1. Introduction to the text
The Korean War, which lasted from 1950 to 1953, was a pivotal event in Korean history that shaped the country’s political, social, and economic landscape. It was a brutal conflict that pitted the communist North against the capitalist South, with both sides receiving support from their respective allies. The war had a profound impact on the Korean people and left an indelible mark on the nation’s psyche, influencing its development and trajectory in the decades that followed.
2. Vocabulary
| Korean Word | Romanization | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 한국전쟁 | hanguk jeonjaeng | Korean War |
| 분단 | bundan | division |
| 피난민 | pinanmin | refugee |
| 휴전 | hyujeun | armistice |
| 전쟁범죄 | jeonjaengbeomjoe | war crimes |
| 경제발전 | gyeongjebaljeon | economic development |
| 민주화운동 | minjuhwaundong | democratization movement |
| 기념일 | ginyeomil | memorial day |
| 남북관계 | nambukgwangye | inter-Korean relations |
| 평화통일 | pyeonghwatongil | peaceful reunification |
3. The main text in both Korean and English
한국전쟁은 1950년 6월 25일에 시작되었습니다.
The Korean War began on June 25, 1950.
북한군이 38선을 넘어 남한을 침략했습니다.
The North Korean forces crossed the 38th parallel and invaded South Korea.
이 전쟁은 한반도를 분단시키고 수많은 사상자를 낳았습니다.
This war divided the Korean peninsula and resulted in numerous casualties.
3년간의 치열한 전투 끝에 1953년 7월 27일에 휴전협정이 체결되었습니다.
After three years of intense fighting, an armistice agreement was signed on July 27, 1953.
전쟁 중에 수많은 민간인들이 피난민이 되었고, 많은 이들이 전쟁범죄의 피해자가 되었습니다.
During the war, many civilians became refugees, and many were victims of war crimes.
전쟁 이후 남한은 경제발전에 주력했으며, 1960년대와 1980년대에는 민주화운동이 있었습니다.
After the war, South Korea focused on economic development, and there were democratization movements in the 1960s and 1980s.
매년 6월 25일은 현충일로 지정되어 전쟁 희생자들을 기리고 있습니다.
June 25th is designated as Memorial Day each year to honor the war victims.
한국전쟁은 남북관계에 지대한 영향을 미쳤으며, 평화통일은 여전히 한국인들의 염원입니다.
The Korean War had a significant impact on inter-Korean relations, and peaceful reunification remains an aspiration for Koreans.
전쟁의 상처는 아물었지만, 그 기억은 한국인들의 마음속에 남아 있습니다.
While the wounds of war have healed, the memories remain in the hearts of Koreans.
한국전쟁은 한국 현대사에서 가장 중요한 사건 중 하나로 여겨지고 있습니다.
The Korean War is considered one of the most significant events in modern Korean history.
4. Reading comprehension questions
1. When did the Korean War begin, and what was the initial conflict?
2. What was the outcome of the war, and how long did it last?
3. How did the war impact civilians and the Korean society?
4. What were some of the major developments in South Korea after the war?
5. How is the Korean War commemorated in South Korea today?
5. Cultural and historical notes
The Korean War left a deep scar on the Korean psyche and had far-reaching consequences for the country’s development. The division of the peninsula into two ideologically opposed regimes, the loss of lives, and the displacement of millions of people were traumatic experiences that shaped the national identity and collective memory of Koreans.