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World War

Unbiased History & Stories on Korea for Global Audience

Sponsored by Open Korea Foundation

  • Director James Cameron is set to direct a movie centered around the suffering Japan experienced as a result of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. But Korean fans seem less than thrilled at the news.

    Aug 7, 2025
    in Community, Feeds
    Director James Cameron is set to direct a movie centered around the suffering Japan experienced as a result of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. But Korean fans seem less than thrilled at the news.

    James Cameron, the filmmaker most notable for his blockbuster epics such as <The Terminator>, <Titanic>, and <Avatar>, has announced he…

    Japan, Justice, World War
  • S.Korea’s top 3 shipbuilders launch MASGA TF, eye 2-track strategy

    Aug 4, 2025
    in Feeds, News
    S.Korea’s top 3 shipbuilders launch MASGA TF, eye 2-track strategy

    A baseball cap bearing the slogan “Make America Shipbuilding Great Again,” crafted by the South Korean government and modeled after…

    Donald Trump, Hyundai, Samsung, World War
  • The film that tried to make Koreans see Imperial Japan as their “Omoni” (Mother): Inside the 1945 propaganda movie “Love and Vows” (愛と誓ひ, 사랑과맹세)

    Jun 24, 2025
    in Community, Feeds
    The film that tried to make Koreans see Imperial Japan as their “Omoni” (Mother): Inside the 1945 propaganda movie “Love and Vows” (愛と誓ひ, 사랑과맹세)

    This is my review and analysis of a deeply unsettling Imperial Japanese propaganda film, Love and Vows (愛と誓ひ), which was…

    family, Japan, Koreans, Naver, North Korea, Parents, Peace, Punishment, Seoul, study, Tokyo, World War
  • “If Japan loses, Koreans will fight each other, divided by foreign powers”: June 1945 warning by Korean collaborator (박춘금, 朴春琴) who urged authorities to redirect Korean nationalism into support for Imperial Japan

    May 31, 2025
    in Community, Feeds

    This is a translation of a Japanese newspaper roundtable discussion from June 1945, held just two months before Imperial Japan’s…

    Discussion, fail, germany, Japan, Koreans, Question, Warning, World War
  • Kanye West cancels first solo concert in South Korea amid controversy

    May 19, 2025
    in Community, Feeds
    Kanye West cancels first solo concert in South Korea amid controversy

    Kanye West’s (hereafter ‘YE’) first solo concert in South Korea has been canceled. The concert organizer, Coupang Play, announced on…

    Controversy, Coupang, World War
  • The Evolution of Pyongyang: A Journey Through History, Economy, and Political Dynamics

    Feb 6, 2025
    in History
    The Evolution of Pyongyang: A Journey Through History, Economy, and Political Dynamics

    Introduction to Pyongyang Pyongyang, the capital city of North Korea, serves as a prominent symbol of the nation’s history and…

    Baekje, Discussion, family, Goguryeo, Gojoseon, Goryeo, history, Japan, Joseon, Korean History, Korean War, Military, North Korea, political economy, Protest, purpose, Pyongyang, Seoul, Silla, Three Kingdom, World War
  • 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
  • Ruthless Politics of South Korea Is Rooted in Cold-War History

    Dec 18, 2024
    in News
    Ruthless Politics of South Korea Is Rooted in Cold-War History

    Protesters calling for the ouster of President Yoon Suk Yeol celebrate news of his impeachment in Seoul. Photo: Anthony Wallace/Agence…

    cold war, Democracy, history, Japan, Justice, Koreans, KT, martial law, Military, North Korea, Peace, Politics, Protest, Punishment, Pyongyang, Scandal, Seoul, Tokyo, World War
  • Kim Jong Un’s Message to Trump: We’re Not Interested

    Nov 27, 2024
    in News
    Kim Jong Un’s Message to Trump: We’re Not Interested

    North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang on Thursday, in a photo provided by the country’s state news agency. Photo: KCNA/AFP/Getty…

    Donald Trump, Military, North Korea, Putin, Pyongyang, request, Seoul, Ukraine, Vladimir Putin, World War
  • 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
  • Japanese colonial masters were told to ‘love’ their Korean subjects by punching them ‘Bam!’ with an ‘iron fist’ if they became ‘unsteady and unfocused’ during their rigorous training to cultivate the ‘Japanese Spirit’ (Sasakawa’s remarks, Seoul 1943)

    Nov 22, 2024
    in Community
    Japanese colonial masters were told to ‘love’ their Korean subjects by punching them ‘Bam!’ with an ‘iron fist’ if they became ‘unsteady and unfocused’ during their rigorous training to cultivate the ‘Japanese Spirit’ (Sasakawa’s remarks, Seoul 1943)

    During World War II, in colonial Korea, guest speakers from mainland Japan frequently visited to give speeches aimed at boosting…

    fail, family, Japan, Korean Military, Koreans, Military, Punishment, Seoul, Suga, Tokyo, World War
  • Song Reviews:: 2024 November 18 – November 20

    Nov 21, 2024
    in Community

    BTOB announced the release date of their next single! Yay! It’s a bright spot in my world, and I thought…

    request, World War
  • Allies Fret Over Trump Presidency as Authoritarian Axis Challenges U.S.-Led Order

    Nov 7, 2024
    in News
    Allies Fret Over Trump Presidency as Authoritarian Axis Challenges U.S.-Led Order

    Donald Trump is returning to the White House as the world is embroiled in two widening regional wars, America’s rivals…

    Democracy, Donald Trump, Ewha, fail, germany, Japan, KT, LG, Military, North Korea, Peace, Putin, Pyongyang, Social Media, Survey, Ukraine, Vladimir Putin, Warning, World War
  • I’m so tired of my western friends whitewashing Japan’s current and past racism towards my ethnicity.

    Oct 25, 2024
    in Community

    It just amazes me how many people tell me to get over it and that it’s all in the past.…

    Japan, Koreans, Naver, Tokyo, World War
  • Someone’s great uncle’s “blood chit” from fighting in WWII

    Oct 13, 2024
    in Community, Feeds
    Someone’s great uncle’s “blood chit” from fighting in WWII

    submitted by /u/daj8989 [link] [comments]

    World War
  • From War to Miracles: The Evolution of South Korea Amidst Global Struggles

    Aug 25, 2024
    in History
    From War to Miracles: The Evolution of South Korea Amidst Global Struggles

    The End of the Korean War: A Historical Overview The Korean War, which began in 1950, was a significant conflict…

    automotive, BTS, China Relation, cold war, Democracy, Discussion, Economic Miracle, family, history, Japan, K-pop, Korea Development, Korean History, Korean Language, Korean Military, Korean Technology, Korean War, Military, North Korea, Peace, Politics, Protest, Unification of Korea, USA Relation, World War
  • 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
  • SK Innovation’s Ulsan plant goes smarter with AI, robot dog, AR tech

    May 26, 2024
    in Feeds, News
    SK Innovation’s Ulsan plant goes smarter with AI, robot dog, AR tech

    Boston Dynamics’ robot dog Spot patrols to check operation safety at SK Innovation’s Ulsan Complex (CLX) ULSAN, South Gyeongsang Province…

    Hyundai, Japan, Korean Comapny, Korean Robotics, Korean Technology, World War
  • A Historical Diplomacy: Korea’s Relationship with Global Superpowers

    Dec 9, 2020
    in History
    A Historical Diplomacy: Korea’s Relationship with Global Superpowers

    Introduction: The Geopolitical Significance of Korea Korea’s geographical location in East Asia has rendered it a pivotal player in the…

    Ancient Korea, automotive, Baekje, China Relation, cold war, Democracy, Goguryeo, Goryeo, history, Imjin War, Japan, Japan Relation, japanese invasion, Joseon, K-pop, Korean Art, Korean Comapny, Korean History, Korean Military, Korean Technology, Korean War, Koreans, Military, North Korea, Peace, Perspectives, Politics, Silla, Superpower Relation, Three Kingdom, travel, USA Relation, World War

Advice automotive Bibimbap BTS Busan Celebrity Cheese Controversy Coupang Crime Discussion Donald Trump driver Ewha fail Fame family Genesis germany Global Expansion history Hyundai Japan Jeju Jjigae Joseon Justice K-pop K-pop Fans K-pop industry Kakao Kia Kimchi Korean Comapny Korean Food Korean Military Koreans Korean Semiconductor Korean Technology Korea Zinc KT LG LG Electronics LG Energy LG Energy Solution Lotte martial law Medical Military Naver North Korea Nvidia Parents Peace Politics Pork POSCO Protest purpose Putin Question request Samsung Samsung Electronics Scandal Seoul Sex Shopping SK Hynix Social Media Soju Stress study Suga Survey Tokyo Tourism travel Ukraine Warning

Latest Korean News

  • Bill Gates strengthens ties with Samsung, SK, HD Hyundai on energy, biotech, philanthropy projectsAugust 22, 2025
    Samsung Group Chairman Lee Jae-yong (center) welcomes Bill Gates at… Read more: Bill Gates strengthens ties with Samsung, SK, HD Hyundai on energy, biotech, philanthropy projects
  • GS E&C offloads Spanish water treatment arm GS Inima for $1.2 bnAugust 22, 2025
    (Screenshot captured from GS Inima Environment website) GS Engineering &… Read more: GS E&C offloads Spanish water treatment arm GS Inima for $1.2 bn
  • S.Korea cuts growth outlook to 0.9%, banks on AI to reignite economyAugust 22, 2025
    Container trucks move cargoes at Port of Busan South Korea’s… Read more: S.Korea cuts growth outlook to 0.9%, banks on AI to reignite economy
  • STIC Investments set to acquire laundry chain CleantopiaAugust 22, 2025
    STIC Investments Inc., a Seoul-based private equity firm, is set… Read more: STIC Investments set to acquire laundry chain Cleantopia
  • French specialty gas maker Air Liquide signs $2.9 bn deal to acquire DIG Airgas from MacquarieAugust 22, 2025
    DIG Airgas facilities in Paju, Gyeonggi province (Courtesy of DIG… Read more: French specialty gas maker Air Liquide signs $2.9 bn deal to acquire DIG Airgas from Macquarie

Latest Community Feeds

  • What are some of your Songdo/Incheon food/restaurant recommendations?August 23, 2025
  • What 5th gen songs do you think will become classics?August 23, 2025
  • What were some awful kpop rumours or scandals that were FAKE or REALAugust 23, 2025
  • So, is I good, or is it bad?August 23, 2025
  • S.Korean UFC fighter You Su-young wins by unanimous decision at UFC Shanghai todayAugust 23, 2025
  • 백종원 외국인 버전August 23, 2025
  • Your Personal Ults Favorite B-Sides OnlyAugust 23, 2025
  • K-Pop Girl Group Tournament (Day 46): SISTAR vs. Kep1erAugust 23, 2025
  • I don’t understand people who write huge posts about a group, album, or song they don’t like.August 23, 2025
  • JUSTB are releasing new music TOMORROW and you should check it out!August 23, 2025
  • Pricing for photocards specifically Karina My World B&N andAugust 23, 2025
  • Foreigners Without Residency Now Restricted from Purchasing Homes in Seoul Metro AreaAugust 23, 2025
  • Poland to become European hub for K2 tank production: reportAugust 23, 2025
  • Most streamed contenders: Songs released in 2025August 22, 2025
  • Yes Chaewon(Lessersfim) kissing her dog is weird but keep the weird assumptions to a minimumAugust 22, 2025
  • South Korea makes AI investment a top policy priority to support flagging growth, boosting research spending nearly 20% to a record 35.3 trillion won ($25.23 billion) by 2026August 22, 2025
  • 나의 최애 시사 방송August 22, 2025
  • What are your thoughts on having a large number of producers/writers being involved in a track?August 22, 2025
  • Tried my hand at making gimbapAugust 22, 2025
  • Is this crime?August 22, 2025

All Articles

  • Art (3)
  • Feeds (11,853)
    • Community (7,812)
    • Entertainment (751)
    • News (3,288)
  • 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

Open Korea

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