Summary of "History of North and South Korea"

- Korea's history has been shaped by its interactions with larger, more powerful countries such as China, Russia, Japan, and the USA.

The creation of modern-day North and South Korea began in 1895 when Korea stopped being a Chinese tributary state and became independent.
North Korea aligned with the Soviet Union and China, while South Korea adopted Japanese-style state capitalism.
The Korean War in 1950 resulted in the division of Korea along the 38th parallel, leading to the establishment of separate governments in the North and South.
North Korea's economy focused on self-reliance and military-first policies, while South Korea transitioned to a more capitalist economy with a strong influence of family-owned businesses.
South Korea's democratization process involved years of protests, leading to fair elections and a shift towards democracy.
South Korea's cultural exports, such as K-pop and K-dramas, were strategically used to promote the country's image globally and boost its economy.
North Korea faced economic challenges after the collapse of the Soviet Union, leading to reforms and a focus on nuclear weapons development.
Both North and South Korea have complex educational systems and educated populations, despite their political and economic challenges.