Korea is a

small peninsula on the far East side of Asia. It is between China and
Japan. It is connected to mainland Asia in the North. It is separated from
China and Russia by the Yalu River and the Tuman River. Between
Korea and Japan is the East Sea. To the West between Korea and China
is the Yellow Sea. The size of Korea is roughly 1,000 kilometers in
length.
Korea is a divided country. At the End of World War II in 1948, Korea
was divided at the 38th parallel. This resulted in North Korea and South
Korea. North Korea became communist, while South Korea did not.
(This was based on the deal at the end of the War, dividing the country
in two just as Germany had been). North Korea is also known as the
Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and South Korea is also known
as the Republic of Korea. South Korea, or the Republic of North Korea
is slightly larger in physical size, while South Korea's population size is
about twice as large as North Korea's population size. The fact that this
division occurred has left both North and South Korea on the bridge of
war.

Alternative Names
Republic of Korea; Corean, Han'guk, Taehan, Taehanmin'guk
Korean War
The Korean War, commonly known as the Forgotten War, was a war
over communism between North Korea and South Korea during the
early 1950s. The war followed close after the end of World War II and
was right before the Vietnam War, often causing it to be forgotten about.
The Korean War is not a war to be forgotten, however. The Korean War
was the first war against the spread of communist and began the Cold
War. Millions of casualties occured.

Major Cities
Seoul is the
capital and
most

important city of South Korea. It is very city-like and could be compared

to New York City. There is plenty to do there, especially at night.
Shopping stands are open during the night and it isn't a quiet place at
night either! There is always something to do anytime of the day.
 LANGUAGE IN SOUTH KOREA

Koreans share one language, with approximately seventy million people around the globe
speaking Korean.

The language structure, grammar and vocabulary are similar to Japanese. Dialects are regional;
differing mainly in accent, but are so similar that comprehension for speakers, or listeners, is not
an issue. Key difference in dialect are also attributed to social status.

Korea has one of the highest literacy rates in the world due to the phonetic nature of the written
language which was invented in the mid-fifteenth century to give one language to Koreans.

[Songgwangsa Temple in Suncheon, South Korea]

SOUTH KOREAN CULTURE & SOCIETY

Religion & Beliefs
 South Korea supports religious freedom
 Confucianism, Buddhism and Christianity are the main formal
religions
 Many Koreans believe in the ancestral spirit and observe
Confucian rituals
 Confucianism is a political and social philosophy that pervades
Korean culture
Major Celebrations/Secular Celebrations
 There are two main national holidays
 New Year’s Day (second full moon after winter solstice)
 Chuseok (the eighth full moon)
 Celebrations for these festivals are based around ancestors,
family, games, harvest festivals and food.
The Family
 The family unit is an integral part of customs and life in South
Korea
 Arranged marriages are common
 Marriage is regarded as a rite of passage


D

ivorce was rare but has become more common in recent years

Food
 Korean cuisine is based on rice, vegetables and meat
 ‘Kimchi’ is the national dish and is eaten with most meals
 Kimchi is made from a variety of vegetables which are then
fermented and can be stored for long periods of time
 Banchan are side dishes – these are often made in large numbers
and are served along with the main dish
 Food is used in ceremonies, especially at weddings, birthdays and
to honour ancestors

Arts, Humanities & Popular Culture

 Historically, Chinese and Japanese influences were seen in South
Korean art; aesthetic concepts and motifs were shared
 Korean music and arts were linked to natural cycles and religion,
giving rise to a folk culture in rural areas that are still considered popular

[Ladies at a Kimchi competition in Seoul show off their personal recipes]

SOCIAL CUSTOMS & ETIQUETTE TIPS FOR SOUTH

KOREA

The Concept of Kibun
 Kibun is a word with no literal English translation; the
closest terms are pride, face, mood, feelings, or state of mind.
 If you hurt someone's kibun you hurt their pride, cause
them to lose dignity, and lose face. Korean interpersonal
relationships operate on the principle of harmony.
 It is important to maintain a peaceful, comfortable
atmosphere at all times, even if it means telling a "white lie".
 It is important to know how to judge the state of someone
else's kibun, how to avoid hurting it, and how to keep your own
kibun at the same time.
 In business, a manager's kibun is damaged if his
subordinates do not show proper respect. A subordinate's kibun
is damaged if his manager criticizes him in public.
 Nunchi is the ability to determine another person's kibun by
using the eye.

 Since this is a culture where social harmony is crucial,

being able to judge another person's state of mind is critical to
maintain the person's kibun. Nunchi is accomplished by
watching body language and listening to the tone of voice as
well as what is said.

Naming Conventions
 In South Korea names operate in the reverse of Western
cultures; Family name (surname), a second family name shared
by all of that generation, and finally their given name.
 It is considered very impolite to address a Korean with his
or her given name. They should be addressed using their
professional titles, or Mr, Mrs Etc, until permission is given
otherwise.
Meeting & Greeting
 Bowing is the traditional way to greet in South Korea
 Handshakes often accompany the bow among men
 Your left hand should support your right forearm when
shaking hands
 Korean women do not always shake hands and may slightly
nod instead of a full bow
 Always bow to individuals when departing
 Communication style
 Communication can be complicated in South Korea due to
an inherent dislike of saying ‘no’ as it is considered poor
etiquette
 Discussions can be prolonged due to the avoidance of
declining or refusing
 If disquiet is verbally or visibly displayed it is a sure sign
that something is amiss
 Good posture and positive body language is most beneficial
in meetings; patience and politeness must be maintained
throughout
 Do not use excessive or overt body language

 Use two hands, or support your right arm with your left,
when passing on business cards, gifts, or when receiving an item
Respect, trust and satisfaction are displayed through a deeper
bow
 
 [Cooling off at Cheonggyecheon, a large recreation space in Seoul]

Dining & Food
 Always wait to be seated by your host. If given the seat of
honour (looking at the front door) it is polite to demonstrate a
slight objection
 Elders are served first and begin the dining process
 Food and dining are important parts of Korean culture and
are used to build relationships. Be sociable and work at shaping
good associations for pleasure and business as they are
interlinked

 Don’t pour your own drink, although it is considered good

manners to pour another’s. Women often pour for men but not
for other women. Rather than refuse more drink (remember,
Koreans don’t like outright refusal) simply leave your glass part
full, as opposed to empty
Do not tip if you see a ‘no tipping’ sign
 There are often prolonged periods of silence during Korean
meals – socialising can happen once everyone has feasted
 Don’t forget to pass and receive food with two hands or
with just your right if it is supported by your left
 When it comes to settling the bill, the invitee may offer to
pay but the host will generally pay for everyone.
 If you are invited to continue after dinner with drinks or a
party, don’t refuse this invitation.
 On occasion you may be asked to sing a solo after dinner.
Try not to refuse this request, instead sing with enthusiasm and
spirit
 Do not point with your chopsticks, or leave them sticking
out of your bowl
 The national drink of Korea is ‘Soju’, a clear vodka-like
drink that is generally 18-25% alcohol
 Visiting a home
 Always remove your shoes before entering a Korean home
(in recent years there has been an increase in Western culture
and this may not always be the case - follow the lead of your
host if unsure)
 It is possible to arrive up to thirty minutes late without
causing offence but punctuality is highly respected
 Remember, never pour your own drink. The host will do
this in your presence
 Being invited into a Korean’s home is considered an
honour (especially if it is for a meal) so it is essential to treat it
as such. Be polite, respectful and observe their customs

 Bring a gift to reciprocate your host’s kindness

 Once the party is over you will usually be escorted to your
car or the gate by the host. This is a sign of respect
Taboos in South Korean Culture
 Do not wear your shoes in places of worship or peoples’
homes
 Do not put your feet on furniture
 Do not eat or drink in public places while walking
 Do not place your thumb between your middle and index
finger while making a fist as this an obscene gesture
 Do not use red ink. This is a symbol of death and is
reserved only for writing the names of the deceased. It is
considered unlucky and suggests you wish death to the recipient
 Do not use the number four if at all possible – if giving
gifts, do not give four of something. It is considered unlucky due
to the similarity between the Korean word for death and the
pronunciation of the word ‘four’
 Do not stand too close to people you are meeting for the
first time – keep an arms length between you
  

[Offerings to the ancestors prior to the opening of a new complex. South Korea blends business with spirituality seemlessly]

They wear handbok consists of jeogori, a blouse shirt or a jacket

and Chima, a wraparound skirt, which is usually worn full. The
ensemble is often called chima jeogori. Men's handbok consists of
jeogori and baji which means pants in Korea.
A Hanbok (South Korean) or Joseon-ot (North Korean) is a
traditional Korean dress for semi-formal or formal attire during
traditional occasions such as festivals, celebrations, and ceremonies. It is
characterized by vibrant colors and simple lines without pockets.
Although the term literally means "Korean clothing", hanbok usually
refers specifically to clothing of the Joseon period. Korea had a dual
clothing tradition in which rulers and aristocrats adopted different kinds
of mixed foreign-influenced indigenous styles while commoners
preserved a distinct style of indigenous clothing, today known as
hanbok.

KOREAN NEW YEAR

Koreans celebrate New Year's Day at the start of the year on the lunar
calendar (Solnal) and have done so for thousands of years. However,
many Koreans now also celebrate the New Year at the start of the solar
calendar (January 1), as Westerners do. Thus, many people in Korea and
abroad celebrate New Year's Day twice. But it is the Lunar New Year that
is one of the most important Korean holidays on the calendar.
 Korean Neolttwigi
 Korean women and girls
would have traditionally
played Neolttwigi, or nol-
ttwigi a game of jumping on
a seesaw

Christmas tree Festival in Busan

 Korean lantern
parade

Korea Traditional Game

Tuho

TRADITIONAL ARTS

Gugak
The term gugak, which literally means “national music,” refers
to traditional Korean music and other related art forms including
songs, dances and ceremonial movements. The history of music
in Korea should be as long as Korean history itself, but it was
only in the early 15th century, during the reign of King Sejong
of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), that Korean music became a
subject of serious study and was developed into a system,
resulting in the creation of the oldest mensural notation system,
called jeongganbo, in Asia.

Folk Dance
Korean people have inherited a great
variety of folk dances such
as  salpurichum (spiritual purification
dance), gutchum (shamanic ritual
dance), taepyeongmu (dance of
peace), hallyangchum (idler’s
dance), buchaechum (fan
dance), geommu (sword dance),
and seungmu (monk’s dance)

Painting and Calligraphy

Painting has always been a major genre of Korean art since
ancient times. The art of ancient Korea is represented by the
tomb murals of Goguryeo (37 B.C. - 668 A.D.) which contain
valuable clues to the beliefs of the early Korean people about
humanity and the universe as well as to their artistic sensibilities
and techniques.

Kim Jeong-hui (1786-1856) is particularly

famous for developing his own style, which
is known as Chusache or Chusa Style
 (Chusa was his pen name). His calligraphic
works fascinated even the Chinese masters
of his time and are still widely admired for
their remarkably modern artistic beauty.
“Myeong-Seon (Meditation with Tea)" by Kim Jeong-hui (penname: Chusa, 1786-1856)
(Joseon, 19th century)

Ssireum (Korean Wrestling) by Kim Hong-do (1745-1806). This genre painting by Kim

Hong-do, one of the greatest painters of the late Joseon Period, vividly captures a scene of
traditional Korean wrestling where two competing wrestlers are surrounded by engrossed
spectators.

POTTERY
Korean pottery, which nowadays attracts the highest praise from
international collectors, is typically divided into three
groups: Cheongja (blue-green celadon), Buncheong (slip-coated
stoneware), and Baekja (white porcelain). Celadon refers to
Korean stoneware which underwent major development in the
hands of Goryeo potters some 700 to 1,000 years ago. Celadon
pottery is marked by an attractive jade blue surface and the
unique Korean inlay technique used to decorate it. 
(Clockwise from left top) Celadon Melon-shaped Bottle (Goryeo, 12th century); Celadon Jar with Peony
Design (Goryeo, 12th century); White Porcelain Bottle with String Design in Underglaze Iron (Joseon,
16th century); Buncheong Bottle with Lotus and Vine Design (Joseon, 15th century) (Source: National
Museum of Korea)

Decorum
Decorum is the traditional Korean fondness for yeui, the rules of proper and polite
behavior. Nowadays, there is much less strictness, but nonetheless a marked formality
and sensitivity to what is appropriate in given circumstance and social situation still is
characteristic of Korean society.

KOREAN FOODS
Gimbap Bindaetteok

Gimchi Bulgogi

Bibimbap

Korean Religions
CHRISTIANITY

BUDDHISM

CONFUCIANISM

Busan, a large port city in South Korea, is known for its

beaches, mountains and temples. Busy Haeundae Beach features
the Sea Life Aquarium, plus a Folk Square with traditional
games such as tug-of-war, while Gwangalli Beach has many
bars and views of modern Diamond Bridge. Beomeosa Temple,
a Buddhist shrine founded in 678 A.D., is at the base of
Geumjeong Mountain, which has hiking trails.

B
U
S
A
N

Daegu is a city in North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea. It’s

known for the Daegu Yangnyeongsi Oriental Medicine Cultural
Center, which has a market as well as exhibitions tracing the
history of local medical traditions. Nearby,
Gyeongsanggamnyeong Park is home to manicured lawns and
the early-20th-century governor’s residence. Exhibits at Daegu
National Museum include ancient pottery and Buddhist relics.
Gift giving is very common in Korea. Offer and receive a gift
with both hands. Wrapped gifts are never opened in the
presence of the giver.
 The bow is the
traditional
Korean
greeting,
although it is
often
accompanied by
a handshake
among men. To
show respect
when shaking
hands, support
your right forearm with your left hand.
Korean women usually nod slightly and will not shake hands
with Western men. Western women may offer their hand to a
Korean man.
Bow when departing. Younger people wave (move their arm
from side to side).

KOREAN FESTIVALS
D
A
E
G
U