The Korean name for Korea is "Hangeuk" and its people are called
"Hangeuksaram." The ancient name for Korea is "Choson," which
means "the land of morning calm" and comes from the Choson (or
Joseon) Dynasty (1392-1905). The name "Korea" comes from the
Koryo Dynasty (935-1392), during which westerners had their
first contact with Korea. By the end of the 19th century, Korea
was under the influence of colonists such the Japanese, Chinese,
and Russians, and it needed its own flag. Korea first felt the
need for a national flag as it was preparing to conclude the
Korean-American Treaty of Commerce, which was concluded on May
22 and signed on June 6, 1882. This was during the 19th year of
the reign of King Go-jong of the Chosen Kingdom (1392-1910).
Though China had been pressing Korea to use a dragon design on
its national flag, Korea rejected this in favor of a blue and
red Yin-Yang on a white field, a favorite Korean design since
ancient times. Thus, the taegeuk design flag became the
temporary national flag. Late