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Strong legally regulated family system and deep Confucian influence. A nation of mostly rice-growing rural villages until the mid 20 th century. Median level farmstead in the late 1970s. Aerial view of farming village in early spring. Sheds for growing ginseng medicinal roots, a cash crop.
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Strong legally regulated family system and deep Confucian influence
A nation of mostly rice-growing rural villages until the mid 20th century
Jars for kimchi, pickled vegetables, and sauces: a uniquely Korean cultural feature
1870s - 1905 China, Japan, Russia compete for influence and control over Korea1905-1945 Japanese Colonial Period
South Korea’s transformation occurred in one generation, the fastest of any nation in history
Seoul, a city of 22 million+, is within artillery range of North Korea
Traditional inner-city residential housing in Seoul in the early 1980s: now mostly disappeared
Highrise building began in the early 1980s in downtown Seoul
The new highrise apartment residential lifestyle of the 1980s
Single family dwellings other
South Korea’s development strategy: dependent on manufacturing for export
Contemporary commercial development in Seoul’s Kangnam district
Pop music, fashion and clothing, movies, TV soap operas (and soon Korean food)
(Long Live the Great Victory of the ‘Military First’ Policy!)
Communist Dynasty and Personality Cult: Kim Il-sung: Guerrilla fighter, first leader of DPRK “Great Leader”, “President for Eternity” Died in 1994 Still widely and genuinely revered Originator of the “Juche” philosophyKim Jong-il: His father’s anointed successor“Dear Leader”, “The General”Pursued “Military First” policy, brinksmanship and nuclear weapons. Died in December 2011Kim Jong-eun: 28 or 29 yr.-old 3rd son of KJILittle experience and relatively unknown but now the designated successor “Juche”- philosophy of self reliance, indomitable spirit, and Korean superiority: Centrally planned economy, emphasis on heavy industry and armaments, concern with “racial purity” “Paektu-san”- mountain symbol of the Korean people, the revolution, and the Kim family
Residency is tightly controlled in North Korea, only the privileged and loyal elite are allowed to live in the capital
Barriers to Reconciliation • Kim Dynasty and Military Elite’s Privileged Position • North Korea’s Nuclear Weapons • US Troops in South • Fears of Economic Meltdown and Waves of Refugees from North • New Conservative Government in South and End of the ‘Sunshine Policy’ • Chinese Interests in North’s Resources
Possible Future Scenarios for North Korea? • Indefinite Status Quo with Appointed KJI Successor and Continued “Brinksmanship”? • “China Model” of Internal Liberalization? • Gradual Economic Integration with South? • Aggressive War? • Sudden Internal Collapse- Troop mutinies, coup d’etat, mass food riots, millions of refugees? • Chinese Intervention?