Together we stand, divided we fall. Together, we'll climb to the top of the world.
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| Why did they separate? |
The quotation above is very applicable to Korea. I'm not talking to South Korea itself, but the whole Korea, including North. The country could've stood together as one, and emerged as one of the most influential countries of this time. As we can see, South Korea steadily is making its way towards development, and this evidently shows North Korea's downfall a lot.
There is a very small information about North Korea. The country is very closed to the outside world, and only "talks" to its alliances, mostly China and Russia. It's closed to international pop culture, to technology, and to international relations. The country highly believes that it can stand by itself, but in my opinion, it cannot.
Studies show that North Korean youth are shorter than South Korean youth. It is hypothesized that food is the factor that affects this height change. Currently, North Korea is subject to food scarcity, and only receives food aid from other countries, which includes the US. Remember when the country tried to launch the rocket? US is the first one to say that if they do, they will cut their food supply off. While North Korea is hungry, the striving South Korea does not experience that much scarcity. They freely receive help from its neighboring countries, and is able to reciprocate what is given.
Many of us ask this question. Why did North Korea and South Korea separate? Is it just something that they want? No.
It all stems down from Japan, the prime suspect. Haha. Korea is really Korea before, no separation. One strong united country. However, Japan tried to conquer the whole country. Korea does not have that strong military power before, so it can be conquered easily. Here comes the support from other countries.
Russia said to north of Korea, "Come here, I will help you." The United States of America said the same to the southern part of Korea. And both of the countries aided the side they have chosen, and have driven out the Japanese. However, when it's time to reunite, both of the parts wanted the political system each has, to dominate the combined countries. No agreement has been finalized. In the end, they stopped uniting the two.
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| Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) |
This separation formed the "DMZ" or the Korean Demilitarized Zone, the place that separates the two Koreas. Did you know that if someone crosses the zone, and is not from the country it crossed, can be shot automatically?
What would the verdict be? I asked my students before about their desire to combine both countries. One said..
Teacher, I want both to combine. In the end, the two Koreas combined is still Korea. We are all Koreans, and we just need a single country.
However, I have asked some too, who are not in favor. You know their reply?
No, teacher, I don't want to. They have killed many South Koreans already. And people there are very bad. One day, I will be a soldier, and I will attack North Korea.
The North Korean president is very bad. He killed many South Koreans. I don't like him.
No matter how innocent or how hateful these children's ideas are, I think that the future of their country still relies on them. As the cliche says, "The youth is the hope of the motherland." Who knows, that these countries combine, and become one of the world's mightiest.
It would really be good to have a one Korea and North Korea just abandon their Nuclear Plans.
ReplyDeleteI think it would be hard for NK to give up their nuclear plans.
DeleteIt serves as their "scarecrow" to the US and the UN. To threaten the world.
Really the youth today will be the citizen of the future! It will be good to know that sometime in future that there will be only Korea.
ReplyDeleteIt would be good! The military force of NK, plus the prosperity of SK, it's one big developed Korea!
DeleteThere just so many technicalities that needs to be strengthen out nowadays that it became not just so simple at all. It became so complicated already that talking is even harder then those soldier at the DMZ area.
ReplyDeleteThe DMZ is really a scary place, I tell you. One wrong step and a bullet might just come right after you.
DeleteThanks for explaining the history behind the separation of the two Koreas. I feel bad for North Koreans tbh. From what I've heard and read, they don't have a lot of freedoms there.
ReplyDeleteYes, they really don't. I read from an article before, that commoners do not have the right to own a cellular phone, or even televisions. Only the rich, the powerful, and the influential ones are able to harvest such luxury.
DeleteI used to teach to Koreans before and I've heard a lot of resentments between South Korea and North. Obviously, nobody wants to be in NK, simply because of the law they have.
ReplyDeleteOne issue nowadays is North Koreans fleeing the country for freedom. Once you have successfully fled the country, they will know your name, and the family you left will be severely punished.
DeleteAnd, if you are caught fleeing, you're dead meat.
I just hope they stop this war and make peace with each other. their country will be stronger if united as one.
ReplyDeleteTrue enough.
Deletethat quote is very familiar to me- reminiscing my Boyscout days on High School, that is our theme jejeje:) back to the story, we should keep our hope for peace and unity of this two korean countries:)
ReplyDeleteYes. Let's hope for the very best.
Deleteso this is the main reason why both countries separated. I guess, Koreans should be united but the question is how? as to the new leader of north Korea is very young and aggressive.
ReplyDeleteYes. The new leader is really scary. AS he is young, he is bound to make very risky choices, which scares the South most. Take the rocket as an example.
DeleteI do wish both country will be able to talk out all their issues because in the first place they begin with one and they should end up as one.
ReplyDeleteLet's hope for the best. But I think, the other needs to change for both to unite. :)
DeleteI believe you just made yourself one-of-a-kind teacher with how you presented this lesson! History has always made me sleep, lol! but reading this, made me remember my Asian History class in high school; I love how you made it so interesting and easy to understand.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Haha.. It's always good to discuss about Korea (North and South) because I'm really intrigued if the two will still unite, though it's quite uncertain. One is closed-minded.
Deleteinteresting take on Korea. Yup, they are always branded as The Good and The Bad Korea
ReplyDeleteBoth sides should have good and bad sides. However, with what the North shows the world (even though they've secluded themselves enough), it just shows that they have more of that "bad side".
Deletelet's just all pray for unity and peace.. there may be a north korea and south korea but people there are still united by one race and nationality.
ReplyDeleteThey might be, but they insist on being separated. I guess we can't do something about that.
Deleteto these day, the 2 Koreas are still at war...there has been no surrender nor defeat since 1950's. They are the only country left that is still divided.
ReplyDeleteIt is impossible to unite a nation when historically had been greatly affected by gruesome killings. Your students already developed a grudge to those Nokor. Their bad deeds were already ingrained to the minds and hearts of the Sokor.
ReplyDeleteYes. The problem sir nowadays, is that NK has done several things to SK already, with SK just taking the blows from the opponent.
DeleteThough silent, SK still holds grudges to NK for that matter.
And that, I worry, will hinder both countries to unite with each other.
hope the sk and the nk will someday unite and have peace with each other... in order to do this, there should only be one leader for all officials of both, someone just, unbiased and have a strong will to unite the nation as one. i know it's easy to say than done... but nothing is impossible if all work together... Yahweh bless.
ReplyDeletehay. why cant there be peace.. there are no more land to conquer ahhaha. I just hope everything will be ok whether they will be one or not.. i hope both of them for the better.
ReplyDeleteHope Sokor and Nokor will find its way to be reunited again. I know, someday.
ReplyDeleteThrough the years, I think that the two divided parts of Korea have developed their own separate values. But there is a possibility of uniting them both if only their leaders would agree. North Korea has so much respect with their leaders and I think that if there is a compromise to unite the two, the deciding factor will be in the hands of the North leaders.
ReplyDeleteIt was only recently that I really understood what it meant. I like that quote. Teamwork at its best.
ReplyDeleteThis is one useful information about both Koreas. I just hope they unite someday but under which and what, only time will tell.
ReplyDeleteyou made me realize that I'm never late to study Korean history. I only know they during prime time shows and when I'm watching MTV Asia.
ReplyDeleteI think unity is possible for North and South Korea if and only if no third party will interfere. - KarenT
ReplyDeleteI have watched some action movies and noticed that North Korea is usually the enemy. I hope their country will be open like the South Korea, I think their citizens would be very happy if they have freedom and their country will be open for international summit.
ReplyDeletei hope government in North Korea realize the negative effects. it's sad when they don't see that their people are the ones suffering.
ReplyDelete