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catman
Joined: 18 Jul 2004
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 Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2009 8:16 pm Post subject: Regional Differences in Korea |
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Interesting little piece I found:
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Significant regional differences exist.
Within South Korea, the most important regional difference is between the Gyeongsang region, embracing Gyeongsangbuk-do and Gyeongsangnam-do provinces in the southeast, and the Jeolla region, embracing Jeollabuk-do and Jeollanam-do provinces in the southwest. The two regions, separated by the Jiri Massif, nurture a rivalry said to reach back to the Three Kingdoms Period, which lasted from the fourth century to the seventh century A.D., when the kingdoms of Baekje and Silla struggled for control of the peninsula.
Observers noted that interregional marriages are rare, and that as of 1990 a new fourlane highway completed in 1984 between Gwangju and Daegu, the capitals of Jeollanam-do and Gyeongsangbuk-do, completed in 1984, had not been successful in promoting travel between the two areas.
South Korea's political elite, including presidents Park Chung-hee, Chun Doo-hwan, and Roh Tae-woo, have come largely from the Gyeongsang region. As a result, Gyeongsang has been a special beneficiary of government development assistance.
By contrast, the Jeolla region has remained comparatively rural, undeveloped, and poor. Chronically disaffected, its people rightly or wrongly have a reputation for rebelliousness. Regional bitterness was intensified by the May 1980 Gwangju massacre, in which about 200 and perhaps many more inhabitants of the capital of Jeollanam-do were killed by Chun Doo-hwan's troops sent to quell the citizens and student's demonstration against military coup regime. The demonstration against military regime occurred all over the country, but only Gwangju was heavily damaged. Many of the troops were reportedly from the Gyeongsang region.
Regional stereotypes, like regional dialects, have been breaking down under the influence of centralized education, nationwide media, and the several decades of population movement since the Korean War. Stereotypes remain important, however, in the eyes of many South Koreans. For example, the people of Gyeonggi-do, surrounding Seoul, are often described as being cultured, and Chungcheong people, inhabiting the region embracing Chungcheongbuk-do and Chungcheongnam-do provinces, are thought to be mild-mannered, manifesting true yangban virtues. The people of Gangwon-do in the northeast were viewed as poor and stolid, while Koreans from the northern provinces of Pyongan, Hwanghae, and Hamgyong, now in North Korea, are perceived as being diligent and aggressive. Jeju-do is infamous for its strong-minded and independent women. |
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samcheokguy
Joined: 02 Nov 2008
Location: Samcheok G-do
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| Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2009 8:44 pm Post subject: |
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| Via wikipedia |
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Panda
Joined: 25 Oct 2008
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| Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2009 10:29 pm Post subject: |
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Kyeongsang Namdo is said to be the most conservative region in Korea.
Kyeongsang Namdo Namja(men) are well known for their bad temperament, stubbornness and male chauvinism. 
Just for fun~! |
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prideofidaho
Joined: 19 Mar 2008
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| Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2009 10:52 pm Post subject: |
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| All I can add is that my time spent on Jeju made me realise that not all of Korea is male-centric. Nearly every time my partner asked a question to the locals, they looked to me (a woman) when they answered. |
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CeleryMan
Joined: 12 Apr 2007
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Mon Jul 06, 2009 2:44 pm Post subject: |
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| Seoul makes it, Pusan takes it, same grind different hustle. |
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