Cultural Traditions in South Korea Lisa Dalrymple Crabtree Publishing Company www crabtreebooks com
Welcome to South Korea South Korea has a history that goes back over 4,000 years It shares a peninsula near China with North Korea Some of South Korea’s traditions come from its long relationship with China Life in South Korea is influenced by the teachings of Confucius an ancient Chinese thinker South Korea is a thriving modern country Today most people live in cities 4 The Pacific Ocean surrounds three sides of South Korea
People in South Korea have great respect for the spirits of their ancestors They ask them to help guide life today South Korea’s most important holidays began as rural festivals At festival time people return to their birthplace in the country to visit their parents and grandparents Did You Know After World War II the country of Korea was divided into North Korea and South Korea Nobody is allowed to enter or leave North Korea Some Koreans have not seen their relatives for over 60 years The Bridge of Freedom connects North and South Korea At the border South Koreans have hung colored ribbons with messages to show their love for their North Korean ancestors both living and dead 5
