The Koreas and JapanPresent Day
South KoreaProsperity and Democracy
• 1948 – Constitutional Government– Leaders did not have to
protect individual rights if country faced emergencies
• 1987 – Protests led to change in constitution– Guaranteed freedoms
Economic Boom
• After the war, economy focused on industrial exports.
• Improved education system• 1990’s economy slumped due to debts• South Korea currently exports many high-tech
items
Daily Life and Culture
• Past: mostly farmers in a rural society• Present: Urban society• Rapid spread of Christianity – ¼ of Korean population – ¼ Buddhist
DMZ• 38th Parallel • Technically a
neutral zone• 150 Miles
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGzcxG2gBIE
North KoreaRepression and Hardship
• Isolated, totalitarian nation• Unlimited government• Dictatorship of Kim Jong-un • Came to power when Kim Jong-il passed away• Kim Il-sung • Government control of information• Heavy propaganda • No personal freedoms
Economy
• Mismanaged Command economy • 1990s flooding and droughts damaged crops• Over 2 million people died of starvation• Sanctions over nuclear weapons program
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