Let's Learn about Korea on Tuesday-Lesson #8

Though North and South Korea are different in terms of government and quality of life, the people in both countries are Korean. Our child will be from South Korea, but it is also important to know about North Korea.

North Korea

The border of the 2 countries is known as the Korean Demilitarized Zone, or DMZ. After World War II, the Korean peninsula was divided by the 38th parallel. North Korea followed a communist ideology similar to the Soviet Union and China. South Korea followed a democratic ideology similar to the United States. On June 25, 1950 North Korea crossed the 38th parallel to move into South Korea to gain control of the Korean peninsula and spread communisim, thus starting the Korean War. Ceasefire was called on July 27, 1953 and the border became known as the DMZ. Tensions still exist between the two countries and the border is still heavily armed. Just this week the ongoing threat and tension was in the news .

Today, North Korea is ruled by Kim Jong-il in a self-described Juche (self-reliant) state. North Korea has the 4th largest military in the world and is often in the news for it's threat of nuclear power. North Korea has come under international criticism from human rights groups for it's oppressive regime. North Koreans are very restricted including: lack of food, government controlled media, no international news, no freedom of expression and no freedom to leave the country. If people don't follow these laws, they may be put in concentration camps or executed.

Where South Korea is a free country, North Korea is quite the opposite.

As with all my lessons, this is a brief snap-shot. Obviously this is a much bigger topic that can be a bit tricky to fully cover. Click on the following links for more information:
The Korean War

DMZ

Human Rights

North Korea