Support of Poor Members.—In countries like China and Korea where filial piety and respect for the aged are inculcated (this, however, apparently within the clan), the support of poor members of the clan does not often require attention. The support and succor of indigent or unfortunate members by the clan seem not to be obligatory, nor do they appear to be a part of the system of cooperation, but are effected through charity. No doubt the claims of relationship are strong enough to be the moving factor in all such cases.
Adoption.—Korean families are prevented from becoming extinct by the custom of adoption. The rule followed is that a child of a younger generation is selected and one not in the line of descent; that is, the second male child may be adopted. The adoption of female children is rare.
Thus, perhaps, the claims of great antiquity made by some clans may not be out of reason, as that of the Kim and Ye clans of Wo Sing in Ping Yang, whose descent is said to be traceable through a period extending over four thousand years. Curiously, also, the Korean clans still live in the definite localities where they originated.
Political Parties.—The political parties which divide Korea and which at present are those of the North, South, East, and West, involve the clans on account of the localization of the latter. Clans, however, are often divided in political opinions, but this exerts no influence on their organization as a consanguineal group.
The following list of family names comprises the most important in Korea. While some of the names are taken from natural objects, no totemic devices survive according to my informant. As is customary in business, however, the clans have seals, or rather the head of the family uses his seal by virtue of descent. As is the case with the family names, none of the seals bear totemic devices.
