Korean
Quick Summary
The Korean people are believed to have originated from Tungusic-speaking groups who migrated from Manchuria and Siberia, forming the ethnic foundation of Korea and developing the Korean language. Early Korean culture shows connections with neighboring peoples, evident in comb pottery and bronze artifacts similar to those found elsewhere in Northeast Asia.12
The Bronze Age in Korea, beginning around the 8th century BCE, saw the development of tribal states, with the most advanced being Gojoseon (Old Joseon). The introduction of iron around the 4th century BCE led to more efficient farming and warfare.1
Today, the Korean peninsula is ethnically homogeneous, with the population being almost entirely Korean. The Korean language has disputed linguistic ties, possibly relating to Japanese or Altaic languages, and incorporates many Chinese loanwords. Korean art is characterized by simplicity, spontaneity, and harmony with nature, often favoring unadorned beauty and avoiding extremes in design.345
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JapanEthnic groups…classified as resident aliens (particularly Koreans) and Japanese citizens of Ainu and, to a much lesser degree, Okinawan origin. Japan also has a small population of Chinese descent.
Read More…classified as resident aliens (particularly Koreans) and Japanese citizens of Ainu and, to a much lesser degree, Okinawan origin. Japan also has a small population of Chinese descent.
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Ōsaka-Kōbe metropolitan areaThe people of the Ōsaka-Kōbe metropolitan area…country’s largest concentrations of ethnic Koreans, most of whom are the Japan-born descendants of Koreans who migrated to Japan during the period (1910–45) when Korea was a Japanese colony and who are classed as resident aliens; Okinawans, who legally are Japanese citizens but who often are treated as internal aliens;…
Read More…country’s largest concentrations of ethnic Koreans, most of whom are the Japan-born descendants of Koreans who migrated to Japan during the period (1910–45) when Korea was a Japanese colony and who are classed as resident aliens; Okinawans, who legally are Japanese citizens but who often are treated as internal aliens;…
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KazakhstanEthnic groups…with Ukrainians, Germans, Tatars, and Koreans.
Read More…with Ukrainians, Germans, Tatars, and Koreans.
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North KoreaEthnic groups and languages…since 1945, is almost entirely Korean; a tiny number of Chinese constitute the only other significant ethnic group. All Koreans speak the Korean language, whose relationship to other languages is disputed; it may be related to Japanese or languages of the Altaic group, and it contains many Chinese loanwords. The…
Read More…since 1945, is almost entirely Korean; a tiny number of Chinese constitute the only other significant ethnic group. All Koreans speak the Korean language, whose relationship to other languages is disputed; it may be related to Japanese or languages of the Altaic group, and it contains many Chinese loanwords. The…
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South KoreaEthnic groups…was long believed that the Korean people originally may have had links with the people of Central Asia, the Lake Baikal region of Siberia, Mongolia, and the coastal areas of the Yellow Sea. Tools of Paleolithic type and other artifacts found in Sokchang, near Gongju, are quite similar to those…
Read More…was long believed that the Korean people originally may have had links with the people of Central Asia, the Lake Baikal region of Siberia, Mongolia, and the coastal areas of the Yellow Sea. Tools of Paleolithic type and other artifacts found in Sokchang, near Gongju, are quite similar to those…
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ChinaOther languagesA significant number of Koreans are concentrated in an autonomous prefecture in eastern Jilin along the North Korean border.
Read MoreA significant number of Koreans are concentrated in an autonomous prefecture in eastern Jilin along the North Korean border.
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HeilongjiangPeopleKorean immigration started in the mid-19th century. After the Japanese annexed their country in 1910, a large number of Koreans emigrated to Heilongjiang and Jilin provinces, where they converted large areas of swampy wasteland into rice paddies. They live mostly in southeastern Heilongjiang, where many…
Read MoreKorean immigration started in the mid-19th century. After the Japanese annexed their country in 1910, a large number of Koreans emigrated to Heilongjiang and Jilin provinces, where they converted large areas of swampy wasteland into rice paddies. They live mostly in southeastern Heilongjiang, where many…
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JilinPeople of Jilin…a large population of ethnic Koreans. Most of the Manchu (Man) live in the central part of the province, in the vicinity of Jilin and Siping municipalities; in addition, the Yitong Man Autonomous County was established in 1988 some 45 miles (70 km) south of Changchun. A few Hui (Chinese…
Read More…a large population of ethnic Koreans. Most of the Manchu (Man) live in the central part of the province, in the vicinity of Jilin and Siping municipalities; in addition, the Yitong Man Autonomous County was established in 1988 some 45 miles (70 km) south of Changchun. A few Hui (Chinese…
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LiaoningPeopleA small Korean minority is located near the Korean frontier.
Read MoreA small Korean minority is located near the Korean frontier.
Read More- Yanji
…of whose inhabitants are of Korean ancestry.
Read More…of whose inhabitants are of Korean ancestry.
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