Korean Dictionary
How to say "Division of Korea" in Korean
“Division of Korea” in Korean is 남북 분단 (pronounced "nambuk bundan").
남북 분단
nambuk bundan
Usage & Context
The division of Korea into North and South occurred after World War II in 1945. The 38th parallel became the boundary between the Soviet-backed North and the US-backed South. Reunification remains a deeply held wish for many Koreans.
Example Sentence
남북 분단으로 인해 많은 가족이 헤어졌어요.
The division of Korea separated many families.
How to use 남북 분단 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Division of Korea” is 남북 분단, romanized as nambuk bundan.
Usage tip
Learn this word together with a complete Korean sentence. Meaning often depends on particles, politeness level, and word order.
Common mistake
Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 남북 분단.
Pronunciation Guide
"Nam-buk" sounds like "nahm-book" (like 'nahm' in 'Namaste' and 'book' like the English word). "Bun-dan" sounds like "boon-dahn" (like 'boon' and 'dahn' like 'dawn'). The stress is on the first syllable of each word.
More Example Sentences
Expressing the emotional impact of the division.
남북 분단은 한국인들에게 큰 아픔이에요.
The division of Korea is a great sorrow for Koreans.
Expressing a wish for the future.
언젠가 남북 분단이 끝나고 통일이 되기를 바라요.
I hope that someday the division of Korea will end and reunification will happen.
Discussing the human cost of the division.
남북 분단으로 이산가족이 많이 생겼어요.
Many separated families resulted from the division of Korea.
Cultural Context
남북 분단 (Nambuk Bundan), the division of Korea into North and South, is a defining aspect of modern Korean identity and geopolitics. It's a constant theme in news, political discourse, and cultural works, reflecting a deep-seated longing for reunification (통일, tongil) among many Koreans. The DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) is a stark physical reminder of this division, and stories of separated families (이산가족, isangajok) are particularly poignant, often featured in documentaries and tear-jerking dramas, highlighting the human cost of the ongoing political separation.
Editorial note
We review entries like 남북 분단 for pronunciation, example sentence fit, and learner mistakes so the page answers more than a direct dictionary lookup.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
남북 분단의 역사
The history of Korea's division
남북 분단 문제
The issue of Korea's division
남북 분단 현실
The reality of Korea's division
Related Expressions
통일
tongil
reunification
이산가족
isangajok
separated families
휴전선
hyujeonseon
armistice line / DMZ
38선 (삼팔선)
sampalseon
38th parallel
More Korean History Words
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