I'm still South Korea. South Korea almost started the war in the Yellow Sea, and deliberately

North Korean authorities said South Korea was the first to open fire on Tuesday morning near the maritime border between the two Korean states, Reuters reported, citing the Pyongyang-based Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). “Despite our persistent warnings, South Korea fired dozens of salvos starting at 1300 (0700 Moscow time), and we immediately took military action in response,” the statement said.

But the most important thing is that the South Korean authorities did not refute the DPRK!

During joint exercises with the United States, South Korean troops fired about 80 salvos across territory that the DPRK considers its waters. Pyongyang does not recognize the so-called northern demarcation line in the Yellow Sea, which was drawn unilaterally by the United States after the Korean War (1950-1953). It was this line that made Yeonpyeongdo Island South Korean, and the DPRK still lays claim to it.

In 2007, the governments of the two Korean states agreed to turn the disputed waters into a joint zone of peace and cooperation, but the new government in Seoul, which came to power in 2008, reversed the previous policy of rapprochement with the DPRK and the agreements signed under the previous administration.

Moreover, it was from the island of Yeonpyeongdo that the first salvos were fired, and the retaliatory strike of the DPRK artillery was carried out not just on the island, but on the South Korean military base located on it, which in itself is a demonstration of the far from peaceful intentions of the South Korean regime towards the DPRK .

The question arises: why was it necessary to conduct exercises of a 70,000-strong joint American-Korean contingent near the demilitarized zone? Why was there an artillery barrage from the disputed territory?

Now we see how the aircraft carrier George Washington is moving into the zone of a newly formed conflict,” recalled the editor-in-chief of FORUM.msk Anatoly Baranov. – This is, presumably, a peacekeeping mission? Again, the question is - why does all the world media, including Russian ones, continue to carry a blizzard about the aggression of the DPRK, when it is obvious that Pyongyang was provoked, not only by Seoul, but also by Washington? Why do they reproduce the words of the UN Secretary General of South Korean origin and say nothing about the efforts of the South Korean regime to disrupt the peace process with the DPRK? Why do they talk about the North Korean nuclear threat and say nothing about the nuclear forces concentrated in this region of the United States - the only country in the world that constantly keeps its strategic nuclear forces outside its own territory? For some reason, it does not occur to anyone that the North Korean regime cannot act as an aggressor due to the state of its economy, including in relation to South Korea, whose armed forces are not inferior to those of North Korea and are reinforced by a powerful American contingent based in the region. And the hypothetical nuclear forces of the DPRK for many years will not be able to pose a threat to anyone except the aggressor invading the territory of the DPRK - not a single North Korean missile has even reached Japan yet, and even if Pyongyang can detonate nuclear charges, it will only be on its territory. But the DPRK itself is threatened by many people - if you read the Western media, then just the whole world. And it is quite natural that Pyongyang makes it clear to the potential aggressor that it does not intend to concede. Pyongyang is on the defensive, but it simply does not have the strength or capabilities to attack.

Brief information about the country

Date of foundation

Official language

Korean

Form of government

Presidential republic

Territory

99,720 km² (109th in the world)

Population

48,955,203 people (25th in the world)

South Korean won (KRW)

Timezone

Largest cities

Seoul, Incheon, Gwangju, Busan, Daegu

$1.457 trillion (12th in the world)

Internet domain

Telephone code

South Korea– this is what is usually called a beautiful, prosperous and distinctive country located on the eastern edge of Asia, in the southern part of the Korean Peninsula. The official name of the state is the Republic of Korea.

Video: Korea

Basic moments

Korea boasts an outstanding history, rich culture and stunning nature. Its shores are washed by the waters of three seas included in the Pacific Ocean - the Yellow, the Japanese and the Southern, as the Koreans themselves call the Korea Strait. Along the coast of the Sea of ​​Japan stretch the East Korean Mountains, whose numerous spurs cover the entire eastern half of the peninsula, creating intricate labyrinths. Closer to the southern shores, the mountain landscapes become so amazing that they have earned the reputation of the most picturesque places on the planet.

In the mountainous regions of the country, surrounded by dense forests, mountain rivers and lakes, there are ancient monasteries and pagodas, original villages. The natural wonders of South Korea are protected by the state and are part of national parks and reserves, without visiting which no trip around the country is complete.

The coastline of South Korea is literally dotted with numerous bays and bays; it is incredibly picturesque, which gives the local beaches a special charm. There are 3,000 islands scattered off the coast of the peninsula. Many are uninhabited, some have nature reserves or secluded beaches, and the largest island, Jeju, is the country's main resort.

The unique landscape and climate of South Korea have made it one of the popular skiing centers in the Asian region. Modern ski resorts have been built here, most of which turn into sports and fitness centers in the summer.

Many attractions located in the historical cities of Korea are on the UNESCO World Heritage List, and modern metropolitan cities amaze with their modern architecture and luxurious parks. Here you can have a pleasant time in entertainment centers, restaurants serving national cuisine, go shopping, and wander through numerous museums.

History of Korea

The history of the Republic of Korea begins in 1945. Then, after the fall of Nazi Germany, a conference was held in Potsdam with the participation of the leaders of the three largest powers of the anti-Hitler coalition - the USSR, the USA and Great Britain. Here it was decided to divide the territory of the Korean Peninsula into two zones - its northern part temporarily came under the control of the USSR, and the southern part found itself in the sphere of influence of the United States. In 1948, the division of the once united country was formalized legally, resulting in two states on the peninsula: the Republic of Korea (South Korea) and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea).

These countries, today unfriendly to each other, nevertheless have a common history. Archaeological finds discovered on the territory of both states indicate that even in the Stone Age, the Korean Peninsula was inhabited by related tribes. The first major political formation of these ancient peoples was the state of Joseon (VII–II centuries BC), which in historical literature is usually called Ancient Joseon (Kuchoson). Its territory extended to the northern lands of the Korean Peninsula and the south of Manchuria.

The poetic names of Korea - “Land of Morning Freshness”, “Land of Morning Coolness”, “Land of Morning Calm” - are a translation of the hieroglyphic spelling of the word “Joseon”.

In 108, Joseon was captured by the Chinese Yan Dynasty. However, the struggle of the local population against the invaders here did not stop for several centuries. Three hundred years later, several feudal states were formed in the south of the peninsula. The most powerful of them, Silla, conquered neighboring territories in the 7th century, and a state was formed on the Korean Peninsula with its capital in the city of Gyeongju. In the 9th century, as a result of civil strife, Silla broke up into several fiefdoms, but by the 10th century state unity was restored. The new Korean state was named Koryo.

In 1232, the peaceful development of the country was interrupted by the Mongol invasion. In the 14th century, after liberation from the Mongol yoke, the military leader Ri Seong-gye came to power, under whom Korea again began to be called Joseon. Beginning in the 16th century, the peninsula was repeatedly invaded by Japanese and Manchu troops, which led to the decline of the state. In 1910, the Korean Empire - the name the state received in 1897 - was annexed by Japan. Colonization continued until 1945

The last hostilities on the Korean Peninsula broke out in 1950. This time they were fought between North and South Korea. Three years later, both countries concluded a ceasefire agreement, and since then they have been separated by a demarcation zone, the width of which is 4 km and the length is 250 km.

In the post-war era, South Korea experienced periods of military dictatorship, authoritarian rule, and democratic rule. The modern period, called the Sixth Republic, began in 1987, when the country held direct presidential elections and restrictions on the activities of a number of parties were lifted. Despite political crises, the country's economy has grown at a high rate since the 60s of the last century, and today South Korea, along with neighboring Singapore, Taiwan and Hong Kong, is called an “economic tiger” that has made an incredible leap in development.

Religion and culture

The main religions in South Korea are traditional Buddhism and Christianity, which came here in the 18th century. Most Christians are Catholics and Protestants. One of the oldest religious movements on the Korean Peninsula - shamanism - today is represented mainly by ritual rites. Tourists can see such mystical acts during folk festivals and folk holidays. However, the ancient cult is not forgotten by Koreans of all religions: many of them, in times of trial, turn to shamans for advice and help.

More than half of the country's inhabitants are not adherents of any religion. However, the worldview of Koreans, regardless of whether they are religious or not, is based on the traditions of Confucianism, widespread in East Asia, an ethical and philosophical teaching developed in the 5th century BC. e. Chinese thinker Confucius. In the Republic of Korea, Confucian ethics mainly manifests itself in relationships between people. Standards of behavior in modern Korean society are based on the Five Rules of Relationships: between ruler and subject, father and son, husband and wife, old and young, between friends.

At first glance, you may think that Koreans are somewhat aloof and arrogant, but in fact they often simply do not notice people who are outside the framework of this system. But as soon as you are introduced to a Korean, the rules of relationships with friends will apply to you, and his indifference will be replaced by sincere goodwill.

The culture of South Korea also preserves ancient traditions. Korean music, although very similar to Japanese and Chinese, has its own structure, melody, rhythm and harmony. Traditional Korean music is based on two traditional genres: jonggak and minsogak. Chongak is the so-called “intellectual music”, which is characterized by a very slow tempo, the sound of one note lasts 3 seconds. Minsogak - music is fast, cheerful, full of drama. Improvisation in it, as in jazz, is a completely familiar technique.

The most famous Korean dances are mugo (an expressive couples dance in which participants accompany themselves on drums that hang from their necks), seungmu (dance of monks) and salpuri (spiritual cleansing dances). A separate genre of classical art are theatrical performances, during which masked artists dressed in bright costumes perform dances and stage plays, their plots based on folklore.

Music festivals and colorful performances are held in different regions of Korea throughout the year. They are especially often held from May to September. This period successfully combines traditional Korean holidays associated with the agricultural calendar with the peak tourist season.

South Korean culture has a strong presence in the visual arts. Chinese motifs and elements of calligraphy prevail in traditional painting; the best sculptural works of Korean masters are those depicting Buddha, and the influence of shamanism is evident in beautiful examples of wood carving.

Korean pop culture has been actively conquering the world lately. Countless series and films are shot in Korea, which are very popular not only in Southeast Asia, but also in other countries where people from this region live.

Tourism seasons

At any time of the year, the nature of South Korea is infinitely beautiful. Already in April, forsythia, azaleas, and cherries bloom here in magnificent colors, the weather is clear and warm, around +17 °C during the day. This month is one of the best for excursions around the country. In May, educational travel can already be combined with a beach holiday: the sea temperature on the southern coast at this time reaches +19 °C, and the air warms up to +22 °C.

Summer in Korea is warm but capricious. The first half of June is usually sunny and dry, but then the rainy season begins, which lasts until almost the end of July. But in August it gets hot. At this time, the country's beaches and resorts are especially crowded, because Koreans themselves go on vacation this month. In summer, daytime air temperature ranges from +27 to +30 °C, sea water temperature from +24 to + 27 °C.

In September, summer is not yet losing ground. This month is usually clear, but typhoons sometimes hit the southern coast of Korea. In October, the air temperature drops to +20 °C, and the mountains gradually dress up in decorations of crimson and gold foliage. It is at this time that it is pleasant to travel to national parks and mountainous areas.

In November, it gets significantly colder, and at the end of the month, resorts in South Korea begin to welcome winter sports enthusiasts. In the mountainous regions of the country in winter, the daytime air temperature fluctuates around 0 °C, at night it is usually –10...–8 °C. There are frequent snowfalls here, and in 1-2 days the snow cover sometimes reaches 50-60 cm. In the north-west of Korea, in the flat areas, it is several degrees warmer. In the south, winter is even milder. During the day it is +8...+10 °C, at night about 0 °C.

Cities and attractions of South Korea

The best place to start getting acquainted with the historical and architectural sights of Korea is from the capital of the country, its main economic and cultural center - Seoul. The city is located on the banks of the Han River, in the area where in the 14th century there was a small settlement of Hanyang, which eventually became the capital city of the ancient state of Joseon. The Korean capital has had its modern name since 1945.

The old district of the city is located on the right bank of the river, and it is here that most of the historical monuments are concentrated. First of all, it is worth visiting five famous palaces from the Joseon era: Gyeongbokgung Palace - the first of those built here (today the National Folklore Museum and the Museum of Royal Relics are located here), Changdeokgung Palace, reputed to be the most beautiful palace in Seoul, as well as the equally beautiful Deoksukung Palaces, Kenhikun and Changenkun.

The original Dongdaemun city gate, an example of the architectural style of the late Joseon era and a recognizable symbol of the capital of the Republic of Korea, also deserves attention.

On the right bank of the river there are also the royal temple-tomb of Jongmye, the main Catholic temple of the country Myeongdong, the Korean House, which hosts traditional performances and dinners with tasting of national Korean dishes, the Namsan folk village, the largest Buddhist temple of Seoul Chogyesa.

In the capital, it is worth checking out the Nyanjin market and wandering around the Amsadon archaeological park, located on the site where archaeologists discovered a site of primitive people. This area of ​​Seoul is home to the Grand Park Seoul entertainment center, which houses one of the world's largest zoos, the Seoul Land amusement park, and shopping and entertainment complexes. A popular evening entertainment among tourists is a cruise on an excursion ferry along the Han River.

From Seoul you can make an interesting journey to the demilitarized zone that separates South Korea from North Korea. The excursion includes visits to the city of Panmunjom, where negotiations took place between representatives of the two warring states during the Korean War, and a ceasefire agreement was signed.

Geographically, Seoul is located in the center of Gyeonggi Province, but administratively it is not included in it. The capital of the province is Suwon. From the main city of South Korea you can get here very simply - by subway. The historical center of Suwon is under UNESCO protection. The Hwaseong Fortress, built in the late 18th century by King Jeongjo, and the royal garden are located here. The dominant feature of the ancient stronghold is Hwaseong Hangkun Palace. Since 1789, it served as a place where royalty came to relax. Of the original buildings of the palace complex, only the Uhwagan Pavilion has survived. Today, a colorful spectacle takes place near its walls - the changing of the guard, intended for tourists. In the fortress itself, tourists have the opportunity to feel like ancient warriors: they are given the opportunity to shoot with a bow, light one of the 5 signal pipes installed on the stone fortress wall. In September there is a magnificent historical festival with a theatrical re-enactment of the royal procession.

Not far from Suwon there is a folk village, a kind of open-air museum where local craftsmen present their products. Shows with national dances are periodically organized here, and national rituals are demonstrated. In the village, tourists can taste Korean cuisine and shop at a local souvenir shop.

Very close to Suwon is the Everland amusement park. Here visitors can enjoy many attractions, a safari park, a water park, a race track, and an art museum. You can spend more than one day in Everland, and those who decide to stay here can stay in guest houses specially equipped for tourists.

West of Seoul, on the coast of the Yellow Sea, is located one of the largest port cities in Korea - Incheon. It is famous for its history. In 1904, in the neutral seaport of Chemulpo, as the city was called in those days, the Russian cruiser Varyag was on the roadstead among ships from different countries. In January, it came under attack from a dozen ships of the Japanese navy. Russian sailors, not wanting to surrender to the enemy, decided to sink the ship. This episode served as one of the casus belli for the beginning of the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905. And in the middle of the last century, during the Korean War, an American landing force landed in Inchon, subsequently breaking through the defenses of the North Korean army, which allowed the UN coalition forces to capture Seoul. This event became a turning point in the course of the war. You can learn more about the city's history by visiting the Incheon City Museum and Incheon Memorial Hall.

Incheon is home to Korea's largest airport, and the city's sea harbor is called the “Gateway of Seoul.” In 2003, a free economic zone was created here.

Incheon is a metropolitan city that includes several islands. Among them is Ganghwa Island, rich in attractions. On the island you can see ancient stone dolmens - burials of the Bronze Age, crowned with marvelous structures made of grandiose boulders.

In the Middle Ages, when the country was rocked by civil strife, unrest and military conflicts, Incheon became a refuge for the royal family and its retinue, becoming for a time the second capital of the state. Over the centuries, many defensive structures, monasteries, and palaces were built here. One of the most famous monasteries is Jeongdeunsa, founded in 327. From the 13th to the 14th centuries, within the walls of this temple, located on the slopes of Mount Jeongjok, the monks kept the sacred Korean scripture Tripitaka Koreana - the oldest and most voluminous set of Buddhist canons. Engraved on almost meter-long tablets, the sacred texts were the second “edition” of the Tripitaka Koreana, since the originals were lost during the invasion of the Mongol hordes. Among the oldest attractions of the monastery is a huge pavilion, built in the 17th century, where you can see an original sculpture of a naked woman carved from wood, created by one of the craftsmen who took part in the construction of the temple. An ancient Chinese bell from the 11th century also attracts attention.

The city of Icheon is located in the southeast of Gyeonggi Province. It was glorified by the masters of pottery, which has ancient traditions here. In the city you can visit the exhibition pavilion, where original pottery products are presented and a craft village, where local craftsmen exhibit their creations and demonstrate the stages of production of products.

In the northeast of the Republic of Korea, along the coast of the East Sea, lies the Gangwon Province, known for its magnificent mountain landscapes, beautiful national parks, winter resorts and a picturesque coastline with magnificent beaches.

While traveling through this region, visit the city of Sokcho. By the way, it is well known to Russian tourists arriving at its port by ferry from the Far Eastern city of Zarubino. Sokcho is an attractive modern city with beaches, shopping centers, fish markets, hotels, and restaurants. Its main avenue stretches along the coastal strip from the Dongmyeon Passenger Marine Terminal to the south. Near the port there is a noisy fish market, the original Yonggeum-jeong gazebo, where romantics love to watch the sunrise, an ancient lighthouse with an observation deck and the picturesque Yengnan Lake. Along the banks of the reservoir there is a park - a favorite vacation spot for citizens and tourists. At the southern end of the avenue there is another beautiful lake - Choncho. Sorak Sunrise Park is located in this area, with fish restaurants nearby.

From Sokcho you can go to the Geumgangsan Mountains (Diamond Mountains). This area is located on the territory of North Korea, but, according to an agreement between the two countries, a special tourist zone has been established here, which has the status of a special province. It is impossible to get to Kumgangsan individually, so if you want to admire the local beauty, join an organized tourist group.

The peak of the mountain range is at an altitude of 1638 m. The slopes of the Diamond Mountains, falling almost vertically to the sea, are cut by canyons in which streams of water rushing along the rocky bottom form numerous cascades and waterfalls. The originality and beauty of the Kumgangsan Mountains is emphasized by the luxurious mixed forests of cedar pine, oak, hornbeam, maple, covering most of the mountains. In their central part there are ancient Buddhist temples, blue lakes, and mineral springs.

South of Gangwon Province is Gyeongsangbuk-do Province. In its northern part is the ancient city of Andong. During the existence of the Silla state, it was called Chinhan and was known as a stronghold of Buddhism in the country. There are many ancient monuments and Buddhist shrines preserved here. In Andong, it is worth visiting the Bonjeong Monastery, built at the end of the 7th century, the Museum of Soju - an ancient national alcoholic drink made from sweet potatoes, rice and wheat, the folk village of Hahoe and the Confucian Academy of Tosanseowon.

In the southeast of the province is the city of Gyeongju, which was the capital of the state of Sila from the 4th to the 10th centuries. The city is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Among the many historical sites located here is Cheomseongdae Observatory, built in 647. It is the oldest surviving observatory on the planet. Not far from the building is Tumuli Park, where the royal tombs are located, the oldest of which date back to the 3rd century AD. e.

Gyeongju is home to seven sacred mountains, the most famous of which is Namsan. Here the beauty of nature is harmoniously combined with man-made masterpieces. To explore Buddhist temples, pagodas, and images of Buddha carved in stone, inquisitive travelers will need more than one day.

In the north of Gyeongju, near Lake Pomun, there is a resort area with hotels, golf courses, shopping centers, and restaurants. In the vicinity of the city there is the Bulguksa Monastery and the Seokguram Cave Temple, built in the 8th century.

On the southeastern tip of Korea is the city of Busan. It is the second largest city in the country. Busan has long been known as the shopping center of Korea. Today its seaport is the main one in the country and ranks 4th in the world in terms of cargo turnover. One of the symbols of Busan is the grandiose Gwanan Suspension Bridge, which connects the two main districts of the city, located on both banks of Suenman Bay. Its total length is almost seven and a half kilometers.

Busan is also famous for its Jagalchi fish market. It consists of endless galleries of counters where you can buy fish that splashed in the sea waters just a couple of hours ago. There are also many cozy restaurants where you can taste the most delicious seafood dishes in Korea.

Not far from Busan there are two sacred places for Buddhists: Haeinsa and Thondosa monasteries. Haeinsa Monastery, founded in 802, houses more than 80,000 wooden tablets with the sacred texts of the Tripitaka Koreana, transported here from Jeongdeungsa Monastery. Every year the temple hosts the Tripitaka Koreana festival. Only on these days can one examine the sacred scriptures in close proximity. Thondosa Monastery, founded in 646, is famous for the fact that the teachings of Buddha have been transmitted to monks here for a long time. Even today, Buddhists preparing to take ordination undergo certification in the monastery.

The main Buddhist temple of Korea, Songwangsa, is located in South Jeolla province, near the city of Suncheon. The monastery, founded in 1190, houses Buddhist relics: a huge wooden rice porridge bowl, two giant junipers and a finely handcrafted temple bowl. There are many legends associated with these artifacts.

Summer rest

The sandy beaches of the Republic of Korea are renowned as some of the best in Southeast Asia. The only drawback of the beach season is that it is not very long: most beaches open in late June - early July, when the rainy season ends, and close in late August - early September. However, no one will forbid you to sunbathe and swim, it’s just that after the end of the holiday season, rescue services, showers, toilets no longer work on the beaches, and there is no opportunity to rent umbrellas and sun loungers.

The coastlines and seascapes of the western, eastern and southern coasts of Korea vary, but each coastline is beautiful in its own way and has its fans. Popular resort areas are also located on several islands located near the mainland coast.

It is worth noting that in South Korea there is no concept of a “hotel’s own beach.” All beach areas here are municipal. In addition, due to the continuous hilliness, only a few dozen hotels are located directly on the coast. Entrance to all beaches is free, and each has the same rates for renting beach equipment. Renting a table with an umbrella, a chaise longue and four chairs will cost you approximately $40. You can rent just one umbrella for $15, but if you don’t need all this, you can safely sit directly on the sand.

One of the most famous resort cities in the Republic of Korea is Gangneung. It is located in the east of the country, on the coast of the Sea of ​​Japan. There are two popular beaches here - Jumunjin and Chendongjin. Chumunjin is a fairly quiet place, mainly couples with children relax here: the entrance to the water is gentle, and the sand is fine and very soft. On Chendongjin Beach the crowd is more diverse and noisy. Directly in the beach area there is one of the local railway stations, which, due to its location, is included in the Guinness Book of Records. There are several beautiful parks located near the beach.

The city of Gangneung has another wonderful, well-maintained beach. It is located on the shores of Lake Kenpo, where, by the way, there is excellent fishing.

Beautiful beaches are located on the southern coast of Korea - in Busan and its surroundings. The most popular of them are Haeundae and Gwanalli.

In the west of Korea, on the coast of the Yellow Sea, not only tourists, but also residents of the capital love to relax, because it is very easy to get here from Seoul. The most popular beaches on the west coast are Eurwangni and Daecheon. 8 km from Daecheon Beach is the country-famous Muchangpo Beach. It stretches for almost one and a half kilometers along the sea coast, bordered by pine forests, and is known for its “Moses Road”. Once a month, during low tide, a sandy bottom is exposed in the coastal waters, forming a kind of path to the uninhabited island of Soktaedo located near the coast.

Despite all the attractiveness of the resort areas of mainland Korea, they are inferior in popularity to Jeju Island, located in the Korea Strait in the south of the country. The island, which is a popular tourism center, is famous for its volcanic landscapes, luxurious nature, incredibly beautiful rugged coastline, fashionable hotels and restaurants. Local beaches with snow-white, like flour, or, on the contrary, asphalt-black volcanic sand, are well equipped and are ready to receive tourists from July to the end of September.

Jeju Island is also known for its unique tradition of catching marine life. Women here have been doing this for a long time; they can dive to a depth of 10 meters! For another half century, the “army” of divers-hunters numbered about 30,000 of the fair sex. Today, only a few thousand sea hunters are engaged in this fishery. Their average age is 60 years, some are already over 80. In Korea they are called “hyene”, that is, “women of the sea.” UNESCO included such an amazing custom in its list of intangible cultural heritage.

In Jeju, the main city of the island where the airport is located, tourists usually do not stay long and head to the coast. The southern part is most popular among guests of the island. The center of this region is the city of Seogwipo, located in a picturesque area surrounded by tangerine plantations. In its southeastern part is Chonban, the only waterfall in Asia that pours its waters directly into the depths of the sea.

The island's main diving centers are located in Seogwipo. From here, organized groups of divers go to small islands located off the southern coast of Jeju. The maximum diving depth in the local waters is 40 meters.

From Seogwipo Port you can go fishing on a rented boat. The main catch here is tuna and sea bass.

West of Seogwipo is the largest resort in South Korea - Chunmun. Not far from its snow-white beaches there are places of interest to guests of the island: Pacific Land Park, Yemizhi Nursery, where about 4,000 species of trees and flowers are grown, and Cheonjeen Waterfall. In the western part of the Chunmun resort, you can admire the fantastic landscape - here volcanic rocks rise in pillars from the coastal sea waters, creating a kind of natural fortress, as if protecting the island shore. In this romantic corner it is pleasant to welcome and see off the sun.

The most famous beach in the eastern part of Jeju is Pyeoseon. This place, which is a shallow lagoon, is an excellent place for relaxing with children. To the north lies another popular beach among tourists - Kimnen. Not far from it is one of the main natural attractions of the Republic of Korea - Manjangul Cave, formed by lava flows. Its tunnels stretch for thirteen and a half kilometers, and it is the largest lava cave on the planet.

Winter holidays

In South Korea, skiing and snowboarding have long been national sports. Korean ski resorts are well equipped, and most of them are not inferior in level to European ones. In the mountainous regions of the country there are trails of varying levels of difficulty, many of which are illuminated around the clock. The resorts have chairlifts and snow cannons. There are centers everywhere where experienced instructors give lessons to beginners. By the way, the infrastructure of most resorts is designed to welcome guests at any time of the year: their territories include golf courses, amusement parks, bowling alleys, indoor and outdoor swimming pools.

Most of Korea's ski centers are located in Gangwon Province. The most famous resort in Korea, Yeonpyeong, is also located here. At the disposal of athletes there are 31 ski slopes with different levels of difficulty, 15 lifts. There is a half-pipe for snowboarders. The Alps resort is also popular among skiers, where snow cover lasts until mid-April.

Those who have just begun to master winter sports should pay attention to the Temyun Vivaldi Park resort. There are no risky sections on the ski slopes laid here.

The most respectable resort in Korea, Phoenix Park, is also located in Gangwon Province. Here the ski slopes are designed for both experienced athletes and beginners. The resort complex houses hotels, villas, small motels, and also has an ice skating rink, a swimming pool, a sauna, bowling and billiards halls, restaurants, and a night club.

Thermal resorts

On the territory of the Republic of Korea there are about 70 thermal springs with healing mineral water. Resorts and spa centers have been created on their basis. Several famous resorts are located in the mountainous province of Gangwon-do, between the city of Sokcho and Seoraksan National Park. Among the most popular health complexes in these places is Khanva Sorak. There are hotels, open-air swimming pools, baths, saunas, and a water entertainment center with attractions. Local mineral waters with a sodium-calcium-magnesium composition are effective in the treatment of arthritis, neuralgia and skin diseases.

Nearby is another popular thermal resort, Cheoksan, where treatment is carried out using mineral waters of a similar composition.

In Gyeonggi Province, the springs are concentrated in the vicinity of the city of Icheon. Around them there are thermal complexes with baths, saunas, swimming pools and water parks with attractions. Healing water is also supplied to many local hotels that offer their guests health spa services.

Thermal resorts are also located in South Jeolla Province and on the mountain slopes near Busan.

National parks and reserves

The most outstanding natural attractions of South Korea are united into specially protected areas. Almost every national park or reserve in the country has its own “highlights” - ancient monasteries, which even more attracts tourists to such places.

Some of the most famous national parks in Korea are Seoraksan and Odaesan, located in the densely forested mountains of Gangwon Province. Seoraksan Park has hotels and campsites, so you can stay here for several days. At the entrance to the park, a cable car begins that leads to the Gwonggeum mountain peak (700 m). Climbing to it is an indispensable ritual for all travelers who want to admire the magnificent panoramas from a bird's eye view. There are hiking trails throughout the park. Traveling along them, you can get to the famous Biren and Towanseong waterfalls, the ancient Sinheungsa monastery, Anyang and Naewon temples. Visit Gyejo Shrine - this temple is located in a cave.

Odaesan Park is located northwest of the resort town of Gangneung and is a mountain forest with lakes and waterfalls. In the park it is interesting to visit the botanical garden, which is divided into several thematic zones. Here you can see indoor pavilions with indoor plants, an extensive ecological garden with wild plants, and an herb garden with mountain flowers and herbs. On the territory of the park there are 9 Buddhist temples built during the era of the Silla state.

In the vicinity of Busan, at the mouth of the Naktong River, there is an extensive migratory bird reserve. In its coastal part there are sand dunes, and in the river delta there are small picturesque islands. In spring and autumn, here you can watch migratory waterfowl - snipe, ducks, swans. About 150 species of birds fly here. Tourists travel around the park on special boats.

In the south of Korea lies the largest mountain park on the mainland of the country, Chirisan. A dozen mountain peaks rise above its territory, creating landscapes of incredible beauty.

Another famous national park, Hallasan, is located in the center of Jeju Island. It was created in 1970 to protect the ecosystem on the slopes of the extinct Hallasan volcano. Its crater is the highest point in the Republic of Korea (1950 m). The last volcanic eruption occurred in the 11th century. A reminder of its activity is the many tunnels, pillars and other strangely shaped formations formed by solidified basaltic lava. The natural attractions of the park are included in the UNESCO World Natural Heritage List.

The reserve is home to about 2,000 species of plants and many species of animals. There are hiking routes of varying difficulty levels here, but there are no places to spend the night in the park.

Korean cuisine

Modern cuisine of South Korea is a kind of symbiosis of the gastronomic traditions of Korea itself, Japan, China and Europe. Japanese restaurants are considered the most prestigious and, accordingly, expensive here. In establishments with simpler Chinese cuisine “yeri”, gourmet food is a little cheaper, but the portions are noticeably larger. In Chinese "sixa" restaurants, where everyday food is on the menu, prices are quite economical. The most affordable restaurants are those that serve Korean dishes. But restaurants with European cuisine in Korea are considered exotic.

The cost of a three-course lunch in a mid-range restaurant is usually $20-25 for two.

The main dish of a Korean meal is rice. It is served with a variety of accompaniments, depending on the region and time of year. Other traditional dishes include kimchi (spicy sauerkraut or radish); hwe (a dish based on raw fish: miniature fish pieces are immersed in vinegar, pepper, salt, garlic, chopped carrots or radishes are added, and after 20 minutes they are served to guests); kuksu (homemade noodles made from unleavened dough, served with meat or chicken broth). A popular Korean dish is bulgogi, which is slices of beef cooked in a special fryer, which is placed right on the table. Pieces of meat are pre-marinated in a mixture of soy sauce, sesame oil, sesame seeds, garlic, young onions and other seasonings, including hot red pepper.

A Korean meal is not complete without first courses, which are usually generously seasoned with spices and herbs. Separate cups for soup and rice are placed on the table in front of each guest, and all other dishes (fish, meat, seafood) are placed in the middle of the table, from where everyone takes the desired portion of food. During meals, Koreans use spoons and special chopsticks. For dessert, it is customary to serve apples, pears, peaches, persimmons, and dates.

Where to stay

In South Korea, hotels are classified into five categories. Deluxe and super deluxe are prestigious hotels with luxurious rooms equipped with state-of-the-art technology. Their infrastructure includes cafes, restaurants, conference rooms, fitness centers, spas, and shops. This is followed by first class hotels (in terms of service level they correspond to European 3* plus hotels), second and third class – 3* and 2* plus, respectively.

The highest prices for accommodation are in Seoul. A room in a top category hotel will cost an average of $200-250, in a first class hotel (3* plus) - $90-100 per day.

Those wishing to get to know the country's culture better can stay in traditional guest houses, which are called “hanoks”. The interiors of these dwellings are made in the style of ancient Korean houses. This type of accommodation is popular in historical cities. In South Korea, there are also traditional boarding houses - minbak. These are unique family hotels where it is convenient to stay with children.

There are many roadside and suburban motels in the country. They are generally well equipped, with many including cable TV, high-speed Wi-Fi, and a jacuzzi or sauna.

Tourists who want to save money should pay attention to the so-called “yegvans” - city hotels with small but cozy and clean rooms with air conditioning, TV, telephone, shower and toilet. The room may not have a bed, since hotels of this type are usually visited by local residents, many of whom adhere to the tradition of sleeping on the floor. Daily accommodation here costs $22-27.

In South Korea, tourists have a rare chance to live in a Buddhist monastery, although not every temple offers this opportunity.

Shopping

The best places for shopping in Korea are the capital of the country and large cities, where there are a huge number of shopping centers, supermarkets, boutiques, and markets. In Seoul and Busan, it is convenient to make purchases in duty-free shops - you will recognize them by their “tax free shopping” signs. Keep your receipt and the 10% VAT will be refunded to you at the airport.

Tourists often buy electronics in local stores, but do not buy mobile phones - they are not compatible with Russian standards.

As souvenirs from South Korea, travelers traditionally bring trinkets inlaid with mother-of-pearl, porcelain, and ceramics. You can also buy some good leather goods here. And, of course, do not forget to purchase healing ginseng products. In the country that is the leader in the cultivation of this magical plant, you can buy ginseng tinctures, tea, and many cosmetics created on its basis.

In Korea, there is no clear delineation of store opening hours. Most of them open at 9:00 and close after 19:00, but many shops in popular tourist areas can stay open until midnight. Some cafes and markets are open 24 hours a day.

Transport

South Korea is a small country; you can cross it in just 4-5 hours. However, the transport infrastructure here is at a high level. Railway transport is developed here, and there are several types of trains: express trains, high-speed and simple trains, and even a leisurely tourist train-hotel with a cozy restaurant, comfortable rooms and an observation deck.

The provinces are also connected by regular bus services. Even ordinary buses are equipped with an air conditioning system, and in de-luxe transport, each seat is equipped with a telephone and a TV screen.

Passenger ships and ferries ply between coastal cities.

Seoul, Daegu, Busan and Incheon have subways. All taxis in Korea are equipped with electronic navigators, terminals for paying with bank cards and digital simultaneous translators - there will be no problems with communication.

You can rent a car in Korea if you are over 21 years old and have at least a year of driving experience. Please note that in Seoul and other large cities, traffic jams are quite common, and parking is quite difficult to find.

Practical information

Russian citizens can stay in South Korea for 60 days without visas in their passports.

The official currency of the country is the won. International name – KRW.

It is more convenient to change money in banks and specialized exchange offices. In hotels in Korea, exchange is not profitable. US dollars are readily accepted in most small shops and markets; you can also pay in foreign currency in Tax free shopping stores. Large shopping centers and museums only accept won.

Korean banks serve clients on weekdays from 9:30 to 16:30, on Saturdays - until 13:30. They are closed on Sunday. You can use the ATM from 9:30 to 22:00.

How to get there

Most often, tourists from Russia arrive by plane to Seoul, and from there head to resorts or other cities in Korea. There are direct regular flights from Moscow and Vladivostok, seasonal flights from St. Petersburg and Irkutsk.

You can get from the Primorsky Territory of Russia to South Korea by ferry. For example, a ferry departs from Vladivostok once a week. Travel time – 20 hours. One-way ticket costs from $180.

Calendar of low prices for air tickets

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Why is Korea "Korea"?

Even now, North and South Korea have different names. I don’t mean the official names of these states at all; the term “Korea” itself sounds differently, which, of course, is included in both the name of the North and the name of the South. In Germany, at one time, both East and West Germany included the word Deutchland in their official name. In Korea, things are different: North Korea is called "Joseon" (조선 in alphabetical notation, 朝鮮 in hieroglyphic notation, the full official name is the Democratic People's Republic of Joseon, 조선민주주의인민공화국 which is traditionally translated into Russian as "Democratic People's Republic of Korea" Republic"). South Korea is called "Hanguk" (한국 alphabet, 韓國 characters, officially the Republic of Hanguk (Taehan Minguk 대한민국 / 大韓民國), Russian translation is "Republic of Korea"). Indeed, these names, even by ear, have nothing in common with each other. How did this happen?

The origins of this situation lie in the affairs of bygone days. Once upon a time, about three thousand years ago, certain tribes lived near the northeastern borders of China, the distant ancestors of modern Koreans. They, of course, did not know how to read and write, because in those days only a few residents of a few countries mastered this art, but they called themselves somehow. Over time, these tribes began to unite into unions and gradually a principality arose there, more or less reminiscent in its level of Kievan Rus in the 9th century, before the arrival of the Rurikovichs. This happened about two and a half thousand years ago (however, many nationalist-minded Korean historians claim that this happened much earlier, but they do not provide any serious evidence, so we’d better stick to the facts).

Around the 5th century BC The Chinese also learned about this principality. They found out and wrote down its name in those Chinese characters that, to the ears of ancient Chinese scribes, sounded more or less similar to this original name, unknown to us. Two characters were chosen for this - 朝 and 鮮. In modern Chinese, in its northern dialect, these characters are pronounced "chao" and "xian", and in modern Korean, respectively, these same characters are pronounced "cho" (meaning, among other things, "morning") and “sleep” (it also has several meanings, one of them is “freshness”). And so it happened - “The Land of Morning Freshness”, the poetic name of Korea, which probably anyone who has visited Korea at least once knows about - and many of those who have not had the opportunity to visit Korea.

It really does sound quite good, but the problem is that this wonderfully beautiful phrase has nothing to do with the original name of the ancient Korean tribes. The fact is that Chinese characters, which (along with their writing) are also used by Koreans and Japanese, convey not only the sound of a word, but also its meaning, therefore, unlike a letter of the alphabet, absolutely any character necessarily has at least some meaning . Since there are no cases (and, strictly speaking, no parts of speech) in Chinese, this means that any arbitrary combination of hieroglyphs, including any transcription of a foreign name written in Chinese hieroglyphs, can always be “translated” based on these meanings. For example, the Chinese write the name of the city Moscow with a combination of three characters 莫斯科. Each of them has its own meaning (strictly speaking, even several), so if you want to consider these three hieroglyphs as a meaningful phrase, you can even translate them. There are several possible options for this “translation”, for example - “calm cutting of cereals”. However, it is clear that neither with cereals (科 "ke", another, more common meaning is "science"), nor with cutting (斯 "sy"), nor with "calmness" (莫 "mo", in addition - negative particle) the Chinese name of the Russian capital is in no way connected. Simply, in modern Chinese, these hieroglyphs sound similar to the name of the first throne, so they were used - according to the principle of a rebus. Using the same rebus principle, Chinese scribes three thousand years ago wrote down a certain name unknown to us in two similar-sounding hieroglyphs.

In addition, we must take into account that the pronunciation of hieroglyphs did not remain constant: over the centuries it changed, and quite significantly. After the Koreans borrowed Chinese characters, their pronunciation in the Korean language also began to evolve, and in the end the Korean pronunciation became very distant from both the ancient Chinese original and the modern Chinese reading of the same characters. True, modern techniques make it possible to approximately reconstruct ancient Chinese pronunciations, so through rather complex calculations linguists have established that three thousand years ago the two characters in question were respectively read as “*trjaw” (朝) and “*senx” (鮮) . As you can see - there is little in common with their modern readings! Thus, the ancient name unknown to us, once written down in these hieroglyphs, should have sounded somehow vaguely similar to “Tryausenkh”. However, now it is almost impossible to understand what it actually meant and where it came from.

I spoke about the problems with the “Land of Morning Freshness” in such detail because all the other names of Korea, which will be discussed further, arose according to approximately the same pattern: a certain (exactly unknown) self-name of some ancient Korean tribe ==> its approximate transcription those Chinese characters that were then pronounced more or less similar to this name ==> the evolution of the pronunciation of these characters (its own in each of the four “hieroglyphic” languages ​​- Korean, Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese).

So, let's get back to our story. The ancient Korean state of Joseon (in fact, as we remember, its name sounded more like trjawsenx) was captured by the Chinese at the end of the 1st century. BC, but the memory of him remained in Korea for a long time. At approximately the same time, other ancient Korean tribes lived on the territory of the Korean Peninsula and in the adjacent part of Manchuria (however, among them there could have been representatives of other nationalities who later dissolved among the Koreans). The names of those tribes that lived in the north were written in three characters 高句麗. The modern Korean pronunciation of these characters is Goguryeo (고구려). Soon these tribes formed a powerful and very warlike principality, which occupied the entire north of the Korean Peninsula and the adjacent territory of Manchuria. Meanwhile, many tribes lived in the south of the peninsula. The Han tribes lived on the coast of the Korea Strait (한, again, the modern Korean reading of the hieroglyph 韓), while in the southeast the Principality of Silla quickly grew stronger.

Of course, all these tribes and principalities were constantly at war with each other. In the end, victory went to Silla, which at the end of the 7th century united the Korean Peninsula under its rule. This is how the first unified Korean state arose, which was called Silla (신라 / 新羅). What does it mean? The question is complex. If you “translate” using hieroglyphs, you get... “new network”. I think that the reader now understands: this name has exactly as much to do with “new networks” as Moscow has to do with “the calm cutting of cereals.” These hieroglyphs simply transcribed some ancient Korean (is it ancient Korean?) word. This is also clear because the current spelling “Silla” was not established immediately. The name of this state was also written in other pairs of hieroglyphs - in particular, those that in modern Korean are read as “Sara” (사라 / 斯羅 i.e. literally translated as “cutting nets”), and those that are now pronounced as “Saro” " (사로 / 斯盧). It is clear that these signs were used to record the self-name, which sounded approximately like Silla-Saro-Sara. What is the Korean word behind this? There are many hypotheses on this matter, but none of them is generally accepted.

However, “the times of monarchies and kings are not eternal”... At the beginning of the 10th century, after a short period of civil wars, a new dynasty came to power in the country. Its founder, Wang Gon, came from the lands where the domain of Goguryeo once flourished. He - himself a military general - was very proud of his ancestral ties with the most warlike of all ancient Korean principalities, which is why he decided to name his dynasty Koryo (고려 / 高麗.). This was a shortened form of the old name Goguryeo (perhaps it also reflected phonetic changes - the loss of one of the consonants). At that time, in East Asia, a country was often named after the dynasty that ruled it, so Korea itself began to be called Koryo. It was at that time that rumors about the existence of this country reached Europe (it seems that the ubiquitous Marco Polo was the first to bring them), so all European names for Korea sound very similar to “Koryo.”

However, time passed, and Van Gon's distant descendants also lost power. Another general, Yi Song-gye, staged a coup and in 1392 founded a new dynasty. He decided to take the most ancient name for it - “Joseon” (in other countries it was often called by the surname of the ruling family - “Lee Dynasty”). As you remember, these characters were used to write the Chinese name of the very first of the Korean states, which existed two thousand years earlier.

This name remained official until the end of the last century. After Korea became a Japanese colony in 1910, the Japanese continued to call it that (of course, the Japanese themselves read the hieroglyphs in their own way - “Chosen”). After 1945, the new communist government, which, with the help of the Soviet Army, came to power in the north of the country, decided not to abandon the name that had become familiar over more than five centuries, and retained it. That's why North Korea is called "Joseon", but if you use the full name - "Democratic People's Republic of Joseon". It is clear that “Joseon” is translated into Russian as “Korea”, and the entire name is translated as “Democratic People’s Republic of Korea”.

Well, what about South Korea, the Republic of Korea? At the end of the 19th century, an attempt was made in Korea to change the official name of the country. Instead of the "Kingdom of Joseon" it began to be called the "Han Empire" - more precisely, the country began to be called somewhat more pompously, the "Great Han Empire" (대한제국 / 大韓帝國). However, the word “great” can, according to the rules of Chinese grammar (this is not a typo, the whole phrase is completely Chinese), in this case can refer to both the empire and the country itself. As you probably already guessed, the name of Korea used in this case “han” (한 / 韓) comes from the name of another group of tribes that lived in the very south of the Korean Peninsula about two millennia ago.

In 1910, the Japanese colonialists returned the country's old name "Joseon", but many leaders of the national liberation movement did not recognize this renaming and, in defiance of the Japanese rulers, continued to call their country "Hanguk", that is, "Country of Han". When the leaders of the anti-colonial movement created the Korean government in exile in 1919, they called it: “The Provisional Government of the Republic of Han.” The word “great” was left in the name, although it is usually omitted in translations into foreign languages.

In this case, one more interesting circumstance must be taken into account. This happened in the 1910s, when many of the terms for designating new objects and phenomena borrowed from the West were not yet established. Therefore, in the “hieroglyphic” languages ​​of East Asia, two terms with the meaning “republic” then coexisted (let me remind you that in the languages ​​of the region, almost all serious socio-political and scientific vocabulary consisted of Chinese borrowings or, more precisely, of words collected from Chinese roots, for more details see . ). Some preferred to translate the new word as 共和國 (Korean reading gongwaguk, Chinese gunhego, Japanese kewakoku), that is, the “state of social harmony,” while others leaned toward the less pretentious 民國 (cor. Minguk, whale mingo), that is, “the people's state.” As a result, the first, more eloquent, option won, but in 1919 in Shanghai, Korean nationalists leaned towards the second option - fortunately, it was then used in the official name of China. As a result, it turned out that in the full official names of North and South Korea, not only the names of the country are different, but also the translation of the word “republic”

Over time, many of the leaders of the Shanghai provisional government established ties with the United States, and in 1945, with the help of the American military administration, they ended up in South Korea. It was these people who became the founders of the current South Korean state, which also inherited this name - the “Republic of Han”. In Russian, this word, again, is translated as “Korea”. On the other hand, as mentioned above, the Korean leftist forces, which, with Soviet support, came to power in the northern part of the peninsula, decided to retain the name by which Korea was known in colonial times and continued to call their country “Joseon.” This is how the current situation has developed.

By the way, she has one funny aspect. Speaking Korean, you inevitably have to constantly express your attitude towards the current political situation. It is impossible to say "Korean language (or Korean history, or Korean literature) in general." By using one of the two names of Korea, the speaker inevitably emphasizes which of the two rival Korean states he is on the side of.