South Korea (Republic Of Korea)
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South Korea (Republic Of Korea) Politics, History and Economy
description
South Korea (Republic Of Korea). Politics, History and Economy. Randy Cosby: This period marks a contentious period in which various Korean states were in contention with each other and the Han Chinese for control of East Asia. http://ist-socrates.berkeley.edu/~korea/Old_2.html. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Transcript of South Korea (Republic Of Korea)
South Korea(Republic Of Korea)
Politics, History and Economy
Ancient History Generally Accepted History begins in
2333 BC under the rule of Tan'gun Wanggom
Three Kingdoms Era from 57 b.c. to 676 a.d.
681 a.d. – 935 a.d. North-South Kingdom Period
918-1392 a.d – Koryo Dynasty 1392 - 1910 – Choson Dynasty
Randy Cosby:
This period marks a contentious period in which various Korean states were in contention with each other and the Han Chinese for control of East Asia. http://ist-socrates.berkeley.edu/~korea/Old_2.html
Randy Cosby:
This period marks a contentious period in which various Korean states were in contention with each other and the Han Chinese for control of East Asia. http://ist-socrates.berkeley.edu/~korea/Old_2.html
Randy Cosby:
This era marked a unified Korea, but many very bloody takeovers of the royal throne.
Randy Cosby:
This era marked a unified Korea, but many very bloody takeovers of the royal throne.
1910-1945 – Colonial Period 1903
Japan forces Korea to sign agreement allowing Japan to oppose any foreign threats to Korea, but Korea is to remain independent.
Russia invades in China and Inchon Korea. Japanese troops fight off Russians in Korea. Russia recognizes Japanese control over Korea Korean dissidents meet with Roosevelt to
plead for help against Japanese oppressors
Japanese Moves 1905
Japan makes Korea a “voluntary” protectorate.
King Opposes agreement, is ignored. William Howard Taft acknowledges
Japanese supremacy in Korea, Japan recognizes US supremacy in Philippines
Randy Cosby:
W. H. Taft: US Secretary of War
Randy Cosby:
W. H. Taft: US Secretary of War
Japanese Control 1910
Japan annexes Korea 1919
March 1st Movement - 45,000 jailed, 4000 killed
First Korean Congress meets in Philadelphia
Korean Communists get financial aid from Russia
Japanese Oppression 1937 – 1942 – Japan tightens grip
on Korea Forbidden to speak Korean Koreans must adopt Japanese names 800,000 Japanese live in Korea Koreans drafted into Japanese military
The Korean “Independence” 1945
Russia attacks Japanese troops in Korea
Japanese surrender – Korea gains “independence”
US Troops arrive – temporary occupation
38th Parallel set as occupational boundary between US and Russia.
Korean War
1949 - US Troops leave Korea 1950 – Korea declared outside US
defense perimeter – UN’s responsibility
June 25, 1950 North Korea attacks South Korea – Supported by Chinese
Source: http://korea50.army.mil/history/chronology/timeline_1953.shtml
Korean War July 27 1953 - US, North Korea and China
sign armistice War ends, but without permanent peace.
We are technically still at war. To date, the Republic of Korea (South) and
Democratic Peoples' Republic of Korea (North) have not signed a peace treaty.
Source: http://korea50.army.mil/history/chronology/timeline_1953.shtml
US Involvement in War A total of 33,651 US service members
died in battle during the Korean War 7,140 US service members became
prisoners of war.
Source: http://korea50.army.mil/history/chronology/timeline_1953.shtml
Recent Political History 7 Presidents Since 1948 All but one forced out of office or
assassinated 1980 – Kwangju Massacre – Up to 1,000
dead, 14,000 wounded Some blame US for “looking the other way”
and possibly even authorizing lethal force. First peaceful transfer of power 1998
Kim Dae Jung - but presidency ended in scandal
Current Political Situation Roh Moo Hyun took office February
25, 2003 Currently only 40% approval rating
Political System Type: Republic Chief of State: Pres. Roh Moo Hyun
Elected by popular vote Head of Govt: Prime Minister Ko Kun
Appointed by President National Assembly
273 Seats – 227 by direct vote In 2004, all will be elected by pop. Vote
Supreme Court Appointed by President under with consent of
National Assembly
Economy Per Capita GDP Approximately 20X
larger than North Korea. Strong growth in the 1990’s supported
by close government / business ties Current economic conditions
Economy slowing in the short term. Housing prices up 14% in 2002. Consumer credit problems Recently lowered interest rates to
encourage spending
Exchange Rate Currently $1 = 1199 won
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1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003
Exchange Rate Swings
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1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003
Comparing to United States
US S. KoreaPop. Growth Rate 0.89% 0.85%Literacy 97% 98%Poverty 13% 4%Telephone lines 69% 50%Cell Phones 25% 58%Televisions 78% 33%Internet Users 59% 53%
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South Korea US
Other Economic Comparisons
GINI Coefficient
In a nutshell, the higher the GINI coefficient, the greater the inequality of income distribution (rich richer, poor poorer).
0 = perfect equality
1 = perfect inequality.
US S. KoreaGINI 0.41 0.32
Household Income Since 1990
0
5,000,000
10,000,000
15,000,000
20,000,000
25,000,000
30,000,000
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
Household Income Household Consumption
Major indicators(won) 1990 2001Household Income 11,025,781 23,906,771 Household Consumption 8,227,213 18,457,501
Source: Korean National Statistics Office http://www.nso.go.kr/eng/
GDP and Military Spending
US S. KoreaGDP 10,082,000,000,000$ 931,000,000,000$ GDP Per Person 35,934.954 19,315.353 Military Expediture 276,700,000,000 12,800,000,000 M. E. Per Person 986.23 265.56
The US currently has 45,000 troops in South Korea.
Recent Military Moves “$US11 billion ($A16.7 billion) upgrade
of the capabilities of US forces in South Korea would give them the ability to ‘take down’ North Korea's heavy presence on the border within an hour of war breaking out.”
Paraphrasing US Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz. As reported by “The Age” – http://www.theage.co.au 6/3/03
International Trade
US S. KoreaExports 723,000,000,000 159,200,000,000 Imports 1,148,000,000,000 146,000,000,000 Trade Surplus / (Deficit) (425,000,000,000) 13,200,000,000
Exports: electronic products, machinery and equipment, motor vehicles, steel, ships; textiles, clothing, footwear; fish
Imports: machinery, electronics and electronic equipment, oil, steel, transport equipment, textiles, organic chemicals, grains Source: CIA World Factbook
International Trade Continued Import Partners: Japan 18.9%, US
15.9%, China 9.4%, Saudi Arabia 5.7%, Australia 3.9% (2001)
Export Partners: US 20.7%, China 12.1%, Japan 11.0%, Hong Kong 6.3%, Taiwan 3.9% (2001)
Source: CIA World Factbook
