North

Korea

Zildjian C. Geronimo

BSIT-1A
Sy:2020-2021 1st Sem
 Introduction

The Korean peninsula is one of the most ethnically homogeneous regions in the world. The North
Korean population, which has been largely isolated since 1945, is almost entirely Korean; a tiny
number of Chinese constitute the only other significant ethnic group. All Koreans speak the Korean
language, whose relationship to other languages is disputed; it may be related to Japanese or
languages of the Altaic group, and it contains many Chinese loanwords. The Korean script, known in
North Korea as Chosŏn muntcha and in South Korea as han’gŭl (Hangul), is composed of phonetic
symbols for the 10 vowels and 14 consonants. In North Korea a systematic effort has been made to
eliminate Chinese and Western loanwords, as well as any vestiges of the Japanese imposed during
the colonial period, and Chosŏn muntcha has been used exclusively without Chinese characters in
newspapers and other publications since 1945.

The population of North Korea is unevenly distributed, with heavy concentrations along the coastlines
and only sparse settlement in the interior. This imbalance has been exacerbated by the government’s
emphasis on industrialization since 1945, which has promoted migration to the cities and, conversely,
has produced a severe farm labour shortage. Large numbers of Koreans emigrated from the
peninsula during the first half of the 20th century, mainly to China, Siberia, Japan, and the United
States. In the 1960s and ’70s North Korea conducted a campaign to repatriate Koreans living in
Japan; more than 90,000 people took part in the program. North Korea’s recurrent food crises—
compounded by the government’s reported practice of political persecution, including the denial of
food to certain groups of people for political reasons—have caused many people to escape to China.
Estimates of the number of North Korean refugees in China in the early 21st century ranged from
10,000 to 300,000.

Historically, the way of life and the value system of Koreans were based fundamentally on Confucian
thought. To a lesser extent, Buddhism was also important. Roman Catholic and Protestant
missionaries arrived in the 18th and 19th centuries, respectively; Sunch’ŏn and P’yŏngyang were
major centres of Christian activities. The Japanese occupation beginning in the early 20th century
brought increasing repression of Christianity, and by the end of World War II there were no foreign
missionaries left in the country.

The monotheistic religion of Ch’ŏndogyo (“Teaching of the Heavenly Way”), originally known as
Tonghak (“Eastern Learning”), was founded by the Confucian teacher Ch’oe Che-u in 1860. A
combination largely of Buddhism, Confucianism, and Christianity, Ch’ŏndogyo played a leading role
in the March 1st Movement of 1919. Shamanism—the religious belief in gods, demons, and ancestral
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 spirits responsive to a priest, or shaman—existed in Korea before the introduction of Buddhism and
Confucianism; its practice has nearly died out in North Korea.

To say and not to say

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 North Korean and South Korean are the same language simply known as Korean. However, within
the Korean language, there are some differences. A South and North Korean will generally have no
problem understanding each other, but there may be some noticeable differences in the language or
style of language used.

Whilst largely similar, the North Korean dialect used in North Korea tends to be more formal, and
typically doesn’t include many English language loanwords used in the South Korean dialect.

HOW DO YOU SAY HI IN KOREAN? HOW DO YOU SAY HELLO IN KOREAN?

For example hello in Korean is An·nyong·ha·sim·ni·kka (안녕하십니까) in North Korea. How to say
hello in Korean is An·nyong·ha·se·yo (안녕하세요) in South Korea. Hi in Korean is An·nyong (안녕)
and is used by both North and South Koreans.

A common phrase you’ll hear on your visit to North Korea which is equivalent of Korean hello is
pan·gab·sum·ni·da (반갑습니다) which means nice to meet you.

Allow this Korean language guide to teach you some incredibly helpful words you may use on your
trip to North Korea. The Koreans don’t expect foreigners to know any local North Korean dialect so
use this for your advantage to impress them.

The language has great depth, and if you’re interested in learning North Korean, sign up for our
Pyongyang study tour held every year. We are the only travel company to offer this program.

KOREAN ADDRESSING KEYWORDS

The Korean language regards politeness highly, and this can be shown in what type of language you
use when addressing different people. In basic terms, there are 7 different styles of speech that range
from friendly to super polite. These levels are high, middle, and low.

The basic form of the language is how you will speak to your friends and those the same age or
younger than you (hae-che). The next level up (haoeyo-che) is how you will address those older than
you, meeting new people, or generally when you want to be polite. This is used most often, and is the
style of speech you’re most likely to learn when beginning learning Korean. The next level up is the
super polite version (hasipseo-che) and how, in South Korea, you would speak to very high up
people, in business speech, or in customer service.

In North Korean, however, this super polite level is used much more often, similar to the middle polite
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 level. You should use hasipseo-che when talking to anyone older than you/strangers. In North Korea
there are two unique ways you’ll never find in South Korea of addressing others.

Dong·ji (동지) which means Comrade. This is used when addressing anyone who is superior or older
than you. This can also be added after the person’s name. Eg: Hello Rowan Dongji!

Dong·mu (동무) which also means Comrade. However, this is used when addressing anyone of a
lower rank than you or who is younger than you. This can also be added after the person’s name.

You can see these two terms above commonly used in the South Korean TV drama series Crash
Landing on You. However, below are ways used to address others that is used in both South and
North Korea.

Hyong·nim (형님) means older brother and is used when a male addresses a senior male.

Oppa (오빠) means older brother and is used when a female addresses a senior male. This can also
be used for a girlfriend to address her boyfriend.

Nuna (누나) means older sister and is used when a male addresses a senior female.

Onni (언니) – means older sister and is used when a female addresses a senior female.

NORTH KOREAN KEYWORDS

Thank you (감사합니다) – Kam·sa·hab·ni·da

Sorry (미안합니다) – Mi·an·ham·ni·da

Beautiful / Nice (아름답습니다) – Ah·rum·dap·sum·ni·da

Let’s go! (갑시다 ) – Kab·shi·da!

Hurry up! (빨리 빨리) – Balli·balli

Waiter / Waitress (접대원 동무) – Jop·tae·won·dong·mu

Shop assistant or service staff (봉사원 동무) – Bong·sa·won·dong·mu

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 Mineral water bottle (산물) – San·mul

Cheers / To your health! (축배) – Chuk·bae

See you again (다시 만납시다) – Da·si·man·nap·si·da

Do’s and Don’t’s

Greetings The standard greeting in North Korea is a handshake, no matter whom you're meeting.

Media Don’t ever fold, tear or throw away a newspaper with one of the Kims on the cover.

Stay Close Don’t wander away from your group; this can result in serious consequences for your
guides.

Photography Take it seriously when your guides ask you not to take photographs. Never photograph
only one part of a Kim statue, but the entire thing.

Politics Avoid discussing controversial topics with any North Koreans you may meet, even your
guides.

Personal Synthesis

Life in North korea I think its like very old way. Because people and north korea can’t use internet and
any social media. And people there don’t know what happened in other country because its restricted
to read anything about other country. And in north korea you will forced to join in military because of
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 there laws and ther other weird laws in north korea is you need a north Korean president picture in
your home and display it. Theres is a lot of difference in our country. Because north Korea is have a
strict government and if you do something wrong you will be death penalty. And you cant wear
anything you want. I think its really hard to grow in these country. I think the best traits of north korea
is they have a discipline. That Pilipino don’t have.

Member Profile

Zildjian C. Geronimo
BSIT-1A
21 years old
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 Birthday: November 1 1999
Address: Maasim, San Ildefonso Bulacan