As far back as the ancient Silla Dynasty (first century BCE - seventh century BCE), there was a social class system called "the bone order" which determined your social standing by your hereditary proximity to the royal family. Your proximity in this system determined your rights, your wealth and most of your social experience. Korea was also heavily influenced by Confucian values, namely respect for elders. The legacies of Korea's history extend to the current day, but some levels of speech are slowly being fazed out due to the less rigid structure of contemporary Korean society.
While I do not see a clear and unique connection between this linguistic tradition with Korea's physical environment, the Korean language undeniably shapes the environment of our everyday lives. For example, being at home might feel much more comfortable than being outside because you're able to use casual speech. In another vein, you can also gain an understanding of a relationship between two people just by hearing them speak.