'Land of the Morning Calm': 5 Things Americans need to Know about Korea

When you hear the word 'Korea,' what images enter your mind? Black and white photos of troops in the Korean War, or scenes from the Communist North? Ever since President Bush labelled the North as one of the "axes of evil" in his 2002 address, American perception of the Korean peninsula has largely narrowed to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea nuclear capabilities (the official name of North Korea). In a recent survey by Princeton University, only 11% of American voters "rate[d] North Korea favorably," making it the least favored regime world-wide. Caught up in this view, so many of us tend to forget that the peninsula is also home to the 12^th largest economy, and the ship-building capital of the world. Believe it or not, the Korean peninsula is a region vastly more complex and instrumental to the US than we imagine.

The main entrance to "Gyeongbokgung"- the Northern Palace

1. Opening the 5000 year-old doors: According to legend, the early Gojoseon* kingdom was established in 2333 BC, 300 years before the first Chinese imperial dynasties (*Gojoseon = Old Joseon, the 1st Korean dynasty). For the next 5000 years, the peninsula progressed through some of the most peaceful times in history, characterized by unusually long dynasties, and nonviolent power handovers at the turn of each era. However, this period of stability and “closed-door policies” came to a close with the implementation of the “Japan-Korea Treaty of 1856 (ie. Treaty of Amity),” which forced open the gates of Korean portsto both Japanese and European trade. About the same time the Wright brothers were amazing audiences with their control over flight, Koreans were watching the Japanese as they quickly took advantage of the treaty, and declared supremacy over the Korean peninsula. Until liberation in 1945, the citizens of "the Land of the Morning Calm" saw only a future of destruction as the Japanese mercilessly hounded the protectorate country, and embarked on inhumane brainwashing campaigns.

At the turn of the 20th century, Korea found itself embroiled in the conflicting interests of its neighbors: Japan, Russia, and China.

What began as a temporary boundary line is now a maximum security border; American and Korean troops patrol both sides of the DMZ (De-militarized Zone) at all times.

2. Division- Was it a Mistake?: After being liberated from Japanese rule, Koreans began planning for the road to reconstruction. (This movement was led by the Korean Provisional Government, which had functioned secretly in China during the Japanese occupation.) However, the Allied Forces were concurrently drawing up the "United Nations Trusteeship" (신탁통치), a treaty meant to aid in the establishment of a democratic government by dividing the peninsula into a US-led South and USSR-guided North. Although they began with good intentions, the two superpowers were unable to reach a “joint trusteeship,” and the hastily drawn 38^th parallel line became the official political boundary on August 15, 1948. Due to this, many older Koreans view the founding of the Republic of Korea with wistfulness and frustration for the united nation that could have been.

The DMZ today.

3. Rising Trade Star: Dwarfed by neighboring China & Japan, South Korea is often unacknowledged by the international community. But did you know that the Republic of Korea is the first in the world in ship-building (Hyundai Courtyard), second in IT development (Samsung-Galaxy, LG), and fifth in petroleum exports? This nation is the US's sixth largest partner in supplying imports, and its seventh largest market for exports, immediately behind countries like China, Japan, and Germany. This year marks the second anniversary of the US's Free Trade Agreement with South Korea, and according to Ambassador Froman, the KORUS (Republic of Korea Free Trade Agreement) is one of the most profitable deals the US has signed to date. Only 60 years ago, no one could have imagined that this poor country, demolished by decades of war, would ever reach the status it is at today.

Hyundai Industries shipyard in Ulsan, South Korea, reputedly the largest shipyard in the world.

4. Looking beyond the meme: As Americans, we tend to either tremble in fear at the prospect of nuclear invasion from North Korea, or scoff at the daily whims of its ruler, the world's most powerful "spoiled brat." But as citizens of the world's policeman, it's time we took our awareness beyond this level, and recognize the near 25 million people struggling under the Kim dynasty's despotic rule. We have to understand that after the collapse of the Japanese colonies, "the Great Leader" Kim Il Sung centered his entire nation around boosting the show of military finesse out of fear of future invasions. This set the stage for the world’s 5th most powerful military power, but it also resulted in absolute stagnation in the economy, and a vast famine (analysts to this day are not sure of the exact number of deaths). North Koreans live devoid of religious or speech freedoms, and their only exposure to the rest of the world is through the Chinese black market. Currently, any aid that the US or foreign NGO's attempt to give the regime are redirected as funds for the military. Before we can help the victims in North Korea, we must first crack the US's image as a calculating, backwards nation, its portrayal under Kim's "brainwashing" education techniques.

The heart-wrenching reality of families split by war in Korea has led to complete loss of contact between family members in the North and South. Through highly contentious family reunions, and the now-expanding Chinese black market, Koreans are just beginning to rekindle their old bonds.

5. We are one!: Koreans share 5000 years of history as a single people, and to this day, many firmly believe that reunification is in the peninsula’s near future. One of the many branches of the South Korean government is the ‘Ministry of Unification,’ and it has been the requirement of every presidential candidate to release a plan for union. Other indicators of this shared mentality can be found in the periodic “North & South family reunions,” and the Kaesong Industrial Complex, which until recently, allowed South Korean companies to employ thousands of North Korean workers in a ‘mutual benefit’ scenario. Through constant opportunities for interaction, both Kim Jong-Il and President Park Geun-hye are trying to steer their countries toward one destination. But the greatest hurdle lies in security, and such concerns have prevented a direct meeting between the two presidents (From the South, perceived nuclear and missile threats & from the North, the presence of permanent American troops). As American citizens, we are at a windfall, the enemy of one party and a strong rapport for the other. But in this conflict, it is our duty to keep in mind not just American interests abroad, but the interests of Koreans throughout the peninsula, and avoid the mistakes of our predecessors.