South Korea Essay

Great Essays
Great changes in culture and advancements in technology in short spans of time, staying strong under less than friendly circumstances. That is the Modus Operandi of South Korea, despite the nation’s relatively young age, and conditions of coming into existence; it is a major Asian power. Prosper in the face of adversity, with the odds stacked against you, when no one expects you to. Seeing where something comes from can shed light on how it became the way it is. When someone or something is faced with a lot of hardships, those obstacles can lead to something truly amazing. Looking at Korea’s history, it is clear to see that the country has seen a lot of hardship.
Tribes controlled the landmass of Korea, but kingdoms would come into existence.
…show more content…
However, this policy of isolation meant that Korea would fell behind other countries in industry and tech. [1] Some attempted to bring new ideas allowing for the assimilation of western technology under eastern ideals; but the conservative nature of Confucianism prevented sudden, large changes. In 1876 merchants from Japan began trading in Busan, and forced the Koreans to sign a treaty of trade and friendship; despite the fact the treaty considered Japan and Korea independent from each other, Japan was obviously the one in control. In 1882 Korea and the SA signed a similar treaty, with treaties for Britain, Germany, Russia and France in the following years. [1] In 1882 some soldiers revolted, causing the burning of Japanese property and the death of Japanese citizens. Korea was forced to pay compensation and sign the new treaty of Jemulpo. This increased Japan 's control, and the same rebellion served as an excuse for China to send troops into Korean territory. Members of the Donghak religion, and peasant attempted another rebellion. Demanding reforms while also swearing loyalty to the king. Said king appealed to both China and Japan from troops. He agreed to a truce with the rebels, but Japan refused to pull out. China and Japan struggled for control, and Korea, which had always been a tribute of China was now occupied …show more content…
Faced with worsening economic troubles, unemployment, and riots Rhee resigned. Allowing General Park Chung-hee to take control of the country. The general declared martial law initially, however he did hold an election in 1963, which he won. And second and third elections in 1967 and 1971 respectively, winning all of them. His rule was repressive, and after his third time becoming sworn into office, wrote up a new constitution, giving himself more power. General Park Chung-hee was assassinated in 1979. [2] Despite the less than hospitable rule, South Korea 's economic situation had grown drastically. Turning from an unimpressive, underdeveloped country into a bustling power economy. Regardless of his oppressive rule, General Park 's development of road, and bridges and emphasis on education, is largely responsible for the transformation. [1] After the general’s assassination, the military took steps to maintain order, and General Chun Doo-hwan took power in 1980. He declared martial law and arrested his opposition. Demonstrations against him led by students were met with deadly force. Korea 's economy continued to grow as the country dug itself out of poverty, becoming a prosperous society. [1] Unrest on the parts of students and Christian leaders who spoke out against him convinced Chun to step down. Elections were held and General

Related Documents

  • Improved Essays

    What do you think about when you think of North Korea? There are many things that can go through your head when trying to define a country. The traditions, customs, religion, the food, and the language plays major factors of that definition of a country. Culture is the behaviors and beliefs that make up the characteristics of a particular group of people or in this case, a country. This essay will cover a lot that goes into the composition of North Korea’s culture. To help understand the culture of North Korea you need to know the basic geography and infrastructure of the country.…

    • 1099 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Recently, the leader of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) ordered his military prepared for the nuclear strike, and they are making a nuclear threat to the world again. The world would not be peaceful if a nuclear threat again appeared in this world. Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) is also known as North Korea is an international byword for isolationism, autonomy and antagonism. Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) has isolated itself from the rest of the world for more than 50 years. In Park Yong-Soo’s article “The political economy of economic reform in North Korea”, he claims that “North Korea has undergone an unprecedented economic crisis, which began in the early 1990s. Most of the factories are practically…

    • 1560 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    North Korean Economy

    • 1790 Words
    • 8 Pages

    Throughout reading the book Nothing To Envy Ordinary - Lives In North Korea Barbara Demick depicts the everyday lives that go on in the regime that has been created under North Korean communist power. The book shows many of the economic factors that took place in the beginning and current state of North Korea. With the extreme government regulation that North Koreans experience, there is a lack of basic human rights, poverty, and overall economic freedom. With most of the world establishing a capitalist system North Korea found itself in an economic struggle with a lack of exports leading to an increase in poverty that ruins their country and well being.…

    • 1790 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Decent Essays

    This chapter discussed the impact of Woodrow Wilson, and perhaps his optimism of peace, had on Korea. The promise of peace spoken by Wilson led to the Korea Declaration of Independence, which included language to assert the equality and liberty within the world. This sparked many demonstrations against the Japanese rule . The…

    • 357 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Korean War (Forgotten War)

    • 2041 Words
    • 9 Pages

    The end of the Second World War meant peace and prosperity for the Americans and many others around the world. This was certainly not the case for the Korean people, this meant struggle and difficulty. As many Korean people thought this would be the end of Japanese control, and a chance to become unified. Due in part because Korea was part of the Japanese Empire from 1905 until 1945. This quickly led to a great deal of tension between the Soviet Union and the United States.…

    • 2041 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Great Essays

    He explains that in American culture,”... It is striking how frequently slips of the tongue cause [ Americans] to substitute “Vietnam” for “Korea” in conversations” ( Hastings,) . This might be because of the fact that after the Korean War, the US went on to also fight in Vietnam, where the outcome of that war was far less satisfying for Americans, so the Korean War was overshadowed by the greater failure in Vietnam. This probably explains why only very recently has Korean culture been exposed into main media outside of the country. But aside from that, South Korea has been doing and will probably continue to do very well in terms of economy and culture. The Central Intelligence Agency states that currently Korea's account balance is 89.22 billion dollars, with a 8.07 billion dollar increase in one year from 2013 to 2014. This can also lead back to the end of the Korean War, when the US aided South Korea after the destruction of their land and infrastructure. North Korea on the other hand was left to hang by itself without the help of the US or the USSR. Which can explain why, “North Korea is still among the most wretched,ruthless,restrictive,impenitent Stalinist societies in the world.South Korea is one of the most dynamic industrial societies even Asia has spawned in the past generation.” ( Hastings,14) Aside from that, what has made S. Korea such a blossoming economy is the aid program they…

    • 1775 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Why Is The Korean War Bad

    • 1992 Words
    • 8 Pages

    The Korean War, a war that started out with a quick victory in mind, quickly became a war with between the two superpowers of its current generation. With communism hoping to spread to all corners of the world, only thing stopping it is democracy, it laid its sight on South Korea. A war that showed no promising result for both sides, yet committed over 1.3 million casualties. The war ended with both sides receive severe losses and gained very little in return. This war showed the relentless attempts by the the spreading of communism while democracy held its ground and won’t back down to any other powers, this war was a means of both sides trying to show which style of government is better.…

    • 1992 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Superior Essays

    From the first decade to the second decade, the effectiveness of the two policies was highly neutral. The effectiveness was not an efficient uprising drift, as subsequently Korea was still under Japanese colonial. However, the changes from the two decades did slightly benefit a stronger pathway to the Korean independence as Korea was able to be recognized among the international politics. The changing policies converted an effective catalyst towards establishment more liberty. Regardless of the political and cultural issues in the second decade, it positively softened and reinforces less violent and…

    • 2005 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    In the beginning, it was established that Japan that was in control of Korea from the annexation they made in 1910. April 1945 the Yalta Conference agreed to make a four power trusteeship for Korea near the end of World War two. Korea was split into two pieces, North and South Korea. The United States had control of the southern part of Korea below the 38th parallel, and the Soviet Union occupying the northern area. Later on in that year it was settled that the country would be reconnected and made an independent country after a five year wait. Though to be said a five year time period before the reuniting happened, it was decreased and election was held in 1948 in both the Northern and Southern area of Korea. The communist, began to build…

    • 1366 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    North Korea is located within the continent of Asia, and is viewed as the 99th largest nation in the world as it stands at a staggering 120,408 kilometers of land. The traditional religious views in North Korea are made up of Buddhism and Confucianism. North Korea is also known to practice that of Christianity. The language of North Korean is Korean, and is shared with that of South Korea. North Korean government is very patriarchal as the regime goes about creating and enforcing social classes based upon pollical loyalty to the system. The government is a very brutal part of the Korean culture, but it is also the centerpiece of it all. North Korean civilians live under a harsh dictatorship with their daily lives being…

    • 1463 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    In the 1990s North Korea suffered first through horrific flooding and then through drought. As a result the country found itself in a state of famine. This caused the economy to fail, and infrastructures to disintegrate. After the death of the countries leader, Kim il-Sung in 1994 his son Kim Jong-il took over. Kim Jong-il transformed the country from a traditional communist government to a military dictatorship. Sadly, Kim Jong-il died in 2011, but fortunately the gallant Kim Jong-un or Dear Leader, as the North Koreans call him, was able to take his father’s place. The Kim’s have made North Korea a place of secrecy and lies, because of this nobody knows what exactly the real North Korea is like. Even tourists that are followed, instructed, and fed propaganda by tour guides experience only what Kim Jung-un wants them to. The only people who know the true North Korea are the citizens that have lived there and have experienced the true horrors of the…

    • 936 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Decent Essays

    Silla Korea Essay

    • 391 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Denise Leidy and Huh Hyeong Uk recognize art in Silla Kingdom in Korea as a product of intermixing of various visual tradition of Korea, China and India, resulting in the development of international style in 7-8 CE. It can be illustrated by comparing sculpture, ceramics, reliquaries, architectural elements from Silla to those produced in other regions.…

    • 391 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Great Essays

    Essay About Korea 1950

    • 1476 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Korea was no stranger to war, with common borders China, Russia and proximately to Japan have made it the focus of three wars in six years, ending in its forceful colonization by Japan in 1910. Yet, Berlatsky confirms in the book “North and South Korea,” “it was the allied decision of 1945, splitting the country along the 38th parallel, with Russia and America each occupying half.” Eventually, this led to the Korean war, and left it today with rival governments: Pyongyang and Seoul, both two different…

    • 1476 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Little known about North Korea due to the strict government and life style that they live. In this paper, informative information will be revealed on some of the challenges North Koreans face and living condition that they are exposed to that differ from the American way of life. In a publication by Sonya Yang on The Democratic Republic of Korea, “The Soviets endorsed a group of former guerrilla fighters as national leaders. This included a thirty-two-year-old legendary anti-Japanese guerrilla fighter, Kim Il Sung. Kim II Sung's advantage over other patriots was that the Japanese colonial authorities never apprehended him; the consistency of his track record authenticated his quality as a national leader.…

    • 807 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Us Vs South Korea Essay

    • 1098 Words
    • 5 Pages

    At the end of world war two for the first time in 35 years Korea was free of Japanese occupation. Due to the agreements that the Soviet Union signed with America to join the pacific war against Japan the Soviet army stopped at the 38th parallel and the country was split into two, the Soviet Union controlled the North and the Americans controlled the south.…

    • 1098 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays