LESSON 1

INTRODUCTION TO KOREA

I. LOCATION

Korea is a region in East Asia; since 1945 it has been divided into what are now two
distinct sovereign states: North Korea (officially the "Democratic People's Republic of Korea")
and South Korea (officially the "Republic of Korea"). Korea consists of the Korean Peninsula, Jeju
Island, and several minor islands near the peninsula. It is bordered by China to the northwest
and Russia to the northeast. It is separated from Japan to the east by the Korea Strait and the Sea
of Japan (East Sea).

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https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/441423200968577739/

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II. CLIMATES OF KOREA

The Korean Peninsula has a temperate climate with comparatively fewer typhoons than
other countries in East Asia. Due to the peninsula's position, it has a unique climate influenced
from Siberia in the north, the Pacific Ocean in the east and the rest of Eurasia in the west. The
peninsula has four distinct seasons: spring, summer, autumn and winter.

Spring

As influence from Siberia weakens, temperatures begin to increase while the high
pressure begins to move away. If the weather is abnormally dry, Siberia will have more
influence on the peninsula leading to wintry weather such as snow. Because of the
formation of low pressure systems the rains become more frequent.
Typically lasting from April to June, spring is often seen as the best time of year
with average daily temperatures a pleasant 15 - 18°C. During this time the flowers are in
bloom and green spaces are covered in the delightful shades of the pink cherry blossom.

The weather is the least likely to be extreme and, as a result, many festivals and
events can be found taking place. Locals are heading for the hills and making the most of
the many National Parks, such as Songnisan, Seoraksan and Jirisan. Expect sunny days and
tourist destinations are more crowded as it is the most popular time to visit South Korea.

Spring in Gyeongbokgung Palace

Spring in Nami Island

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 Summer

During June at the start of the summer, there tends to be a lot of rain due to the
cold and wet air from the Sea of Okhotsk and the hot and humid air from the Pacific Ocean
combining. When these fronts combine, it leads to a so-called rainy season with often
cloudy days with rain, which is sometimes very heavy. The hot and humid winds from the
south west blow causing an increasing amount of humidity and this leads to the fronts
moving towards Manchuria in China and thus there is less rain and this is known as
midsummer; temperatures can exceed 30 °C (86 °F) daily at this time of year.
Brief summer lasts from July to August and is the hottest time but this is also the
wettest time of the year. Locals are seeking sanctuary in the many air-conditioned spaces
of Seoul or relishing the sea breezes of coastal cities like Busan, where the famous
Haeundae Beach is packed with people and parasols, and the southern holiday island of
Jeju.

Summer in Haeundae Beach, Busan

Summer in Jeju Island

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 Summer in Geongbokgung Palace

Summer in Nami Island

Autumn

Usually, high pressure is heavily dominant during autumn leading to clear

conditions. Furthermore, temperatures remain high but the humidity becomes relatively
low.
Autumn, from September to late November, is a pleasant season, especially in the
month of October, when the maximum temperatures are around 20/22 °C (68/72 °F). In
addition, it regularly rains.
Once the warm heat and rains of summer have passed, South Korea once again
bursts into color and festivals start. Stunning shades of orange and red pepper the
autumnal landscapes - particularly throughout the country's National Parks such as
Songnisan, Jirisan and Seoraksan. The mild temperatures (19-21°C), low rainfall and
natural beauty make autumn a strong rival to spring as the best time of year to visit
South Korea.

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Autumn in Seoraksan National Park Autumn in Nami Island

Autumn in National Parks

Autumn in Mt. Songnisan National Park

Winter
The weather becomes increasingly dominated by Siberia during winter and the jet
stream moves further south causing a drop in temperature. This season is relatively dry
with some snow falling at times.

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 Winter, from late November to mid-March, is freezing in the north and in the
interior, while it’s milder, but still with night frosts, along the southern coast. The sun
often shines. Snowfalls are relatively rare and not abundant. A cold and dry wind often
blows from the continent, at times full of dust. Because of the greater exposure to cold
winds of Siberian origin, at a given latitude, winter is colder on the west coast than on the
east coast. The average January temperature exceeds 0 degrees Celsius (32 °F) only on
the southern coast, while on the east coast, it's around freezing even in the north.
In the capital, Seoul, located near the coast but in the north-west, is the region most
exposed to cold winds, the average temperature in January is -2.5 °C (27.5 °F). In the
southernmost cities, such as Mokpo and Busan (or Pusan), the climate is much milder,
and the average temperature in January goes up to around 3 °C (37.5 °F).
However, during cold spells, the temperature can drop to -20 °C (-4 °F) in Seoul
and in northern inland areas and to around -10 °C (14 °F) in the south, while it only drops
a few degrees below freezing on the island of Jeju.

The north-east is mountainous, and in addition to being freezing, it is also

quite snowy. This is the region (called Gangwon-do) where there is the largest number of
ski lifts, which, given the low temperatures, are also found at quite low altitudes, below
1,000 meters (3,300 feet). The highest mountain in the area is Seorak, 1,708 meters
(5,604 feet), protected in a national park.

In winter, not only the mountains, but also the northeast coast is a bit wetter
(although it is milder). The southwest coast (where Mokpo is located) and Jeju Island are
a bit rainier and less sunny as well.

The least snowy area is the south-east coast because of the higher temperature,
but also because in periods of bad weather the wind blows from the south. There are, on
average, 25 days with snowfall per year (maybe light) in Seoul (as mentioned, located in
the northwest), 22 days in Incheon (near Seoul but on the coast), 27 in Mokpo (on the
south-west coast, which is a milder but also more humid area), 12 in Daegu (in the south-
eastern inland areas), and only 5 in Busan, on the southeast coast.

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 Winter in Gyeongbokgung Palace

Winter Skiing

III. RELIGION

Confucian tradition has dominated Korean thought, along with contributions

by Buddhism, Taoism, and Korean Shamanism. Since the middle of the 20th century,
however, Christianity has competed with Buddhism in South Korea, while religious practice has
been suppressed in North Korea. Throughout Korean history and culture, regardless of
separation; the influence of traditional beliefs of Korean Shamanism, Mahayana Buddhism,
Confucianism and Taoism have remained an underlying religion of the Korean people as well as
a vital aspect of their culture; all these traditions have coexisted peacefully for hundreds of years
up to today despite strong Westernization from Christian missionary conversions in the South or
the pressure from the Juche government in the North.
According to 2005 statistics compiled by the South Korean government, about 46% of
citizens profess to follow no particular religion. Christians account for 29.2% of the population
(of which are Protestants 18.3% and Catholics 10.9%) and Buddhists 22.8%.
Islam in South Korea is practiced by about 45,000 natives (about 0.09% of the population)
in addition to some 100,000 foreign workers from Muslim countries.

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IV. CUISINE

Koreans traditionally believe that the taste and quality of food depend on its spices and
sauces, the essential ingredients to making a delicious meal. Therefore, soybean paste, soy
sauce, gochujang or red pepper paste and kimchi are some of the most important staples in a
Korean household.
Korean cuisine was greatly influenced by the geography and climate of the Korean
Peninsula, which is known for its cold autumns and winters, therefore there are many fermented
dishes and hot soups and stews.
Korean cuisine is probably best known for kimchi, a side dish which uses a
distinctive fermentation process of preserving vegetables, most commonly cabbage. Kimchi is
said to relieve the pores on the skin, thereby reducing wrinkles and providing nutrients to the
skin naturally. It is also healthy, as it provides necessary vitamins and nutrients. Gochujang, a
traditional Korean sauce made of red pepper is also commonly used, often as pepper (chilli)
paste, earning the cuisine a reputation for spiciness.
Bulgogi (roasted marinated meat, usually beef), galbi (marinated grilled short ribs),
and samgyeopsal (pork belly) are popular meat entrees. Fish is also a popular commodity, as it is
the traditional meat that Koreans eat. Meals are usually accompanied by a soup or stew, such
as galbitang (stewed ribs) or doenjang jjigae (fermented bean paste soup). The center of the
table is filled with a shared collection of sidedishes called banchan.
Other popular dishes include bibimbap, which literally means "mixed rice" (rice mixed
with meat, vegetables, and red pepper paste), and naengmyeon (cold noodles).
Instant noodles, or ramyeon, is a popular snack food. Koreans also enjoy food
from pojangmachas (street vendors), which serve tteokbokki, rice cake and fish cake with a spicy
gochujang sauce; gimbap, made of steamed white rice wrapped in dried laver seaweed; fried
squid; and glazed sweet potato. Soondae, a sausage made of cellophane noodles and pork blood,
is widely eaten.
Additionally, some other common snacks include "Choco Pie", shrimp crackers,
"bbeongtwigi" (puffed rice grains), and "nurungji" (slightly burnt rice). Nurungji can be eaten as
it is or boiled with water to make a soup. Nurungji can also be eaten as a snack or a dessert.
Korea is unique among Asian countries in its use of metal chopsticks. Metal chopsticks
have been discovered in archaeological sites belonging to the ancient Korean kingdoms of
Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla.

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Beef Bulgogi Kimchi in Jars

Samgyeopsal

Bibimbap
Kimchi

V. EDUCATION

The modern South Korean school system consists of six years in elementary school, three
years in middle school, and three years in high school. Students are required to go to elementary
and middle school, and do not have to pay for their education, except for a small fee called a
"School Operation Support Fee" that differs from school to school. The Programme for
International Student Assessment, coordinated by the OECD, ranks South Korea's science
education as the third best in the world and being significantly higher than the OECD average.
South Korea ranks second on math and literature and first in problem solving. Although
South Korean students often rank high on international comparative assessments, the education
system is criticized for emphasizing too much upon passive learning and memorization. The South
Korean education system is rather notably strict and structured as compared to its counterparts
in most Western societies.

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 The North Korean education system consists primarily of universal and state
funded schooling by the government. The national literacy rate for citizens 15 years of age and
above is over 99 percent. Children go through one year of kindergarten, four years of primary
education, six years of secondary education, and then on to universities. The most prestigious
university in the DPRK is Kim Il-sung University. Other notable universities include Kim Chaek
University of Technology, which focuses on computer science, Pyongyang University of Foreign
Studies, which trains working level diplomats and trade officials, and Kim Hyong Jik University,
which trains teachers.

VI. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

One of the best known artifacts of Korea's history of science and technology is
the Cheomseongdae (첨성대, 瞻星臺), a 9.4-meter high observatory built in 634.
The earliest known surviving Korean example of woodblock printing is
the Mugujeonggwang Great Dharani Sutra. It is believed to have
been printed in Korea in 750–51, which if correct, would make it older
than the Diamond Sutra.
During the Goryeo Dynasty, metal movable type printing was
invented by Choe Yun-ui in 1234. This invention made printing easier,
more efficient and also increased literacy, which observed by Chinese
visitors was seen to be so important where it was considered to be
Jikji. Selected Teachings of
shameful to not be able to read. The Mongol Empire later adopted
Buddhist Sages and Seon
Korea's movable type printing and spread as far as Central Asia. Masters, the earliest known
When the Mongols invaded Europe they inadvertently introduced book printed with movable
different kinds of Asian technology. metal type, 1377.
Bibliothèque Nationale de
During the Joseon period, the Turtle Ship was invented, which Paris.
were covered by a wooden deck and iron with thorns, as well as other weapons such as
the bigyeokjincheolloe cannon (비격진천뢰, 飛擊震天雷) and the hwacha.
The Korean alphabet hangul was also invented during this time by King Sejong the Great.

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Turtle Ship The Greatest Invention of King Sejong: Hangul

VII. LANGUAGE

Korean is the official language of both North and South Korea, and (along with Mandarin)
of Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture in the Manchuria area of China. Worldwide, there are
up to 80 million speakers of the Korean language. South Korea has around 50 million speakers
while North Korea around 25 million. Other large groups of Korean speakers through Korean
diaspora are found in China, the United States, Japan, former Soviet Union and elsewhere.
The two Koreas differ in minor matters of spelling, alphabetization, and vocabulary choice
(including the names of the letters), but both essentially endorse the unified standards proposed
by the Korean Language Society in 1933.
Like Japanese and Vietnamese, Korean has borrowed much vocabulary from
the Chinese or created vocabulary on Chinese models.
Modern Korean is written almost exclusively in the script of the Korean alphabet (known
as Hangul in South Korea and Chosungul in China and North Korea), which was invented in the
15th century. Korean is sometimes written with the addition of some Chinese characters called
Hanja; however, this is only occasionally seen nowadays. While Hangul may appear logographic,
it is actually a phonemic alphabet organized into syllabic blocks.

Sources and Links

 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korea
 https://www.britannica.com/topic/Korean-language
 https://www.google.com/search
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