Officials are appointed, and the family has a type of small government running the show. These officials hold special meetings where they discuss things ranging from ancestral rights to the repair of graves. The final decisions of these meetings are made by the oldest living male. This leader takes care of things like funeral planning, festivals, graveside rituals, and helps with daily life.

Koreans take great pride in their ancestry, and never forget the dead. From an early age children are taught to respect their elders and those who have passed away. Shrines are constructed in honor of the deceased, and are maintained by the tonjok. Shrines are on sacred grounds that are consistently maintained. When walking in Korea, you may see an area with beautiful trees or shrubs arranged in a pattern. This is probably the place where a family buries their dead. There are many of these located in the proximity of Paju English Village. When a parent dies, the eldest son is in the deepest mourning of anyone in the family. He walks around with a hat made of reeds, and covers his face with a fan.

When a Korean couple wishes to become married, a great many things happen. First, some marriages are still arranged. This practice is mainly found in the wealthy classes of Korean society. Wealthy families wish for their children to be married to a son or daughter from another wealthy family. In this sense, the marriage is more of a union between families than a union between two people. Social standing is very important in Korea. Koreans tend to believe that wealth will bring a long, happy life. The marriage arrangements begin when a person with a great deal of information is appointed to find a spouse for a family’ s son or daughter. This person researches candidates, and comes to a conclusion. The two people spend a short period of time dating before they are told to marry. If there is a connection, these two people will go ahead with the marriage. In recent years, marriages between two people of different social classes are becoming much more common, but it is not the best way to go in the eyes of many families.

The size of the average urban family in Korea is 4.8 people. This is just the immediate family, not the extended family. In rural areas, the families are slightly larger, with 5.3 people being the average. Extended families live either with each other or near to each other. These groups of families are called a clan. If the families are all living in one home, there can be up to 4 generations living together. Traditional homes are built with heavy squared posts at each corner of the house. Huge beams are used to support the rafters for the ceiling. There is a main building in the middle, or sometimes a court. This is the center of the home, and is furnished with decorations and many flowers. The men and women have separate rooms at opposite ends of the house. Men are never allowed to enter the womens' quarters. This is a private space, where a woman can be alone. The rooms throughout the home resemble little apartments. Windows are made of paper, and are very fragile.

The land of Korea is ideal for growing rice and many other vegetables. These two food groups make up much of the food consumed. Koreans also enjoy eating fish and meat. Millet or barley sometimes takes the place of rice. This is most common in the dishes eaten by poorer families. Korea is also known for its strong spices. Korean people enjoy flavoring their food with red peppers or garlic. Much like other cultures, Korean people enjoy sports. One of the most common sports for males is wrestling. The Korean style of wrestling is very different from that of other cultures. The two wrestlers tie their right legs together with a rope that is 2 feet in length, and kneel down in front of each other. With their left hands they hold the end of the rope, and with their right hand they hold the clothes of their opponent. They get up and push and pull one another until one falls down and is beaten.

When the first night of the new year comes, everyone hides their shoes. This is because they believe that a ghost will come down and try on everyone’s shoes. If it finds a pair it likes, it will take them. The owner of the shoes will then have bad luck for the whole year. Korean culture is one of the oldest cultures in existence, and has many ancient beliefs and traditions that are still in use today. These traditions are what makes the Koreans who they are. Life, death, and family are very important to them, and this is seen in their every day lives.