North and South Korea formed one state until it was occupied by Japan in 1910. This was terminated because Japan surrendered at the end of WWII. This was due to an atom impact in the two cities; Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Korea was now in the hands of the U.S and the USSR. They could not come together how Korea had to be governed. Therefore, it was divided into two parts. A northern and a southern part. The southern part was built and ruled by the U.S and South Korea was therefore capitalist. The northern part was ruled by the Soviet Union and they made it communistic. The border was based on the 38th parallel north. Because of the border, families and friends were split in two. This created two states who do not agree with each other. They fight from 1950 to 1953, which caused the death of two million people. But nobody won the war. They kept on threatening each other after the war and families who lived across the two countries could not see, speak or write each other.
South – Korea
In subsequent years South – Korea grew into a highly industrialized, capitalist and democratic society. It also made a huge economic progress. Korea was first a poor country mainly based on agriculture, but the government wanted the economy to grow. Other issues such as human rights were not the main problem anymore and were later to be discussed. Korea has supported some companies greatly by giving them financial support. This means Korea has now some very large companies. These companies are called ‘Chaebols’ and examples are; Hyundai, Daewoo and Kia. These companies are not only interested in building cars, but they also have department stores, banks, gas stations, insurance etc. These “Chaebols” have ensured that South Korea can now be seen as a developed country. The average income is not as high as for example in The Netherlands ($22,000) but around $10,550. Most people have a good life, there are no slums and begging children.
North – Korea
North – Korea was ruled by the Soviet Union and they made it communistic. North Korea became politically and economically completely communist. Non-communist influences were forbidden, just like religious influences. This was all caused by the new leader in North Korea. A new government was formed, with Kim II-sung as leader. He introduced his own politics; “juche” He determined how people should live and he did not tolerate criticize. Someone who criticized the new lifestyle would be killed or at least send to a prison camp. North Korea was completely isolated from the world. The inhabitants were forced to see Kimm II-sung as ‘a great leader’ All the houses and buildings had to have a portrait of him. And even the calendar is changed. North Korea is now living in the year 97, after the birth of the ‘great leader’.
Door: Sabine
Vertaald door: Defne
