|
The Fire Keeper's Son
by Linda Sue Park
Korea
Korea is the name of the peninsula that extends from northeastern China. The
land is split into two countries; the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
occupies the north of the land, referred to as North Korea. The Republic of
Korea, also called South Korea is in the southern portion of the peninsula and
has a democratic rule. The two countries were originally part of one land and
were ruled under various kingdoms as well as colonizing nations. Korea has been
inhabited for over 30,000 years and most of the people who currently live on the
peninsula are ethnic Koreans.
Pyongyang is the capital and largest city of North
Korea. Over 80 percent of the land is covered with mountains, while plains
take-up the western and northeastern coasts. Rich forests cover most of central
North Korea and are an important source of wood and minerals. Most North Koreans
live in the river valleys or coastal plains. The Communist government of North
Korea controls the industry-based economy.
South Korea is mostly covered in mountains, and coastal plains that stretch over
the western and southern portions of the land. Forested mountains consume the
central portions of the land. Most people live in the coastal regions or in the
river valleys, where most of the farming exists. Seoul is the largest city and
capital of South Korea. The country is based more on industry than on
agriculture. Since the 1960s, South Korea has grown economically and is
currently one of the wealthiest countries in Asia.
Signal Fires
Signal Fires have been used as a warning system in Korea for thousands of years.
In 1149, the organization of the signal fire was established during the rule of
King Uijong of the Korean Dynasty. Signal fires were a way for villages,
separated by mountains and hills, to communicate and warn of any attacks that
could be coming by sea. They were placed on top of mountains in the lands
surrounding the kingdom to protect it from attack by other lands. The signal
fire system was abolished by the turn of the 20th century, and was replaced with
the modern telegraph system as the main form of communication.
Cultures of the North and South
Korean, the language of both North Korea and South Korea, and has six different
dialects that almost all North Koreans understand. Before the 20th century, the
people of Korea lived in small villages and worked on farms. Families were
extremely important and the fathers and grandfathers commanded the greatest
amount of respect. Japan introduced industry to Korea in 1910 and took control
of most of the farmland, pushing most of the population into the cities to work
for the Japanese run industries.
In the 1940s, the Communists came to rule, separated North Korea from the south,
and turned the northern country into a manufacturing society with less of a
focus on the family. Many people live in extremely small apartments in the city
and work within the government run industries. Pyongyang, the capital is filled
with cultural centers, and skyscrapers, yet lacks restaurants or other places of
entertainment. Most of the rural farmers live and work on collective farms that
exist in the rural areas. Religion is frowned upon in North Korea because it
conflicts with Communist philosophy. Most North Koreans practice Confucianism,
which focuses on the obligations that people have toward each other, and is seen
as more of a philosophy than a religion.
With the political changes of the peninsula, during the 1940s, South Korea
gained political and economic ties with the United States and other western
countries, therefore coming under the influence of western culture. Cities hold
many opportunities to South Koreans. They are filled with numerous jobs,
universities, industry, and entertainment. The cities are becoming so heavily
populated that many are forced to live in the suburbs. There are also rising
pollution problems, with the increase in automobiles. Many South Koreans prefer
to live in rural areas in houses constructed of concrete block and brick with
floors made of concrete slabs and covered with mats, called ondol. Because South
Korea is a democratic country, they have total freedom of religion, education,
and economy. South Koreans follow Confucianism, Buddhism, and Christianity as
the major religions.
Flags
Related Reading
Halmoni and the Picnic
by Sook-Nyul Choi
Good-Bye, 382 Shin Dang Dong
by Francis Park
The Name Jar
by Yangsook Choi
Seesaw Girl
by Linda Sue Park
The Kit Fighters
by Linda Sue Park
|
Related Activity
Take a virtual journey to Korea
(Click on Map of Asia to identify surrounding countries)
Links
Tour Korea: learn about food and culture
Our Country, Taegwondo from the Office of the President, republic of Korea
A hill for a signal fire
Culture in Korea
|
