Essay on Country Profile: South Korea

This paper is an analysis of the country of South Korea. Using the operational variables of PMESII-PT this paper will identify the current situation in South Korea and the countries current issues. The overall objective is to understand the motives of South Korea.

South Korea and the United States have different ideas on a lot of things. Looking into South Korea’s way of life puts a different perspective on how someone across the world lives their life a little differently than me, even though they could be in the same financial state. My research will look at the comparison of their family and social life, Government, Religion, education, economy and health care,and how it differs from the U.S. The U.S. Population is 318.9 million and South Korea’s 50.22 million. The life expectancy in South Korea is 81.37 years old, and The US doesn’t differ much with it being 78.74 years old. There is a lot less free time in South Korea with people working an average of 2071 hours and here an average of 1788 hours. The unemployment rate there is also a lot smaller than here with there being all kinds of jobs for any level of work experience. South Korea has gone through a great economic rise in the last 50 years going from one of the poorest countries to the fifteenth largest economies.

Following the Korean War and the rebuilding of their societies, both North Korea and South Korea’s economies have depreciated and fluctuated. With their different economic systems, one using the military and the other using trade, they both have received different results.

This paper will delve into the little known aspects of North Korea. Hopefully, a better understanding of the country’s characteristics can benefit both the neighboring

They targeted specific industries for development and the first were textiles and light manufacturing then to iron, steel, and chemicals(Yu, Lew). By joining the “Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development”(Yu, Lew) to advance to the next level of economic growth(Yu, Lew). South Korea obtained all parameters; political, military, and economic from the U.S and recovered from the Asian financial crisis in 1997. On the other hand, North Korea developed a government having a highly centralized political system. North Korea developed into the most isolated and controlled state showing no sign of both political and economic

In 2015, South Korea’s gross domestic product (GDP) was 1.377 trillion dollars (“South Korea GDP, 2017). Comparatively, North Korea’s GDP in the same year was a paltry 16.12 billion dollars (North Korea GDP, 2017). The country is also ruled by an authoritarian dictator whose sole agenda is developing nuclear weapons to inflict mass casualties. On the other hand, South Korea has gone on to make popular consumer products through reputable companies such as Samsung and Hyundai. Aside from protecting a nation from the clutches of dictatorial leaders, the US’s involvement in the Korean War helped to prevent the forceful spread of an imperialistic version of communism that was being perpetrated by North Korea and

The Korean War began as a civil war between North and South Korea, but the conflict soon became international when, under U.S. leadership, the United Nations joined to support South Korea and the People’s Republic of China (PRC) entered to aid North Korea. The war left Korea divided and brought the Cold War to Asia. The postwar planners had intended that the division between North and South Korea would be a temporary administrative solution. After the war, the United Nations agreed to oversee elections in the North and South

Ancient korea differs from the modern koreas, in that it was separated into four kingdoms, and half of it was located not on the korean peninsula, but in modern day china and russia. As stated before, ancient Korea was separated into four kingdoms: Goguryeo, Baekje, Silla, and Kaya. Goguryeo, the largest, was mostly located in modern china, russia, and north Korea, while the others were squished in the southern half of south Korea.

Under Yi Sŏng-Gye’s son King Sejong, considered Korea’s greatest ruler, inventions like the rain gauge, the use of a movable type, and the birth of Korean alphabet called Hangeul, still in use today, surfaced. (Piddock, 27-28) They ruled the entire peninsula for 500 years. Then Korea was annexed by neighbors Japan in 1910. Korea continued to be under Japan until 1945 when it was liberated at the end of World War II. (“North Korea”, Culturegrams) “With the defeat of Japan in 1945, the Allies agreed to divide the Korean Peninsula between the Soviet Union and the United States at the thirty-eighth parallel as a temporary measure.” (Piddock, 30) The Soviet Union received the Northern part of Korea, and the United States the South. “.. Soviet forces closed off northern Korea at the thirty-eighth parallel and placed Korean communists in power there.” Evidently, North Korea was bound to turn communist.

Understanding how North Korea as a country defines itself in a changing world. Where do they derive their customs and practices, political standings and military power? Define North Korea’s history leading into the modern age and define its culture and characteristics and how they interact with the world today. Understanding a subject as broad as the term culture begins where the culture began with the birth of civilization and the people that influenced it. There are many factors that play a role in the shaping of a nation none so much as turmoil and conflict and the Korean peninsula saw its fair share for the better part of a millennia. A complete statistical breakdown of North Korea shows a struggling nation that strongly depends on

South Korea loves sport, sport is not only a popular physical activity but is a significant social practice. Sport operates as an important cultural resource and produces and disseminates nationalism. Indeed, in recent years, south korea has shown competence in hosting, playing, and managing sport. South Korean athletes have created notable results at major international sport events. For example, since 1984, the national Summer Olympic team has unfailingly been ranked in the top 10 nations on the medal table, with the only exception being the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games. The country has also produced a number of major world sporting events, including hosting

"South Korea is a country with a population of 50,924,172 and counting" ("The World Factbook: KOREA, SOUTH"). It is a nation that has been the center of many tug-of-wars. It is a nation that has had to fight in order to survive independent. Years ago, no one thought much of this country. So what is it about this little place now, that sets it apart and breaks it out of the mold of just another Asian country? Though South Korea may be a small country, the style of cuisine, community culture, and generosity are just

South Korea and Japan have had a close relationship from ancient history to the present day. Because of this reason, their economic growth and development have similarities and disparate differences. This paper will discuss some of the two countries’ major characteristics including geographic, social, and political characteristics and look at their histories and economies.

South Korea is one of the most homogeneous countries in the world, in which it has its own culture, language, and customs that are different from other Asian countries. In South Korea, the citizens greatly value hard work, filial piety, and humility in their daily lives. South Koreans are very proud people in which they pride themselves in their traditional culture and their financial success.

At the end of World War II, Korea was a poor former agricultural colony of Japan. But the rapid growth of Korea’s industrial economy has been remarkable. The economy of South Korea is now the third-largest in Asia and the 13th largest in the world by GDP as of 2007. To trace back the economic development of South Korea, the former president Park Chung-Hee played a pivotal role, and was credited for shifting its focus to export-oriented favoring a few large conglomerates. Unlike his predecessors, Park showed a strong commitment to economic development, believing good economic performance as a primary means for enhancing his political legitimacy. Under the President Park Chung-Hee’s era, the government played a dominating role in a