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