicts between large businesses and
SMEs based on a social consensus.
The 2010 G20 Seoul Summit was held, with the theme: Shared Growth Beyond
 269

The Seoul Summit Leaders’ Declaration emphasized the role of developing

and emerging countries in a move to put an end to the foreign exchange war
between major countries and to reform the IMF, which used to be centered on
industrialized countries. It also focused on the pressing need to stabilize global
financial markets and provide support for impoverished countries struggling for
economic development. This declaration went a long way towards enhancing the
status of South Korea in global economic and financial markets.
Facts about KOREA

Economy
·
2010 G20 Seoul Summit

Crisis. The G20 Summit was established 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 2010 G20 Seoul Summit, South Korea assumed the position of the Chair,
which indicates that the country’s active role in the international economic order.
The summit leaders adopted the G20 Seoul Summit Leaders’ Declaration
along with the Seoul Summit Document for the framework for strong, sustainable
and balanced growth. They also announced three annexes: Seoul Development
Consensus for Shared Growth, the Multiyear Action Plan, and the Anti-Corruption
Action Plan.
 271

Peace, A New Start:

The Panmunjeom Declaration

Inter-Korean

Inter-Korean Relations
Facts about KOREA

Historical Background

Relations
Inter-Korean Exchanges and
Cooperation

Efforts for Lasting Peace


Inter-Korean
Relations
South Korea has ceaselessly made efforts to relieve tensions
on the Korean Peninsula and open up a new path toward peace.
As a result, the inter-Korean summit that took place in 2018
for the first time in 11 years since 2007 laid the foundation
for the groundbreaking improvement in inter-Korean relations and the
advancement of permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula.
Facts about KOREA
· tension and paved the way for complete denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula.”
President Moon Jae-in and Chairman Kim Jong Un take a stroll on the footbridge
at the inter-Korean border village of Panmunjeom.
273
Peace, A New Start: The Panmunjeom Declaration
On April 27, 2018, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission Kim Jong Un crossed
the border into South Korea for an inter-Korean summit held at the Peace House on
the southern side of the border village of Panmunjeom, becoming the first North
Korean leader to set foot on South Korean soil. During the historic summit, President
Moon Jae-in and Chairman Kim Jong Un agreed to facilitate groundbreaking
advancements in inter-Korean relations, and to establish a permanent and solid
peace regime on the Korean Peninsula by signing the Panmunjeom Declaration for
Peace, Prosperity and Unification of the Korean Peninsula.
The major agreements made in the Panmunjeom Declaration are as follows:
The two sides agreed to establish a permanent and peaceful Korean peninsula
peace regime through complete denuclearization; to continue high-level working-
level talks for bringing an end to the current unnatural state of armistice and
Inter-Korean Relations
establishing a firm peace regime on the Korean Peninsula in 2018; to frequently
have an in-depth discussion through regular meetings and hotlines, along with
the visit of President Moon Jae-in to Pyongyang in fall of 2018; to establish a joint
liaison office with resident representatives of both sides in the Gaeseong area;
to stop all hostile acts and further transform the DMZ into a peace zone; to hold
the reunion of separated families and relatives with the upcoming August 15
as an occasion and invigorate multi-faceted cooperation, exchanges, visits and
contacts of people from all levels of society; and to relink and modernize railways
and roads on the eastern and western coasts.
North Korea’s additional pledges to dismantle its Punggye-ri Nuclear Test Site
in public view and to change its time zone to match that of South Korea were
implemented in May 2018.
The most crucial part of the Panmunjeom Declaration, which was North Korea’s
strong will to denuclearize, immediately drew massive global media attention. CNN
said, “The two Koreas will bring a formal end to the Korean War, ceasing 64 years
of hostilities,” while CCTV commented, “South Korea and North Korea eased military
On May 26, 2018, the South Korean and North Korean leaders met again at
Tongilgak on the northern side of Panmunjeom. Their second summit called for

cooperative efforts to implement the Panmunjeom Declaration and to successfully
hold the planned North Korea-US summit. The two leaders also reaffirmed their
commitment to meet at any time and in any place if the need arose.
On September 18, 2018, the third inter-Korean summit was held in Pyongyang,
North Korea. The leaders of the two Koreas signed the Pyongyang Joint Declaration
of September 2018 before announcing it at a joint press conference on that day.
This declaration includes measures to expand the cessation of military hostilities
including substantially lowering the danger of war on the Korean Peninsula,
in addition to inter-Korean economic cooperation such as the connection of
railways and roads along the east and west coasts.
The 2018 Inter-Korean Summit was a watershed moment for denuclearization
and peace on the Korean Peninsula as well as the advancement of inter-Korean
relations. Their severed ties have been reconnected, and Panmunjeom, which
Facts about KOREA
had been a symbol of division, has become a symbol of peace.
In addition, the successful inter-Korean summit laid the groundwork for the
first North Korea-US summit held in Singapore on June 12, 2018. The back-to-back
summit between the leaders of the two Koreas led to the first, historic summit
between President Donald J. Trump of the United States and Chairman Kim Jong
Un of North Korea held in Singapore on June 12, 2018, which became milestones
toward the peaceful resolution of North Korean nuclear issues and peace on the
Korean Peninsula, a goal fully shared by the international community. The second
North Korea-U.S. summit was held in Hanoi, Vietnam on February 27, 2019.
President Moon Jae-in’s Policy on the Korean Peninsula
President Moon Jae-in’s policy on the Korean Peninsula is a long-term and
comprehensive policy led by South Korea and North Korea to realize peace
Simultaneous Admission of the two Koreas to the UN *
South Korea and North Korea have held five inter-Korean summits as of 2020. Even before that, an
atmosphere of reconciliation emerged as the former administration of the South adopted the Northern
Policy. As a result, the two Koreas agreed to join the United Nations simultaneously at the 46th UN
General Assembly in September 1991.
Two Koreas’ simultaneous joining of the U.N. is of historical significance as it ended the debate on
authenticity and legitimacy on the Korean Peninsula and opened an era of reconciliation and coexistence.
275
and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula, with the involvement of neighboring
Northeast Asian countries together with international society. The three goals
of the policy are: to uphold peace with the highest priority; to pursue a Korean
Peninsula of co-prosperity based on the spirit of mutual respect; to establish
sustainable inter-Korean relations; and to build a new economic order that will
bring peace and prosperity to the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia.
Historical Background
With Japan’s 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 south and north of the 38th parallel, respectively. This
resulted in the division of Korea into two separate countries.
Inter-Korean Relations
On June 25, 1950, North Korea attacked the South on all fronts, igniting a
three-year internecine war. The tragic war was stopped with the signing of the
Korean Armistice Agreement on July 27, 1953. The peninsula has remained divided
ever since, but a mood for peace has recently developed after years of tension.
Inter-Korean Exchanges and Cooperation
Between September 1990 and October 1992, the two Koreas 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, Non-
aggression, and Exchanges and Cooperation between the South and the North
(also called the Inter-Korean Basic Agreement). The agreement 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 South’s government continued to provide support
for 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.
Such assistance was later suspended due to North Korea’s nuclear tests and
other provocations, but humanitarian aid through private organizations resumed
in 2015.
The supply of fertilizer was also an effective way to help starving North Koreans,
considering that the North’s food shortage is not a temporary phenomenon but is
attributable to the inefficient farming system and a lack of fertilizers and pesticides.
The Inter-Korean Summits held in 2000 and 2007 provided the momentum
for a dramatic invigoration of dialogue, exchange, and cooperation between the
two sides. However, the South temporarily suspended the supply of food and
fertilizers after the North’s 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.
Facts about KOREA
The deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system
in South Korea has led to some instability in the relations between neighboring
powers (United States, China, Japan, and Russia). However, the Moon Jae-in
administration has made aggressive efforts toward peace. In September 2017,
the Moon government deliberated and approved a plan to send humanitarian
aid worth USD 8 million to North Korea at the request of an international
organization under the United Nations. The South Korean government also
induced North Korea to participate in the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics.
Such a reconciliatory mood led to the 2018 Inter-Korean Summit, paving the way
for a denuclearized Korean Peninsula.
Reunion of Dispersed Family Members
It is estimated that there are about 10 million family members separated by the
Korean War. Since the 1970s, South Korea and North Korea have attempted to
hold reunions for war-torn families through inter-Korean Red Cross meetings.
The two Koreas held Red Cross talks intermittently, including the first meeting in
Pyongyang in August 1972 followed by intermittent negotiations including the
2nd meeting in Seoul in September that year, but ended up suspending such
talks in 1978 after continuing controversy.
277
The two sides resumed meetings in the 1980s, and, finally, reached an
agreement on reciprocal visits. A group of 30 people from the North paid a visit
to the South while a group of 35 people from the South paid a visit to the North
for four days beginning on 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.
The 2000 inter-Korean summit paved the way for reunions of separated
family members in the two Koreas. Since then, a total of 20 inter-Korean family
reunions had been held until 2015. A family reunion center was set up in the
Mount Geumgang resort for inter-Korean reunions of dispersed families. In
addition, the two sides separately held seven rounds of video reunions between
2005 and 2007.
Unfortunately, those reunions have not taken place since the last event at
Inter-Korean Relations
Geumgangsan Mountain in 2015. However, the two Koreas are now considering
holding various exchanges among divided families including the resumption of
the August 15 family reunions as agreed in the Panmunjeom Declaration.
Kaesong Industrial Complex
Kaesong is the third largest city in North Korea along with Pyongyang and
Nampo. The city offers clear advantages to businesses from South Korea,
June 25, 1950 July 27, 1953 July 4, 1972
Outbreak of the Korean War The signing of the Armistice Announcement of South-
Agreement North Joint Statement

including the geographical proximity to the South. Kaesong is just 8 km away
from Panmunjeom.
The Kaesong Industrial Complex, the signature project of South Korea’s
Sunshine Policy, allowed private businesses from South Korea to build factories
on land leased by North Korea for 50 years for the production of goods by
domestic and foreign firms. Construction began in 2000, and companies started
their operations in earnest in 2005. At one point, more than 120 manufacturers
from South Korea employed over 50,000 North Korean workers. The project
was regarded as a good example of inter-Korean economic cooperation as the
complex was operated with the capital and technology of South Korea, and the
labor force of North Korea.
Afterward, North Korea’s continued nuclear tests frayed bilateral ties, leading
to the withdrawal of South Korean companies in February 2016.
Facts about KOREA
Concerning the Kaesong Industrial Complex, the two sides have signed four
agreements. One is on the normalization of the complex, and the other three on
communications/customs clearance/quarantine, access, and a stay.
Since the July 4th South–North Joint Statement, the two Koreas have made
efforts to improve relations by signing different agreements including the
Agreement on Reconciliation, Non-Aggression, and Exchanges and Cooperation
between South and North Korea (Inter-Korean Basic Agreement); the Joint
November 30, 1972 September 20-23, 1985 November 18, 1998
The first meeting of the The first reunion of Commencement of
South-North Coordinating dispersed family members South Koreans’ visit to
Committee Geumgangsan Mountain
279
Declaration of the Denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula; the June 15 South-
North Joint Declaration; the Agreement on the Creation and Operation of a Joint
Military Commission; and the Agreement on the Establishment and Operation
of the South–North Liaison Office. As the confrontational relationship came to
an end with the Panmunjeom Declaration, the two Koreas are mapping out
new economic plans for the Korean Peninsula through various inter-Korean
exchanges including the opening of the second Kaesong Industrial Complex.
Efforts for Lasting Peace
The government of the South has made efforts for a permanent settlement of
peace on the Korean Peninsula and the development of good relations with the
North through dialogue, exchange, and cooperation. It has stuck to its basic stance
Inter-Korean Relations
that 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 North’s temporary closure of the Kaesong 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,
June 13-15, 2000 December 15, 2004 October 2-4, 2007
2000 Inter-Korean Summit: Opening of the Kaesong 2007 Inter-Korean Summit:
Adoption of the Industrial Complex Adoption of the “Declaration
“June 15 South-North on the Advancement
Joint Declaration” of South-North Relations,
Peace and Prosperity”
 281

Production volume and workers of [Ministry of Unification, 2015]

South Korea may be claimed to be one of the safest countries in the world.
Kaesong Industrial Complex
The Moon Jae-in administration, which was inaugurated in May 2017, has
strived to improve inter-Korean relations, settle peace on the Korean Peninsula,
56,330
and lay the groundwork for future unification by building mutual trust based on
46,950 46,997
40,185 dialogue and cooperation. In particular, the Panmunjeom Declaration signed
32,332
25,142 25,648 22,378
on April 27, 2018, which reaffirmed the goal of completely denuclearizing the
18,478
peninsula and building a peace regime, has been supported by related countries
54,988
7,373 53,448 53,947 and the international community.
52,329
49,866
1,491 46,284 The Government of South Korea, together with North Korea, will continue to
42,561
38,931 accelerate the joint development of the two Koreas and to solidify the foundation
22,538
11,189
of peaceful reunification.
7,621
To this end, South Korea and North Korea are discussing current issues
through regular talks and a direct communication line to build trust with the

Inter-Korean Relations
Facts about KOREA

ultimate aim that a unified Korea will contribute to the peace and prosperity of
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 the region and the world.

Production Volume [Unit: USD 10,000]

North Korean workers [Unit: Person]

December 5, 2007
Commencement of South
Koreans’ visit to Kaesong
February 9, 2018
South Korea and North
Korea marched together
at the opening ceremony
of the PyeongChang
Winter Olympics.
April 27, 2018 May 26, 2018 September 18, 2018
2018 Inter-Korean Summit: 2018 Inter-Korean Summit: 2018 Inter-Korean Summit:
Signing of the Reaffirmation of the Announcement of the
Panmunjeom Declaration by pledge to implement the Pyongyang Joint Declaration
the two Koreas Panmunjeom Declaration by of September 2018 by Both
both Korean leaders Korean leaders
 283
For further information on Korea’s cultural heritage,
please visit the Cultural Heritage
Administration website at www.cha.go.kr.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
01. Seokguram Grotto
and Bulguksa Temple (1995)
Korean Buddhist cultural heritage
showing the architectural technology and
formative aesthetics of the Silla dynasty
Location Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
02. Haeinsa Temple Janggyeong Panjeon,
the Depositories for the Tripitaka
Koreana Woodblocks (1995)
Appendix
Buildings built as depositories with the
purpose of storing the Tripitaka Koreana,
Facts about KOREA
the most complete collection of Buddhist
texts, engraved on 80,000 woodblocks in
the 13th century
Location Hapcheon-gun,
Gyeongsangnam-do
03. Jongmyo Shrine (1995)
A Confucian shrine housing the memorial
tablets of Joseon’s kings and their
queen consorts, and direct ancestors
of the dynasty’s founder who were
posthumously invested with royal titles
Location Jongno-gu, Seoul
04. Changdeokgung Palace (1997)
The official royal palace of the Joseon
dynasty for 258 years from 1610 to 1868
Location Jongno-gu, Seoul
05. Hwaseong Fortress (1997)
A cultural property of highly historical
significance and architectural value
among fortresses of the Joseon Dynasty
Location Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do
06. Gyeongju Historic Areas (2000)
The well-preserved remains of Gyeongju,
the capital of Silla for one millennium
Location Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
07. Gochang, Hwasun,
and Ganghwa Dolmen Sites (2000)
Countless lithic monuments, which
were used as grave markers and for
ritual purposes, showing the culture,
technology, and social phenomena of
prehistoric times on the Korean Peninsula
Location Gochang-gun in Jeollabuk-do,
Hwasun-gun in Jeollanam-do, and
Ganghwa-gun in Incheon
08. Jeju Volcanic Island
and Lava Tubes (2007)
Volcanic cones and lava tubes formed
Appendix
by eruptions of Hallasan Mountain, the
highest mountain in South Korea
Location Jeju-si and Seogwipo-si
in Jeju Island
09. Royal Tombs of
the Joseon Dynasty (2009)
Historic sites intended to preserve a
collection of 44 royal tombs (of kings and
queen consorts) built over five centuries
Location Seocho-gu in Seoul, and
Guri-si and Yeoju-si in Gyeongggi-do
10. Historic Villages of Korea:
Hahoe and Yangdong (2010)
The two most representative historic clan
villages sheltered by forested mountains
and facing out onto a river and open
agricultural fields
Location Andong-si and Gyeongju-si,
Gyeongsangbuk-do

UNESCO World Heritage Sites
11. Namhansanseong (2014)
One of the four fortresses designed to
guard Hanyang, the capital of the Joseon
dynasty, which shows the architectural
techniques for fortification
dating back to the 7th to 19th centuries
Location Gwangju-si, Gyeonggi-do
12. Baekje Historic Areas (2015)
This archaeological site represents
the historical relationships among
the East Asian ancient kingdoms of
Facts about KOREA
Korea, China, and Japan from the 5th
to the 7th centuries, and the resulting
development of architectural skills
and spread of Buddhism.
Location Gongju-si and Buyeo-gun
in Chungcheongnam-do
and Iksan-si in Jeollabuk-do
13. Sansa, Buddhist Mountain
Monasteries in Korea (2018)
Cultural heritage represented
by seven mountain temples: Beopjusa,
Magoksa, Seonamsa, Daeheungsa,
Bongjeongsa, Buseoksa, and Tongdosa.
They have practiced the tradition of
Korean Buddhism for over 1,000 years
since the 7th century.
Location Boeun-gun in
Chungcheongbuk-do, Gongju-si in
Chungcheongnam-do, Suncheon-si and
Haenam-gun in Jeollanam-do, Andong-si
and Yeongju-si in Gyeongsangbuk-do,
and Yangsan-si in Gyeongsangnam-do
UNESCO Memory of the World
14. Seowon,
Korean Neo-Confucian Academies
Cultural heritage sites that served as
educational institutions in the 16th
to 17th centuries, which comprises
nine seowon including Sosuseowon,
Dosanseowon, and Byeongsanseowon
Confucian Academies
Location Andong-si, Hadong-si, and
Yeongju-si in Gyeongsangbuk-do,
Miryang-si in Gyeongsangnam-do,
Daegu-si, Jangseong-gun
in Jeollanam-do, Jeongeup-si
in Jeollabuk-do, and Nonsan-si
in Chungcheongnam-do
285
15. Hunminjeongeum
(The Proper Sounds for
the Instruction of the People) (1997)
A single-volume xylographic book printed
in 1446, containing commentaries
on the Korean writing system
16. The Annals of
the Joseon Dynasty (1997)
A huge collection of the annals of the
Joseon dynasty from 1392 to 1863,
bound in 1,893 chapters in 888 books
17. Baegun Hwasang Chorok Buljo
Jikji Simche Yojeol (vol. II),
the second volume of
an Anthology of Great Buddhist
Priests’ Zen Teachings (2001)
An advanced-level textbook published for
monk-scholars in medieval Korea
18. Seungjeongwon Ilgi: The Diaries of
the Royal Secretariat (2001)
The largest amount of authentic historic
recordings and state secrets of the
Joseon Dynasty
19. Uigwe: The Royal Protocols of
the Joseon Dynasty (2007)
Rare and exquisite collections of
illustrated records on important state
and royal occasions of the Joseon dynasty
20. Printing Woodblocks of
the Tripitaka Koreana and
Miscellaneous Buddhist
Scriptures (2007)
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
21. Donguibogam: Principles and
Practice of Eastern Medicine (2009)
An encyclopedia of medical knowledge
and treatment techniques compiled
in Korea in 1613 and edited by
Heo Jun with the collective support of
medical experts and literati according
to royal instruction
22. Ilseongnok: Records of
Daily Reflections (2011)
Diaries kept by Joseon rulers between
1752 and 1910, containing records of
state affairs and the daily activities of
Appendix
Joseon kings
23. Human Rights Documentary
Heritage 1980 Archives for the May
18th Democratic Uprising against
Military Regime, in Gwangju (2011)
A vast collection of documents, videos,
photographs, etc. on the democratic
movements that spread in and around
Gwangju in May 1980
24. Nanjung Ilgi: War Diary of
Admiral Yi Sun-sin (2013)
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)
25. Archives of Saemaul Undong
(New Community Movement) (2013)
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

UNESCO Memory of the World
26. Confucian Printing
Woodblocks (2015)
This documentary heritage is composed
of 64,226 hand-carved blocks used
for printing 718 titles of works written
during the Joseon dynasty, which have
been donated by 305 family clans and
Confucian academies.
27. The Archives of
the KBS Special Live Broadcast,
“Finding Dispersed Families” (2015)
Facts about KOREA
The archives are composed of 20,522
records of live broadcasts for 138 days
by the Korean Broadcasting System of
reunions of war-separated families from
10:15 p.m. on June 30 to 4:00 a.m. on
November 14, 1983. They include 463
videotapes lasting a total of 453 hours,
and 45 minutes of broadcasts, producers’
journals, applications to participate,
broadcast ephemera, cue sheets,
audiotapes, and photographs.
28. Royal Seal and
Investiture Book Collection of
the Joseon Dynasty (2017)
Royal seals are stamps with beautiful
names engraved on gold, silver, and
jade, including royal edicts written
on a five-colored silk material, which
enlighten and advise the recipient on
their duties and responsibilities; jade or
bamboo books were given at occasions
of investiture or the respectful bestowal
titles and investiture books made of gold
contain texts engraved on gilt bronze
plates.
UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity
29. Archives of the National Debt
Redemption Movement (2017)
This documentary heritage chronicles
the entire process and history of a
nationwide campaign undertaken by the
Korean public from 1907 to 1910, which
was intended to help their government
pay back a debt owed to Japan and save
their country from colonization.
30. Documents on Joseon Tongsinsa/
Chosen Tsushinshi: The History
of Peace Building and Cultural
Exchanges between Korea and Japan
from the 17th to 19th Century (2017)
These are collective materials related to
the 12 diplomatic missions dispatched
from Korea to Japan between 1607 and
1811 at the request of Japan’s Tokugawa
Shogunate government.
287
31. Royal Ancestral Ritual in the
Jongmyo Shrine and Its Music (2001)
A traditional performance of music,
song, and dance presented during the
memorial rite held at the Royal Ancestral
Shrine
32. Pansori Epic Chant (2003)
A genre of musical storytelling
performed by a solo performer to the
accompaniment of a single drummer,
presenting an epic story by combining
singing, narratives, and gestures
33. Gangneung Danoje Festival (2005)
A time-honored summer festival held on
the 5th day of the 5th lunar month
34. Ganggangsullae (2009)
A traditional folk celebration with singing
and dancing performed by women to
celebrate moon festivals
35. Namsadang Nori (2009)
Folk performances traditionally
presented to rural communities by an
itinerant troupe of about 40 performers
(namsadang) led by the chief musician
(kkokdusoe)
36. Yeongsanjae (2009)
A Buddhist ritual performed to comfort
and guide the spirits of the dead to the
Buddhist land of bliss
37. Jeju Chilmeoridang
Yeongdeunggut (2009)
A traditional shamanic ritual practiced at
Chilmeoridang, a shrine for the village
tutelary of Geonip-dong, Jeju-si
38. Cheoyongmu (2009)
A court dance performed by
five dancers wearing Cheoyong masks
and costumes in five cardinal colors
39. Gagok, Lyric Song Cycles
Accompanied by an Orchestra (2010)
A genre of traditional Korean vocal music
performed by putting sijo, a stanza
of three verses, to a melody with an
accompaniment of orchestral music
40. Daemokjang, Traditional Wooden
Architecture (2010)
Appendix
The term “Daemokjang” refers to
traditional Korean wooden architecture
and specifically to the woodworkers
in charge of the entire construction
process, including the planning, design,
and construction of buildings, and the
supervision of subordinate carpenters
41. Falconry, A Living Human
Heritage (2010)
A method of obtaining food by training
falcons to hunt for quarry
42. Jultagi, Tightrope Walking (2011)
A traditional Korean form of
entertainment in which a tightrope
walker performs a variety of acrobatic
feats on the rope while making witty and
comedic gestures called balim
43. Taekkyeon, A Traditional Korean
Martial Art (2011)
A traditional Korean martial
that makes use of fluid, rhythmic
dance-like movements to strike or
trip up an opponent, usually using
their hands and feet

UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity
44. Weaving of Mosi (Fine Ramie)
in the Hansan Region (2011)
The tradition of weaving ramie cloth,
a fine-quality fabric used to produce
a variety of clothing
45. Arirang, Lyrical Folk Song in the
Republic of Korea (2012)
A folk song with many variations
cherished by the Korean people
throughout history
46. Kimjang, Making and
Facts about KOREA
Sharing Kimchi (2013)
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
47. Nongak, Community Band Music,
Dance, and Rituals
in the Republic of Korea (2014)
A performance art derived from
communal rites to pray for
enhanced solidarity in the community
and the well-being of the villagers
48. Tugging Rituals and Games (2015)
This is a community game
composed of two teams, each of which
pulls one end of a rope or a stick,
attempting to tug it away from the other.
It is performed as an agricultural ritual to
pray for an abundant harvest.
UNESCO Biosphere Reserves
49. Culture of Jeju Haenyeo
(Women Divers) (2016)
The culture of Jeju haenyeo (women
divers) consists of underwater swimming
skills that are passed down to younger
generations in families, Jamsugut
(prayers asked the goddess of the sea
for safety and an abundant catch),
and haenyeo songs.
50. Traditional Korean Wrestling
(Ssirum/Ssireum) (2018)
Ssireum is a folk game that has been
handed down based on Korean
community culture, in which two
opponents try to push each other to
the ground using a satpa (a fabric strap
connecting the waist and leg),
their torso, hands, and legs.
289
01. Seoraksan Biosphere Reserve
Seoraksan Mountain was first
designated as a UNESCO’s biosphere
reserve in South Korea in recognition
of the excellent natural environment
and ecological value. It is home to
endangered wildlife, natural monuments,
and rare plants.
Location Inje-gun, Gangwon-do
02. Jeju Island Biosphere Reserve
The entire island has been designated
as UNESCO’s biosphere reserve in
recognition of abundant species and
unique ecosystems on Jeju Island, including
Hallasan Mountain, Gotjawal (forest),
parasitic cones, and the Chuja Islands.
Location Jeju Special Self-Governing
Province
03. Shinan Dadohae Biosphere Reserve
This biosphere reserve not only consists
of 1,004 islands, each of which forms
independent culture, but also has the
mudflats of abundant biodiversity along
with natural evaporation salt farms.
Location Jeollanam-do
04. Gwangneung Forest
Biosphere Reserves
The Gwangneung forest, designated
for the tomb of King Sejo, the seventh
king of the Joseon Dynasty, shows
excellent ecological value because of
its well-preserved pristine forest for
more than 560 years.
Location Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi-do
05. Gochang Biosphere Reserve
The Gochang Biosphere Reserve
consists of abundant natural and
cultural resources, including Seonunsan
Provincial Park, the Dolmen site
registered as a World Heritage Site, and
the Gochang/Buan Tidal Flats protected
as a Ramsar sites. For this reason,
the entire island has been designated
as a UNESCO’s biosphere reserve.
Location Gochang-gun, Jellabuk-do
06. Suncheon Biosphere Reserve
The Suncheon Biosphere Reserve
includes the terrestrial ecosystems
surrounding Suncheon City centered on
Jogyesan Provincial Park, as well as
Appendix
the Dongcheon Estuary in Suncheonman
Bay, which is protected as a national
wetland conservation area.
Location Suncheon-si, Jellanam-do
07. Gangwon Ecological Peace
Biosphere Reserve
The Gangwon Ecological Peace Biosphere
Reserve located at the watershed of
the Baekdudaegan Mountain Range
borders the southern limit of the
Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) to the north.
Thus, it is home to a wide range of
rare and endangered flora and fauna.
Location Cheorwon-gun, Hwacheon-
gun, Yanggu-gun, Inje-gun, and
Goseong-gun in Gangwon-do
08. Yeoncheon Imjin River
Biosphere Reserve
The Yeoncheon Imjin River Biosphere
Reserve encompasses the ecological,
geological, and natural values
the Imjingang and Hantangang Rivers.
It also boasts cultural heritage showing
the entire history of the Korean Peninsula.
Location Yeoncheon-gun, Gyeonggi-do

UNESCO Global Geopark
01. Jeju Island UNESCO Global Geopark
Jeju Island UNESCO Global Geopark
has a variety of volcanic landforms and
geological resources. Thus, the entire
island is protected as Global Geoparks,
including the Hallasan Mountain,
Suwolbong Peak, Sanbangsan Mountain,
Yongmeori Beach, and columnar joints.
Location Jeju Special Self-Governing
Province
02. Cheongsong UNESCO Global Geopark
Facts about KOREA
Depending on geological features,
Cheongsong UNESCO Global Geopark
is divided into two geosites. One is
the Juwangsan Mountain zone with
distinctive geological phenomena and
scenery formed by volcanic eruptions,
and the other is the Sinseong Valley zone
created through the geologic processes
of sedimentary rocks.
Location Cheongsong-gun,
Gyeongsangbuk-do
03. Mudeungsan Area
UNESCO Global Geopark
Mudeungsan Area UNESCO Global
Geopark features a variety of
academically valuable geoheritage
and ecological heritage, including
the Columnar Joints in Mudeungsan
Mountain, the Dinosaur Fossil Site in
Seoyu-ri, Hwasun-gun, and
Chuwolsan Mountain in Damyang.
Location Gwangju Metropolitan City,
and Damyang-gun and Hwasun-gun in
Jeollanam-do
National Museums in Korea
04. Hantangang River
UNESCO Global Geopark
Hantangang River UNESCO Global
Geopark has picturesque views and
geographical features of nature created
by hot lava that flowed 54,000 to
120,000 years ago, such as cliffs of
basalt columnar joints and falls in some
areas near the Hantangang
and Imjingang Rivers.
Location Cheorwon-gun, Gangwon-do
291
For further information on Korea’s National Museums,
please visit the National Museum of Korea website at
www.museum.go.kr.
01. National Museum of Korea
The flagship museum of Korean history
and art, which displays not only Korean
cultural heritage from prehistoric to
modern times but also approximately
300,000 relics and artifacts from the
world, including Japan, Central Asia,
and Southeast Asia
Location Yongsan-gu, Seoul
www.museum.go.kr
02. Gyeongju National Museum
A museum that houses 100,000 relics
and artifacts found in Gyeongju from
prehistoric times to the Unified
Silla dynasty
Location Gyeongju-si,
Gyeongsangbuk-do
gyeongju.museum.go.kr
03. Gwangju National Museum
A national museum that manages
approximately 130,000 local-designated
cultural properties, most of which were
found in the Honam region, other than
relics and artifacts from prehistoric
times, Baekje, Unified Silla, Goryeo, and
the Joseon dynasty
Location Buk-gu, Gwangju
gwangju.museum.go.kr
04. Jeonju National Museum
A national museum whose main
collection consists of approximately
24,000 cultural properties from
prehistoric times and the Mahan and
Baekje periods, all of which were
excavated in Jeollabuk-do
Location Jeonju-si, Jeollabuk-do
jeonju.museum.go.kr
05. Buyeo National Museum
A national museum that displays
prehistoric culture in western parts of
Chungcheongnam-do, in addition to
over 1,000 cultural properties from
the Mahan and Baekje periods
Location Buyeo-gun,
Chungcheongnam-do
buyeo.museum.go.kr
06. Daegu National Museum
A national museum devoted to
reproducing folklore and the living
culture of seonbi (virtuous scholars
Appendix
during the Goryeo and Joseon periods of
Korea) in the Yeongnam region through
1,7000 relics and artifacts of Daegu and
Gyeongsangbuk-do
Location Suseong-gu, Daegu
daegu.museum.go.kr
07. Cheongju National Museum
A national museum that displays
approximately 2,300 relics and artifacts
excavated in Chungcheongbuk-do by
period from prehistoric times to the
Joseon dynasty
Location Cheongju-si,
Chungcheongbuk-do
cheongju.museum.go.kr
08. Gimhae National Museum
A national museum that houses
1,300 relics and artifacts from
Geumgwan Gaya and operates programs
for visitors to learn and experience
its history and culture
Location Gimhae-si,
Gyeongsangnam-do
gimhae.museum.go.kr
 293

National Museums in Korea

09. Jeju National Museum
A national museum that displays
7,200 relics and artifacts,
comprehensively introducing
the indigenous history of Jeju Island
and the formation of its culture
Location Jeju-si, Jeju
jeju.museum.go.kr
10. Chuncheon National Museum
A national museum that houses 1,360
pieces of materials regarding the
Facts about KOREA
13. Naju National Museum
A national museum that displays
cultural properties from prehistoric times
to the Goryeo dynasty, which were
found in the Yeongsangang River basin,
and represents the culture of
the Honam region
Location Naju-si, Jeollanam-do
naju.museum.go.kr
14. Korea National Arboretum
(Forest Museum)
17. National Museum of Korean
Contemporary History
A national museum that deals with the
modern and contemporary history of
Korea ranging from the end of the 19th
century to the present, showcasing
120,000 related relics and artifacts
Location Jongno-gu, Seoul
www.much.go.kr
18. The National Lighthouse Museum
A museum in Homigot Village,
21. National Taekwondo Museum
A national museum dedicated to
systematically organizing the history
and culture of taekwondo,
a traditional Korean martial art
Location Muju, Jeollabuk-do
museum.tkdwon.kr

history and culture of Gangwon-do An arboretum designed to plant 3,873 a well-know tourist attraction, which
from prehistoric times to modern and species of plants, consisting of 22 houses a collection of 3,000 pieces of

contemporary periods
Location Chuncheon-si, Gangwon-do
chuncheon.museum.go.kr
11. Jinju National Museum
Dedicated to the Japanese invasions of
Korea of 1592–1598 or the Imjin War,
this national museum is located
in Jinjuseong Fortress, the most
ferocious battlefield of Imjin War
Location Jinju-si, Gyeongsangnam-do
jinju.museum.go.kr
12. Gongju National Museum
A national museum that displays
more than 11,000 relics and artifacts,
mainly showing cultural properties
from Baekje including the Tomb of
King Muryeong, which are scattered
across Chungcheongnam-do
Location Gongju-si,
Chungcheongnam-do
gongju.museum.go.kr
specialized gardens including Forest
Museum, Herbarium, Temperate House,
Tropical Plant, and Resource Center
Location Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi-do
www.kna.go.kr
15. National Palace Museum of Korea
A museum inside Gyeongbokgung
Palace in Seoul, which displays 40,000
royal relics and artifacts from the Joseon
dynasty and the Korean Empire
Location Jongno-gu, Seoul
www.gogung.go.kr
16. The National Folk Museum of Korea
A folk museum inside Gyeongbokgung
Palace, which is intended to study and
preserve folklore materials regarding
Korean lifestyles and customs
Location Jongno-gu, Seoul
www.nfm.go.kr
Appendix
materials regarding the navigational
history of Korean lighthouses
Location Pohang-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
www.lighthouse-museum.or.kr
19. National Research Institute of
Maritime Cultural Heritage
The only government agency that
is responsible for the research of
the underwater cultural heritage of
South Korea, operating the Sea Relics
Storehouse for visitors to experience
the marine history and culture
Location Mokpo-si, Jeollanam-do
www.seamuse.go.kr
20. National Hangeul Museum
A national museum intended to
showcase the history and excellence of
the Hangeul writing system through
diverse exhibitions and educational
and cultural events
Location Yongsan-gu, Seoul
www.hangeul.go.kr

For further information on Korea’s diverse tourism,
please visit the Korea Tourism Organization website at
www.visitkorea.or.kr.
Major Local Festivals in Korea
Seoul/Gyeonggi-do
01. Seoul International
Fireworks Festival
The Seoul International Fireworks
Festival takes place in Yeouido, Seoul.
Along with the Busan International
Fireworks Festival, the event is one of
the biggest fireworks displays in South
Korea. Around 1 million people enjoy the
festival every year.
Period Late September–Early October
Facts about KOREA
www.hanwhafireworks.com
02. Jarasum Jazz Festival
(Gapyeong-gun)
The Jarasum Jazz Festival is the biggest
jazz festival in South Korea, which takes
place every October on Jarasum Island.
The event brings together variety of
musicians from home and abroad.
Period October
www.jarasumjazz.com
Chungcheongnam-do
03. Cheonan World Dance Festival
The Cheonan World Dance Festival
comprises street parades, dance
performances and an international
folk-dance contest, thus entertaining
visitors with exciting festive events
related to folk dances of the world.
Period September
www.cheonanfestival.com
04. Geumsan Insam Festival
Focused on health and wellbeing,
the Geumsan Insam Festival holds
an array of experience-based events
and competitions related with Korean
ginseng grown in Geumsan, whose
efficacy has been scientifically proven.
Period October
www.insamfestival.co.kr
Gangwon-do
05. Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival
Held on the frozen Hwacheoncheon
Stream, the Hwacheon Sancheoneo
Ice Festival features various hands-on
events including ice fishing, bare-handed
fishing, and lure fishing.
Period January
www.narafestival.com/01_icenara
06. Chuncheon International
Mime Festival
This Chuncheon International Mime
Festival is designed to present a variety
of performing arts and merrymaking
events highlighting the human body
as a powerful artistic medium.
Period May
www.mimefestival.com
07. Gangneung Coffee Festival
The Gangneung Coffee Festival
consists of small indie music concerts
and experience programs for roasting
and brewing coffee and other ones
hosted by coffee experts.
Period October
www.coffeefestival.net
295
Gyeongsangbuk-do
08. Pohang International
Fireworks Festival
Held in Pohang, the Pohang International
Fireworks Festival comprises various
events, such as an international fireworks
show, a busking festival, and a music
fireworks show.
Period July
www.phcf.or.kr
Busan/Gyeongsangnam-do
09. Busan International
Fireworks Festival
The Busan International Fireworks
Festival is one of the largest fireworks
festivals in Asia, held along Gwangalli
Beach and Gwangandaegyo Bridge. More
than 1 million local and international
visitors flock to Gwangalli Beach to enjoy
this annual occasion of great festivity.
Period Late October
www.bfo.or.kr
10. Hadong Wild Tea Cultural Festival
The Hadong Wild Tea Cultural Festival
allows visitors to experience Korean
tea culture and the excellence of wild
green tea from Jirisan Mountain,
the first tea-farming site of South Korea.
Period May
www.hadong.go.kr/tour.web
11. Jinju Namgang Yudeung Festival
Jinju Namgang Yudeung Festival is the
largest lantern festival of South Korea,
featuring events such as Hanging the
Wishing Lanterns, the exhibition of
world traditional lanterns and
Korean lanterns, and water fireworks.
Period October
www.yudeung.com
Jeollabuk-do
12. Gimje Horizon Festival
Appendix
The Gimje Horizon Festival is designed
to introduce the local culture of
Gimje derived from the farming culture,
thus allowing visitors to experience the
most Korean-style traditions and culture.
Period Late September–Early October
www.gimje.go.kr/festival
Jeollanam-do
13. Hampyeong Butterfly Festival
The Hampyeong Butterfly Festival holds
diverse exhibitions, cultural events,
and experience programs centered on
flowers and butterflies.
Period Late April–Early May
www.hampyeong.go.kr/butterfly/
14. Gangjin Celadon Festival
The Gangjin Celadon Festival is
designed as an arts and cultural festival
to showcase the excellence of
Goryeo celadon, also operating
diverse celadon-related programs.
Period Late July–Early August
www.gangjin.go.kr/culture/festival
 297

Local Governments

Special City and Metropolitan Cities 07. Busan Provinces (do) 14. Jeollanam-do
Office Location Jungang-daero, Office Location Oryong-gil
01. Seoul Yeonje-gu 09. Gyeonggi-do Samhyang-eup, Muan-gun
Office Location Sejong-daero, Jung-gu Population 3.42 million Office Location Hyowon-ro, Population 1.79 million
Population 9.74 million Land Area 770km2 Paldal-gu, Suwon-si Land Area 12,335km2
Land Area 605km2 www.busan.go.kr Population 12.85 million www.jeonnam.go.kr
www.seoul.go.kr Land Area 10,187km2
08. Sejong Special Self-Governing City www.gg.go.kr 15. Gyeongsangbuk-do
02. Incheon Office Location Hannuri-daero Office Location Docheong-daero
Office Location Jeonggak-ro, Population 280,000 10. Gangwon-do Pungcheon-myeon, Andong-si
Namdong-gu Land Area 465km2 Office Location Jungang-ro, Population 2.68 million
Population 2.93 million www.sejong.go.kr Chuncheon-si Land Area 19,032km2
Facts about KOREA

Land Area 1,063km2 Population 1.52 million www.gyeongbuk.go.kr

www.incheon.go.kr Land Area 16,828km2

Appendix
www.provin.gangwon.kr 16. Gyeongsangnam-do
03. Daejeon Office Location Jungang-daero,
Office Location Dunsan-ro, Seo-gu 11. Chungcheongbuk-do Uichang-gu, Changwon-si
Population 1.53 million Office Location Sangdang-ro, Population 3.35 million
Land Area 540km2 Sangdang-gu, Cheongju-si Land Area 10,540km2
www.daejeon.go.kr Population 1.61 million www.gyeongnam.go.kr
Land Area 7,407km2
04. Gwangju www.cb21.net 17. Jeju Special Self-Governing Province
Office Location Naebang-ro, Seo-gu Office Location Munyeon-ro, Jeju-si
Population 1.5 million 12. Chungcheongnam-do Population 640,000
Land Area 501km2 Office Location Chungnam-daero Land Area 1,850km2
www.gwangju.go.kr Hongbuk-eup, Hongseong-gun www.jeju.go.kr
Population 2.16 million
05. Daegu Land Area 8,226km2
Office Location Gongpyeong-ro, www.chungnam.net
Jung-gu
Population 2.45 million 13. Jeollabuk-do
Land Area 884km2 Office Location Hyoja-ro,
www.daegu.go.kr Wansan-gu, Jeonju-si
Population 1.83 million
06. Ulsan Land Area 8,070km2
Office Location Jungang-ro, Nam-gu www.jeonbuk.go.kr
Population 1.16 million
Land Area 1,060km2
www.ulsan.go.kr
 299

Relevant Websites

Gateway to Korea Korean Cultural Center, Japan Korean Cultural Center, United Kingdom Ministry of Unification
www.koreanculture.jp kccuk.org.uk/en www.unikorea.go.kr
Korean Culture and Information Service
www.kocis.go.kr www.korea.net Korean Cultural Center, Osaka Korean Cultural Center, France Ministry of Justice
www.k-culture.jp www.coree-culture.org www.moj.go.kr
Korea Tourism Organization
www.visitkorea.or.kr Korean Cultural Center, Vietnam Korean Cultural Center, Spain Ministry of National Defense
vietnam.korean-culture.org spain.korean-culture.org www.mnd.go.kr
Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency
www.kotra.or.kr Korean Cultural Center, Philippines Korean Cultural Center, Poland Ministry of the Interior and Safety
phil.korean-culture.org pl.korean-culture.org www.mois.go.kr
National Gugak Center
www.gugak.go.kr Korean Cultural Center, India Korean Cultural Center, Italy Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism
india.korean-culture.org italia.korean-culture.org www.mcst.go.kr
National Institute of the Korean Language
Facts about KOREA

www.korean.go.kr Korean Cultural Center, Thailand Korean Cultural Center, Germany Ministry of Agriculture,
thailand.korean-culture.org kulturkorea.org Food and Rural Affairs

National Folk Museum of Korea
www.nfm.go.kr
National Library of Korea
www.nl.go.kr
National Museum of Korea
www.museum.go.kr
National Museum of Modern and
Contemporary Art, Korea
www.moca.go.kr
National Hangeul Museum
www.hangeul.go.kr
Korea Creative Content Agency
www.kocca.kr
National Theater of Korea
www.ntok.go.kr
Korean Cultural Information
Korean Cultural Center, China
c.kocenter.cn
Korean Cultural Center, Shanghai
s.kocenter.cn
Korean Cultural Center, Hong Kong
hk.korean-culture.org
Korean Cultural Center, Kazakhstan
kaz.korean-culture.org
Korean Cultural Center, Indonesia
id.korean-culture.org
Korean Cultural Center, Australia
koreanculture.org.au
Korean Cultural Center, Canada
canada.korean-culture.org
Korean Cultural Center, New York
www.koreanculture.org
Korean Cultural Center, L.A.
www.kccla.org
Korean Cultural Center, Washington D.C.
www.koreaculturedc.org
Korean Cultural Center, Mexico
mexico.korean-culture.org
Korean Cultural Center, Brazil
brazil.korean-culture.org
Korean Cultural Center, Argentina
argentina.korean-culture.org
Korean Cultural Center, Belgium
brussels.korean-culture.org
Appendix
www.mafra.go.kr
Korean Cultural Center, Hungary
hungary.korean-culture.org/ko/welcome Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy
www.motie.go.kr
Korean Cultural Center, Russia
russia.korean-culture.org Ministry of SMEs and Startups
www.mss.go.kr
Korean Cultural Center, Turkey
tr.korean-culture.org Ministry of Health and Welfare
www.mohw.go.kr
Korean Cultural Center, UAE
uae.korean-culture.org Ministry of Environment
www.me.go.kr
Korean Cultural Center, Egypt
egypt.korean-culture.org Ministry of Employment and Labor
www.moel.go.kr
Korean Cultural Center, Nigeria
ngr.korean-culture.org Ministry of Gender Equality and Family
www.mogef.go.kr
Executive Branch
Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport
Ministry of Economy and Finance www.molit.go.kr
www.moef.go.kr
Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries
Ministry of Education www.mof.go.kr
www.moe.go.kr
National Tax Service
Ministry of Science and ICT www.nts.go.kr
www.msit.go.kr
Korea Customs Service
Ministry of Foreign Affairs www.customs.go.kr
www.mofa.go.kr
Public Procurement Service
www.pps.go.kr
 301

Relevant Websites Sources of Photos

Statistics Korea Korea Communications Commission National Hangeul Museum Korean Taekgyeon Association
kostat.go.kr www.kcc.go.kr National Museum of Korea Yangdong Village Committee
Supreme Prosecutors’ Office National Human Rights Buyeo National Museum Gagok Inheritance Center
Republic of Korea Commission of Korea
Gyeongju National Museum Goryeo Celadon Museum
www.spo.go.kr www.humanrights.go.kr
National Folk Museum of Korea The traditional Artists Association
Military Manpower Administration Korea Fair Trade Commission
www.mma.go.kr www.ftc.go.kr National Palace Museum of Korea Yonart Creative group
National Gugak Center Chungdong First Methodist Church
Defense Acquisition Program Financial Services Commission
Administration www.fsc.go.kr Korea National Park Service Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism
www.dapa.go.kr National Library Korea Artist Jeon Jin sook
Anti-corruption and Civil Rights Commission
Korean National Police Agency www.acrc.go.kr Cheong Wa Dae (Blue House) Kim Cheol Hwan
Facts about KOREA

www.police.go.kr Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism Gwangju Binnale Foundation

Nuclear Safety and Security Commission

Appendix
National Fire Agency www.nssc.go.kr Cultural Heritage Administration Busan International Film Festival
www.nfa.go.kr
Personal Information Protection Korea Open Government License Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival
Cultural Heritage Administration Commission Korean Culture and Information Service Jeonju International Film Festival
www.cha.go.kr www.pipc.go.kr
Korea Tourism Organization Seoul International Women’s Film Festival
Rural Development Administration
Legislature Kyujanggak Institute for Korean Studies Andong Festival Tourism Foundation
www.rda.go.kr
The National Assembly of Korea Meteorological Administration Boryeong Festival & Tourist Foundation
Korea Forest Service
the Republic of Korea Incheon International Airport Corporation Goindol (Dolmen) Park Suncheon
www.forest.go.kr
www.assembly.go.kr
Korea Expressway Corporation Korea Association of Game Industry
Korean Intellectual Property Office
www.kipo.go.kr Judiciary Korean Sport & Olympic Committee Gaeseong Industrial District Foundation

Korea Meteorological Administration Supreme Court of Korea World Heritage Committee Yonhap News Agency
www.kma.go.kr www.scourt.go.kr Jeju World Natural Heritage Center Topic Images
National Agency for Namhansanseong World Heritage Center Shutterstock
Independent Organizations of Gyeonggi-do
Administrative City Construction National Recreation Forest
www.naacc.go.kr Constitutional Court of Korea Korean Food Promotion Institute Managment Office
www.ccourt.go.kr
Saemangeum Development and Kansong Art and Culture Foundation Getty Images
Investment Agency National Election Commission Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art PIXTA
www.saemangeum.go.kr www.nec.go.kr
Jongmyo Jerye Preservation Association Hwadamsup
ⓒ Studio Kenn
Korea Coast Guard National Human Right
Haeinsa
www.kcg.go.kr Commission of Korea
www.humanrights.go.kr Gangneung Danoje Festival Committee Clipart Korea
Korea Disease Control and
Anseong Muncipal Namsadang Riot Games
Prevention Agency
Baudeogi Pungmuldan
www.cdc.go.kr
Yeongsanjae Preservation Society