The Republic Of Korea is a small country on the far eastern edge of Asia. Although it ranks 109th in the world in terms of land area, the country is a center of economic activity, culture, and arts. Korea was colonized by Japan in the early 20th century and later had to endure the Korean War (1950-53), but it has achieved amazing economic growth in a short period, dubbed “the Miracle on the Han River”.
Today, Korea is an industrial nation standing tall on the world stage. Its semiconductor, automobile, shipbuilding, steel making, and IT industries are on the leading edge in global markets. It hosted the 1988 Seoul Olympics and the 2002 Korea-Japan FIFA World Cup. More recently, Korean dramas, movies, and music are attracting many audiences in Asian countries and beyond, creating what is being called the “Korean Wave.” Korea’s new standing in the international community was highlighted in 2010 with the nation becoming the first Asian country to chair the G20 and host the G20 Seoul Summit.
| Country Name | Republic of Korea (South Korea) |
| Capital City | Seoul (10.4 million) (2010) |
| National Flag | Taegeukgi |
| National Flower | Mugunghwa (Rose of Sharon) |
| Currency | won (US$1 = 1,156.3 won) (2010) |
| Language | Korean (Writing system: Hangeul) |
| Population | 48.87 million (South Korea) (2010)
* Foreign Residents (including short-term sojourners) : 1.2 million * Cities by Population: Seoul (10.4 million), Busan (3.6 million), Incheon (2.7 million), Daegu (2.5 million), Daejeon (1.5 million), Gwangju (1.4 million), Ulsan (1.1 million) (2010) |
| Median Age | 38 years (2010) |
| Economically Active Population | 24.5 million (2010) |
| Population Increase Rate | 0.26% (2010) |
| Life Expectancy | Male, 77 years; female, 83.8 years (2009) |
| Religion | A 2005 census showed one half of the population practice religion. Among them, 10,726,463 Buddhists, 8,616,438 Protestants, and 5,146,147 Catholics comprise the three dominant religions. |
| Political System | Republic with a president elected to a single 5-year term by direct popular vote. Division of power among the executive, legislature (unicameral National Assembly) and judiciary branches. |
| President | Park Geun-hye since 2013 |
| Suffrage | Universal at 19 years of age |
| Elections | Presidential: every 5 years
National Assembly: every 4 years Local Government: every 4 years |
| Gross Domestic Product | US$ 1,014 billion (2010) |
| Per Capita GNI | US$ 20,759 (2010)
GDP Growth Rate: 6.2% (2010) Foreign Exchange Reserves: US$ 291.5 billion (2010) |
| Exports | US$441.5 billion (2010) |
| Imports | US$400.6 billion (2010) |
| Major Industrial Products | Semiconductors, automobiles, ships, consumer electronics, mobile telecommunications, equipment, steel, and chemicals. |