Korea

Abstract

Korea was established in 2,333 B.C. by Dan-koon, the legendary first great king, with descendants of the Mongolian race. Koreans comprise one people and use one language, which is completely different from Chinese and Japanese, although the three countries share many cultural aspects. Korea has a unified culture, which is a blend of Buddhism, Confucianism, Shamanism and, since the 18th century, Western influences. Until 1910, when Japan annexed Korea, Koreans lived independently with their own governmental, social, and cultural systems. When Japan surrendered at the end of World War II, Korea was occupied by the USA and the Soviet Union and was divided into North and South Korea. South Korea followed the path of western democratic countries, and currently plays a major role in economic, political, cultural and educational issues internationally as well as regionally. North Korea followed the path of Communism and is one of the most closed societies in the world.