Thursday, December 9, 2010

Culture of South Korea



South Korea is deeply affected by Confucianism!  


Confucius identified five relationships which he felt are integral to public stability: husband and wife, father and son, elder and younger, king and subject, and that between friends. The relationship between friends was intended to be one of reciprocity and mutual respect between equals.
The first four relationships described linear power relations with the first member of each pair being the dominate half. Confucius, though, did not intend this system to be one of despotism, but, rather, one which addressed a mutual need. The first member was required to protect and nurture the second, while the second respected and served the first. And this is lead to the family values that Koreans has. For example, father is the head of the family and it is his responsibility to provide food, clothing and shelter, and to approve the marriages of family members.
Confucianism stresses duty, loyalty, honour, filial piety, respect for age and seniority, and sincerity. This influences the Koreans strongly. There is strictly no calling of first names to people who are older than you (unless it is within friends). Calling of people’s first name is regard as a disrespectful act in the Korean culture.

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