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Japanese Occupation

Unbiased History & Stories on Korea for Global Audience

Sponsored by Open Korea Foundation

  • We are looking for relatives on my grandfather’s side.

    Jun 29, 2025
    in Community, Feeds
    We are looking for relatives on my grandfather’s side.

    We are looking for relatives on my grandfather’s side. Date of birth: 1916 Suvon ancestry Resided in Joseon Unfortunately, the…

    family, Japan, Japanese Occupation, Joseon, Koreans
  • The Evolution of Seoul: From Ancient Korea to Modern Metropolis and Beyond

    Feb 5, 2025
    in History
    The Evolution of Seoul: From Ancient Korea to Modern Metropolis and Beyond

    Ancient Beginnings: The Founding of Seoul The city of Seoul, known today as the vibrant capital of South Korea, has…

    Ancient Korea, Baekje, family, Historical Landmark, historical tours, history, Japan, Japanese Occupation, Joseon, K-pop, Kimchi, Korean War, Koreans, Military, Politics, Question, Seoul, Silla, study, Three Kingdom, travel
  • The Journey of Korean Immigrants: A History & Trends Outside the United States

    Jan 14, 2025
    in History
    The Journey of Korean Immigrants: A History & Trends Outside the United States

    Introduction to Korean Immigration Korean immigration has a rich and complex history that dates back to the late 19th century.…

    automotive, Bibimbap, Demographics, Discrimination, family, Gen Z, germany, history, Japan, Japanese Occupation, K-pop, Kimchi, Korean Cuisine, Korean Food, korean immigrants, Korean War, Koreans, LG, Millennials, Perspectives, Seoul, Social Media, study, Tokyo, World War
  • The Journey of Korean Immigrants: Celebrating Korean American Day

    Jan 14, 2025
    in History
    The Journey of Korean Immigrants: Celebrating Korean American Day

    Introduction to Korean Immigration The history of Korean immigration is marked by significant waves of migration driven by various socio-economic…

    Bibimbap, BTS, cold war, Demographics, Discrimination, Discussion, family, history, Japan, Japanese Occupation, K-pop, Kimchi, Korean American, Korean Cuisine, korean immigrants, Korean Language, Korean War, Koreans, Lawmakers, LG, Military, Old Korea, Politics, Suga, World War
  • I remember going to a museum with brutal wax figures in early 90’s. What museum did I go to?

    Dec 19, 2024
    in Community

    As a child, I remember going to this museum that depicted either the Japanese occupation or the draconian anti-communist (or…

    history, Japan, Japanese Occupation, Korean War
  • The Evolution of Korean Democracy: A Journey Through Suppression and Resistance

    Dec 3, 2024
    in History
    The Evolution of Korean Democracy: A Journey Through Suppression and Resistance

    Ancient Foundations of Korean Governance The early governance systems of Korea can be traced back to ancient states such as…

    Baekje, Democracy, Goguryeo, Gojoseon, Goryeo, history, Japan, Japanese Occupation, Joseon, Justice, korean democracy, Korean History, Korean Language, Korean War, Koreans, martial law, Military, North Korea, Peace, Perspectives, Protest, Silla, Three Kingdom
  • The Influence of China and Japan in Modern Korean History

    Nov 26, 2024
    in History
    The Influence of China and Japan in Modern Korean History

    Introduction The Korean Peninsula, situated at the northeastern edge of the Asian continent, has historically occupied a pivotal geographic position…

    cold war, Discussion, Goryeo, history, Japan, Japanese Occupation, Joseon, Justice, K-pop, Korean History, Koreans, Military, North Korea, Politics, Pyongyang, Sex, Tourism, World War
  • One of World’s Most Brutal War No One Knows About

    Oct 12, 2024
    in Community, Feeds
    One of World’s Most Brutal War No One Knows About

    As a Korean American, born in the United States in 1977, I have a unique perspective on the history of…

    family, history, Japan, Japanese Occupation, Justice, Korean War, Koreans, Parents, Peace
  • The Japanese Occupation of Korea: A Struggle for Independence and the Korean War

    Jul 10, 2024
    in History
    The Japanese Occupation of Korea: A Struggle for Independence and the Korean War

    Introduction to the Japanese Occupation The Japanese occupation of Korea, spanning from 1910 to 1945, was a critical period that…

    China Relation, cold war, Discussion, fail, history, Japan, Japan Relation, Japanese Occupation, Justice, Korea Independence, Korean History, Korean Language, Korean Military, Korean War, Koreans, Military, North Korea, Peace, Protest, purpose, Seoul, USA Relation, World War
  • The Imjin War and the Aftermath: The Joseon Dynasty and Japanese Occupation

    Jun 20, 2023
    in History
    The Imjin War and the Aftermath: The Joseon Dynasty and Japanese Occupation

    Introduction to the Imjin War The Imjin War, also referred to as the Japanese invasions of Korea, took place from…

    Busan, history, Imjin War, Japan, Japan Relation, japanese invasion, Japanese Occupation, Joseon, Korean History, Korean Military, Koreans, Military, Peace, Protest, purpose

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Latest Korean News

  • Samsung Asset retains top rank on Q3 asset league table with $71 bn ETF portfolioOctober 3, 2025
    Samsung Asset Management launches the world’s first US metaverse ETF… Read more: Samsung Asset retains top rank on Q3 asset league table with $71 bn ETF portfolio
  • China’s young consumers drive Korean health supplement boomOctober 3, 2025
    Ginseng and other health food account for a quarter of… Read more: China’s young consumers drive Korean health supplement boom
  • Hyundai cuts IONIQ 5 prices in US to deal with end of EV tax subsidyOctober 2, 2025
    The Hyundai IONIQ 5 (Courtesy of Hyundai Motor America) Hyundai… Read more: Hyundai cuts IONIQ 5 prices in US to deal with end of EV tax subsidy
  • Posco International builds Polish motor core plant; Mexico factory due by year-endOctober 2, 2025
    POSCO International holds a ceremony to mark the completion of… Read more: Posco International builds Polish motor core plant; Mexico factory due by year-end
  • Korea’s battery material maker Enchem scraps $143 mn US plant planOctober 2, 2025
    Enchem’s electrolyte plant in the US state of Georgia (File… Read more: Korea’s battery material maker Enchem scraps $143 mn US plant plan

Latest Community Feeds

  • KPOP may be a lot more linked to more traditionalist thought and perspectives than i realisedOctober 7, 2025
  • Kpop Demon Hunters tour idea: singers, rotating former/current idols covering soundtrack + bringing their own hits. Surprise guests/combinations like Blackpink + Ejae, etcOctober 7, 2025
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  • my ex-bestfriend didn’t stop talking about how my concert ticket isn’t “worth it” until the day before the concert.October 7, 2025
  • Starving North Koreans ‘hunting tigers for food’October 7, 2025
  • How long does chunjang last after opening in the fridge?October 7, 2025
  • I’m cooking beef radish soupOctober 7, 2025
  • Korean Late-Night Favorite: Fiery Boneless Chicken Feet 🌶️🍻October 7, 2025
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  • To People Who Witnessed It, How Did Cha Eunwoo Get So Popular*?October 7, 2025
  • Monami Shokudo in Tokyo offers Korean instant ramen & banchan sides all you can eat for $10 USDOctober 7, 2025
  • What Do You Think About CORTIS Being Called a 6th-Gen ‘Zalpha Generation’ Group?October 7, 2025
  • grilled duck slicesOctober 7, 2025
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All Articles

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  • Feeds (13,798)
    • Community (9,297)
    • Entertainment (967)
    • News (3,531)
  • History (41)
  • People (16)

History of Korea

  • Exploring Ancient Korea: A Journey into Pre-HistoryOctober 12, 2017
    Introduction to Pre-Historic Korea The timeline of ancient Korea before documented history is a fascinating yet challenging area of study.… Read more: Exploring Ancient Korea: A Journey into Pre-History
  • The Rise and Fall of Go Joseon and the Emergence of the Three KingdomsOctober 19, 2017
    Introduction to Go Joseon The Go Joseon dynasty, often considered a pivotal era in Korean history, emerged around the end… Read more: The Rise and Fall of Go Joseon and the Emergence of the Three Kingdoms
  • The Rise and Fall of Korea’s Three Kingdoms: A Story of Power, Conflict, and UnificationNovember 30, 2017
    Introduction to the Three Kingdoms The Three Kingdoms period in Korea, encompassing approximately from the 1st century BCE to the… Read more: The Rise and Fall of Korea’s Three Kingdoms: A Story of Power, Conflict, and Unification
  • Choe Chi-wonFebruary 14, 2018
    Introduction to Choe Chi-won Choe Chi-won, born in 857, stands as a notable figure in Korean history, specifically during the… Read more: Choe Chi-won
  • King Gwanggaeto the GreatMay 14, 2018
    Introduction to King Gwanggaeto King Gwanggaeto the Great, a pivotal figure in Korean history, ruled from 395 to 413 CE… Read more: King Gwanggaeto the Great
  • Won HyoOctober 14, 2018
    Introduction to Won Hyo Won Hyo, a prominent figure in Korean history, is celebrated for his profound impact on the… Read more: Won Hyo
  • Jang BogoApril 14, 2019
    Introduction to Jang Bogo Jang Bogo, a prominent historical figure from the Silla Dynasty, played a pivotal role in shaping… Read more: Jang Bogo
  • GyebaekApril 14, 2019
    Introduction to Gyebaek Gyebaek is a prominent historical figure in Korean history, particularly known for his role as a general… Read more: Gyebaek
  • King MuryeongSeptember 14, 2019
    Introduction to King Muryeong King Muryeong, reigning from 501 to 523 AD, stands as one of the most influential monarchs… Read more: King Muryeong
  • The Rise and Fall of the Goryeo Dynasty: A Precursor to the Joseon EraJanuary 3, 2020
    Introduction to the Goryeo Dynasty The Goryeo Dynasty, established in 918 AD by the notable general Wang Geon, marks a… Read more: The Rise and Fall of the Goryeo Dynasty: A Precursor to the Joseon Era

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Open Korea

Korean Identities Beyond Borders

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Helplines in Korea

112  | Police

Call to report life-threatening situations and emergencies requiring law enforcement. Text service and location tracking service is also available.

119 | Fire & Ambulance

The fire department and health emergencies requiring ambulance service. There’s also an English reporting section on their website.

182 | Missing Persons & Stolen Vehicles

This line is also used for non-emergency reports and requests such as inquiring about the cost of a fine for a traffic violation, information on car licenses, and how to contact officers in charge of specific cases.

1339 | Korea Center for Disease Control (KCDC) Foreigner Helpline

Particularly useful during the 2015 MERS scare, the KCDC provides foreigners with information about first-aid and diseases in English, Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Mongolian.

1366 | Seoul Women’s Help Hotline

Not necessarily English-friendly and not outside of Seoul, this 24-hour service immediate response line for women involved in domestic abuse, sexual violence or prostitution should still be kept handy.

1330 | Korea Tourism Organization’s Travel Helpline

Tourism and translation services. The service is available 24/7 and provides information on tourist sites, transportation, restaurants, and more.

120 | Seoul Municipal Government Info

The Seoul “Dasan” helpline provides information on restaurants (Korean and international cuisines), transportation (bus, subway, taxi, etc.), Korean language schools, interpretation services, legal consulting, lost items, volunteer services, daily living in Seoul, and tourism. Available languages are Chinese, English, Japanese, Mongolian and Vietnamese from 9 am to 10 pm.

1345 | Immigration

Foreign resident can to ask just about any immigration-related question. Keep in mind that they tend to be on the negative side, as it’s the safer way for them to answer. Tip: Get their name and information so that if you visit the immigration office and get a different story you can tell them that you were told otherwise…

1331 | National Human Rights Commission of Korea

Call here to get information on human rights laws and social justice in Korea, as well as get assistance with filing a complaint and even receive counseling.

110 | National Government Call Center

This phone number is available for the public to call and inquire about anything from government policy to civil complaints. Available in 20 different languages.

Useful Official Links on Korea

Korean Arts

  • Archive of Gugak 국악아카이브
  • Artsnet 미술포탈 아츠넷
  • Digital Archive of Performing Arts 공연예술 디지털 아카이브
  • Intangible Heritage Digital Archive 무형유산 디지털 아카이브
  • Korea Digital Archives for the Arts 한국예술디지털아카이브
  • National Museum of Contemporary Art, Korea 국립현대미술관
  • ​National Museum of Korea 국립중앙박물관
  • Seoul Photo Archives 서울사진아카이브

Korean Cinema

  • HANCINEMA The Korean Movie & Drama Database
  • Intangible Heritage Digital Archive 무형유산 디지털 아카이브
  • KMDb 한국영화데이터베이스
  • Korea Digital Archives for the Arts 한국예술디지털아카이브
  • Korean Annual Box Office Results 영화진흥위원회 박스오피스
  • Korean Film Archive 한국영상자료원
  • Korean Film Archive YouTube Channel
  • Korean Film Biz Zone
  • Korean Film Council 한국영화진흥위원회
  • KTV National Record Film 한국정책방송원 e영상역사관
  • North Korean film 북한영화 (통일부 북한자료센타)

Language & Literature

  • The Academy of Korean Studies 한국학 중앙 연구원
  • DLKL (한국 문학 디지털 도서관) by 한국문학번역원Digital Library of Korean Literature
  • The Korea Comparative Literature Association 한국비교문학회
  • The Korean Association of Language Sciences 한국언어과학회
  • Korean Literature Archive
  • Korean Literature Author Data Service
  • Korean Literature E-books in Multiple Languages
  • The Learned Society of Modern Korean Literature 한국현대문학회
  • The Modern Linguistic Society of Korea 한국현대언어학회
  • The Society of Korean Oral Literature 한국 구비 문학회
  • 국어 능력 인증 시험 (한국언어문화연구원)
  • 근대 문학 종합 목록 (국립 중앙 도서관)A comprehensive database for Korean modern literature. The site provides a search for authors and titles.
  • 한국 고전 종합 DB
  • 한글 학회 (Korean Language Society)

Statistical Sources

Government sources

  • Statistics Korea (KOSTAT 통계청)
  • Korean Statistical Information Sources (KOSIS 국가통계포털)
  • Open DATA Portal (공공 데이터 포털)

Themed statistics

  • Korean Social Science Data Archive (KOSSDA) 한국사회과학자료원
  • North Korean Statistics 북한통계 (KOISS)
  • 경제통계시스템 (Economic Statistics System)
  • 국가교육통계정보센터 (Korea National Center for Education Statistics & Information)
  • 노동통계 (Labour Statistics)
  • Media Statistics (Korea Press Foundation)
  • Trade Statistics (수출입통계, 관세청 Korea Customs Service)

History related sources

  • 한국역사정보통합시스템 (국사편찬워원회)
  • 한국사 데이터베이스
  • Kyujanggak Institute (규장각 한국학 연구원)Seoul National University Kyujanggak Institute for Korean studies
  • 한국학 디지털 아카이브
  • The Annals of the Joseon Dynasty 조선 왕조 실록
  • The Daily Records of Royal Secretariat of Joseon Dynasty 승정원 일기
  • 朝鮮王朝実録 (東京大学東洋文化研究所)
  • Korean Image Archive (한국 이미지 자료원)2,400 historic, original photographs of Korea (primarily focus on images captured pre-1970, and 35mm color slides) are available for research, presentation, lectures and other forms of scholarly works.
  • Sajin Taehan Min’guk (사진 대한민국)a collection of photographic records that vividly capture the people’s daily lives and social changes.
  • Academy of Korean Studies [한국학 디지털 아카이브]

Bibliographies and Indexes

  • 한국학술지인용색인 Korea Citation Index
  • KORCIS: 한국 고문헌 종합 목록 (국립중앙도서관)Korean Old and Rare Collection Information System
  • 近代朝鮮関係書籍データベース (東京大学東洋文化研究所)
  • 한국 잡지 박물관 DB