In examining a nation, culture, or ethnic group, it is important to establish why the study is occurring before deciding how the study unfolds. There are two important reasons to become more aware of a culture. First, as a military leader, it is critical to examine the operational environment in which one operates. Second, being able to cross cultural barriers and grasp the inner workings of another region allows one to remain adaptive, culturally sensitive, and relevant.
What is culture? According to Merriam-Webster, it is “the beliefs, customs, arts, etc., of a particular society, group, place or time” or “a particular society that has its own beliefs, ways of life, art, etc.” In essence, it is what makes a group of people distinct, …show more content…
Faction wars began in the 3rd century, with three primary Kingdoms vying for power: Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla. The Silla Kingdom was able to successfully conquer the other two kingdoms, and drove out all of the Chinese Tang Dynasty forces, unifying the Korean Peninsula for the first time, in 676. Although this unification led to rapid economic growth and prosperity, conflict continued both from within the Korean Peninsula and from the threat of the Chinese to the North. Over the next millennium, Korea remained generally unified under two more kingdoms, Goryeo (now Korea) and Joseon. In 1910 an empowered Japan, seeking economic benefit, made Imperial Korea a Japanese colony. The Japanese pillaged the peninsula and banned the use of the Korean Language, even forcing Koreans to change their names to a Japanese style. For 30 years, a strong resistance movement fought the colonial rule, even forming a provisional government in Manchuria. In 1945, Japan was finally forced to give up power in Korea as part of their defeat in World War …show more content…
Soviet and Chinese forces supported the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in the North, and United Nations forces, led by the United States, supported the Republic of Korea in the South. After three bloody years, a cease fire was established 1953, with most of the nation’s industry in ruins and millions, both military and civilian, dead. Peace in South Korea has generally been kept since then, but several somewhat violent changes of government have happened, notably a coup d’état let by young army officers in 1961. Further, North Korea and China remain an imminent threat to the Republic of Korea. South Korea’s military ranks 7th in the world according to the article “South Korea Military Strength,” with approximately 625,000 active duty personnel and a robust, modernized force of tanks, fighters, and naval vessels
What is culture? According to Merriam-Webster, it is “the beliefs, customs, arts, etc., of a particular society, group, place or time” or “a particular society that has its own beliefs, ways of life, art, etc.” In essence, it is what makes a group of people distinct, …show more content…
Faction wars began in the 3rd century, with three primary Kingdoms vying for power: Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla. The Silla Kingdom was able to successfully conquer the other two kingdoms, and drove out all of the Chinese Tang Dynasty forces, unifying the Korean Peninsula for the first time, in 676. Although this unification led to rapid economic growth and prosperity, conflict continued both from within the Korean Peninsula and from the threat of the Chinese to the North. Over the next millennium, Korea remained generally unified under two more kingdoms, Goryeo (now Korea) and Joseon. In 1910 an empowered Japan, seeking economic benefit, made Imperial Korea a Japanese colony. The Japanese pillaged the peninsula and banned the use of the Korean Language, even forcing Koreans to change their names to a Japanese style. For 30 years, a strong resistance movement fought the colonial rule, even forming a provisional government in Manchuria. In 1945, Japan was finally forced to give up power in Korea as part of their defeat in World War …show more content…
Soviet and Chinese forces supported the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in the North, and United Nations forces, led by the United States, supported the Republic of Korea in the South. After three bloody years, a cease fire was established 1953, with most of the nation’s industry in ruins and millions, both military and civilian, dead. Peace in South Korea has generally been kept since then, but several somewhat violent changes of government have happened, notably a coup d’état let by young army officers in 1961. Further, North Korea and China remain an imminent threat to the Republic of Korea. South Korea’s military ranks 7th in the world according to the article “South Korea Military Strength,” with approximately 625,000 active duty personnel and a robust, modernized force of tanks, fighters, and naval vessels