Koreaalueen

Koreaalueen, also known as the Korean Peninsula, is a geographic region located in East Asia, bordered by China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, Japan to the east, and the Yellow Sea and Sea of Japan to the west and south, respectively. The peninsula is primarily occupied by two sovereign states: North Korea (officially the Democratic People's Republic of Korea) and South Korea (officially the Republic of Korea). The Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) divides the two countries along the 38th parallel, marking the boundary established after the Korean War (1950–1953).

The peninsula has a long and complex history, with early civilizations emerging as early as the 2nd millennium BCE. The Three Kingdoms period (1st century BCE–7th century CE) saw the establishment of powerful states such as Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla, which laid the foundation for Korean identity. Later, the unified Goryeo Kingdom (918–1392) and the Joseon Dynasty (1392–1910) shaped Korea’s cultural and political development. The peninsula was later colonized by Japan from 1910 until the end of World War II in 1945, after which it was divided into two occupation zones by the Allies.

After the Korean War, the peninsula remained divided, with North Korea adopting a communist system under the leadership of the Workers' Party of Korea, while South Korea developed into a capitalist democracy. Both nations share a rich cultural heritage, including traditional arts like *pansori* (a form of narrative singing), *hangul* (the Korean alphabet), and Confucian values. Despite political tensions, cultural exchanges, such as the 2000 and 2007 inter-Korean summits, have occasionally fostered dialogue and cooperation.

Economically, South Korea has grown into one of the world’s leading industrialized nations, known for its technology, automotive, and shipbuilding sectors. North Korea, meanwhile, faces severe economic sanctions and struggles with poverty, though it maintains a self-sufficient agricultural system. The Korean Peninsula remains a significant geopolitical area, influenced by regional powers like China, the United States, and Japan.