In 1100, Korea was known to Arabic countries as Coree because the name of the country at the time was pronounced Go-Ryu.  When Europeans got to know Korea, Coree changed to Corea which is still used in France, Spain, Italy, Brazil, Argentina and Mexico — I have read somewhere that the Corea family of Italy was started by a Korean boy who chose Corea as his last name when he arrived in Italy on a trading vessel, an interesting but unconfirmed story.

Around turn of the previous century, Korea started to be used instead of Corea.  Because Japanese occupation of Korea began around the same time period, there are accusations of Japan being the culprit behind the name change.  One of the theories is that Japan wanted to enter ahead of Korea in the Olympic.  The truth is that no one knows for sure yet.

Lately, the movement to restore the country name to Corea from Korea has been gaining momentum in both North and South Korea.  At first, Corea seemed odd to me, but I am starting to like it because Corea feels more refined than Korea and the letter K reminds me of K-mart.  If things go well, I'll be a Corean-American in the near future.  Go Corea!

Does this post remind you of that Monty Python sketch about a guy who couldn't pronounce the letter C?  It does to me.  Monty Python is like herpes.  Once exposed, you are stuck with it for life.