South Korea History

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The History of South Korea


Below is a brief history of South Korea. To find information other than history for South Korea then visit the South Korea Country Page.

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    South Korea History
    The myth of Korea's foundation by the god-king Tangun in BC 2333 embodies the homogeneity and self-sufficiency valued by the Korean people. Korea repelled numerous foreign invasions despite domestic strife, in part due to its protected status in Sino-Centric regional political model. Historical antipathies to foreign influence earned Korea the title of "Hermit Kingdom".

    With declining Chinese power and a weakened domestic posture at the end of the 19th century, Korea was open to Western and Japanese encroachment. In 1910, Japan began a 35-year period of colonial rule. Japanese colonial rule still recalls fierce animosity and resentment by Koreans, as a result of Tokyo's efforts to supplant the Korean language and culture.

    However, Japan's surrender to the Allied Powers only further embroiled Korea in foreign rivalries. Division at the 38th Parallel marked the beginning of Soviet and U.S. trusteeship over the North and South, respectively. On August 15, 1948 the Republic of Korea was established, with Syngman Rhee as the first president; on September 9, 1948, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea was established under Kim Il Sung.

    On June 25, 1950, North Korean forces invaded South Korea. Led by the U.S., a 16-member coalition undertook the first collective action under U.N. Command (UNC). Oscillating battle lines inflicted a high number of civilian casualties and wrought immense destruction. With China's entry on behalf of North Korea in 1951, stalemate settled in close to the original line of demarcation.

    Armistice negotiations, initiated in July 1951, finally concluded on July 27, 1953 at Panmunjom, in the now Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). The resulting Armistice Agreement was signed by the North Korean army, Chinese People's Volunteers and the U.S.- led and ROK supported United Nations Command. A peace treaty has never been signed.

    Domestically, South Korea experienced political turmoil under years of autocratic leadership. Military coups and assassinations characterized the country's first decades. But a vocal civil society emerged that led to strong protests against authoritarian rule. Composed primarily of university students and labor unions, protests reached a climax after Major General Chun Doo Hwan's 1979 military coup and declaration of martial law. A confrontation in Kwangju in 1980 left at least 200 civilians dead but consolidated nationwide support for democracy, paving the road for the first democratic elections in 1987.

    source: http://www.state.gov
  • South Korea Government
  • South Korea People
  • South Korea Geography
  • South Korea Economy