To begin with:
Look at some interesting pictures of the U.S. military and Korean military chilling together -- The South Korean-US Key Resolve and Foal Eagle joint military exercises at Camp Carroll south of Seoul.
What's happening:
MOST recently (today) -- North Korea has interfered Global Positioning Systems and some phone reception via signal interruption by using revamped Russian equipment. Their main purpose is to "jam" guided missiles during US-S.K. combined training.
In the last couple of weeks: The Korea Herald sums it up here. This article describes the high-tension between North and South over the peace/missile/defense/military talks that were SUPPOSED to happen Feb 8-9. BUT according to this article, a supposed reason for N.K. calling it off was because they had issues with how much the world was being informed (through the media) on their pending "negotiation strategy". Perhaps the most unnerving threat was N.K. saying they would "turn Seoul into a sea of fire" IF they began training with the U.S. again.....
Well from the very first link as you can see WE HAVE BEGUN. No fire has been reported in Seoul... some say that N.K. wouldn't dare because they don't have enough support, but WHO KNOWS considering the Kim Jong-il is a stubborn and somewhat crazy old dictator!
IN OTHER NEWS:
South Korean internet and official Government websites under cyber terror attacks... Read full article here. Fingers point to N.K (of course) and possibly China. But no true culprit has been found. It seems like S.K. is very technologically advanced so many of the issues were caught before damage occurred.
KOREA FREEING UP TRADE!
Over the last few weeks since I started receiving google alerts, a good portion of what I have seen is ALL ABOUT Korea signing new free trade agreements with countries and more factors leading to better times! Most likely more trade will help South Korea have a stronger economy in the near future, but we will find out!
Here is a list:
Peru
$$$ Exports Rise
New Energy?
China stabilizing may = S. Korean economic growth?
U.S.'s Hawaii (also to benefit) with S. Korean trade!
And anyway... some more Korean CULTURE happenings:
Robot teachers??? An old argument is whether physically present human teachers may some day be replaced with robots who can do just the same -- or better.. but that is still to be decided, for now, some Korean students are enjoying a 3-foot tall penguin-like robot that speaks, and sings in english. It also dances! Check out the full article, a picture and even a VIDEO of the teacher robot!
Feeling like some nice spicy fermented cabbage? As emotionally attached Americans are to their peanut butter, AND Australians are to their vegemite -- according to this aussie article Korea is emotionally attached to their KIMCHI!!! Check it out here, plus +++ get a RECIPE for making your own spicy fermented cabbage ;) yum!
And you think the US's biggest cities are PARTY central? The statistic from this article shows that S.K. has a bit more fun than us! "For the years 2003-2005, the WHO found that South Koreans drank an average of 14.8 liters of alcohol, compared to 8.03 liters in Japan and 9.44 liters in the U.S."!!! I really want to see how that spreads across age level.. could I possibly guess that that is mostly college students? I would have to do more digging to find out ---
Hope you enjoyed your rather long update... let me know if you enjoyed any of the articles!!!
-Jessica
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Playing a little Catch-up
In reading my South Korean History and Culture book, I am getting through a few more early centuries before I start reading on the country as a unified peninsula very soon. However, when I left off before, I explained a few shipping ports named mainly after Chinese culture, since they were the ones beginning trade and influence on those cities. Soon thereafter, the people of Korea regained control of the ports and formed three Kingdoms; Koguryo, Paekche, and Shilla. Sooooo much happens over a few centuries, wars and overall social unrest and unhappiness. I will explain....
Koguryo was in the north and certainly fought for many years for control over Manchuria. (will become a big player over time)
Paekche is certainly the weakest of all three kingdoms and plays a good hand when in war and choosing sides. However it is the first city to really combine with one of the other two (depending on the century).
Shilla is the first large and most documented city at the time (53-668 AD). The information that this book is based on is that from this city. It describes the social rank system. A man's position in society is fixed at birth and rarely is changed. The "bone" rank system was prevalent in deciding who would take the kingdom's throne.
Hallowed bone rank (the only rank able to inherit the throne)
True bone rank (ranks 6, 5 & 4.... aristocracy level)
Commoner (ranks 3, 2 & 1 .... little to no power)
Slaves
What determines these ranks are: size of residence, color of dress, the nature or function of the vehicles they traveled in, and utensils.
NO MARRIAGE BETWEEN RANKS!
Interestingly enough, Shilla resembles modern day family authority set-ups. For example, the women of Shilla were able to work and support their families, and were also allowed to be the head of the family. In Koguryo this is very different, women are not allowed to head the family. The book speaks of the importance of Buddhism and Confucianism. -- Through these religions, the authority was able to keep control over the commoner population for many of the religious rules required the people to respect and follow the rule of the kings.
Economy and trade flourished well considering each of the kingdoms had taken over one or more of the trading posts originally established by Chinese travelers. Ships frequently use the waterways and to and from the peninsula to mainland China.
In 342 AD The three Kingdoms had grown too close to one another and came to the conclusion that each was a threat to each. Alliances between the three kingdoms and outside countries like Japan and China, but these shifted so frequently that it was difficult to know who was stronger than who.
In the end, Shilla came out on top for having the best Navy. They conquered the entire southern peninsula, and a good portion of Koguryo. The rest of the northern part of the peninsula became Parhae.
Three Kingdoms then became two somewhat peaceful for a short amount of time. Shilla continued to have problems with many leaders in their rank system, including 80 YEARS of unrest in their highest government positions. Schisms, take-overs, confucian monks taking power -- all of it contributed to ever-changing power. Frequent peasant uprisings occurred as well... WHAT HAPPENS NEXT in Korean history?
Stay tuned.... :)
Korea; Its History and Culture. Seoul: Korean Overseas Information Service, 1994.
Koguryo was in the north and certainly fought for many years for control over Manchuria. (will become a big player over time)
Paekche is certainly the weakest of all three kingdoms and plays a good hand when in war and choosing sides. However it is the first city to really combine with one of the other two (depending on the century).
Shilla is the first large and most documented city at the time (53-668 AD). The information that this book is based on is that from this city. It describes the social rank system. A man's position in society is fixed at birth and rarely is changed. The "bone" rank system was prevalent in deciding who would take the kingdom's throne.
Hallowed bone rank (the only rank able to inherit the throne)
True bone rank (ranks 6, 5 & 4.... aristocracy level)
Commoner (ranks 3, 2 & 1 .... little to no power)
Slaves
What determines these ranks are: size of residence, color of dress, the nature or function of the vehicles they traveled in, and utensils.
NO MARRIAGE BETWEEN RANKS!
Interestingly enough, Shilla resembles modern day family authority set-ups. For example, the women of Shilla were able to work and support their families, and were also allowed to be the head of the family. In Koguryo this is very different, women are not allowed to head the family. The book speaks of the importance of Buddhism and Confucianism. -- Through these religions, the authority was able to keep control over the commoner population for many of the religious rules required the people to respect and follow the rule of the kings.
Economy and trade flourished well considering each of the kingdoms had taken over one or more of the trading posts originally established by Chinese travelers. Ships frequently use the waterways and to and from the peninsula to mainland China.
In 342 AD The three Kingdoms had grown too close to one another and came to the conclusion that each was a threat to each. Alliances between the three kingdoms and outside countries like Japan and China, but these shifted so frequently that it was difficult to know who was stronger than who.
In the end, Shilla came out on top for having the best Navy. They conquered the entire southern peninsula, and a good portion of Koguryo. The rest of the northern part of the peninsula became Parhae.
Three Kingdoms then became two somewhat peaceful for a short amount of time. Shilla continued to have problems with many leaders in their rank system, including 80 YEARS of unrest in their highest government positions. Schisms, take-overs, confucian monks taking power -- all of it contributed to ever-changing power. Frequent peasant uprisings occurred as well... WHAT HAPPENS NEXT in Korean history?
Stay tuned.... :)
Korea; Its History and Culture. Seoul: Korean Overseas Information Service, 1994.
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