SOUTH

KOREA VS
NORTH
KOREA
HOW DIFFERENT ARE SOUTH AND NORTH
KOREAN CULTURES?
 GROUP 4
CHARISA SINDY VERGIANTI (2210714076)
YULIA TIARA KHANSA (2210714093)
NEISHA KURNIA DAMAYANTI (2210714094)
RIZTYARA RAHMADANTI (2210714097)
South and North Korea
South Korea
South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea (ROK), is a country in
East Asia, constituting the southern part of the Korean Peninsula
and sharing a land border with North Korea.

North Korea
North Korea, officially the Democratic People's Republic of Korea
(DPRK), is a country in East Asia. It constitutes the northern half of
the Korean Peninsula and shares borders with China and Russia to
the north.
 Relations
Before there was a South and North
Korea, the korean peninsula was ruled
as a dynasty known as Chosŏn
The division of Korea began with the
defeat of Japan in World War II. In the
last days of the war, the U.S. proposed
dividing the korean peninsula into two
occupation zones (a U.S. and Soviet
One)
An armistice agreement ended
hostilities in the Korean War in 1953.
Technically speaking, however, the
two Koreas are still at war
Korean history and a collective
memory of having been a unified,
independent state for over a
millennium, however, are a powerful
reminder to Koreans that they have
shared identity, culture and language.
CULTURAL DIFFERENCES
NORTH
KOREA: LIFE IN CULTURAL
ISOLATION
North Korea is one of the most closed and secretive nations on Earth. But in
the last 18 months, two BBC journalists have witnessed some of the more
bizarre aspects of life in North Korea, a country now in mourning after the
death of its leader, Kim Jong-il.
North Koreans have been North Korean TV only North Korea is about as
taught from an early age broadcasts hagiographies isolated from the rest of the
to express devotion to of the two leaders and world as it is possible to be.
both Kim Il-sung, the so- pictures celebrating the There are few visitors and
called Great Leader who country's army, model most of those are restricted
died in 1994, and the Dear farms, model villages etc. to looking around a few
Leader, Kim Jong-il. chosen spots in Pyongyang.
 Authoritarianism
In South Korea, individuals
live in a democratic
constitutional republic.
People can protest and
lobby without fear. They
expect to be listened to
and have their views
heard. They are thus more
likely to feel greater
control over their lives and
environment.
It is
-Opposed-
North Koreans live in a
highly authoritarian
country. Questioning
the system can land a
deep trouble.
Individuals have to
accept authority and
learn not to question it.
Individuals are likely to
feel less control over
their lives as a result.
Individualism
North Korea has a strict sense of the
collective. Based on nominative
Communist foundations, actions and
endeavours are all about progressing the
needs of North Korea as a whole. As a
communist country, it is not encouraged to
demonstrate behaviours that denote
capitalism. Even the innocent wearing of
clothing not worn by others (such as
brightly coloured clothing) can invite
criticism.
Individualism
South Koreans also have a strong sense of
team and the collective. However, unlike their
North Korean counterparts, individuality is
entirely permissible in the way, for example,
one dresses, designs their new home,
decorates their new home, creates a new
business.
 Hierarchy
Hierarchy is extreme in North Korea due to the
presence of the Songbun Caste System which has
three primary categories and 51 gradations starting
with the Supreme Leader and his family at the top and
filtering down to the ‘criminal’ class at the bottom.

Hierarchy exists in South Korea and great respect is

shown to elders and those of a higher organisational
position. However, hierarchy goes hand in hand with
meritocracy enabling individuals through study and
development to progress through organisational
hierarchical positions.
Directness
The practice of ‘Life Purification’ means that North Koreans are
typically very direct. Starting in elementary school, children are
required to stand up in class and denounce themselves and a
classmate (progressing to colleagues once in the workplace).

South Koreans are culturally very indirect. Rather than say

something which they believe may hurt you or upset you to your
face, they instead hope that you will lead between the lines.
 The divergence of culture has resulted
in an almost total change in language.
Although grammar remains the same,
scholars believe that almost a third of
words are now different. Unfortunately
for North Korean defectors trying to

Language
pass through other countries (such as
China) for asylum purposes, language
makes them easily identifiable.

For those who do successfully achieve

asylum, it is estimated that it takes
almost two years for them to learn the
dialect spoken amongst South Koreans.
South Koreans generally perceive the
North Korean dialect as ‘purer’ – as the
language has not changed through the
years.
Traditional Foods

North Korean cuisine

encompasses traditional dishes;
untouched through time and
change.

Traditional dishes are still important to

south Korea but U.S., Italian, Chinese and
other international dishes have made South
Korean dishes more diverse.
Traditional Clothing
It’s not uncommon to see North Koreans
wearing traditional clothing – for example,
women may wear the ‘Hanbok’ dress on a daily
basis. Jeans are a big ‘no’ in North Korea.
Traditional dress is usually reserved for
special occasions such as weddings or parties.
 Back to
Navigation Page

THANK YOU!