North Korea's Power Play

North Korea has been a hot news topic throughout October 2002, and the last week of the month was no exception. Basically, the country recently admitted to developing uranium-enrichment facilities as part of their secret program to build nuclear weapons. Such efforts violate a 1994 agreement -- the so-called "Agreed Framework" -- that disallows such activities.

In their defense, North Korean officials have said that the United States violated the agreement first: the American government has failed to move toward normal ties with the Asian nation, and there have been long delays in the completion of two civilian nuclear power plants that were promised under the pact.

Relations between the U.S. and North Korea have been tense at least since the Korean War, shortly after Korea was first split into two parts -- North and South -- at the end of World War II. Through the years, North Korea has been extremely secretive regarding its military operations and political agendas, and it has also kept itself relatively isolated culturally and socially from the rest of the world.

In this week's lesson, you'll learn about how North Korea's leaders have shaped the country we get a glimpse of today. Plus, you'll explore Korea's ancient history and culture.

A Rich Culture

To start the lesson, visit the PBS website, Hidden Korea. Although this site focuses on South Korea, rather than its northern sibling, its valuable to remember that the region once prospered as a single nation. Start with the Introduction to get an overview, then move on to its Geography and History. How has Korea's physical location, surrounded by sea and caught between China and Japan, influenced how the people live there? In what ways is the traditional Korean lifestyle different from that of its neighbors?

Next, explore the pages on Culture and Religion. Can you explain why family ties are so important in Korean culture? What are the roles of men in this society? What about women? How has the clearly defined structure of family and community contributed to stability and success of cooperation for people here? What aspects of this structured life might be difficult to maintain for some individuals or as their society becomes increasingly vulnerable to change from outside influence?

Visit the sites final two pages, Chu'sok and Food. How do the traditional family values tie in to their deep-rooted ceremony for honoring the dead? How do you think this annual rite helps strengthen other aspects of this culture? Why is food an important part of the ceremony?

What are some of the traditional foods Koreans eat? Why and how did these become a significant part of their diet? How is this different from Japanese or Chinese cuisine?

Tough Times

As you've discovered, certain aspects of Korea's ancient culture have carried into present-day life. But a tremendous amount of more recent history has impacted the lives of North Koreans, as well, shaping their modern culture into a form very different from their southern kin.

For understanding current events, it's critical to learn more about how this nation has developed since Korea's split in 1948. BBC news provides a collection of insightful stories -- Inside the Secret State -- highlighting the 50th anniversary of this historic event. Start with the article titled, North Korea: a political history, to read about why Korea was split and how it's been controlled since then. How has the powerful control by the country's leaders and its ties to communist nations helped or hindered its military and economic development?

Read more about North Korea's more recent history in the articles, Land of Illusions, Profile: Kim Jong-il, and Where Famine Stalks the Land. How does the nation's drive for military prominence seem to have affected its people? Why do you think the political leaders desire such military strength in their region of the world? How does North Korea's choice of government and social priorities influence their relationships with other countries? In what ways might North Korea's "secretive nature" affect how well it can care for its people?

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