Koreans

Koreans are a group of people.

Most live on the Korean Peninsula. This land is split into two parts. Many Koreans also live in other lands. They live in places like China and the United States.

Long ago, people moved to this land. They may have come from the north. These early people were farmers. They used tools made of bronze.

Korea has many special stone structures. They are called dolmens. Many of these are found in Korea. It is a very big number.

Koreans have a very long story. It is a story of many people.

Koreans are an ethnic group from East Asia. Most live on the Korean Peninsula. This land is split into North and South Korea. Many Koreans live in other places too. In 2021, about 7.3 million Koreans lived outside of Korea. They live in countries like China, Japan, and the United States.

Scientists study where Koreans came from. They look at bones and DNA. These studies show that early Koreans lived in Northeast Asia. They may have moved from the north. Some early Koreans were farmers from the Bronze Age. They used bronze tools.

Korea has many special stone structures. They are called dolmens. There are between 35,000 and 100,000 dolmens in Korea. This is nearly 40% of all dolmens in the world.

Koreans have many different names for themselves. South Koreans often use the name Hanguk-in. North Koreans may use the name Joseon-in. These names come from old kingdoms and ruling families.

Koreans are an ethnic group from East Asia. Most live on the Korean Peninsula. This land is split into North and South Korea. Many Koreans live in other places too. In 2021, about 7.3 million Koreans lived outside of Korea. They live in countries like China, Japan, and the United States. Large groups also live in Germany, Canada, and Australia.

People use different names for themselves depending on where they live. South Koreans often call themselves Hanguk-in or Hanguk-saram. This name refers to the "people of the Han." The name comes from the Three Kingdoms of Korea. North Koreans often use the name Joseon-in. This name comes from Joseon, which was the last dynasty of Korea.

Scientists are still studying where the first Koreans came from. They look at bones, old tools, and DNA. Many experts believe early Koreans moved from Northeast Asia. Some think they came from Manchuria during the Bronze Age. These people may have been farmers from the West Liao River region. They might have replaced or mixed with people already living there.

The Korean Peninsula has a very special history with stone structures. These structures are called dolmens. There are between 35,000 and 100,000 dolmens in Korea. This is nearly 40% of all the dolmens in the whole world. You can find similar stones in China and Japan. However, they are most common in and around Korea.

DNA studies show how Koreans are related to other groups. Genetic tests show Koreans share similarities with Central Asian Mongolian groups. They are also closely related to the Japanese and the Manchus. Some studies show they have a small amount of Jōmon ancestry. Most modern Koreans come from Bronze Age farmers. These farmers had ancestors from both Northern and Southern Asia.

Koreans are an East Asian ethnic group native to the Korean Peninsula. Most live in the two sovereign states of North and South Korea. However, the Korean people exist far beyond these borders. As of 2021, an estimated 7.3 million ethnic Koreans lived outside of Korea.

They form official ethnic minorities in several countries. These include China, Japan, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Uzbekistan. Large Korean communities also exist in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. This global presence is known as the Korean diaspora.

Different groups of Koreans use different names to describe themselves. South Koreans often use the terms Hanguk-in or Hanguk-saram. These mean "people of the Han." This name refers to the Three Kingdoms of Korea. North Koreans often call themselves Joseon-in or Joseon-saram. This name comes from Joseon, the last dynastic kingdom of Korea.

In China, Koreans are called Chaoxianzu. Those living in Russia and Central Asia use the name Koryo-saram. This name refers to the Goryeo dynasty, which ruled from 918 to 1392. This dynasty is actually where the word "Korea" comes from.

The exact origins of the Korean people remain a subject of scientific debate. Researchers use linguistics, archaeology, and genetics to find answers. Many scholars believe Proto-Koreans were migrants from Manchuria during the Bronze Age. They may have arrived via the West Liao River region. This movement is linked to the Bronze Age dagger culture. Some theories suggest a connection to the Altaic region of Northern Asia. This would link Koreans to Mongolic, Turkic, and Tungusic groups. However, many scholars argue that the Korean language is part of its own unique Koreanic family.

Archaeological evidence shows a complex history of migration and interaction. Some experts believe Proto-Korean speakers moved south and replaced local Japonic speakers. Others suggest they coexisted with the Japonic Mumun cultivators. One theory links the arrival of Koreanic speakers to the Jeomtodae culture. This culture used rolled rim vessels and came from the Liaodong Peninsula.

However, some scholars disagree with the migration theory. They argue there is no solid evidence of a major population shift on the peninsula. They believe the people may have been native to the region for a very long time.

One of the most striking physical marks of ancient history is found in Korea. The peninsula contains the largest concentration of dolmens in the world. Dolmens are large stone structures used in ancient times. There are estimated to be between 35,000 and 100,000 dolmens in Korea. This accounts for nearly 40% of the entire world's total. While similar stones appear in China and Japan, they flourished most in Korea. This suggests a very strong and unique ancient culture in the region.

Modern genetics provides deep insight into how Koreans are related to others. Studies of blood markers and DNA show several important connections. Koreans share genetic similarities with Central Asian Mongolian groups. They also show a close relationship with the Japanese and the Manchus.

Genetic studies suggest modern Koreans descend from Bronze Age farmers. These farmers had ancestry from both Northern and Southern Asia. For example, some studies show a small amount of Jōmon ancestry. This Jōmon ancestry is estimated to be about 5% in modern Koreans.

Researchers also study Y-DNA, which tracks male ancestry through generations. In South Korea, three main groups are common. The O2-M122 group makes up about 40% of Korean males. The O1b2-M176 group makes up about 30%. The C2-M217 group makes up about 15%. These levels can change depending on the region. For instance, the C2-M217 group is more common in the Gyeongsang region. These genetic patterns suggest a long history of a distinct and mostly endogamous group. This means the group often married within its own community over many centuries.