What is the difference between south korea and north korea

The difference in life expectancy is similarly large: while South Koreans on average live to the ripe old age of 79, North Koreans die ten years younger at It may come as a surprise for some that both countries have severe problems with suicide.

In South Korea, weddings are momentous occasions: people tend to splurge on dresses, venues and honeymoons. They have food, clothing, a home and still kill themselves! North and South Koreans enjoy many of the same types of food, as recipes were passed on from generation to generation long before the divide. For instance, Dduk ricecake and Yeot a type of confectionary are eaten by all students before exams and are said to bring them luck.

Cultural celebrations are similarly deeply ingrained in Korean society on both sides of the border. Parents are also served food by their children and addressed with polite titles, regardless of where they live in Korea. Things look similarly polarised on the fashion front.

North Koreans refrain from experimenting because the government strictly bans skinny jeans, mini skirts and even particular hairstyles, while their southern neighbours are free to don whatever outfit takes their fancy. From daring mini skirts to something borrowed, something blue: weddings also look decisively different. Couples in South Korea may splurge on a beautiful dress for the bride, a glitzy ceremony and a spectacular honeymoon, while those tying the knot in North Korea tend to take a simpler approach all round, usually celebrating in a restaurant or at home.

Due to its Communist worldview, the North is officially atheist. However new movements like Cheondoism are gaining in popularity. In the South, Protestantism and Catholicism have won many new followers in past decades, their ranks swelled by Christians from North Korea who have fled persecution.

In the north, only members of public and educational services are allowed to surf the world wide web - and then only under strict controls. One phenomenon occurring as a result is wifi tourism: North Koreans buying properties close to foreign embassies in a bid to access their wifi. Housing prices in Pyongyang have shot up as a result. Asia September 2, Dispatches. Refugees and Migrants July 22, Dispatches. Videos Watch more. Reports More reports. October 19, Report.

November 1, Report. April 11, Report. August 2, Report. October 10, Letter. Birth rate 6. Death rate 6. Net migration rate 2. Sex ratio at birth: 1. Infant mortality rate total: 2. Life expectancy at birth total population: Total fertility rate 1. Korean The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Korean major-language sample s :?? Major cities - population 9. Children under the age of 5 years underweight 0.

Government South Korea North Korea Country name conventional long form: Republic of Korea conventional short form: South Korea local long form: Taehan-min'guk local short form: Han'guk abbreviation: ROK etymology: derived from the Chinese name for Goryeo, which was the Korean dynasty that united the peninsula in the 10th century A. In the s, GDP per capita was comparable with levels in the poorest countries in the world.

Beginning in the s under President PARK Chung-hee, the government promoted the import of raw materials and technology, encouraged saving and investment over consumption, kept wages low, and directed resources to export-oriented industries that remain important to the economy to this day. Growth surged under these policies, and frequently reached double-digits in the s and s.

Growth gradually moderated in the s as the economy matured, but remained strong enough to propel South Korea into the ranks of the advanced economies of the OECD by These policies also led to the emergence of family-owned chaebol conglomerates such as Daewoo, Hyundai, and Samsung, which retained their dominant positions even as the government loosened its grip on the economy amid the political changes of the s and s.

South Korea tackled difficult economic reforms following the crisis, including restructuring some chaebols, increasing labor market flexibility, and opening up to more foreign investment and imports.

These steps lead to a relatively rapid economic recovery. South Korea also began expanding its network of free trade agreements to help bolster exports, and has since implemented 16 free trade agreements covering 58 countries—including the United State and China—that collectively cover more than three-quarters of global GDP. In , the election of President MOON Jae-in brought a surge in consumer confidence, in part, because of his successful efforts to increase wages and government spending.

This could be partially offset by efforts to address challenges arising from its rapidly aging population, inflexible labor market, continued dominance of the chaebols, and heavy reliance on exports rather than domestic consumption. The entrepreneur and travel blogger made it to South Korea one year after that eye-opening trip to the "Hermit Kingdom.

Why has life become so different for the Korean people in just a few generations? Here are photos from Laukaitis' travels that show just how drastic the differences between North and South Korea are.

He documents his travels on YouTube. North Korea is known for being secretive and dangerous for foreigners, especially Americans. North Korea does have places of leisure, like the Taedonggang beer shop in Pyongyang. South Korea hosted the Winter Olympics this past year.

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