1. Jomon People: The Jomon people were ancient inhabitants of the Korean peninsula, believed to have occupied the region from around 10,000 to 300 BC. They were hunter-gatherers and lived in pit dwellings.
2. Peninsula States: The Three Kingdoms of Korea (Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla) and other peninsula states emerged during the first millennium AD. These kingdoms were influenced by China and adopted cultural elements such as Buddhism and Chinese characters.
3. Foreign Invasions: South Korea has experienced invasions from China, Mongolia, and Japan throughout history. These invasions brought cultural influences and resulted in periods of foreign rule, but they did not lead to significant changes in the ethnic makeup of the population.
4. Recent Immigrants: In modern times, South Korea has seen an influx of immigrants from other parts of Asia, particularly China, Vietnam, and the Philippines. These immigrants have contributed to the cultural diversity of the country, but they still make up a small minority of the population.
5. Korean Diaspora: There are also significant Korean populations in other countries, most notably the United States, Japan, and China. These Korean diaspora communities maintain cultural ties to South Korea but are not considered an ethnic group within the country itself.
Overall, South Korea's rich history and cultural influences have been largely shaped by interactions with neighboring countries and ancient civilizations, but the country's ethnic makeup remains predominantly Korean.
