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BRIEF INFORMATION

GEOGRAPHY

- over 70% of the land is mountainous with the Eastern regions consisting of mainly rugged mountain ranges and deep valleys.
- most of the larger rivers and forests are located in the west.
- the coastline is dotted with bays and it has some of the highest tides in the world. The Eastern coastline has many sandy beaches, while the western side consists mainly of mud flats and rocky shores.
- the country extends south from the northeastern end of Asia and consists of the Korean Peninsula and over 3,400 islands.
- it is bordered in the north by Russia and China, and by Japan across the East sea.
- since 1945, the country has been divided into the Republic of Korea (South Korea) and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea).
- South Korea is divided into 9 provinces and 6 special cities (capital).

PEOPLE

- Koreans descended from the Mongolian race in prehistoric times. Periods of occupation have also added Chinese and Japanese blood to the gene pool.
- although they have borrowed from other cultures, esp. Chinese and Japanese, Koreans have maintained their own distinctive language, culture and customs.
- is a family-oriented society, heavily based on Confucianism, which even in modern times retains the basic patterns and manners of family-centered life.

HISTORY of KOREA

Korea claims a 5,000+ year history, dating from the country's foundation by Tan-gun. It's history is full of foreign invaders and various factions vying for power. It is broken down into the following periods:
° Three Kingdoms (57 B.C - 668 A.D)
° Silla (668 - 935)
° Goryeo (918 - 1392)
° Joseon (1392 - 1910)
° Japanese Occupation (1910 - 1945)
° Republic of Korea (1945 - present)

SOCIAL ATTITUDES

- "the Eastern country of courteous people", as described by the Chinese long ago. This aphorism reflected the Korean's traditional esteem for decorum, courtesy, and propriety, derived from teachings of Confucius; neither North nor South would claim to be Confucian in the traditional manner but these are Korean hospitality.
- Koreans do not favor demonstrative behavior in front of those who don't know well. They tend to be remote and may seem standoffish in the presence of strangers.
- they're not necessarily friendly to the people they meet on the street, whether Korean or foreignー though a lost-looking foreigner would oftenly find somebody willing to help.

CUSTOMS

- traditionally, the main festival of the year begins with the Lunar ("Chinese" in the West) New Year, which falls late January to late February. This was, and is, a time for dressing up, family visits, and festing.
(Although both North and South Korea tried to substitute January 1, that day is still an official holiday and start of the year, both have accepted that the Lunar New Year is too strong, and is now a holiday period throughout the peninsula).
- other great festival was Chusok, the fall harvest festival, a time for returning home (if possible), honoring one's ancestors, cleaning graves, and celebrating the new cops.

RESPECT FOR ELDERS

(one aspect of traditional Korea that has survived is widespread respect of those who are elder, which is another inheritance of Confucianism, and has a strong cultural influence on the Korean peninsula).

- to show respect to the elderly and those senior in years is highly regarded. It is not advisable to sit until those more senior have taken their seats, and it also makes a good impression if you stand up when somebody more senior enters the room.

ATTITUDES TOWARDS WOMEN

(Confucius emphasized respect for the elderly, but he meant elderly men. Neither women nor children ranked very high in his (or his followers) system of priorities.)

- in the past, a woman was taught that:
° in youth, she should be obedient to her parents;
° when married, to her husband; and
° in old age, to her son.

Much of this has now changed. Some Korean women smoke and drink (esp. over 60's), lead independent lives, and file for divorce. A growing number manage or own businesses. Women are well represented in some professions, many engaged in teaching, and there are numerous numbers of female pediatricians.

TABOOS

- many Koreans, like Chinese, still avoid the number four (사 "sa") since it has the same pronunciation as the word for death. Thus, you will often find that Korean buildings will not have a forth floor or that letter "f" replaces the number four.
Also, many Koreans are aware of Western superstitions about the number thirteen, that too may be missing.
- another common taboo is against the use of the left hand, which is seen by Koreans as offensive. It is best to offer something to another person (esp. senior in age or rank) with both hands. If not possible, use the right hand.
- do not stick chopstick upright in rice, as this resembles the way incense is burned at funerals.
- bare feet are generally to be avoided, Koreans live, eat, and sleep on the floor, so it is important that floors are spotlessly clean.
- do not touch an adult on the head, or even the shoulders. The same probation does not apply to children or youngsters, but on the whole it is best to err on the side-caution and avoid touching any Korean on the head.

NAMES

The most common Korean surnames are 김 "Kim", 이 "Lee", and 박 "Park", in that order. (You will also find the surnames "이" romanized as "Rhee", "Ri", "Yi", "Li", and "I", although in the Korean script these are all spelled the same way. "박", strictly speaking should be romanized as "Pak", but most Koreans seem to think that "Park" is a better guide to the sound).
Although they might not be related, millions of Koreans share the same surname. As a consequence, families distinguish themselves by their place of origin, such as "Andong". Thus you may find that "Andong Kim's" are family whose clan shrine is in "Andong".
- most surnames are one-syllable, though there are a few two-syllable ones; "Sakong" is one example.
- given names are very important in distinguishing people. Most Koreans have two-syllable given names.

NOTE:
Source: "Prime Korean" by "Johnson Park"