Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Taylormade]

I often here people talk about Korean regionalism, and its effect on Korean elections, but the nature of this regionalism is not apparent to me. In Canada the reasons for regional differences are obvious. Quebec is culturally distinct from English-speaking Canada. The Martimes and the West are thousands of miles away from the capital city. They resent the influence of Ontario. Alberta doesn't want its oil resources 'stolen' by the federal government. etc. etc.. But Korean regionalism is not immediately apparent to many foreigners - myself included. They are, after all, all ethnically Korean and, compared to Canada, it's an awfully tiny country. I understand there's resentment of so much power being centred in Seoul, but beyond that I don't get it.

From whence cometh Korean regionalism?

[KimchiNinja]

While I don't follow politics, there are certainly tensions between regions. Just like how people from say New York think people from Arkansas are retarded. People from Seoul think people from Jeolla province are, umm basically not so good.

[T-J]

Google Korea's Three Kingdom Period and start reading.

[sluggo832004]

[KimchiNinja]

[sluggo832004]

I live in Daegu, and Seoul people think Daegu people are strange and weird. And I would agree 100 percent with Seoul people.

[coralreefer_1]

[jvalmer]

There is a rivalry factor between the Gyeongsang and Jeolla provinces. Those two regions used to be the centers of two of the three competing kingdoms. This goes back more than 700 years before Korea was actually united under one ruling power. The 3rd kingdon was based largely in what is North Korea now.

Funny thing is that there was a significant population transfer from Jeolla to Gyeongsang during the Korean war. Maybe that explains the 'Liberals' getting about 25% of the popular vote in the Gyeongsang region, while the Conservatives barley get 10% in the Jeolla provinces.

[KimchiNinja]

[jvalmer]

[andrewchon]

There are many reasons for regionalism:
1. Geography: Gyungsangdo, Jeollado are each separated from the rest by big mountain ranges and hence not much exchange happened till 1970's.
2. Reliegion: Koryo was a Buddhist nation. Choseon was Confuscious nation and when they took power, they drove the Buddhists to hinterlands i.e. Kyungsangdo. When the Christian missionaries came, Catholics worked in Jeollado and Jeju, protestants the rest. The two sects of christianity carried on their rivaly in Korea.
3. Ancient grudge: People of former Goguryo lands hasn't yet forgiven the southerners for supporting the Tang conquest. People of Baekje hasn't forgiven South-Easterners (Kyungsangdo), either. Baekje considered itself the civilized of the three kingdoms and the ill-feelings still remain. Resistance to move the capital to Sejong City (smack in the middle of Baekje) is due in part to that.
4. Economics: Rebuilding after the war involved a great deal of trade with Japan. This meant Gyungsangdo, in particular southern part, which is closer to Japan, got most of the development i.e. Ulsan, Pohang. Jeollado got ZIP. President Park JungHee (father of new president) came from Gumi, Gyungsangdo, and that didn't help much in quelling the regional divide, either. JeollaNamdo remains the poorest province in Korea but JeollaBukdo got car industries in Gunsan.
5. Politics: After the Surrender of Japan, and before the war, most of the troubles agitated by pinkos concentrated around... Jeollado. Gwangju wasn't the only city that rebelled after the coup d'etat but strongman Chun (from Gyungsangdo) didn't waste an opportunity to settle an old score.

Those are the majors, and loads more minor reasons.

[Taylormade]

[andrewchon]

Simon Winchester's book 'Korea: A walk though the land of miracles' is a good read.

[Taylormade]

[sluggo832004]