Gohanguk

Gohanguk, (Gohangukian 고한국 [hanja 古韓國, "Gohan Country"]; formally Gohan Jeguk [고한제국 hanja 古韓帝國, "Gohan Empire"]), home country to the Gohangukian people, is a nation that is so secretive and xenophobic that its current location in the world is unknown. It may be an island in some remote corner of the ocean. Others have suggested that it exists in the unexplored interior of some continent. Most of what is known of the country is old information smuggled out by escapees over the years.

Because it has been so secretive and repressive for so long, the Gohangukian diaspora is substantial, accounting for more than 30% of the world population of Gohangukians, and comprising up to 15% of the population in some countries that welcome immigraton. Since the term "Gohangukian" is used elsewhere in this encyclopedia to refer to this thriving exile community, the term "Gohanian" is used throughout this article and related articles for discussing the country itself and its inhabitants - to make clear the distinction between Gohanguk and its diasporic peoples.

= Name =

= History =

History Since Closure
Pure speculation.

= Geography =

Major Cities
= Politics and Government =

"Necromonarchy"
The last known living emperor of Gohanguk is supposed to have lived about 200 years ago. The last emperor's embalmed body is in a glass case and attends all meetings of the regency board and the supreme policy committee. The Ha family, a dynasty of competing claimants to the throne, lived in the Palaces of the Exiles in the Ardisphere through most of the 19th century, but the last claimant was assassinated in 1901 (presumeably by a Gohanian agent), and the remaining members of the family formally renounced their claim to ever reoccupy Haengbokgung (the imperial palace in Hanseong).

Regency
The regent holds uncontested power, and the position is unofficially hereditary. Members of the Hong family have held the regency for over 100 years.

Foreign Relations
Gohanguk does not believe in diplomacy or foreign relations. It does not participate in world organizations or world events. Its borders are closed.

Military
Gohanguk apparently maintains a small arsenal of nuclear weapons to discourage other countries in the world from imposing their will on the country. Since the "Commonian Incident" of 1958, no country has challenged Gohanguk's sovereignty and isolationism. According to reports, the conventional military is mostly occupied with securing the borders and with downing overflying aircraft and satellites. The military also seems to have a major role in internal population control, supplanting any civilian police forces. The sitting regent is also the supreme commander of the armed forces.

= Economy =

= Demographics =

Religion
Officially, religion is illegal. However, it is clear that the state, the symbol of the "undying emperor," and associated apparatus, serve a kind of quasi-religious role within the society.

Healthcare
= Transportation and Infrastructure =

Highways and Roads
= Culture =

Cuisine
It is said that Gohanians will eat anything. This may have more to do with chronic malnutrion than culinary adventurism. One escapee, who became a chef in Khaiwoon, claimed to be producing "authentic Gohanian cuisine" which was revealed to be little more than boiled tree bark and insects, with a lot of hot sauce slathered on.

Sports
Some evidence seems to indicate that organized sports are prohibited in Gohanguk. One escapee says that military drills, even for children, supplant the role of sports in other countries.

= See Also =