South Korea

Republic of Korea 대한민국/ đại Hàn dân quốc(Korean) Daehan Minguk
Flag Emblem
Motto: "홍익인간" ( "Hoằng ích nhân gian" )(de facto) "Hongik Ingan" "Benefit broadly the human world / Devotion to the Welfare of Humanity "
Anthem: "애국가" ( "Ái quốc ca" ) "Aegukga" "Patriotic Song"
National seal 국가 인감 ( quốc gia ấn giam )
Territory controlled (dark green) Territory claimed but uncontrolled (light green)
Capital and largest city	Seoul 37°33′N126°58′E
Official languages	Korean English Korean Sign Language
Official script	Hangul script Hanja script English Alpha bet
Ethnic groups	PredominantlyKorean,no official statistics
Religion (2015)	56.1%no religion 27.6%Christianity 15.5%Korean Buddhism 0.8% other
Demonym(s)	South Korean Korean
Government	Unitarypresidential constitutionalrepublic
•President	Yoon Suk-yeol(윤석열; Doãn tích duyệt )
•Prime Minister	Han Duck-soo(한덕수; Hàn đức thù )
•Speaker of the National Assembly	Park Byeong-seug
•Chief Justice	Kim Myeong-soo
•President of the Constitutional Court	Yoo Nam-seok
Legislature	National Assembly
Establishment history
•First Kingdom	c. 7th century BC
•Declaration of Independence	1 March 1919
•Provisional Government	11 April 1919
•IndependencefromJapan	15 August 1945
•US administrationof Korea south of the38th parallel	8 September 1945
•ROK established	15 August 1948
•Current constitution	25 February 1988
•Admitted totheUN	17 September 1991
Area
• Total	100,363 km2(38,750 sq mi) (107th)
• Water (%)	0.3 (301 km2/ 116 mi2)
Population
• 2019 estimate	51,709,098(27th)
• Density	507/km2(1,313.1/sq mi) (13th)
GDP(PPP)	2020 estimate
• Total	$2.418 trillion(14th)
• Per capita	$46,451(29th)
GDP(nominal)	2020 estimate
• Total	$1.626 trillion(12th)
• Per capita	$31,246(27th)
Gini(2016)	35.7 medium·93rd
HDI(2018)	0.906 very high·22nd
Currency	South Korean won(₩) (KRW)
Time zone	UTC+9(Korea Standard Time)
Date format	yyyy년 m월 d일 yyyy. m. d. (CE)
Mains electricity	220V–60 Hz
Driving side	right
Calling code	+82
ISO 3166 code	KR
Internet TLD	.kr .한국

South Korea
South Korean name
Hangul	남한
Hanja	Nam Hàn
Revised Romanization	Namhan
McCune–Reischauer	Namhan
North Korean name
Hangul	남조선
Hanja	Nam triều tiên
Revised Romanization	Namjoseon
McCune–Reischauer	Namchosŏn

Korea
South Korean name
Hangul	한국
Hanja	Hàn Quốc
Revised Romanization	Han(-)guk
McCune–Reischauer	Han’guk
North Korean name
Hangul	조선
Hanja	Triều Tiên
Revised Romanization	Joseon
McCune–Reischauer	Chosŏn

Republic of Korea
South Korean name
Hangul	대한민국
Hanja	Đại Hàn dân quốc
Revised Romanization	Daehan Min(-)guk
McCune–Reischauer	Taehan Min’guk

South Koreais acountryin the southern part of theKoreanpeninsula,in the north east region ofAsia.The capital city isSeoul.The official name of South Korea is theRepublic of Koreain English,대한민국(Daehan Minguk) in Korean writing (Hangeul), andĐại Hàn dân quốcin Chinese characters (Hanja). About half of the country's people live in its capital city,Seoul,or near the city in themetropolitanarea. Korea's Seoul metropolitan area is one of the mostpopulousmetropolitan areas in the world. In fact, some sources say it is the second most populous afterTokyo,Japan.Recently, South Koreanculturehas become famous around the world. This is partially because of bands likeBTS,Korean drama, as well as its economic miracle.

History

South Korea's history began with Dangunwanggeom's Gojoseon. Gojoseon was conquered byHan China.After Gojoseon collapsed, there were a lot of countries such as Buyeo, Okjeo, Dongyae, and Samhan. But Baekje, Goguryeo, and Silla were the strongest. So their period began, and it is called the Three Kingdoms Period. Goguryeo and Baekje were conquered by Silla and Dang China's allied forces, and Silla unified the three kingdoms. There was another country, Balhae. Balhae was founded by Dae Jo-Young. Later Silla and Balhae's period is called the South and North Countries Period. A rebellion in Later Silla caused the birth of a new nation: Goryeo, which was founded by Wanggeon. Mongolia's invaded Goryeo. Near the end of the Goryeo period, there was a great general Lee Seong-Gye. The king of Goryeo directed him to occupy Yodong, but he opposed it. However, Lee Seong-Gye went to Yodong to occupy it, but he returned to Goryeo and he revolted. His revolt succeeded, and he founded the country Joseon. Joseon's first king, Taejo, moved the capital to Hanyang (Seoul). Joseon's fourth king,Sejong,made the Korean Alpha bet,Hangeul.Joseon's twenty-second king, Jeongjo, built the Hwaseong Fortress in Suwon. Joseon's twenty-sixth king, Gojong, changed the country's name to Daehanjeguk. When Daehanjaeguk's power weakened, Japanoccupiedit for 35 years until Japan's defeat inWorld War IIin 1945. In 1950, there was a large and deadly war, theKorean War,which killed millions of people. As a result, Korea was split into two countries, North and South.

Geography

South Korea is inEast Asia,borderingNorth Korea,and is surrounded by water on three sides, as it makes up the southern part of theKoreanpeninsula.South Korea is separated from North Korea by the38th parallel.It is separated fromJapanby theSea of Japan(known as the East Sea by the South Koreans). South Korea is mainlymountainous,and there are many islands off the south coast. Thecapital city,Seoul,is quite close to the North Korean border. The largest island isJeju Islandand the highest mountain isHallasan,on Jeju. The country is slightly smaller thanIcelandandVirginia.

Population

About 52 million people live in South Korea.The largest cities are Seoul (9.6 million people),Busan(3.3 million people),Incheon(2.9 million people), andDaegu(2.4 million people).Thepopulation densityis about 507 people per square kilometre (1310 people per square mile).

South Korea has one of the lowestbirth ratesin the world. Thefertility rate,or number of children born per woman, was 0.92 in 2019. This is the lowest in the world. To keep the population the same, the fertility rate must be about 2, so the two children can replace their two parents. The low fertility rate will cause thepopulationto start falling.

Politics and government

South Korea is ademocracy,meaning that people can vote for theirgovernment.However, this is recent. South Korea was anauthoritariandictatorshipfor most of its history. ThePresident of South Koreais elected to a five-year term, and cannot stand in aPresidentialElectionfor a second time. The currentpresidentisMoon Jae-insince 10 May 2017. The previous president,Park Geun-hye,wasimpeachedforcorruption.

Science and technology

South Korea is known for a lot oftechnology.This includes thecarmakersHyundaiandKia.The well-known global brandsSamsungandLG,which make mobile phones, semi-conductors, and electric devices, are also South Korean.

Culture

South Korea has been affected by both continental culture and marine culture because it is located on a peninsula. Ancient South Korean culture has developed with the culture ofSiberia,the northern part ofCentral Asia,the southern part ofSoutheast Asia,and neighboring countries likeChina.

Language

South Korea's customary and official language isKorean.Many linguists say that it is linked withAltaic languages.Hangul,the Alpha bet that is used to write Korean, was published by KingSejong the GreatofJoseonin 1446. It is the only Alpha bet in the world whose creator, invention day, and invention principle are known.

Food

A customary South Korean regular meal is made up of rice, Korean soup,kimchiand other various dishes. Generally, Korean dishes are seasoned withsesame oil,soy bean paste,soy sauce,salt,gingerandchilli pepper paste.The most famous traditional food of Korea, kimchi, is eaten with nearly every meal. There are lots of popular South Korean typical foods such asbibimbap,tteokbokki,andbulgogi.

Religion

As of 2008, 19.7% of people areProtestant,6.6% areCatholic,23.2% areBuddhist,49.3% have no religion, and 1.3% either are a part of other religions or have unknown beliefs.

Music

The most representative traditional music of Korea isArirangand every region has its folk song. Many South Korean singers are well known in world asK-popis steadily developing. Famous K-pop artists includeBTS,BLACKPINK,EXO,TWICE&NCT.

Hip hopartists such as Zico, Jvcki Wai, San E & Giriboy are also popular.

Circumcision

77% of South Korean men are circumcised; this tradition was taken from the US military.

Cities and provinces

South Korea has 1 special city (Teukbyeolsi;특별시; đặc biệt thị ), 1 special self-governing city (Teukbyeol-Jachisi;특별자치시; đặc biệt tự trị thị ) 6 metropolitan cities (Gwangyeoksi;광역시; quảng vực thị ), and 9 provinces (do;도; nói ). The names below are given in English,Revised Romanization,Hangeul,andHanja.

Special city

• SeoulSpecial City (Seoul-teukbyeolsi;서울특별시; 서울 đặc biệt thị )
  • Note: 서울 (Seoul) itself has no corresponding Hanja.
• Busan Metropolitan City (Busan-gwangyeoksi; 부산광역시)

Special self-governing city

• Sejong special self-governing city (Sejong-teukbyeol-jachasi세종특별자치시; Thế Tông đặc biệt tự trị thị )

Metropolitan cities

• Busan Metropolitan City(Busan-gwangyeoksi;부산광역시; phủ sơn quảng vực thị )
• Daegu Metropolitan City(Daegu-gwangyeoksi;대구광역시; đại khâu quảng vực thị )
• Daejeon Metropolitan City(Daejeon-gwangyeoksi;대전광역시; cánh đồng quảng vực thị )
• Gwangju Metropolitan City(Gwangju-gwangyeoksi;광주광역시; quang châu quảng vực thị )
• Incheon Metropolitan City(Incheon-gwangyeoksi;인천광역시; nhân xuyên quảng vực thị )
• Ulsan Metropolitan City(Ulsan-gwangyeoksi;울산광역시; úy sơn quảng vực thị )

Provinces

• Gyeonggi Province(Gyeonggi-do;경기도; Kinh Kỳ đạo )
• Gangwon Province(Gangwon-do;강원도; Gangwon-do )
• North ChungcheongProvince (Chungcheongbuk-do;충청 북도; trung thanh bắc nói )
• South Chungcheong Province(Chungcheongnam-do;충청 남도; trung thanh nam nói )
• North JeollaProvince (Jeollabuk-do;전라 북도; toàn la bắc nói )
• South JeollaProvince (Jeollanam-do;전라 남도; toàn la nam nói )
• North GyeongsangProvince (Gyeongsangbuk-do;경상 북도; khánh thượng bắc nói )
• South GyeongsangProvince(Gyeongsangnam-do;경상 남도; khánh thượng nam nói )
• JejuProvince (Jeju-do;제주도; Tế Châu nói )

Further reading

• Breen, Michael (2004). The Koreans: Who They Are, What They Want, Where Their Future Lies, St. Martin's Griffin.ISBN0312326092.
• Cumings, Bruce (1997). Korea's place in the sun,New York:W.W. Norton.ISBN0-393-31681-5.
• Hart, Dennis (2003). From Tradition to Consumption: Constructing a Capitalist Culture in South Korea.ISBN89-88095-44-8.
• Hawley, Samuel (2005). The Imjin War. Japan's Sixteenth-Century Invasion of Korea and Attempt to Conquer China, The Royal Asiatic Society.ISBN89-954424-2-5.
• KOIS (2003). Handbook of Korea, 11 edition, Hollym.ISBN1-56591-212-8.
• Nahm, Andrew C. (1996). Korea: A history of the Korean people, 2 edition, Hollym.ISBN1-56591-070-2.
• Yang, Sung Chul (1999). The North and South Korean political systems: A comparative analysis, Hollym.ISBN1-56591-105-9.
• Yonhap News Agency (2004). Korea Annual 2004.ISBN89-7433-070-9.