Relatively small Korean peninsula is rich for mineral resources in the North and for fertile lands in the South, the peninsula is surrounded by seas that are full of fish. In the southern part of South Korea there are many convenient bays that were always a tasty morsel for neighboring countries. Korean history is a history of wars and the struggle for independence. In this case, the Koreans are proud of the fact that despite everything they have managed to save their monoculture. A significant role in maintaining the Korean culture and nation played Hangul, the Korean alphabet, which in 1997 was listed as one of the masterpieces of world cultural heritage. Despite its apparent similarity with hieroglyphic writing, the Korean alphabet consists of 24 letters. With this alphabet appearance South Korea made a huge step forward in the sphere of education.(Salter 53)
In the world there are over 70 millions Koreans. And in South Korea there are almost 50 millions. They call themselves Hanguk Saram. Koreans are kind and friendly people. Despite the huge difference from the eastern European mentality, it is unlikely that you will feel uncomfortable while visiting South Korea. Mainly due to both tact and respect to a person, inherent to the Korean people.
In South Korea peacefully coexist four religions. Traditional - Confucianism, Buddhism, Shamanism, and relatively new, but increasingly pervasive religion - Christianity. It seems to me that this factor explains a lot in the Korean character, so different from the character of the nearest neighbors - Chinese and Japanese.
Confucian traditions are manifested in preserved to our days of strict hierarchy of Korean society. Do not be surprised if you are given personal, in our understanding, questions about our age, marital status, position and education. For Koreans, it is important to define its place in relation to you. Respect for elders is traditional for all Koreans, including children and the youth generation. You can be asked about your level of education, an important role in this plays the prestige of the institution where you studied. Koreans are very sensitive to the family and to their country, they have developed a sense of community, duty and patriotism.(Lancaster 15)
Buddhism, in my opinion, is represented in a peaceful, non-aggressive nature of the Koreans, tolerance and deep philosophical attitude to life and to the human being as an individual. Because of shamanism - the third and the most ancient traditional religion - Koreans managed to save their domestic traditions and customs, patriarchal society.(Lancaster 17)
The heyday of the economy, many Koreans associate with Christianity, almost 20% of Koreans - Protestants. At first glance, it seems that Christians are the majority in South Korea. Koreans feel very responsible to visit divine services in christian churches. But hopefully faith does not prevent Korean Christians to celebrate local traditional religious holidays.
Koreans are very hard-working people. To stay at work for some extra hours is a usual thing for them. In Korea, unlike in Europe, shops, markets and pubs work till late, and many of them work around the clock. When Koreans find time to sleep is a big mystery. After work they usually gather in the groups with colleagues to go somewhere for dinner (by the way, it's usually cheaper than at home), or visiting a karaoke, which are in incredible amount all over the country. Koreans drink a lot, you can see a lot of drunk people going on the streets but you can never see someone involved in the street fight.(Le Bas 25)
Works cited
Lancaster, Lewis R, Richard Karl Payne, and Karen M Andrews. Religion And Society In Contemporary Korea. Berkeley, CA: Institute of East Asian Studies, University of California, 1997. Print.
Le Bas, Tom. South Korea. Singapore: Apa Publications, 2010. Print.
Salter, Christopher L. South Korea. Philadelphia, [Pa.]: Chelsea House Publishers, 2005. Print.
