Korean Peninsula

Definition

The Korean Peninsula is located in East Asia extending southwards for about 1,100 km (680 miles) from continental Asia into the Pacific Ocean; divided into two countries North Korea and South Korea after World War II.

Analogy

Imagine the Korean Peninsula as a house divided down the middle where each half is decorated differently representing two distinct ideologies - communism (North Korea) and democracy (South Korea).

Related terms

Korean War: A war fought between North Korea (with support of China and Soviet Union) and South Korea (with principal support from USA) between 1950-1953.

38th Parallel: The line of latitude that roughly demarcates North Korea and South Korea.

Juche: The state ideology of North Korea, which emphasizes self-reliance, independence, and nationalism.