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| CIA Background Information |
An independent Korean state or collection of states has existed almost continuously for several millennia. Between its initial unification in the 7th century - from three predecessor Korean states - until the 20th century, Korea existed as a single independent country. In 1905, following the Russo-Japanese War, Korea became a protectorate of imperial Japan, and in 1910 it was annexed as a colony. Korea regained its independence following Japan's surrender to the United States in 1945. After World War II, a Republic of Korea (ROK) was set up in the southern half of the Korean Peninsula while a Communist-style government was installed in the north (the DPRK). During the Korean War (1950-53), US troops and UN forces fought alongside soldiers from the ROK to defend South Korea from DPRK attacks supported by China and the Soviet Union. An armistice was signed in 1953, splitting the peninsula along a demilitarized zone at about the 38th parallel. Thereafter, South Korea achieved rapid economic growth with per capita income rising to roughly 14 times the level of North Korea. In 1993, KIM Young-sam became South Korea's first civilian president following 32 years of military rule. South Korea today is a fully functioning modern democracy. In June 2000, a historic first North-South summit took place between the South's President KIM Dae-jung and the North's leader KIM Jong Il. In October 2007, a second North-South summit took place between the South's President ROH Moo-hyun and the North Korean leader.
| U.S. State Department Description |
Country Description:
The Republic of Korea (South Korea or ROK) is a highly developed, stable, democratic republic with powers shared between the president and the legislature. It has a modern economy, and tourist facilities are widely available. English is rarely spoken outside the main tourist and business centers.
The Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) can be reached in the U.S. and Canada by calling 1-800-868-7567 and has a useful website in English at http://www.visitkorea.or.kr/intro.html
. The KTO also operates a telephone information service in the Republic of Korea, which ... Read this Article
People
Nationality: Noun and adjective--Korean(s).
Population (2008): 48,379,392.
Population annual growth rate (2008): 0.269%.
Ethnic groups: Korean; small Chinese minority (about 20,000).
Religions: Christianity, Buddhism, Shamanism, Confucianism, Chondogyo.
Language: Korean; English widely taught in junior high and high school.
Education: Years compulsory--9. Enrollment--11.5 million. Attendance--middle school 99%, high school 95%. Literacy--98%.
Health (2008): Infant mortality rate--4.29/1,000. Life ... Read this Article
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Location: South Korea is Eastern Asia, southern half of the Korean Peninsula bordering the Sea of Japan and the Yellow Sea See Map
Capital: name: Seoul
geographic coordinates: 37 33 N, 126 59 E
time difference: UTC+9 (14 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Currency (Code): South Korean won (KRW) ...More
Area: total: 98,480 sq km , land: 98,190 sq km , water: 290 sq km ( 1 sq km is approximately 0.4 sq miles or 250 acres)
Area Comparison: slightly larger than Indiana
Elevation Extremes: lowest point: Sea of Japan 0 m , highest point: Halla-san 1,950 m (1 meter = 3.28 feet)
Population: 48,379,392 (July 2008 est.)
Unemployment: 3.3% (2007 est.)
Ethnic Groups: homogeneous (except for about 20,000 Chinese)
Religion: Christian 26.3% (Protestant 19.7%, Roman Catholic 6.6%), Buddhist 23.2%, other or unknown 1.3%, none 49.3% (1995 census)
Languages: Korean, English widely taught in junior high and high school
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| History
The myth of Korea's foundation by the god-king Tangun in BC 2333 embodies the homogeneity and self-sufficiency valued by the Korean people. Korea experienced many invasions by its larger neighbors in its 2,000 years of recorded History. The country repelled numerous foreign invasions despite domestic strife, in part due to its ... Read this Article
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| Geographic Info for Korea South : |
Geography
Area: 98,480 sq. km. (38,023 sq. mi.); slightly larger than Indiana.
Cities (2005): Capital--Seoul (10.3 million). Other major cities--Busan (3.7 million), Daegu (2.5 million), Incheon (2.6 million), Gwangju (1.4 million), Daejeon (1.5 million), Ulsan (1.0 million).
Terrain: Partially forested mountain ranges separated by deep, narrow valleys; cultivated plains along the coasts, particularly in the west and south.
Climate: Temperate, ... Read this Article
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