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사상 재결합: History & Reunification
Sa Sang Jae gyul hab
The History & Hopes of Reunification
The whole of Korea is known for The Three Kingdoms: Baekje, Shilla, and Koryo. The last is where the current country of the Republic of Korea gets its moniker.
What happened?
Well, Japan invaded and took over the country of Korea. Koreans were forced to learn Japanese, and take on Japanese names. Their culture was being obliterated. When it was handed back, they had to begin again. Soviet Russia backed the North and USA the south, cutting the former country approximately at the 38th parallel.
After much contention between the two sides, there was an eventual armistice signed, but never a declaration of peace. The Democratic People's Republic of Korea has been reclusive and called the Hermit Kingdom for their xenophobic practices regarding foreigners.
However, there is still hope from the people on both sides of the DMZ for a reunification. Families that were separated so many years ago still desire a reunion with long-lost loved ones and relatives.
For more information, this video demonstrates the split of the Koreas very well.
Brief chronology of Korean history
918-1392 Koryo - first dynasty to unify the Korean peninsula
1392-1910 Yi (Chosun) Dynasty
1910-1945 Occupation by Japan
1945 World War II ends - Korea divided on the 38th parallel
1945 Founding of Workers' Party of Korea
1948 Democratic People's Republic of Korea established in the North, Republic of Korea in the South
1948 Kim Il Sung becomes president of DPRK and Syngman Rhee of ROK
1950-53 Korean War
1994 Death of President Kim Il Sung
2011 Death of Leader Kim Jong Il
January 1st - New Year's Day
February 16th - Comrade Kim Jong Il's birthday (1942)
April 15th - President Kim Il Sung's Birthday (1912)
May 1st - May Day, International holiday of Workers
July 8th 1994 (Juche 83)Memorial day of the death of Kim Il Sung
July 27th 1953 Victory in the Fatherland Liberation War (Korean War 1950-1953)
August 15th - National Liberation Day (1945) September 9th - Day of the Foundation of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (1948)
October 10th - Day of the Foundation of the Workers Party of Korea (1945) December 27th - Day of the Promulgation of the Socialist Constitution of the DPRK (1972)