Korea

The word “Korea” means a peninsula and historic region in East Asia, today divided into North Korea and South Korea.

“Korea” is pronounced kuh-REE-uh (/kəˈɹi.ə/ in IPA).

Here is “Korea” used in a sentence: “They traveled to Korea to visit family in Seoul.”

“Korea” is a name.

The word “Korea” dates back to around 918. From "Goryeo," the name of a dynasty that ruled the region from 918 to 1392.

“Korea” is a fairly common word in modern English.

They are two separate countries on the same peninsula. North Korea is a secretive, one-party state with a centrally controlled economy. South Korea is a democratic republic with a market economy and is known for global brands and pop culture. They have been divided since 1948 and share a heavily guarded border.

Korea was one country until 1945, when it was split along the 38th parallel as Japanese rule ended after the Second World War. The Soviet-backed north and the US-backed south set up rival governments in 1948. The Korean War of 1950 to 1953 hardened the division, which still stands today.

Korean is the main language of both North and South Korea, spoken by nearly everyone on the peninsula. It is written in Hangul, a distinctive alphabet created in the fifteenth century. The two states share the same language, though decades of separation have produced some differences in vocabulary and accent.