South Korea History, Language and Culture
History of South Korea
Korea's early identity began with the Silla kingdom, which unified most of the peninsula and fostered a flourishing culture. It was followed by the Koryo dynasty, famed for its scholarship, artistry and early printing innovations, and later by the long-lasting Choson (Joseon) dynasty, which shaped much of Korea's Confucian heritage. The peninsula endured invasions by Mongol, Japanese and Manchu forces, yet preserved a distinct language and culture throughout these turbulent centuries.
In the early 20th century, Korea was annexed by Japan, a period remembered for harsh rule and cultural suppression. At the end of the Second World War, the peninsula was divided along the 38th parallel, with the Soviet Union influencing the north and the United States the south. This split hardened into the Korean War (1950–53), a devastating conflict that ended in an armistice rather than a peace treaty — meaning the two Koreas remain technically at war today.
Post-war South Korea transformed rapidly. After decades of military-backed governments, the country embraced democracy in the late 1980s and went on to build one of Asia's most dynamic economies. Relations with the North continue to ebb and flow, alternating between tense standoffs and occasional diplomatic outreach.
The region's complex past remains deeply felt in modern South Korea, from its national museums to casual late-night conversations over soju, where history often arises with surprising passion.
Did you know?
• Traditionally, Koreans counted newborns as one year old at birth, with everyone ageing together at New Year.
• Until 2015, adultery was legally punishable.
• The surnames Kim, Lee, Park, Choi and Chung account for more than half the population.
• Although the fighting stopped in 1953, the Korean War has never officially ended.
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