Final Project Choice: Comparing North Korea and South Korea

This blog is dedicated to comparing both North Korea and South Korea for my final in Human Geography at Santa Barbara City College.

The Korean Peninsula is surrounded by the Sea of Japan (East Sea), Yellow Sea, Korean Strait, Cheju Strait and Korean Bay. The peninsula's land area is 219,140 sq km (84,610 sq miles), with a total coastline length of 8,458 km (5,255 miles). Though similar in name, two very different countries occupy the Korean Peninsula. The peninsula split after World War II, from a country formerly known as Korea.

North Korean Military Demonstration

North Korea is a country that is located in East Asia and shares a border with China. Its official name is the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Do not let the name fool you, North Korea is very, very far from being a democratic country. North Korea's government is described as a communist state. North Korea is very much cut off from the world and has one of the least open economies as well as immigration and emigration policies. North Korea's capital is Pyongyang. Its leader's name is KIM Jong Un and was appointed in 2011.

South Korea occupies the bottom half of the Korean Peninsula, and is very culturally different from the oppressive regime in North Korea. It's government is a Presidential Republic, very similar to our own. Its economy is very open and developing rapidly. Chances are you have a piece of technology in your house or car that has come from South Korea. South Korea's president is named President PARK Geun-hye and was appointed in 2013.  It's capital city is Seoul.

Seoul, South Korea

I chose to compare these two countries because they are similar geographically, but culturally they are EXTREMELY different. I want to explore the history of why this cultural split came to be, and the current conflict that the Koreans are having, both internally and internationally.

I can't wait to share more with the class!


Sources:

South Korea, CIA World Factbook, accessed on 5 October 2016.

North Korea, CIA World Factbook, accessed on 5 October 2016.

"Korea's History". Asian Shravan. Retrieved 5 October 2016.