South Korea

=== Architecture ===
{{Main|Architecture of South Korea}}
{{See also|Korean architecture}}
[[File:Sungnyemun Gate, front, 2013.jpg|thumb|left|[[Namdaemun]]]]
Because of South Korea's tumultuous history, construction and destruction has been repeated endlessly, resulting in an interesting melange of architectural styles and designs.<ref>[http://www.asianinfo.org/asianinfo/korea/arc/modern_period.htm Korean architecture], Asian Info Organization</ref>

Traditional Korean architecture is characterized by its harmony with nature. Ancient architects adopted the [[Bracket (architecture)|bracket system]] characterized by [[Thatching|thatched roofs]] and heated floors called ''[[ondol]]''.<ref>Chung Ah-young (31 March 2010). [https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2010/03/148_63378.html "Exhibit Focuses on Traditional Architecture"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141220224530/https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2010/03/148_63378.html |date=20 December 2014 }}, ''The Korea Times''; [http://park.org/Korea/Pavilions/PublicPavilions/KoreaImage/e-information/life/tradi-03.html Photos of traditional Korean shelters]</ref> People of the upper classes built bigger houses with elegantly curved tiled roofs and lifting eaves. Traditional architecture can be seen in the palaces and temples, preserved old houses called ''[[hanok]]'',<ref>[http://ata.hannam.ac.kr/korea/k-house1.htm List of traditional Korean houses], Asian Tradition in Architecture</ref> and special sites like [[Hahoe Folk Village]], [[Yangdong Folk Village]] and [[Korean Folk Village]]. Traditional architecture may also be seen at several of the [[List of World Heritage Sites in South Korea|UNESCO World Heritage Sites]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/kr |title=UNESCO World Heritage: Republic of Korea |publisher=Unesco |access-date=29 October 2010}}</ref>

[[File:Lotus Flower Bridge and Seven Treasure Bridge at Bulguksa in Gyeongju, Korea.jpg|thumb|[[Bulguksa]], a [[UNESCO World Heritage Site]]]]

Western architecture was first introduced at the end of the 19th century. Churches, offices for foreign legislation, schools and university buildings were built in new styles. With the annexation by Japan in 1910 the colonial regime intervened in Korea's architectural heritage, and [[Japanese architecture|Japanese-style]] modern architecture was imposed. Anti-Japanese sentiment and the Korean War led to the destruction of most buildings constructed during that time.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/19990302080251/http://nongae.gsnu.ac.kr/%7Emirkoh/cob1.html Brief Review of Korea Modern Architecture], Prof. Park Kil-ryong (Kukmin University), modified by Architectural Design Lab, GSNU.</ref>

Modern Korean architecture entered a new phase of development during the post-Korean War reconstruction, incorporating modern architectural trends and styles. Stimulated by the economic growth in the 1970s and 1980s, active redevelopment saw new horizons in architectural design. In the aftermath of the 1988 Seoul Olympics, South Korea has witnessed a wide variation of styles in its architectural landscape with the opening up of the market to foreign architects.<ref>[http://www.asianinfo.org/asianinfo/korea/arc/contemporary_architecture.htm Contemporary Korean architecture], Asian Info Organization</ref> Contemporary architectural efforts have attempted to balance the traditional philosophy of "harmony with nature" and the fast-paced urbanization that the country has been going through in recent years.<ref>{{cite news|title=Korean buildings that captivate world|url=http://www.asianewsnet.net/news.php?id=9605&sec=10|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110429055554/http://www.asianewsnet.net/news.php?id=9605&sec=10|archive-date=29 April 2011}}, ''Asia News'', 15 January 2010; Lee Hoo-nam (16 April 2009).[http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2903625 "Still, slow waters of Korean architecture"], ''Joongang Daily'' (Seoul). Retrieved 10 July 2010.</ref>