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Country Profile: South Korea

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Country Profile: South Korea
South Korea Introduction
South Korea is one of the most dynamic countries in the world, South Korea has emerged from a chaotic history, and has rightfully ascended the ladder to become a world power. Bordering North Korea in the south and separated from China and Japan by the Sea of Japan, Yellow Sea and Korea Strait, South Korea is an active participant in what is one of Asia’s most historically volatile areas
The national flag of Korea is called “Taegeukgi’. According to Korea.net “Its design symbolizes the principles of the yin and yang in Asian philosophy. The upper red section of the circle in the center of the flag represents the proactive cosmic forces of the yang. On the other hand, the lower blue section represents the responsive cosmic forces of the yin.” It’s concept is continual movement and harmony. Here is what Taegeukgi looks like.

Korea has had a long history from 2,333 B.C. There is really famous story of how this country formed and it is called The Myth of Dangun. This story is legend and Visitkorea stated that “the mythical figure Dan-gun founded Gojoseon, the first Korean Kingdom, in 2333 B.C. Subsequently, several tribes moved from the southern part of Manchuria to the Korean Peninsula.” Additionally, he told a tiger and a bear to stay alive in cave with only eating garlic and mugwort for one hundred days to become a human. Korea experienced many invasions by its neighbor country in 2000 years of its history. Long centuries of dynastic rule by various kings were followed by Japanese colonization in 1910. According to Country Studies
Korea underwent drastic changes under Japanese rule. Even before the country was formally annexed by Japan in 1910, the Japanese caused the last ruling monarch, King Kojong, to abdicate the throne in 1907 in favor of his feeble son, who was soon married off to a Japanese woman and given a Japanese peerage. Japan then governed Korea under a residency general and subsequently under a governor general



Cited: Visitkorea, Official Korea Tourism Organization. Web. 1 April 2012. <http://englih.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/index.kto> Korea.net, The official website of the Republic of Korea. Web. 30 Mar 2012 <http://korea.net> Country Studies – Federal Research Division, Library of Congress. Web. 1 April 2012 <lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/krtoc.html> “Background Note: South Korea” U.S. Department of State. Web. 7 July 2011. 2 April 2012 <http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2800.htm#econ> “South Korea.” Encyclopedia Britannica. Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica Ind., Web. 3 Apr 2012 <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/322280/South-Korea>

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