South Korea | Background, History & Culture Facts

Archeological evidence suggests that the Korean peninsula was settled approximately 700,000 years ago by Tungusic-speaking people who migrated down from Siberia and Manchuria. These ancient people settled along coasts and river valleys and formed the dominant ethnic groups. In the thousands of years following, Korean independence was maintained by various kingdoms.

The first Korean kingdom was the Gojoseon, Go meaning "ancient," and Joeson referring to the Joseon dynasty which emerged much later. The Gojoseon dynasty began during the Bronze Age, in 2333 BC, and lasted until 108 BC. Legend has it that the kingdom was founded by a mythological figure called Dangun. Dangun was said to be born of the prince of Heaven and a bear-turned-woman. The Gojoseon Kingdom had the most advanced culture in Korea, influenced by relations with China. Chinese influence is seen in the use of ancient pit burial tombs and the introduction of iron, which increased agricultural production and overall prosperity in Korea.

The period of time that followed the Gojoseon was known as the Three Kingdom Period. The remnants of the Gojoseon, along with other small settlements and tribes, banded together and evolved into states. Each state developed tribal federations, resulting in the three rival kingdoms: the Goguryeo, Paekche, and Silla. The Three Kingdom Period, which lasted from 57 BC to 668 AD, saw the implementation of training institutions, centralized militaries, alliances with China and Japan, and wars for land between rival kingdoms. During this time, hereditary monarchies were established, and Buddhism was introduced via the Silk Road. In 668, Silla, aided by the Tang dynasty, ended the Goguryeo and Paekche dynasties by gaining control of the peninsula. By the 7th century CE, the country was known as Unified Silla.

Koreans and historians alike debate the true first kingdom. While some believe that the Bronze Age Gojoseon was the first, others believe that Goryeo, the kingdom that followed Unified Silla, holds the title. The Goryeo Kingdom was founded in 918 during the Later Three Kingdoms period and lasted until 1392. This period of time is remembered as the golden age of Buddhism in Korea. This kingdom was the first to unify with the ruling class of northern Balhae, southwestern Baekjae, and central Silla. The name Korea is derived from Goryeo, also spelled Koryo.

Korean culture is heavily influenced by the Joseon Dynasty period and Chinese culture. Confucian principles, established during the Joseon dynasty, are still seen in the personal and professional lives of South Korean people. Confucianism centers around tradition, family and ancestors, group harmony, and respect for elders and authority.

Family

Generally speaking, Koreans are very family-oriented. The majority of South Koreans live in city centers, and many families live in multigenerational houses. These houses may be divided into separate dwellings for individual nuclear families. Aligned with Confucian principles, kibun, or honor, is paramount. In more traditional households the actions of one person are believed to impact the perception of the entire family. South Korean family structure is typically patriarchal.

However, since the Korean War, many families have begun to shift towards more flexible family dynamics. Children are raised to be more self-reliant and women have gained more power within the home and within society. Parents share responsibilities around the house and in raising their children. Despite this Westernization, many Koreans still adhere to more traditional family dynamics. Arranged marriages are common, and some families worship their ancestors multiple times per year.

Food

Rooted in ancient tradition, South Korean people view food and medicine as similar in origin and value. Therefore, the preparation and consumption of food is very significant to the culture. Fruits and vegetables and eaten seasonally. Foods such as doenjang (fermented soybean paste), ganjang (fermented soy sauce), gochujang (fermented chili paste), and jeotgal (fermented fish sauce) are used in many traditional dishes. Fermented foods are believed to have anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and probiotic properties. Kimchi, one of the most commonly known South Korean foods, is believed to be anti-carcinogenic.

Other popular dishes include:

South Korea is a small mountainous country on the southern half of the Korean peninsula. The official name of the country is the Republic of Korea (ROK), and the capital is Seoul. According to historians, the first Korean kingdom was the Gojoseon which began in 2333 BC. The time period that followed was known as the Three Kingdom Period, for the three rival kingdoms that occupied the entire peninsula. The last ruling Kingdom of Korea was the Joseon Dynasty, which began in 1392 and lasted 500 years. Due to invasion, Korea experienced a period of isolationism before it was annexed by Japan. After World War II and the Korean War, the peninsula was divided into two separate countries: North Korea and South Korea. Today, South Korea is a democratic country. It has the tenth largest economy in the world, one which is heavily based on the technology and computer industries.

South Korea has made waves in popular culture since the late 90s, so much so that the term K-wave was coined to describe the phenomenon. K-dramas such as Squid Game, K-pop artists such as BTS, and South Korean films such as Parasite have broken records and become household names worldwide. Modern South Korean culture is also influenced by ancient, Joseon Confucian traditions. Over half of the current population lives in cities, and many families share multi-generational housing. Families are close-knit and emphasize kibun, or honor. While many Koreans adhere to tradition, younger generations tend to mix tradition with more Western ideals. Food and medicine are closely tied in Korean culture. Many South Korean foods, such as kimchi, feature fermented ingredients which have many health benefits. Popular dishes include bulgogi, bibimbap, japchae, and jeon.