Updated: March 2009
South Korea
Overview | World Vision's history in South Korea| World Vision in South Korea today
OverviewSouth Korea, officially referred to as the Republic of Korea, is located in Asia directly below North Korea, forming the tip of the Korean peninsula. The peninsula extends from northeastern China and is bordered on the east by the Sea of Japan and on the west by the Yellow Sea. The Korean Strait, which separates the country from Japan, is speckled by both South Korean and Japanese islands. Mountains and valleys cover a majority of the country’s landscape, and plains along the northern and southern coasts allow for cultivation of rice, vegetables, and fruits. The climate is temperate, with heavy rainfall in the summer and mild rainfall in the winter. Natural resources include coal, iron ore, limestone, and graphite.With one of the highest population densities in the world, South Korea is largely homogenous. Aside from some 20,000 Chinese, nearly all residents have their roots within the country and speak Korean. An increasing number of Koreans also speak English, as it is taught in most primary and secondary schools. Japanese and Chinese are taught at the secondary level. In recent years, many South Koreans have emigrated to China, Japan, and the United States. |  |
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| Until the early 1950s, Korea was a single country with no division between north and south. Historically, Korea was known as the “Hermit Kingdom,” as a result of its resistance to foreign involvement. Korea maintained independence until 1905, when it fell under the protection of Japan. Five years later, when Korea became a Japanese colony, many from Japan tried to replace Korean customs with their own culture. Japanese rule lasted 35 years, until Japan surrendered Korea to the United States during World War II; the country was subsequently granted independence. After the war, southern Korea established a democratic government, while northern Korea established a communist-style government. In 1950, after a northern invasion, U.S. and U.N. forces helped to defend southern Korea, hoping to reunite the country. The civil war lasted for three years, at which point an armistice was signed, bringing official divisions between north and south. Though a peace agreement has never been signed, communication between North Korea and South Korea has improved in recent years, and the two countries are now important trade partners. Following economic policy reform, established in the early 1960s, the economy of South Korea has rapidly flourished, becoming the 13th largest in the world. South Koreans depend heavily on exports, and among their leading export partners are China, the U.S., and Japan. Other important economic contributors include raw imports, technology, and industries such as electronics, telecommunications, and automobile production. Even when world markets are poor, South Korea’s economy continues to grow—at times as much as five to seven percent a year. The education system in South Korea is strong. Primary school enrolment is at 99.8 percent, and most South Koreans attain at least 16 years of schooling. Back to top World Vision’s history in South KoreaWorld Vision began in the midst of the Korean War when Dr. Bob Pierce visited Korea and was deeply moved by the acute suffering of the orphans he met. When he returned to the states, Dr. Pierce initiated a widespread appeal, asking churches to help the orphans in Korea.Ever since Dr. Pierce began his work in the early 1950s, World Vision has been working with communities to bring assistance to children and families in South Korea through child sponsorships and other programs. In 1974, World Vision’s work in Korea shifted from an emphasis on child-centered programming to a community-based development approach that focused on long-term objectives to help bring about a sustainable change. Back to top World Vision in South Korea todayIn 1991, after 40 years of operation, World Vision’s office in South Korea transitioned to a support entity, providing aid to other countries. Then, in 1994, amid suffering in the north, Koreans in the south initiated a World Vision program to provide relief aid to North Korea. Since 1991, World Vision’s office in South Korea has raised funds to benefit children across the globe, expanding the impact of its domestic donors.Today, World Vision’s ministry in South Korea reaches out to low-income families in urban areas. Koreans support 155 development and relief projects in 43 developing countries, located in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and Latin America. For more information on World Vision’s work in South Korea, please contact the United States office. Back to top | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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