Korea is a historical region in East Asia that is now divided into two countries, North Korea and South Korea.
From the name of the Goryeo (Koryŏ) dynasty, which ruled much of the Korean Peninsula from the 10th to 14th centuries. Western traders and travelers adapted *Goryeo* into forms like *Corea* and *Korea*.
For centuries, *Korea* was often spelled *Corea* in European languages, and some people even believed the spelling was changed to make Japan come first alphabetically. The word you say today still carries the echo of an old kingdom’s name, *Goryeo*.
Discussions of Korea (North and South) intersect with gendered histories, including women’s roles in war, industrialization, and democratization, and the exploitation of ‘comfort women’ during Japanese occupation. Yet women’s contributions and suffering have often been underrepresented in mainstream narratives.
When talking about Korea, avoid gender stereotypes (e.g., about Korean women’s appearance or Korean men’s masculinity) and include gendered dimensions of history and society when relevant.
["South Korea","North Korea","the Korean peninsula"]
Highlight Korean women activists, workers, and intellectuals, as well as LGBTQ+ communities, whose roles in social and political change are often minimized.
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