South Korea is a country located in East Asia, situated on the southern part of the Korean Peninsula. It is recognized as one of the leading global economic and technological powers.

Geography

Location: East Asia, Southern Korean Peninsula

Coordinates: Approximately 35.9078° N, 127.7669° E

Area: About 100,363 square kilometers, consisting of the mainland and over 3,000 islands.

Borders:

• North: North Korea (about 238 kilometers)
• East: Sea of Japan (East Sea)
• West: Yellow Sea
• South: Korea Strait, which separates it from Japan

Climate:

• Temperate climate with four distinct seasons: cold winters, warm and humid summers, pleasant spring and autumn.

Topography:

• Includes mostly mountainous terrain with lowlands along the western and southern coasts. Significant rivers include the Han River and the Nakdong River.

Elevation:

• The highest peak is Hallasan, a volcanic mountain on Jeju Island, with an elevation of 1,947 meters.

Natural Resources:

• Limited natural resources include coal, tungsten, graphite, molybdenum, and small deposits of iron ore and copper.

Land Use:

• 19% agriculture, 64% forests, 17% built-up areas and other uses.

Population Distribution:

• Population is highly concentrated in urban areas, especially in the capital Seoul, as well as Busan, Incheon, and Daegu.

Population and Society

Population: Approximately 51.7 million (2024 estimate).

Ethnic Groups:

• Predominantly ethnically homogeneous, with 96% of the population being Korean. Small numbers of Chinese, Vietnamese, and other immigrants.

Languages:

• Korean is the official language. English is widely taught and used in business and education.

Religions:

• Christianity (about 28%), Buddhism (15%), and a significant portion of the population is unaffiliated or practices traditional beliefs.

Age Structure:

• Includes a growing elderly population with a rapidly aging society and a declining birth rate.

Population Growth Rate:

• Population is nearly stable with a very low growth rate (0.1%).

Country

Country Name: Republic of Korea (ROK)

Common Name: South Korea

Reason for Name: Reflects the country’s location on the southern half of the Korean Peninsula.

Type of Government: Presidential Republic.

Capital: Seoul

Reason for Naming Capital: Seoul is a historic and modern political, cultural, and economic hub of Korea.

Local Time: Korea Standard Time (KST), UTC+9, no daylight saving time.

Administrative Divisions: 9 provinces and 7 metropolitan cities.

Independence: Declared independence from Japan on August 15, 1945, and officially established on August 15, 1948.

Citizenship Acquisition: Through birth in Korea, legal residency, or naturalization.

Legal System: Civil law system based on the Constitution of South Korea.

Executive Branch: The President is the head of state and government.

Legislative Branch: Unicameral National Assembly.

Judicial Branch: The Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court of Korea.

Political Parties: Democratic Party of Korea, People Power Party, and others.

Flag Description: The flag is white with a red and blue “taegeuk” symbol in the center, surrounded by four black trigrams, one in each corner, representing harmony, balance, and the principles of yin and yang.

Country Code: KOR

Economy

GDP: Approximately $2.1 trillion USD.

Agricultural and Animal Products: Rice, barley, vegetables, fruit, livestock products.

Industries: Includes electronics, automobiles, shipbuilding, steel, chemicals, and telecommunications.

Budget: Surplus/deficit fluctuates based on economic conditions.

Exports: Semiconductors, automobiles, petrochemicals, ships, and electronics.

Imports: Oil, raw materials, machinery, chemicals, food products.

Foreign Reserves: Approximately $400 billion USD.

External Debt: About $600 billion USD.

Local Currency: South Korean Won (KRW).

Communications

Landlines: About 14 million lines.

Mobile Lines: About 70 million lines.

Country Code: +82

Broadcast Media: Includes several national and regional television and radio networks, with widespread internet access.

Internet Code: .kr

Internet Users: Approximately 49 million people.

Transportation

National Air Transport System: Highly developed network of airports and airlines.

Airports: About 28 airports, with Incheon International Airport being a major hub.

Helipads: Numerous, especially in urban areas.

Pipelines: Pipelines for oil, gas, and water distribution.

Railroads: Extensive railroad network including the KTX high-speed train system, with over 4,000 kilometers of track.

Road Network: Over 100,000 kilometers of well-maintained roads, including expressways.

Ports: Major ports include Busan, Incheon, and Gwangyang.

Military

Military Composition: Includes the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps.

Military Spending: Approximately $45 billion USD annually.

Military and Security Personnel: About 600,000 active-duty personnel.

Military Equipment: Includes advanced fighter jets, naval vessels, tanks, and missile systems.

Military Service Age: Mandatory military service for males, aged 18 to 28, for about 18 to 21 months depending on the branch.