The South Korean state symbol, also known as Taegugi, is a white rectangular cloth with a red-blue zagogulina in the central part (this is the taeguggi, colloquially the Taoist symbol of yin-yang, reflecting the unity of the masculine and feminine, creation and destruction and many other binary symbols and beginnings), surrounded by four trigrams of black. Trigrams are also not drawn for beauty, each has a deep symbolism: from the seasons to the main elements (unlike the Chinese, the Koreans still have four elements).
Previously, other flags were used at different historical stages – the national Korean imperial flag of Joseon, symbols of the Kore government and the administration in exile that ruled the country de jure during the Japanese occupation.
The current badge received official status in 1948, after the formal declaration of independence from the Japanese Empire.
Taegikki - "Flag of the Great Beginnings" - Korean national flag, created at the court of Emperor Gojong in the period up to 1882 It is also called the "Flag of the Great Limit". Taegikki was adopted as the national flag of the Korean Empire (Great Han) and is the national flag of the Republic of Korea.
Background
While Korea was developing as a Chinese protectorate, its lack of a flag was not a problem, but in 1876 the one royal standard used before was not enough. During the pre-mining negotiations on an agreement between Korea and Japan in 1876, the Japanese hung a national flag over their delegation, and the Koreans had nothing to show.
Some suggested that the development of the symbol should be urgently engaged, but this topic did not seem particularly relevant to the government, and until 1880 the topic was postponed. Then the intensification of diplomatic processes made the creation and implementation of state symbols an extremely urgent issue.
A popular idea was to include the Qing flag of the Chinese Empire in the Chosong Korean flag. Negotiations continued for a long time, they attracted a prominent Chinese diplomat Li Hongzhang, but success could not be achieved.
The issue became relevant again in 1882, during the negotiations on the U.S.-Korea Agreement, better known as the Schufeldt Treaty – after the U.S.envoy. The latter proposed to the Korean monarch to adopt a national flag, which would increase the prestige of the state and indicate its independent status.
King Gojong, who did not heed his advisers, instructed government officials to start work – and very soon several design options were presented. Some included the Qing dragon, others flowers or plants. Chinese representative Ma Jianzhong offered a choice of "Tagik" and a flag with eight trigrams.
The idea as a whole went, but red and color was replaced by blue and white, other small changes were made. Finally, in 1883, the Chosong administration made an official announcement of the introduction of a new official state symbol.
In 1919, after the establishment of a government-in-exile in China (Korea had by that time been occupied and annexed by the Japanese, and the last monarch was the victim of a bloody murder), the flag was approved by a cloth very reminiscent of a modern symbol.
This continued until the restoration of state sovereignty in 1945. "Taeguki" used both parts of Korea: in the north - along with the Chinese and Soviet flags and the revolutionary red banner, in the south - together with the stars and stripes of the United States.
After the decision to establish two states in the south, the official Korean government proclaimed these colors the national state symbol. This happened on October 15, 1949, although practical use began earlier.
In 1984 the proportions were documented, and in the autumn of 1997 the color scheme; before that, there were incidents: for example, the national flag was confused several times with the logo of the Coca-Cola Corporation.
Modernity and legal status
Scholars are convinced that the South Korean flag is often used as an ethnic symbol uniting nationalists on both sides of the border. That is, it is a symbol of the nation, not the state. Accordingly, taking into account the significant political and civil capital of the flag, it is under state protection. However, it should be noted that such cases are relatively rare compared to other countries where damage, trampling or burning of the flag can be used as a political divertissement. In Korea, the flag is treated with respect and respect, and even marginals avoid such actions.
However, the criminal law of the Republic of Korea establishes liability for the desecration of the flag. Article 105 provides for a prison term of up to five years, a loss of electoral rights or a fine for a very impressive amount.
Interestingly, the fifth article of the same law defines the extraterritoriality of this crime: even if the Korean flag is damaged or insulted by a foreigner abroad, local authorities will still open a criminal case.
In addition, there is liability for defamation of the flag or coat of arms.
It is important to note that the local law makes it a crime to desecration not only of the national flag of one's own country, but also of all others - Article 109 defines punishment for this in slightly smaller, but rather severe limits:
- Article 106 provides for up to 1 year in prison, disenfranchage for up to 5 years or a fine of up to 2 million South Korean won for defaming a South Korean flag or emblem with the intent to insult the South Korean state.
- Article 5 punishes this crime, even if it is committed by foreigners outside South Korea.
South Korea also criminalizes not only the desecration of the South Korean flag, but also the flags of other countries: the rate is smaller, for such actions against a foreign flag, responsibility for a maximum of two years of freedom. But the fine is larger - up to 3,000,000 won.
