Koreja

Koreja refers to the Korean Peninsula in East Asia and, in contemporary usage, to the two sovereign states that occupy it: the Republic of Korea (South Korea) and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea). The peninsula extends roughly 1,100 kilometers from the Asian mainland and is bounded by the Yellow Sea to the west, the Sea of Japan to the east, and the Korea Strait to the south. The capitals are Seoul for South Korea and Pyongyang for North Korea.

Historically the region was ruled by ancient kingdoms such as Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla, followed by the unified Goryeo and Joseon dynasties. It was under Japanese rule from 1910 to 1945. After World War II, Korea was divided along the 38th parallel into Soviet-occupied North Korea and American-occupied South Korea, a split that led to the Korean War (1950–1953). An armistice in 1953 established the Korean Demilitarized Zone and a de facto division; no formal peace treaty has been signed.

Politically and economically, the two Koreas diverged markedly. South Korea developed into a high-income democracy with an export-oriented economy and major conglomerates (chaebols) such as Samsung and Hyundai. North Korea remains a centralized, one-party state with a largely state-controlled economy and extensive isolation from many international markets. The Koreas have pursued varying approaches to relations with each other and with the outside world, including periods of negotiation, tension, and sporadic dialogue.

The Korean language is spoken on both sides; Hangul, the Korean alphabet, was created in the 15th century to promote literacy. Korean culture encompasses literature, cinema, music, cuisine (including kimchi and bibimbap), and distinctive traditional arts. The peninsula hosts several UNESCO World Heritage Sites and reflects a long history shaped by Confucian-influenced social norms.