They are thus more likely to feel greater control over their lives and environment. They expect to be listened to and have their views heard. People can protest and lobby without fear. In South Korea, individuals live in a democratic constitutional republic. Individuals are likely to feel less control over their lives as a result. Individuals have to accept authority and learn not to question it. Questioning the system can land you in deep trouble. North Koreans live in a highly authoritarian country. So, what impact has the last 70 years had on the lives and culture of Koreans? Whilst South Korea progressed from being an undeveloped country to the fourth strongest economy in Asia and thirteenth largest in the world, North Korea continued to struggle.įamine wiped out an estimated 3.5 million people in North Korea between 19 and North Korean citizens were advised only last week that famine could again happen due to continued economic difficulties. The impenetrable physical barrier that continues to separate Koreans has also resulted in deeply embedded cultural differences, which some Koreans would argue, now make them strangers amongst each other.Īlmost seven decades of enforced separation and the entrapment of North Koreans in a political situation that demands unwavering loyalty to the ‘Supreme Leader’ (Kim Jung Un) has created significant differences between the two sides. The political events forcing Koreans to live in either the North or South of the country were not only brutal but destroyed the previous cultural and linguistic homogeny of a people that were previously part of a single empire and living as family members, friends, neighbours or colleagues. With this in mind, just how different are the cultures across the North / South divide? I recently heard someone of North Korean origin say that you cannot refer to someone as simply 'Korean'.įrom a Korean’s perspective, there’s no such thing as ‘Korean,’ as people originating from Korea identify as either South or North Korean.Īlthough this statement is open to challenge, it got me thinking about the vast differences for those growing up and living in North or South Korea and the impact that this has on cultural difference.įrom a personal sentiment, it seems an extremely strong statement to make.

North vs south korea