why do students say 'I'm from Korea' instead of 'I'm from South Korea'?

Answer 1

It's because we're all Korean or American of Korean descent here. The political and geographical division that creates the labels 'North + South Korea' inside and outside of the peninsula, doesn't erase the fact that we all share the similar culture [i.e. history, language, traditional- clothing, food, & arts etc.] For some us, therefore, our country of origin is simply Korea [one country - our pride.] Hope is still strongly burning..

wcanoodle & Charlie also has a point, plus I think dudnaito has a great answer~claps. There are many good answers here.

fyi: N. Koreans still refer to their part of the peninsula as Josun [조선 - what all Koreans used to called the whole nation before the division.] S. Koreans call their part of the peninsula DehHanMinGook 대한민국 [or for short Hangook 한국.]

Answer 2

Because it is impossible that a North Korean lives outside North Korea. North Korea is a communist country, and the government does not let anybody get out of the country. There are many North Koreans who got shot for trying to escape to South Korea.

So, when somebody says "I'm from Korea", it's obvious that he or she is from South Korea. No need to say South.

Answer 3

I'm not korean, so don't hold me to this...

I don't think they really see themselves as separate from the North Koreans. While they don't like Kim Jong Il, many still have family there. So it's not like, for example, the Sunni and the Shia or the Han and the Hui, there is a sense of a pan-Korean peninsula solidarity.

Therfore, Korea is Korea is Korea

Or, if it IS political, they could just be trying to undermine the notion that North Korea is Korea at all...

I think my first explanation in more correct. Korea does not see North Korea the same way as the United States does. To them, it's not part of the "Axis of Evil"

Answer 4

Because Korea is ONE !

The North koreans and the south korean ARE Koreans !
And before the split, it was only one people, one nation.
Like (Eastern and Western) Germans during the cold war, all koreans want the reunification. And, of course, the dictator Kim Jung-il will never let down his seat of half king - half god of North Korea.

Answer 5

The Korean peninsula was hastily and unjustifiably split into two "Koreas" by the superpowers after World War II. The southern part of the peninsula contains the "Republic of Korea." The northern part of the peninsula contains the "Democratic People's Republic of Korea." They are both "Korea." "North" and "South" are merely convenient (and lazy) labels.

Interesting fact (not related to original question): Korea has more PhDs per capita than any other country.

Answer 6

Most Koreans don't consider themselves "South" or "North" Koreans. They recognize the political divide, and thus address their respective states as "Republic of Korea (south)" and "Democratic People's Republic of Korea (north). Actually... those are the official names of the two countries, and the terms South and North Korea are used only because they're shorter and easier to use.

You have to recognize that the Korean War occurred not too long ago. Depending on how old you are, either your father or grandfather lived during that period. Kids of this generation (such as myself) have very close sanguinary (blood) bonds that are undoubtedly still living in North Korea.

Also, Korea is one of the oldest countries in the world. Germany, Italy, U.S., Britain, etc... are all only a couple of centuries old. Heck, Germany exists because Napoleon told 200-300 disparate states to become a nation (quite literally) and Italy exists, because the southern parts of italy conquered the northern parts not too long ago. Even China technically isn't China... check the lineage of their LAST dynasty, it's a mongol horde that overran China.

Despite being relatively weak and surrounded by giant empires, Koreans are probably one of the oldest cultures and people around (kinda like Asian Jews... a term used in Time Magazine a couple of years ago). Their pride and history doesn't allow them to become divided. Before you die, you'll probably see a united Korea even if it means war or economic collapse (one of world's wealthiest uniting with one of world's poorest). If not, then the likelihood of unification doesn't seem too bright.

Answer 7

cuz they feel like it jk jk i say that i am korean and ppl are like ok but some ppl are like north or south. i say "if i'm north korean i wouldn't be here" we say it because its so much easier than saying SOUTH korea. we are still korean(even though korea doens't exist now) we are the same race. s.koreans have family members in n.korea. so we can't say that we are totally different. like other ppl said we do think that we are one nation in our heads but reality says that we aren't for now so its not really a big deal with this i am from korea thing.

also they say it becasue nobody wants to here a korean say i am from north korea becasue that would be scary and n.korean hate the USA

Answer 8

im korean too
well my friends do that to me and i dont think it really matters unless they make fun of you coming from north korea. my parents were from south korea and im was born in america.
i dont know if it affends you. but dont take it seriously. my mom said that south korea or korea is the same just be proud of you home country.!

Answer 9

I think it's because North Koreans aren't common outside of their own country.On the other hand, South Koreans are very common and when you respond with "I'm from Korea" the person who asked usually gets the idea that your from South or mostly just don't care.

Answer 10

Well, technically i say "my gma is from korea.." and when they look at me kind of funny i say "south korea..not north korea..they're our enemies" i mean she really came from south korea, but ya..i guess it just depends on who you are??