The earliest remnants of today's Korean culture begin with the mountainous landscape as well as the long coastlines. These mountains isolated the people for thousands of years with their only true influences coming from nearby China, which was the only place with true access to the Korean Peninsula. Due to this state of near isolation, Korean culture developed in a unique way and even today these cultural roots are visible.
Although for much of history the Korean Peninsula was isolated, allowing a unique culture to flourish, later in history the peninsula found itself under the rule of foreigners who made lasting impacts while shifting the culture to be more similar to these foreign rulers. Among the most important and lasting impacts that arrived via China were Buddhism and Confucianism. These philosophies ingrained a sense of honor, pride, respect, and a willingness and obligation to do what is right to others. This is even recognized on their flag as the yin and yang are shown on their flag as the people have a strong sense of karma and balance between right and wrong.