The Koreas Today

Chapter 23, section 4

Even though they share a common history and culture, the two Koreas have very different

governments and economies.

Government

North Korea• Democratic People’s Republic of Korea• Totalitarian state—controlled by communist

party• First ruled by Kim Il Sung-• Ruled by Kim Jong Il 1994 -2011• Now ruled by Kim Jong Un• Capital - Pyongyang

Kim Il Sung-

Kim Jong Il

Kim Jong Un

Government

South Korea• Republic of Korea

• Republic-headed by a president and an assembly elected by the people

• Capital- Seoul

Bvxc

President Park Geun-hye

Economy

North Korea• Command economy—gov. plans and decides

what is produced; owns all land; controls all access to jobs

• Rich in mineral resources—creates machinery and military supplies—use out of date technology –poorer than S. Korea and Japan

North Korea economic activity

Economy

South Korea• US helped to create

• Business and gov. leaders work together • Emphasis on manufacturing to export

Issues and Challenges

North Korea• Isolated from the rest of the world because it deals with communist

countries• • Closed its markets to foreign goods• • Not much land to farm• • Lacks technology• Creates nuclear bombs • • Crowded cities• Poor choices by government

Issues and Challenges

South Korea• Some people feel government is corrupt

• Controlled by a few families

• Continued threat from N. Korea

The Koreas at Night

What is one factor that supports reunification?

What is one factor that hinders reunification?

What is the DMZ?