10 Questions
Which term best describes South Korea based on information from the text?
Capitalist
Based on the author's tone and viewpoint, which person would most likely disagree with the conclusions drawn in this text?
A North Korean politician
Which statement would the author most likely agree with?
The South Korean economy grew at an average pace after 1960.
Which statement best expresses the main idea of the seventh paragraph?
South Korea had a remarkable economic turnaround.
Which statement best describes the results of the Korean War?
Both sides lost many people and got little to show for it.
Which best defines the word famine as it is used in the eighth paragraph?
A period of time when food is scarce
What is ironic about the Korean Demilitarized Zone?
It is the most militarized border in the world.
Which best describes how the text is structured in the fifth paragraph?
Compare and contrast
Which best explains why so many North Koreans starved during the 1990s?
The Soviet Union stopped supporting North Korea.
Which statement would the author most likely disagree with?
It is impressive that the North Koreans built nuclear weaponry during a famine.
Study Notes
North and South Korea
- North Korea, also known as the "Hermit Kingdom", is a 46,000 square mile nation with a highly isolated and closed society, where American pop music and soap operas are illegal.
- It is one of the poorest nations in the world, with nuclear weapons, and is located on the east coast of China.
- In contrast, South Korea is a nation with one of the world's richest economies, with highly educated citizens, low unemployment, and high job security.
History of the Two Koreas
- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) and the Republic of Korea (South Korea) were founded in 1945 after World War II.
- The two nations have technically been at war since 1950, with the North attacking and taking over much of South Korea, but the US intervened and pushed the North Koreans back to the Chinese border.
- The war ended with a ceasefire, but the nations never officially ended the war, and millions of people were killed or displaced.
Economic Systems
- The US, a capitalist country, supported South Korea, while China and the Soviet Union supported North Korea, which claimed to have a communist system.
- The US and the Soviet Union had different ways of organizing their societies, with the US promoting capitalism and the Soviet Union promoting communism.
South Korea's Economic Growth
- After the war, South Korea was one of the poorest nations in the world, but it began manufacturing labor-intensive products and selling them to other nations, making it rich.
- The average South Korean citizen's income grew from $79 in 1960 to around $32,020 in 2012.
North Korea's Economy
- North Korea has been one of the most secluded countries in the world, promoting an idea of self-reliance called Juche, with little to no trading with other nations.
- The country received large cash infusions from China and the Soviet Union, but after the Soviet Union fell apart, North Korea entered a long period of famine that lasted through the 1990s.
- Despite this, North Korea managed to build a nuclear arsenal during this time.
Comparison of the Two Koreas
- The two Koreas have grown far apart, with South Korea having a rich economy and a highly educated population, while North Korea is poor and isolated.
- The people of the two nations share origins, but their different economic systems and ideologies have led to vastly different outcomes.
This quiz is about the geography and characteristics of North Korea and South Korea, including their economies, cultures, and relationships with the world.
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