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Republic of Korea대한민국 大韓民國 Daehan Minguk
Flag Coat of arms of South Korea Coat of arms
Motto: 널리 인간 세계를 이롭게 하라 (Broadly bring benefit to humanity, 弘益人間)
Anthem: Aegukga
Capitaland largest city	Seoul
Official languages	Korean
Government	Republic
• President	Roh Moo-hyun
• Prime Minister	Han Myung-sook
Establishment
• Gojoseon	2333 BC
• Declaration of Republic	March 1, 1919
• Liberation	August 15 1945
• First Republic	August 15 1948
• Water (%)	0.3%
Population
• July 2005 estimate	47,817,000 (25th)
• 2000 census	45,985,289 source
GDP (PPP)	2005 estimate
• Total	$994.4 billion (14th)
• Per capita	$20,590 (33rd)
HDI (2003)	0.901 very high (28th)
Currency	South Korean won (KRW)
Time zone	UTC+9 (Korea Standard Time)
Calling code	82
ISO 3166 code	KR
Internet TLD	.kr

For more information on Korean history, see Korea.

South Korea, officially known as the Republic of Korea, is an East Asian state on the southern half of the Korean Peninsula. To the north, it is bordered by North Korea, with which it was a single country called Korea until 1945. To the west, across the Yellow Sea, lies China, and to the southeast, across the Korea Strait, lies Japan. Approximately one-half of South Korea's population lives in or near the capital and largest city, Seoul, the third largest metropolitan area in the world.

Since its founding in 1948, the country has struggled with the aftermath of 35 years of Japanese occupation, the Korean War, and decades of military rule, seeing five major constitutional changes. Pro-democracy demonstrations during the 1980s led to free elections in 1987. South Korea is now a multi-party democracy.

The South Korean economy has advanced rapidly since the 1950s and is now the 10th largest economy in the world. South Korea is also one of the world's most technologically advanced and digitally-connected countries. It has the second highest number of broadband Internet connections per capita in the world and is a global leader in computer games, digital displays, and mobile phones.

South Korea's entertainment industry has grown explosively since the 1990s, producing Asia-wide successes in music, television, and film in a phenomenon known as Hallyu, or the "Korean wave". However, the country still retains centuries-old customs and traditions, such as its unique cuisine and ancestor worship.

Etymology

In the Korean language, South Korea is called Daehan Minguk (대한민국listen, 大韓民國, literally "Great Han People's Nation"). Its short name is Hanguk (한국, "Han Nation," usually referring to Korea) or Namhan (남한, "South Han", referring to South Korea). Han refers to the ancient Samhan confederacies of southern Korean peninsula. Hanguk is the most commonly used term by Koreans.

In English, the nation is often referred to simply as "Korea", deriving from the Goryeo dynasty, which in turn referred to the Goguryeo kingdom. Arabic traders' rendering of Goryeo, "Cu'ree", may have made its way to Italy during the Middle Ages, and "Corea" became a common European rendering. In the late 19th century, "Korea" became more widely used.

History

At the end of World War II, American and Soviet troops occupied the southern and northern halves of Korea, respectively, dividing the peninsula at the 38th parallel. Despite promises of an independent and unified Korea in the 1943 Cairo Declaration, the United States and Soviet Union helped establish two separate governments in 1948; the communist North and the capitalist South.

On June 25, 1950, the North invaded the South, instigating the Korean War. The United Nations backed South Korea and the Soviet Union and China backed North Korea, eventually reaching a stalemate. The 1953 armistice split the peninsula along the demilitarised zone at about the original demarcation line. No peace treaty was ever signed, however, therefore the two countries are technically still at war.

In 1960, a student uprising overthrew the autocratic government of Syngman Rhee and South Korea saw a brief period of democratic reforms. However, much to the disappointment of the people, the new government was disoriented, and political chaos ensued. Then, a military coup (5.16 Revolution) led by General Park Chung-hee, who thought that the communization of the peninsula would be inevitable if the Korean government was kept at this state, toppled the weak government the following year. Park took over as president from 1962 until his assassination in 1979, overseeing rapid export-led economic growth as well as severe political repression.

Park's successor general Chun Doo-hwan launched a coup d'etat in 1980 to assume the presidency. Chun's seizure of power was greeted by widespread protests culminating in the 1980 Gwangju Massacre. In the aftermath of that incident, the movement for democracy gained strength and was ultimately successful in forcing Chun to allow free elections and a change to civilian democratic rule in 1988. That year, Seoul hosted the 1988 Summer Olympics.

In 1996, South Korea became a member of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development. Despite a severe setback caused by the Asian financial crisis in 1997, the country soon emerged as a major economic power. In 2004, South Korea joined the "trillion dollar club" of world economies and, today, its standard of living is equal to that of many countries in Western Europe.

In June 2000, as a part of South Korean president Kim Dae Jung's Sunshine Policy of engagement, a historic first North-South summit took place in North Korea's capital Pyongyang. That year, Kim won the Nobel Peace Prize for his work for democracy and human rights and efforts at reconciliation between the two Koreas. Since then, regular contacts have led to a slow thaw in relations and economic ties through trade and investment have increased dramatically. Kim, who is now retired, has made plans to visit Pyongyang again in June 2006.

Government and politics

Template:Morepolitics

South Korea is a democratic republic with powers shared between the president, legislature, and judiciary. Since 1948, the constitution has undergone five major revisions, each signifying a new republic. The current Sixth Republic began with the last major constitutional revision in 1988.

The head of state is the president, who is elected by direct popular vote for a single five-year term. In addition to being the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, the president also has considerable executive powers. The president appoints the prime minister with approval of the National Assembly, as well as appointing and presiding over the State Council of chief ministers.

The South Korean legislature is the National Assembly, a unicameral body in which members serve a four-year term of office. This legislature currently has 299 seats, of which 243 are elected by regional vote. The remainder are distributed by proportional representation.

The South Korean judiciary is largely independent of the other two branches. The highest judiciary body is the Supreme Court, whose justices are appointed by the president with the consent of the National Assembly. In addition, the Constitutional Court oversees questions of constitutionality.

The main political parties in South Korea are the Uri Party, the Grand National Party (GNP), the Democratic Labor Party (DLP), and the Democratic Party (DP). The Uri Party was formed in late 2003 from a liberal faction of the DP (then the Millennium Democratic Party). It gained a slim majority in the National Assembly after the April 2004 legislative elections, but lost it in subsequent by-elections. The conservative GNP and centrist DP form the dominant political opposition. The progressive DLP is aligned with labour unions and farmers' groups, and constitutes the left-wing opposition.

Geography and climate

South Korea occupies the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula, which extends some 680 miles (1,100 km) from the Asian mainland. This mountainous peninsula is flanked by the Yellow Sea to the west, and the Sea of Korea (East Sea) to the east. Its southern tip lies on the Korea Strait and the East China Sea. The country's total area is 38,462.49 square miles or 99,617.38 square kilometres.

South Korea's land is mountainous, and most of it is not arable. Lowlands, located primarily in the west and southeast, constitute only 30% of the total land area. South Korea can be divided into four general regions: an eastern region of high mountain ranges and narrow coastal plains; a western region of broad coastal plains, river basins, and rolling hills; a southwestern region of mountains and valleys and a southeastern region dominated by the broad basin of the Nakdong River.

About 3,000 islands, mostly small and uninhabited, lie off the western and southern coasts. Jeju Island is located about 100 kilometres (about 60 mi) off the southern coast of South Korea. It is the country's largest island, with an area of 1,845 square kilometres (712 sq mi). Jeju is also the site of South Korea's highest point: Halla-san, an extinct volcano on Jeju, reaches 1,950 metres (6,398 ft) above sea level.

The local climate is relatively temperate, with precipitation heavier in summer during a short rainy season called jangma, and winters that can be bitterly cold. In Seoul the average January temperature range is -7 °C to 1 °C (19 °F to 33 °F), and the average July temperature range is 22 °C to 29 °C (71 °F to 83 °F). Winter temperatures are higher along the southern coast and considerably lower in the mountainous interior. Rainfall is concentrated in the summer months of June through September. The southern coast is subject to late summer typhoons that bring strong winds and heavy rains. The average annual precipitation varies from 1,370 millimetres (54 in) in Seoul to 1,470 millimetres (58 in) in Busan.

Administrative Divisions

South Korea is divided into 8 provinces, one special autonomous province, six metropolitan cities, and one special city. The names below are given in English, Revised Romanization, Hangul, and Hanja.

Provinces

• 8. Gyeonggi-do (경기도, 京畿道)
• 9. Gangwon-do (강원도, 江原道)
• 10. Gyeongsangbuk-do (경상북도, 慶尙北道)
• 11. Gyeongsangnam-do (경상남도, 慶尙南道)
• 12. Jeollanam-do (전라남도, 全羅南道)
• 13. Jeollabuk-do (전라북도, 全羅北道)
• 14. Chungcheongnam-do (충청남도, 忠淸南道)
• 15. Chungcheongbuk-do (충청북도, 忠淸北道)

Special Autonomous Province

• 16. Jeju Special Autonomous Province (제주특별자치도, 濟州特別自治道)

Metropolitan Cities

• 2. Incheon Metropolitan City (Incheon Gwangyeoksi; 인천광역시; 仁川廣域市)
• 3. Daegu Metropolitan City (Daegu Gwangyeoksi; 대구광역시; 大邱廣域市)
• 4. Ulsan Metropolitan City (Ulsan Gwangyeoksi; 울산광역시; 蔚山廣域市)
• 5. Busan Metropolitan City (Busan Gwangyeoksi; 부산광역시; 釜山廣域市)
• 6. Gwangju Metropolitan City (Gwangju Gwangyeoksi; 광주광역시; 光州廣域市)
• 7. Daejeon Metropolitan City (Daejeon Gwangyeoksi; 대전광역시; 大田廣域市)

Special City

• 1. Seoul Special City (Seoul Teukbyeolsi; 서울특별시; 서울特別市)

See also: Special cities of Korea and Provinces of Korea.

Economy

South Korea has the tenth largest economy in the world, and the third largest in Asia, behind only Japan and China. As one of the East Asian Tigers, it achieved rapid economic growth through exports of manufactured goods. This is in sharp contrast to the stagnation of North Korea's economy, which has turned for the worse since the disintegration of the Soviet Union. South Korea's per capita GDP is now roughly 12 times that of North Korea.

In the 1950s, South Korea was one of the poorest countries in Asia. At the end of World War II, the country inherited a colonial economic system designed solely for Japan's expansion policy. Much of the country's infrastructure was destroyed during the Korean War that followed in 1950-1953. After the war, South Korea became heavily dependent on U.S. aid.

Following the military coup led by general Park Chung-hee in 1962, South Korea embarked on a series of ambitious five-year plans for economic development. Emphasis shifted to foreign trade with the normalization of relations with Japan in 1965 and a subsequent boom in trade and investment. Rapid expansion, first into light and then heavy industries, in the 1960s and 1970s followed. During this period, the South Korean economy grew at an average annual rate of 8.6%.

This phenomenal growth is often called the "Miracle on the Han River", the Han River being the main river that runs through the nation's capital and largest city, Seoul. In the 1980s and 1990s, growth continued as South Korea transformed itself from an exporter of mostly textiles and shoes into a major global producer of automobiles, electronics, shipbuilding, and steel and later, high-technology fields such as digital monitors, mobile phones, and semiconductors.

The South Korean model of encouraging the growth of large, internationally competitive companies through easy financing and tax incentives led to the dominance of the family-controlled conglomerates. These companies, known as chaebol, flourished under the support of the Park regime. Some such as Hyundai, Samsung, Daewoo, and LG became global corporations.

Since the Asian financial crisis of 1997, however, the corporate landscape has changed considerably as a result of massive bankruptcies and government reforms. The crisis exposed longstanding weaknesses in South Korea's economy, including high debt/equity ratios, massive foreign borrowing, and an undisciplined financial sector. This led to two rounds of financial and industrial restructuring, in 1997 and again following the collapse of Daewoo in 1999. Daewoo's collapse has been recorded as one of the world's largest bankruptcies in history. By 2003, just over one-half of the 30 largest chaebol from 1995 remained.

Between 2003 and 2005, economic growth has moderated to about 4% per year. A downturn in consumer spending, attributed to massive personal credit card debt, was offset by rapid export growth especially to China. In 2005, the government proposed labor reform legislation and a corporate pension scheme to help make the labor market more flexible, and new real estate policies to cool property speculation. Moderate inflation, low unemployment, an export surplus, and fairly equal distribution of income characterize this economy.

Transportation

Transportation in South Korea is provided by extensive networks of railways, highways, bus routes, ferry services, and air routes that criss-cross the country.

The Korean National Railroad provides frequent service to all major South Korean cities. Two rail lines to North Korea are now being reconnected. The Korean high-speed railway system is known as Korea Train Express (KTX).

Major cities have subway systems, including the popular Seoul Metropolitan Subway. Virtually all towns in South Korea are served by regional bus service.

Highways in South Korea are classified into freeways (expressways/motorways), national highways, and various classifications below the national level. Korea Highway Corporation operates the toll highways and service amenities en route.

The main international airport is Incheon International Airport. South Korea's national air carriers are Korean Air and Asiana Airlines.

Demographics

Most South Koreans live in urban areas, due to rapid migration from the countryside during the country's rapid economic expansion in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. The capital city of Seoul is also the country's largest city and chief industrial center. It had 10.3 million inhabitants in 2006, making Seoul one of the most populated single cities in the world. Other major cities include Busan (3.65 million), Incheon (2.63 million), Daegu (2.53 million), Daejeon (1.46 million), Gwangju (1.41 million) and Ulsan (1.10 million).

The population has also been shaped by international migration. Following the division of the Korean peninsula after WWII, about 4 million people from North Korea crossed the border to South Korea. This trend of net entry reversed over the next 40 years due to emigration, especially to the United States and Canada. However, South Korea's burgeoning economy and improved political climate in the early and mid-1990s slowed the high emigration rates typical of the previous decade. Many of those who left the country chose to return.

Although small, the percentage of non-Koreans in South Korea has risen rapidly in the early 21st century. Officially, as of April 2005, the total number of known foreign labourers in South Korea stood at 378,000, 52% of whom were in the country without authorization. This foreign workforce mainly comes from South Asian and Southeast Asian nations. There are also many workers from the former Soviet Union countries and Nigeria. In addition to these workers, there are about 11,000 ex-pat English teachers and around 36,000 US military personnel.

Religion

About 46% of South Korean citizens profess to follow no particular religion. Of the remainder, Christians account for 27.3% of the population and Buddhists 25.3%. There is also a percentage of the Islamic faith. Buddhism is stronger in the east of the country, namely the Yeongnam and Gangwon regions, where it accounts for more than half of the religious population. Christianity, which first gained a foothold in Korea in the late 18th century, grew rapidly in the 1970s and 1980s; in large part by being at the forefront of the social justice movement against the ruling military regimes. South Korea is now the second largest missionary sending nation in the world (after the United States). The largest church in the world, Yoido Full Gospel Church, is located in Seoul and has approximately 780,000 members (2003 estimate). Including Yoido Full Gospel, 11 of the world's 12 largest churches are located in Seoul (see Korean Christianity). In addition to these formal religions, many Koreans follow Confucian customs, and many Buddhists combine that religion with Korean Shamanism. Islam arrived in Korea in the beginning of the 11th century under the Koryo Dynasty. Islam in Korea.

Military and foreign relations

In its foreign relations, South Korea is primarily concerned with North Korea and the neighboring countries of China, Japan, and Russia, as well as its main ally, the United States. The US was the primary driver in the establishment and initial sustenance of the South Korea government in the 1950s; however, since the 1990s the two nations have often been at odds with regard to their policy towards North Korea.

South Korea and China established formal diplomatic relations on August 24, 1992, despite previous hostility dating back to the Korean War. South Korea's relations with Japan continue to be turbulent, primarily due to a number of Korean-Japanese disputes stemming from Japanese occupation in addition to other Japanese war atrocities against Asians.

North and South Korea continue to dispute which country should be deemed the "rightful successor" to the previous Korean states. Despite longstanding animosity following the Korean War in 1950 (which has still not officially ended), the South and North have in recent times sought to establish a more conciliatory relationship. This road has however been punctuated by a number of difficulties, including the North-South presidential summit corruption allegations in June 2000. Nevertheless, events such as the Olympic Games, where the two Koreas currently enter the opening ceremonies together but still compete as separate teams, show a new and more optimistic side to the North-South relationship.

In addition, South Korea maintains diplomatic relations with approximately 170 countries. The country has also been a member of the United Nations since 1991, when it joined at the same time as North Korea. It has also developed links with ASEAN as both a member of "ASEAN Plus three" and the East Asia Summit (EAS).

The South Korean military is composed of the Republic of Korea Army (ROKA), Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN), Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF), and Republic of Korea Marine Corps (ROKMC), together with reserve forces. Many of these forces are concentrated near the border with North Korea. All South Korean males are constitutionally required to serve in the military, typically for a period of 24 months.

From time to time, South Korea has sent its troops overseas to assist American forces. South Korea dispatched 320,000 troops to fight alongside American soldiers in the Vietnam War. Most recently, South Korea sent 3,200 troops in the form of the Zaytun Division to assist with reconstruction efforts in northern Iraq.

Sports

Taekwondo, a popular martial art, originated in Korea. Taekwondo means technique of kicking and punching, although the emphasis lies on the kicks. It became standard military training in South Korea, and in 1961 the rules were standardized and taekwondo became an official Olympic sport in 2000. Other Korean martial arts include hapkido and taekkyeon.

Baseball was first introduced in Korea by an American missionary named Phillip Gillette in 1905 and has since become the most popular spectator sport in South Korea. The first South Korean professional sports league was the Korea Baseball Association, established in 1982. During the 2006 World Baseball Classic, South Korea reached the final four before losing to Japan. Prior to that final match, the South Korean team was the only undefeated team, and had beaten Japan twice and the United States once.

Other popular sports in South Korea include baseball, basketball, football, golf, tennis, and ice hockey. Women's golf is especially strong, with over 30 South Koreans playing on the world's leading women's tour, the U.S. LPGA Tour, including stars such as future Hall of Famer Se Ri Pak. Rising star Michelle Wie is also of Korean heritage, with both parents from South Korea. South Korea's Olympic teams have also traditionally performed strongly in archery, boxing, judo, short track speed skating, taekwondo, and wrestling.

In 1988, South Korea hosted the Summer Olympics in Seoul. There is an ongoing campaign to have a future Winter Olympics held in Pyeongchang County. South Korea has hosted the Asian Games on numerous occasions.

The 2002 FIFA World Cup was jointly hosted by South Korea and Japan, and South Korea became the first Asian team to reach the semi-finals. During the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin the South Korean short track team dominated their event, taking home six of the eight gold medals available as well as three silvers and one bronze. Skaters Ahn Hyun Soo and Jin Sun Yu were the second and third persons in the Games to win three gold medals.

The Korea Republic national football team, also known as the "Taeguk Warriors", qualified for the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany for their sixth consecutive World Cup.

Notes

1. The estimated area rises steadily from year to year, possibly due to land reclamation. "행정구역(구시군)별 국토면적". Korea Statistical Information Service. Retrieved 2006-03-27.
2. According to 2005 US government estimates (North: $1800; South: $20,400). "GDP - Rank order - per capita (PPP)". CIA Factbook. Retrieved 2004-04-06.
3. Cumings (1997), 305-307; Nahm (1996), p. 448.
4. Yang (1999), p. 594.
5. See ch. 6 in Cumings (1997).
6. KOIS (2003), pp. 238-239.
7. 18 out of 30, according to "Country Studies: South Korea". The Economist. 2003-04-10. Retrieved 2006-04-06.
8. "South Korea". CIA Country Studies. Retrieved 2006-04-22.
9. "World City Populations". Retrieved 2006-04-04.
10. Populations for all cities as of 2005, given by "By city & province". NSO Database. Retrieved 2006-04-22.
11. "Migrants Want Flexible Employment System". Korea Times December 30 2005. Retrieved 2006-04-04.
12. US military figures as of 2003, from Tim Kane Global U.S. Troop Deployment, 1950-2003
13. "인구,가구/시도별 종교인구 구성비". Korea National Statistical Office website. Retrieved September 19. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
14. KOIS (2003), p. 632.

References

• Cumings, Bruce (1997). Korea's place in the sun. New York: W.W. Norton. ISBN 0-393-31681-5. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
• KOIS (Korea Overseas Information Service) (2003). Handbook of Korea, 11th ed. Seoul: Hollym. ISBN 1-56591-212-8.
• Nahm, Andrew C. (1996). Korea: A history of the Korean people (2nd ed.). Seoul: Hollym. ISBN 1-56591-070-2. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
• Yang, Sung Chul (1999). The North and South Korean political systems: A comparative analysis (rev. ed.). Seoul: Hollym. ISBN 1-56591-105-9. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
• Yonhap News Agency (2004). Korea Annual 2004. Seoul: Author. ISBN 89-7433-070-9. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)

See also

Template:Korea-related topics

External links

• Discover Korea and its cuisine
• BBC News - Country Profile: South Korea
• Encyclopaedia Britannica, South Korea - Country Page
• CIA World Factbook - South Korea
• Guardian Unlimited - Special Report: North and South Korea
• Korea.net: Gateway to Korea portal from the KOIS government agency
• Korea National Statistical Office
• Korea Peace Network summary of past/current American policy towards Korea
• Library of Congress - Country Study: South Korea data as of June 1990
• National Assembly official site
• Open Directory Project - South Korea directory category
• South Korea Stock Market summary of the South Korea stock market
• The Blue House official presidential site
• Tour2Korea operated by Korea National Tourism Organization
• Template:Wikitravel
• Yahoo! - South Korea directory category
• Yahoo! News - Full Coverage: South Korea
• Galbijim Wiki for expats in Korea

Template:East Asia

• East Asian countries
• South Korea
• Divided regions