Week 10 - Fatima Paulina Lopez Diaz

South Korea and the United Nations

 Writing a Wikipedia article about South Korea and the United Nations was a valuable learning experience that helped me understand both the country’s history and its culture more deeply. What started as a research project quickly turned into an opportunity to explore how South Korea’s past has shaped its current role in the world, and how that role reflects its cultural values.

At the beginning, I thought the assignment would mostly involve finding facts about South Korea’s membership in the United Nations and writing them in a clear and neutral way. While that was part of the task, I soon realized there was much more to it. In order to write a complete and accurate article, I had to learn about South Korea’s modern history, especially how the country became involved with the UN. That research helped me understand why South Korea’s connection to the UN is so important to its national identity.

One of the first things I learned was the role the United Nations played during the Korean War. After North Korea invaded South Korea in 1950, the UN sent a military force, led by the United States, to help defend South Korea. This was one of the first major actions taken by the UN in its early years, and it had a lasting effect on South Korea. Knowing this made me see that South Korea’s relationship with the UN is not just based on politics or diplomacy—it is also based on history and gratitude. The help South Korea received during the war shaped how the country sees the UN and its place in the world.

As I continued researching, I found out that South Korea officially joined the United Nations in 1991, at the same time as North Korea. Since then, South Korea has taken on a very active role in the organization. It has sent peacekeepers to different parts of the world, supported development projects, and worked on issues such as climate change and global health. 

This made me think more deeply about the culture of South Korea. Through my research, I noticed that values like hard work, education, responsibility, and respect for others are not only part of daily life in South Korea but also part of how the country presents itself to the world. For example, when South Korea sends peacekeepers or supports international aid efforts, it is showing those values on a global scale. These actions reflect a culture that cares about community and cooperation, not only within its own borders but also beyond them.

Writing the article also helped me learn about the idea of “soft power,” which is the use of culture, education, and communication to build a positive image of a country. South Korea is known today for its cultural exports like K-pop, Korean drama, and food. But what I found interesting is that South Korea also uses its involvement in the UN to build soft power. By playing an active role in the international community, the country strengthens its reputation and builds trust with other nations.

Besides learning about South Korea, I also improved my research and writing skills. Since Wikipedia has strict rules about neutrality and accuracy, I had to be very careful when choosing sources and presenting facts. I learned how to check for reliable information, compare different points of view, and explain events clearly and fairly. This process helped me become more thoughtful and responsible as a writer.

In the end, this project was not just about writing a Wikipedia article. It was a chance to study a country in a deeper way by understanding its history, values, and place in the world. I came away from this experience with a greater respect for South Korea and a better understanding of how history and culture are connected. It also reminded me that international organizations like the UN are more than just political bodies, they are places where countries express their identities and values.

Through this experience, I saw how learning about another country’s history can help us better understand its culture. South Korea’s journey from war and division to growth and leadership in the global community is truly inspiring. Writing about it gave me a new perspective, and I feel proud to have contributed to something that helps others learn too.