When the need arose, South Korean sent its military troops overseas to assist the American military. In the past 50 years, The South Korean military has been involved in the major conflicts that the U.S. has been a part of. All in all, South Korean has deployed around 320 thousand troops to fight with American, Australia and South Vietnamese soldiers in the Vietnam War. Just recently, 3,300 troops were sent to help re-build the destroyed towns in northern Iraq.
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Koreans who disagree with the negative claim about Teuroteu, believe that the music was invented years before the Japanese occupation. The name Teuroteu is derived from the Korean word which means “foxtrot” or “trot” which is a ballroom dance that characterizes the simple beat of the genre. Because of Western pop music, Teuroteu has gradually lost its popularity, with the onset of local young pop Korean stars taking the music scene by storm. However, recently there has been a revival of the genre by artists like Jang Yoon Joeng and popular child actress Lee Jae Eun who recorded “trot” albums.
Like most military forces in the world, the South Korean military has different branches or divisions: the Army (ROKA), the navy (ROKN), the Air force (ROKAF) and the Marine Corps (ROKMC). There is also the reserve forces. Near the demilitarized zone in the North Korean border, these forces are mostly concentrated. The military is so important that all males are required to serve for two years. Some Koreans believe that the 2 years mandatory service should be shortened or even completely abolished. The government has actually allowed some male students who were about to graduate with a bachelor’s degree and with a master’s degree to skip the 2-year military service so that they could focus on their studies and further their knowledge on their chosen specialization.
The oldest form of Korean pop is called Teuroteu. It is said the this music developed before the Japanese came and invaded Korea. There are those who say, conversely, that the music developed during the Japanese occupation and thus was a result of Japanese influence derived from drinking songs also known as “enka.”
Throughout Asia, Korean Pop music has been a highly commercial industry. Heavily influenced by Western Pop music, Korean pop music is a product of young fashionable stars with the latest looks, swinging dance moves and an uncanny ability to fuse the western pop music with Korean rap, Korean soul or Korean “RnB”. “Korean wave” or “Hallyu” a new word coined by Asians came to symbolize the contemporary Korean music and pop stars that have taken the world by storm. Korean influence in Asia has now become prevalent and undeniable.
It is said that the holiest Korean shrine in Korea is the Buddhist temple in Gayasan National Park. The temple was built in the ninth century and houses the Buddhist scriptures which are printed in eighty-one thousand wooden blocks. The scriptures, however, are not available for public viewing and can only be glimpsed through the slatted windows.
Seoul is the capital city of South Korea. It is also the political and economic center of the country which showcases modern architecture harmoniously infused with traditional and ancient structures. Tall buildings made of steel and glass stand side by side centuries-old architectural marvels which have been carefully restored. The mix of old and new provides a magnificent spectacle in South Korea. For instance, one of the most beautiful palaces in Seoul is the Summer Palace which is a fantastic work of art.
Busan shows how important waterways have been to the Koreans living here. It is primarily a port city and the second largest metropolis in Korea. If you would like to have a view from the top of this city, you have to go to Busan Tower in Yongdusan Park. Many tourists visit the U.N. Cemetery here. Soldiers of the Korean War find this as their final resting place. Yet another tourist attraction is Geumgand Park. From Busan city, one can easily go to another great tourist spot which is Jeju island.
If you ever get the chance to go to Jeju island, by all means take it. The whole experience of being on the island will make you feel as if you are on a different world altogether. The island boasts the excellent facilities and infrastructure and other tourist accommodations. A lot of newlyweds or honeymooners go to the island to spend the time of their lives. Landscaping is no longer needed as bright yellow flowers spread throughout the island provide natural beauty at its best. The sand of the Jeju island beaches seem to be made out of gold. You will not run out of things to do while on this island. There are coastal waterfalls which plunge straight into the sea. This has allowed for scuba diving and fishing to be most alluring. Also, there are hot springs that will soothe the most stressed and exhausted body. The National Museum on the island as well as Folkcraft should be included in your itinerary. Also worth visiting is the Jeju Folk Village Museum. To top all of this, the island is home to Mt. Hallasan, the tallest mountain in the country. A beautiful Crater Lake must not be missed by any tourist.
It is not surprising that tourists from all over the world are flocking to South Korea because of its wonderful mixture of the traditional and the modern and the sheer beauty of nature infused with the most advanced engineering marvels of the 21st century. The Korean peninsula will never be seen the same way again as it has firmly been placed in tourist maps and has become one of the most desirable places to visit in Asia.
The following are some of the more popular sites which are really worth visiting in South Korea:
Andong is the town which used to be where the aristocrats and their old ways of life have flourished. Antiques and relics of Korean culture are showcased in the Andong village and the Folk Museum located in the town. There are restaurants within the vicinity which serve traditional Korean food. The famous Confucian Institute, Dosan Seowon, is located north of Andong. The Hahoe Maeul Folk Village is located west of Andong. It is in this village where the Mask Dance Festival is held every autumn. This show is simply a must-see for any tourist.
South Korea is known for infusing the old with the modern and the Museum of Modern Arts, which is within the grounds of Toksukung Palace, presents a stark but beautiful contrast with the towering skyscrapers surrounding it. The most impressive palace, however, is the Kyongbokkung Palace. The historical site dates back in part to 1394. Within its grounds lie the National Folk Museum which is a tourist attraction. Also within the palace grounds is the National Museum of Korea which is altogether a tourist’s haven.
