South Korea is a country located on the Korean Peninsula in East Asia. It has a population of over 51 million people and its capital and largest city is Seoul. South Korea has a deep cultural history and traditions, but is also known as a global leader in technology and entertainment. The country has a developed economy and highly educated population.

2. In SOUTH and NORTH of KOREA
JOURNEY
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4. CAPITAL: SEOUL
South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea
(ROK) is a country in East Asia.
An East Asian Nation on the
southern half of Korean
Peninsula, shares one of the
world’s most heavily militarized
borders with North Korea. It’s
equally know for its green, hilly
countryside dotted with cherry
trees and centuries- old Buddhist
temples, plus its coastal fishing
villages, sub- tropical islands and
high-tech cities such as Seoul.

5. Unlike other countries around
the world, in Korea, when a baby
is born, they are classed as being
1 years old. All birthdays are
celebrated on the 1st January
each year and every person
becomes a year older. This can be
confusing when speaking to a
native Korean as their true age
may be in fact a year younger.

6. Korea is mainly composed of one race which is Asian. It has its
own unique one culture character, cloth, and food that separate
from the countries nearby Korea. Diligent and hard work, filial
piety, and humbleness are characteristics respected by Koreans.

7. South Korea’s entertainment
industry has gained massive
global popularity through K-pop
music, K-dramas, and movies.
This cultural phenomenon has
helped introduce Korean culture
to a wider audience.
K-pop and Korean Wave
(Hallyu)

8. South Korea is known for its
advanced technology and
innovation. It is home to global tech
giants like Samsung and LG. the
country has one of the fastest
internet speeds in the world and is a
leader in industries like electronics,
robotics, and telecommunications.
Technological Innovations

9. Korea food, known as “Hansik,” has
gained popularity worldwide. Dishes like
kimchi, bulgogi and bibimbap are loved
for their unique flavors and healthy
ingredients. Korean BBQ, with its
interactive dining experience is also a
favorite among food enthusiasts.
Korean Cuisine

10. South Korea has a deep- rooted
Confucian culture that emphasizes
respect for elders, importance of
education, and strong family values.
These values have shaped various
aspects of Korean society and
continue to play a significant role in
Korean people’s lives.
Confucian Influence

11. South Korea is renowned for its beauty and
fashion industry which has set global trends.
Korean beauty products , skincare routines,
and fashion. It has a strong focus on
individuality and personal expression in beauty
and fashion. The concept of “Korean-style
beauty” encourages embracing one’s unique
features and enhancing natural beauty. Rather
than conforming to Western beauty standards,
South Korean beauty emphasizes a fresh,
youthful look with dewy skin, straight
eyebrows, and gradient lip colors.
Beauty and Fashion Industry

12. Types of weddings or marriage
in South Korea

13. Marriage in South Korea is currently restricted to unions between
individuals of the opposite sex as same-sex marriages remain
unrecognized. Males over 18 and females over 16 years old may
marry their parents' or guardians' consent. Otherwise, South Korea's
age of consent to marriage is 20 in Korean age (19 in international
age). 20 years of age is also the age of consent for sexual activity.
These age limits refer to one's lunar calendar-based age, which tend to
be one or two years greater than one's solar age. South Korea also
recognizes what it calls "De Facto Marriages" equivalent to
"Common Law Marriages" of couples who have not legally registered
their marriage but who have either 1. made it publicly known that
their relationship is akin to a marriage, 2. had a public wedding
ceremony, or 3. have been cohabiting as though they are married.

14. Main article: Article 809 of the Korean Civil Code Prior to 2005
marriage between two individuals of the same clan violated Korean
incest taboos and was illegal while marriage between individuals of the
same surname was socially prohibited. As of the mid 1990s, 55% of
South Korea's population shared one of five surnames: Kim, Park, Lee,
Choi and Jung; and 40% of South Koreans claim membership in one of
three major clans: the Kimhae Kim clan, Chonju Lee clan, and the
Milyang Park clan.This codified prohibition was inspired by similar
taboos in Tang China during Korea's late Choson Dynasty, which
strove to realize Confucian ideals of governance and social order.
Marriage within the same ancestral clan

15. A Union of Families, Not Just
of the Bride + Groom
A Korean wedding is symbolic of
more than just the union of two
people. The marriage represents
two families coming together as
one. As a result, parents from both
families take active participation
in many aspects of the wedding.
Parents wear special attire, give
and receive special gifts, and
provide many blessings to the
bride and groom throughout the
festivities.

16. The Bride + Groom’s
Attire
For a traditional Korean wedding, the
bride and groom will wear specific colors.
The bride will typically wear red, and the
groom will wear blue to symbolize the
Confucian idea of yin and yang. A yin
color (blue) is meant to bring healing and
relaxation, and a yang color (red) provides
enthusiasm and active energy. Together,
the energy is balanced.
Red dots the size of coins are painted on
the bride’s cheeks to ward off evil
spirits. Today, many Korean American
brides opt to wear white and might change
into a traditional dress, called a hanbok,
for certain ceremonies of the day.

17. Family + Guest Attire &
Cash Gifts
The bride and groom’s mothers will also wear
specific colors to symbolize their familial
relationship with the bride and groom. The
groom’s mother will typically wear a light blue
hanbok specifically designed for the wedding
ceremony. The bride’s mother will traditionally
wear pink, purple, or another pastel. Some
wedding guests may also choose to wear a hanbok;
however, it’s common nowadays, especially in
America, for wedding guests to wear non-
traditional, modern attire to the event as well.
If you’re invited to attend a Korean wedding, our
suggestion is to bring cash as a gift. Similar to
other cultures, the amount given varies depending
on the social status of the gift-giver and their
relationship to the bride and groom.

18. Pyebaek Ceremony &
Dates + Chestnuts
After the official marriage ceremony, the bride and
groom, along with their families, are part of a smaller
ceremony called the Pyebaek ceremony. This
ceremony is traditionally limited to family only;
however, modern couples may choose to include a
larger group of guests. For example, we’ve had
couples hold their Pyebaek ceremony during cocktail
hour so guests could view the festivities and learn
more about the Korean culture while sipping on
cocktails. During the Pyebaek ceremony, the bride
gives the parents of the groom, her new in-laws,
Korean dates (jujubes), and chestnuts as a gift. The
dates and chestnuts are symbolic of the couple’s
future children and the bride’s goodwill to create a
family with her new husband. Later in the ceremony,
the bride’s new in-laws toss the dates and chestnuts at
the bride while she attempts to catch them in the skirt
of her hanbok. The caught number signifies the
number of children the couple will be blessed with.

21. CAPITAL: PYONGYANG
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
(DPRK) also known as North Korea.
North Korea is a highly secretive
and authoritarian state with a
centralized economy and one-
party system. The country has
been ruled by Kim family since
its inception in 1948. Despite
being one of the poorest
countries in the world, it
maintains one of the militaries
and devotes significant resources
to its illicit nuclear weapons and
ballistic missile programs.

23. North Korea has a unique
political system known as Juche,
which emphasizes self-reliance
and the leadership of the ruling
Kim dynasty. The country is
essentially a single-party state,
with the Workers' Party of Korea
holding absolute power.
Political System

24. North Korea is one of the most isolated
countries in the world. It has limited
diplomatic relations with other nations and
closely controls information flow within
the country. The government tightly
regulates media and internet access,
making it difficult for citizens to access
information from the outside world.
Isolation

25. North Korea places a strong
emphasis on its military capabilities. It
has one of the largest standing armies in
the world and devotes a significant
portion of its resources to maintaining
its military strength. This focus on the
military is reflected in the country's
foreign policy and national identity.
Military Focus

26. North Korea has actively pursued
nuclear weapons development,
leading to significant international
concern. Despite facing economic
sanctions and diplomatic pressure,
the country has conducted multiple
nuclear tests and missile launches.
Nuclear Ambitions

27. North Korea has a strong cult of
personality centered around its leaders,
particularly the Kim dynasty. The country
reveres its leaders, and their images are
prominently displayed throughout the
country. The leaders are often portrayed
as infallible and are held in high regard
by the North Korean population.
Cult of Personality

28. North Korea has long faced several
economic challenges that have hindered its
growth and development. One of the primary
challenges is the country's isolationist policies and
limited foreign trade. North Korea has been under
various international sanctions imposed by the
United Nations and other countries due to its
nuclear weapons development program and
human rights violations. These sanctions restrict
North Korea's ability to engage in normal trade
activities, limiting its access to necessary
resources and foreign investment.
Economic Challenges
Another significant economic
challenge is the centrally
planned economy, which has
led to inefficiencies and
misallocation of resources.
The government controls most
industries and sets production
targets, resulting in a lack of
market competition and
innovation. This has led to low
productivity and a limited
variety of goods and services
available to the population.

29. Types of marriage or wedding in
North Korea

30. Love marriage
This is a marriage based on
mutual love and affection
between two individuals. The
couple usually meets and falls in
love on their own, and then
decides to get married with the
consent of their families.

31. Arranged marriage
This is a marriage where the families of
the bride and groom play a significant
role in finding a suitable match for their
children. The couple may or may not
have met before the marriage, and the
decision to get married is often based on
factors such as social status, financial
stability, and family background.

32. CONCLUSION
&
REFLECTION

33. In conclusion, Marriage in
South Korea has evolved over
the years , with a shift towards
love marriages and an
increase in multicultural
unions. However , cultural
traditions still play a
significant role in Korean
weddings, and the legal
framework for marriage
remains important.
In conclusion , Marriage in North
Korea is highly regulated and
influenced by the state , with
limited personal choice and a
focus on political and social
factors . The secretive nature of
North Korean society makes it
challenging to obtain
comprehensive information about
marriage practices within the
country.

34. The Korean Peninsula has been divided into two separate
countries , South Korea and North Korea , since the end of
World War II. The division resulted in stark political , economic
and social differences between the two nations.
South Korea , officially known as the Republic of Korea, has
experienced remarkable economic growth and is considered one
of the world’s leading economies. It has a democratic political
system and enjoys close alliances with other democratic
nations. South Korea has also emerged as a global cultural
powerhouse, with its K-pop music, entertainment and
technology gaining worldwide popularity.
.

35. On the other hand , North Korea , officially known as the Democratic
People’s Republic of Korea , is governed by a totalitarian regime and
has faced international isolation due to its nuclear weapons program
and human rights abuses. The country’s economy has been struggling
, and its citizen face significant challenges in terms of poverty and
limited access to information and resources. The tensions on the
Korean Peninsula have been a cause of concern for the international
community for many years.
Efforts have been made to improve relations between the two Koreas ,
including high-level diplomatic talks , cultural exchanges , and
sporting events. In recent years, there have been moments of détente
and symbolic gestures of peace, such as the historic summit meetings
between the leaders of North and South Korea in 2018 and 2019.