Portal:Korea
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Korea is a civilization and geographical area situated on the Korean Peninsula in East Asia, bordering China to the northwest and Russia to the northeast, with Japan situated to the southeast across the Korea Strait. It is often called the "Land of the Morning Calm".
One of the world's oldest civilizations, Korea has a recorded history dating back approximately 2,333 B.C.E. It enjoyed long periods of relative peace punctuated by foreign invasions. In 1905, Korea was occupied by Japan, becoming a colony in 1910. Following World War II, the Soviet Union and United States played a role in dividing the peninsula into two political entities, North Korea and South Korea.
North Korea is a communist state that is sometimes described as Stalinist and isolationist. South Korea is a capitalist liberal democracy, and its world economic ranking is 10th (based on GDP).
Korea is populated by a relatively homogeneous ethnic group, the Koreans, who speak a distinct language called Korean and use the unique script hangul.
Wikinews about North Korea and South Korea...
Gyeongju is a city (see Administrative divisions of South Korea) and prominent tourist destination in eastern South Korea. It lies in the far southeastern corner of North Gyeongsang Province, on the coast of the Sea of Japan (East Sea). Nearby cities include the industrial centers Ulsan and Pohang. Numerous low mountains, outliers of the Taebaek range, are scattered throughout the city.
Gyeongju was the capital of the ancient kingdom of Silla, a fact to which it owes its present-day prominence. The Silla kingdom arose at the turn of the 1st millennium, and ruled most of the Korean Peninsula from the 7th to the 9th centuries. A vast number of sites from this period remain in the city today. After the kingdom fell, the city gradually declined in importance.
Today Gyeongju is a typical medium-sized city, having shared in the economic, demographic, and social trends that have shaped modern South Korea. However, amidst these trends the city has retained a distinctive identity. In tourism, it is one of South Korea's best-known destinations. In manufacturing, it profits from its proximity to major industrial centers such as Ulsan. Gyeongju is connected to nationwide rail and expressway networks, which facilitate both industrial and tourist traffic. (more...)
Taepyeongmu (태평무), a Korean dance wishing a great peace for Korea. Its origin is unknown but the late Hahn Seungjun(한성준 韓成俊 1875-1941), a known dancer and drummer, rearranged it in the early 20th century. It is assumed to have been a court dance occasionally performed by kings during the Joseon dynasty of Korea. Therefore, the costumes used for dancers are almost similar to a king and queen's gwanbok (관복, official clothings). Taepyeongmu is designated as one of the Important Intangible Cultural Properties of South Korea.
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- From August 7 to August 12 : the most significant floods in North Korea for 40 years caused 300 dead and missing and 300,000 homeless
- June 21, 2007: South Korean company Samsung launches the world's first oil carrier capable of breaking through polar ice. Korea.net
- June 18, 2007: North Korea invites UN for nuclear inspection. Korea Herald
- May 15, 2007: South Korea launches King-Sejong-the-Great–class KDX-III Aegis destroyers. Chosun Ilbo
- April 2, 2007: South Korea and the United States reach a free trade agreement. International Herald Tribune
- March 3, 2007: South Korea launches XK2 Black Panther in the main battle tank military industry. engadget
Before becoming Secretary-General, Ban was a career diplomat in South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and in the United Nations. He entered diplomatic service the year he graduated college, accepting his first post in New Delhi. In the foreign ministry he established a reputation for modesty and competence. (more...)
...that the first contact between Russia and Korea occurred when Joseon Dynasty forces under Shin Ryu defeated a Russian expedition in the 1650s?
...that South Korea was the first country in the world to provide high-speed internet access to every primary, junior, and high school?
...that Ryugyong Hotel in Pyongyang, North Korea, would be the tallest hotel in the world, if completed?
...that Jikji (Baekun Hwasang Chorok Buljo Jikji Simche yojeol, printed 1377) is the world's oldest extant metal-type printed book?
- Korea Blog Aggregator
- Korea Tourism Organization's Travel & Culture Guide
- Information about Korea, China and Japan Economy - Samsung Economic Research Institute
- Korea.net
- DMOZ directory of Korea-related sites
- Country study South Korea, North Korea
- CIA Factbook South Korea, North Korea
- Met Museum Timeline of Korean art
- Korea Journal online
- Korea Herald
- Korea Times English
- Korean language Wikipedia
- Galbijim Wiki
Korea: astronomy - archaeology - architecture - culture - education - environment - geography - history - Korean studies - Korea-related lists - organizations - people - religion - sports
North Korea: buildings and structures - cities - communications - culture - economy - education - geography - government - history - media - military - organizations - people - politics - religion - science and technology - society - sports - tourism - transportation
South Korea: buildings and structures - cities - communications - conservation - culture - economy - education - geography - government - healthcare - history - law enforcement - media - military - organizations - people - politics - religion - science and technology - society - sports - subdivisions - tourism - transportation
Religion: Buddhism • Christianity
Geography: Asia • China • Japan • Russia
Sports: Baseball Football
