South Korea

"홍익인간 Live and work to bring broadened benefits for mankind"

South Korea (대한민국 Hanja: 大韓民國), also officially known as the Republic of Korea (ROK) is an East Asian nation located on the Korean Peninsula and shares a border with North Korea in the North.

Geography
South Korea lies on the Eastern side of the continent of Asia and the nation occupies half of the Korean Peninsula in the South. As a nation on the Southern part of a peninsula, the nation is completely surrounded with water, with the East Sea on the East and the Yellow Sea on the west. Many islands, such as the main islands of Jeju Island and Tsushima Island in the South and the outlying island of Ulleung-do on the East also surrounds the peninsula. Far out to the east lies the Japanese archipelago and the nation Japan, to the west is mainland China and the nation Qing, in the other Northern half of the Korean Peninsula is the nation North Korea, and far South in the ocean sits the Ryukyu Islands and the nation Ryukyu Kingdom.

The terrain in the Southern part of the peninsula varies with location. To the west from Seoul to Gwangju is mainly flat plains with a few hills and forests in between. The East however is more mountainous with almost no flat land except the Busan area. There are only two mountain ranges in the South, known as Taebaek Mountains and Sobaek Mountains. the Taebaek Mountain range stretches all the way from Busan to just a little over North Korea, almost reaching Wonsan. The Sobaek mountain ranges however goes from Samcheok to Suncheon

Pre-national status
On April 2021, Minecraft player, Morbid_Indio, arrived in the Southern portion of the Korean peninsula, claimed the region soon-to-be known as Jeonju (전주), and was settled along the Yellow Sea. During that time, only one town existed on the entire peninsula, that being Pyongyang. The movement to unify the South Korean region was, at the time, underway.

He established Jeonju as the capital of a soon-to-be united South Korean nation.

Establishment of the Republic
Soon after, the Republic of Korea became one of the younger nations in East Asia, officially recognized by the entire server as an independent nation, during the regime of, the first president, Morbid_Indio. The claims of the Republic, at the time reached the entire South Korean eponymous territory.

East Asian Reaction
Shortly after the Republic was established, Morbid focused on maintaining a good relationship in regards to Japan, which was then known as the Eurasian Union.

Morbid engaged with Kalukabaka, leader of Japan, in order to secure a mutual understanding regarding Japanese recognition of the Republic.

At the time, Pyongyang, as well as the entirety of North Korean territory was under Japanese rule; drafting of a border between Japan and South Korea was a main priority. The North-South Korean border was then recognized as the official border between Japan and South Korea (ROK).

Collapse of Japanese Pyongyang
The following month saw a relative silence and inactivity regarding South Korea and the rest of the Korean peninsula. Recruitments could not be made mainly due to most new players joining the overpowered and more developed nations, mainly located in Europe.

Pyongyang collapsed as a result of the lack of activity, in the area to the north of the DMZ (North-South Korean Border). Thus, Japan unofficially lost their control and authority over the North Korean region.

Adoption of State Neutrality and Peacefulness
Although the, then, region of North Korea, was technically unclaimed, the Republic of Korea (South Korea) made no effort regarding annexation of the territory nor the reunification of Korea. The nation adopted a policy of peacefulness and overall neutrality. President Morbid believed that the region of North Korea would have three options regarding geopolitics; that being (a) if Japan were to, once again, annex the region, trade and diplomatic relations would carry out the same as before, (b) if a North Korean nation were to be established, South Korea would do it's best to maintain and establish diplomatic relations and an alliance, in order to secure peace and prosperity on the Korean peninsula; (c) if settlers were to establish towns in North Korea and wish to join the R.O.K., a united Korea would be born.

In compliance with the adoption of state neutrality, South Korea fortified a segment of its border with the North. Flagpoles were set up on both sides, however as the South Korean flag waved on the southern side, a flag on the North remained absent.

Establishment of Seoul
A few weeks after the declaration of neutrality, player Mochoimochi (Mocha) , contacted Morbid, seeking permission to establish the town of Seoul (서울). The town was established the day after, and is officially recognized as the "historical capital city" of the nation.

Establishment of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea)
On May 24, 2021, new players created (established a new version of) the town of Pyongyang (평양) in the North.

The ROK (S. Korea) firmly wanted to promote mutually beneficial relations with the new North Korean government and so hoped for Pyongyang to have a similar outlook.

Regardless of an open and peaceful approach by the ROK, Pyongyang continued to adopt a foreign policy that established tense relations with South Korea.

North Korean citizens proceeded to establish a presence on the DMZ. They raised the flag of the DPRK on the previously empty flagpole on the Northern side of the border, along with written signs facing the South.

Messages on the signs read:"'WE ARE THE KOREAN PEOPLE'S ARMY. ANY BUILDING ON THIS SIDE OF THE BORDER IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED AND WILL BE DESTROYED! ANY UNAUTHORIZED PERSON FOUND TRESSPASSING WILL BE E X E C U T E D'"The South Korean government responded by destroying Pyongyang's provocative signs and placing new ones which read: ''"Greetings from the South!

Welcome to the Korean peninsula! Any tensions between our two nations are not our intention. However, any provocation will not be ignored. Nonetheless, we welcome the DPRK with open arms!"'' Relations initially remained cold but normalized after approximately a few days. No further communication nor contact were made between North and South.

Collapse of Pyongyang
A month after the establishment of Pyongyang, the town formally collapsed due to the lack of activity from its citizens. Although the territory of North Korea was once again an unclaimed region, both South Korea and Japan had no intention of claiming it, as the R.O.K. upheld its neutral policy.

Creation of the nation of "Korea"
On June 14, new players from the recently shut down server, Earthpol, established the towns of Jeju, Busan, and Gwangju. Soon after, they established a new separate nation named 'Korea '.

The South Korean region was officially split.

June 2021 Nation Merge Proposal
Negotiations took place between the South Korean government (ROK) and the members of 'Korea' - both parties agreeing to draft a treaty that would lead to South Korea, and potentially the entire Korean peninsula, to be reunified under one government.

The proposal terms include but are not limited to:

(a) The nations of South Korea and Korea are to merge under one flag

(b) The nation of Korea will elect its own President, while South Korea's Morbid would become the Vice President - effectively becoming the merged nation's executive branch.

(c) Both nations would temporarily be autonomous of each other's influence as a transition period would be in effect.

A nation merge would have taken place, but the Korean community of the latter nation decided to move servers, thus abruptly yet officially ending the dispute and proposal.

The South Korean region was officially unified.

Post DPRK Development
Regardless of the North's collapse, South Korea initiated urbanization and resource development within its towns. Seoul started to urbanize its surroundings, in order to achieve a modern city aesthetic. Jeonju, on the other hand, maintained focus on gathering mineral resources and infrastructural upgrades.

Establishment of the People of North Korea (APNK)
A week after, a community of players settled on the Northern half of the Korean peninsula. The establishment of (New) Pyongyang, Pyongsong, Hamhung, and other towns marked the creation of the People of North Korea (unofficially known as the Autocracy of the People of North Korea - APNK).

ROK - APNK relations
Contact between the ROK and the APNK followed soon - both nations agreeing to recognize each other's independence and sovereignty, while also committing to a treaty of Non-Aggression.

[ Other categories on History are work-in-progress ]

JHA
Japan (JHA) was the first nation that the R.O.K. (South Korean) government prioritized regarding diplomatic relations and currently, an East Asian alliance. The JHA and R.O.K. were especially involved in the territorial status of the North Korean region, in April of 2021, prior to the establishment of the DPRK and soon after, the APNK.

Both nations strive for East Asian development and prosperity, as well as a similar outlook regarding a better connected alliance and relations between Asian states.

A Japanese Embassy compound, in Jeonju, has been constructed, although not yet officially in-use by the JHA 's officials and diplomats.

Autocracy of North Korea*
 *Active status of the APNK is currently disputed.* 

North Korea (APNK) is considered one of the closest allies of South Korea, ever since the establishment of warm diplomatic relations on June 27, 2021. Although the nations, the APNK and the ROK are based on, are known to have tense relations, North and South have agreed to focus on the development of the Korean peninsula and properly recognize each state's sovereignty.

Relations have gone up to the point that Korean unification was discussed and considered, although later put aside in order to focus on individual state development and other determining factors.

Both nations have cooperated in terms of open passage through the DMZ , and an East Asian alliance network, with Qing and the JHA.