Country	Korea-South
Capital	Seoul
Continent	Asia
Currency	South Korean won(KRW)
Languages	Korean, Chungcheong, Gyeongsang, Jeju, Jeolla & Seoul

Locaion

Eastern Asia, southern half of the Korean Peninsula bordering the Sea of Japan and the Yellow Sea

Geographic Co ordinates

37 00 N, 127 30 E

Land Boundries

Total:238 km
Border countries:North Korea 238 km

Geography - note

strategic location on Korea Strait

Population

48,636,068 (July 2010 est.)
Country comparison to the world: 26

Nationality

Noun:Korean(s)
Adjective:Korean

Ethnic groups

homogeneous (except for about 20,000 Chinese)

Religions

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

Country Name

Conventional long form:Republic of Korea
Conventional short form:South Korea
Local long form:Taehan-min'guk
Local short form:Han'guk
abbreviation: ROK

Government Type

republic

Capital

Name:Seoul
Geographic coordinates: 37 33 N, 126 59 E
Time difference:UTC+9 (14 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Administrative divisions

9 provinces (do, singular and plural) and 7 metropolitan cities (gwangyoksi, singular and plural)
provinces: Cheju-do, Cholla-bukto (North Cholla), Cholla-namdo (South Cholla), Ch'ungch'ong-bukto (North Ch'ungch'ong), Ch'ungch'ong-namdo (South Ch'ungch'ong), Kangwon-do, Kyonggi-do, Kyongsang-bukto (North Kyongsang), Kyongsang-namdo (South Kyongsang)
metropolitan cities: Inch'on-gwangyoksi, Kwangju-gwangyoksi, Pusan-gwangyoksi, Soul-t'ukpyolsi, Taegu-gwangyoksi, Taejon-gwangyoksi, Ulsan-gwangyoksi

Independence

15 August 1945 (from Japan)

National Holiday

Liberation Day, 15 August (1945)

Constitution

17 July 1948; note - amended or rewritten many times; current constitution approved on 29 October 1987

Legal system

combines elements of continental European civil law systems, Anglo-American law, and Chinese classical thought; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage

19 years of age; universal

Executive branch

Chief of state:President LEE Myung-bak (since 25 February 2008)
Head of government:Prime Minister CHUNG Un-chan (since 30 September 2009)
Cabinet:State Council appointed by the president on the prime minister's recommendation
(For more information visit the World Leaders website)
Elections:president elected by popular vote for a single five-year term; election last held on 19 December 2007 (next to be held in December 2012); prime minister appointed by president with consent of National Assembly
Election results:LEE Myung-bak elected president on 19 December 2007; percent of vote - LEE Myung-bak (GNP) 48.7%; CHUNG Dong-young (UNDP) 26.1%); LEE Hoi-chang (independent) 15.1; others 10.1%

Legislative branch

unicameral National Assembly or Kukhoe (299 seats; 245 members elected in single-seat constituencies, 54 elected by proportional representation; members serve four-year terms)
Elections:last held on 9 April 2008 (next to be held in April 2012)
Election results:percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - GNP 172, UDP 83, LFP 20, PPA 8, DLP 5, RKP 1, independents 9

Judicial branch

Supreme Court (justices appointed by the president with consent of National Assembly); Constitutional Court (justices appointed by the president based partly on nominations by National Assembly and Chief Justice of the court)

Political Parties and Leaders

Democratic Party or DP [CHUNG Sye-kyun] (formerly the United Democratic Party or UDP); Democratic Labor Party or DLP [KANG Ki-kap]; Grand National Party or GNP [CHUNG Mong-joon]; Liberty Forward Party or LFP [LEE Hoi-chang]; New Progressive Party or NPP [ROH Hoe-chan]; Pro-Park Alliance or PPA [SUH Choung-won]; Renewal Korea Party or RKP [SONG Yong-o]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Federation of Korean Industries; Federation of Korean Trade Unions; Korean Confederation of Trade Unions; Korean National Council of Churches; Korean Traders Association; Korean Veterans' Association; National Council of Labor Unions; National Democratic Alliance of Korea; National Federation of Farmers' Associations; National Federation of Student Associations

International organization participation

ADB, AfDB (nonregional member), APEC, APT, ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS, CD, CICA, CP, EAS, EBRD, FAO, FATF, G-20, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAIA, MIGA, MINURSO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE (partner), Paris Club (associate), PCA, PIF (partner), SAARC (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNMOGIP, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

Diplomatic representation in the US

Chief of mission: Ambassador HAN Duck-soo
Chancery:2450 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
Telephone:[1] (202) 939-5600
FAX:[1] (202) 387-0205
Consulate(s) general:Agana (Guam), Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Seattle

Diplomatic representation from the US

Chief of mission:Ambassador Kathleen STEPHENS
Embassy:32 Sejongno, Jongno-gu, Seoul 110-710
Mailing address:US Embassy Seoul, APO AP 96205-5550
Telephone:[82] (2) 397-4114
FAX:[82] (2) 738-8845

Flag description

white with a red (top) and blue yin-yang symbol in the center; there is a different black trigram from the ancient I Ching (Book of Changes) in each corner of the white field

Video

View Larger Map

Government - Government - Korea-South President - Korea-South Ministry Of Education
Newspapers -  The Chosun Ilbo The Korea Herald The Korea Times Yonhap News Agency
                              KBS World The Dong-A Ilbo The Seoul Times JoongAng Daily Hankyoreh
                              Geo contact lens korean circle lenses Chosun Kyunghyang Focus Donga
                              The Dong-Yang News Munhwa Hankyung Hankooki
Tourism -         Ministry Of Tourism

Google News

K-pop drum duet caps off Japan and South Korea's diplomatic meeting - BBCK-pop drum duet caps off Japan and South Korea's diplomatic meeting  BBC South Korea's special prosecutor seeks death penalty for ex-President Yoon over martial law bid - CNBCSouth Korea's special prosecutor seeks death penalty for ex-President Yoon over martial law bid  CNBC South Korea's Lee orders review to look at restoring North Korea military pact - The HinduSouth Korea's Lee orders review to look at restoring North Korea military pact  The Hindu North Korea’s Kim Yo Jong says no chance of improved ties with the South - Al JazeeraNorth Korea’s Kim Yo Jong says no chance of improved ties with the South  Al Jazeera South Korea’s former President Yoon faces death penalty - CNNSouth Korea’s former President Yoon faces death penalty  CNN How Apple executives’ ‘extended hotel stays’ in South Korea may not be working - Times of IndiaHow Apple executives’ ‘extended hotel stays’ in South Korea may not be working  Times of India Amid China-Japan Spat, Both Countries Court South Korea - Time MagazineAmid China-Japan Spat, Both Countries Court South Korea  Time Magazine Bessent Flags Won’s Weakness as Excessive, Offering Rare Support - Bloomberg.comBessent Flags Won’s Weakness as Excessive, Offering Rare Support  Bloomberg.com South Korean prosecutors demand death penalty for former president Yoon Suk Yeol - The GuardianSouth Korean prosecutors demand death penalty for former president Yoon Suk Yeol  The Guardian Japan-South Korea Summit: Why Middle Power Cooperation Matters More Than Ever in an Imperializing World - The Diplomat – Asia-Pacific Current Affairs MagazineJapan-South Korea Summit: Why Middle Power Cooperation Matters More Than Ever in an Imperializing World  The Diplomat – Asia-Pacific Current Affairs Magazine 'Dynamite' diplomacy: Japan's Takaichi, South Korea's Lee Jae Myung in K-pop drum battle— watch - Times of India'Dynamite' diplomacy: Japan's Takaichi, South Korea's Lee Jae Myung in K-pop drum battle— watch  Times of India Japan, South Korea vow stronger ties amid China challenge - dw.comJapan, South Korea vow stronger ties amid China challenge  dw.com Cymbal of unity? South Korea and Japan leaders bash out K-pop hits after summit talks - The GuardianCymbal of unity? South Korea and Japan leaders bash out K-pop hits after summit talks  The Guardian South Korea’s labour market weakens, supporting central bank’s dovish stance - ING THINK economic and financial analysis | ING ThinkSouth Korea’s labour market weakens, supporting central bank’s dovish stance  ING THINK economic and financial analysis | ING Think Watch the Leaders of Japan and South Korea Jam to K-pop on the Drums - The New York TimesWatch the Leaders of Japan and South Korea Jam to K-pop on the Drums  The New York Times South Korea’s former President Yoon faces death penalty - CNNSouth Korea’s former President Yoon faces death penalty  CNN Netherlands, South Korea deepen chip, quantum ties - Mobile World LiveNetherlands, South Korea deepen chip, quantum ties  Mobile World Live South Korea signals response after probe into alleged North Korean drone incursions - National HeraldSouth Korea signals response after probe into alleged North Korean drone incursions  National Herald South Korea: How a chewy cookie inspired by Dubai chocolate has taken over the nation - BBCSouth Korea: How a chewy cookie inspired by Dubai chocolate has taken over the nation  BBC The Row Over South Korea’s Push for a Native AI Model: Chinese Code - The Wall Street JournalThe Row Over South Korea’s Push for a Native AI Model: Chinese Code  The Wall Street Journal South Korea to Grant 100 Emergency Vehicles to Uzbekistan - Caspian PostSouth Korea to Grant 100 Emergency Vehicles to Uzbekistan  Caspian Post South Korea Is Right to Worry About a Weakening Won - Bloomberg.comSouth Korea Is Right to Worry About a Weakening Won  Bloomberg.com South Korea update: DSPs chase YouTube as live scene expands - Music AllySouth Korea update: DSPs chase YouTube as live scene expands  Music Ally South Korea prosecutors seek death sentence for former president Yoon Suk Yeol - Jurist.orgSouth Korea prosecutors seek death sentence for former president Yoon Suk Yeol  Jurist.org Drumstick diplomacy for Japan and South Korea as leaders bang out K-pop hits - CNNDrumstick diplomacy for Japan and South Korea as leaders bang out K-pop hits  CNN South Korea’s Revised AI Basic Act to Take Effect January 22 With New Oversight, Watermarking Rules - BABL AISouth Korea’s Revised AI Basic Act to Take Effect January 22 With New Oversight, Watermarking Rules  BABL AI Yoon Suk Yeol: S Korea prosecutors seek death penalty over failed insurrection attempt - BBCYoon Suk Yeol: S Korea prosecutors seek death penalty over failed insurrection attempt  BBC South Korea breaks export records in ICT sector in 2025 - AzerNewsSouth Korea breaks export records in ICT sector in 2025  AzerNews South Korean President Meets Japanese Prime Minister - The Diplomat – Asia-Pacific Current Affairs MagazineSouth Korean President Meets Japanese Prime Minister  The Diplomat – Asia-Pacific Current Affairs Magazine South Korean Prosecutors Seek Death Penalty for Ex-President in Insurrection Case - Time MagazineSouth Korean Prosecutors Seek Death Penalty for Ex-President in Insurrection Case  Time Magazine Lazarus Strikes: South Korea’s Crypto Security Crisis Deepens - Disruption BankingLazarus Strikes: South Korea’s Crypto Security Crisis Deepens  Disruption Banking South Korea prosecutors seek death penalty for ex-President Yoon - Al JazeeraSouth Korea prosecutors seek death penalty for ex-President Yoon  Al Jazeera From diplomacy to drumbeats: Japan, South Korea leaders bond over K-pop - Gulf NewsFrom diplomacy to drumbeats: Japan, South Korea leaders bond over K-pop  Gulf News What is drumstick diplomacy? Leaders of Japan and South Korea cap summit with surprise K-pop duet - The Financial ExpressWhat is drumstick diplomacy? Leaders of Japan and South Korea cap summit with surprise K-pop duet  The Financial Express Suspected cyberattack at South Korean company may expose 9.6M accounts: Report - Anadolu AjansiSuspected cyberattack at South Korean company may expose 9.6M accounts: Report  Anadolu Ajansi South Korea prosecutor seeks death penalty for ex-president Yoon Suk Yeol over martial law - MintSouth Korea prosecutor seeks death penalty for ex-president Yoon Suk Yeol over martial law  Mint Prosecutors seek death for South Korea’s former leader over martial law attempt - The Washington PostProsecutors seek death for South Korea’s former leader over martial law attempt  The Washington Post South Korea’s Kospi Breaks 4,700 As Chip Gear Orders Roll In - FinimizeSouth Korea’s Kospi Breaks 4,700 As Chip Gear Orders Roll In  Finimize Video: Japan and South Korea Reinforce Ties With a K-Pop Jam Session - The New York TimesVideo: Japan and South Korea Reinforce Ties With a K-Pop Jam Session  The New York Times Japanese and South Korean leaders jam to K-pop hits at a summit - NBC NewsJapanese and South Korean leaders jam to K-pop hits at a summit  NBC News South Korea: Middle aged Koreans are anxious about their retirement - Asia Insurance ReviewSouth Korea: Middle aged Koreans are anxious about their retirement  Asia Insurance Review US, Singapore, South Korea: Strongest passports revealed at Henley Index - Türkiye TodayUS, Singapore, South Korea: Strongest passports revealed at Henley Index  Türkiye Today South Korea’s Unemployment Hit 4.1% As Government Jobs Rolled Off - FinimizeSouth Korea’s Unemployment Hit 4.1% As Government Jobs Rolled Off  Finimize Japan, South Korea Seek Deeper Ties As China Tensions Rise - NDTV ProfitJapan, South Korea Seek Deeper Ties As China Tensions Rise  NDTV Profit South Korea Data Center Market Investment Analysis Report - GlobeNewswireSouth Korea Data Center Market Investment Analysis Report  GlobeNewswire Human Rights Concerns Rise as South Korea Considers Death Sentence for Ex-President Yoon - fundsforNGOs NewsHuman Rights Concerns Rise as South Korea Considers Death Sentence for Ex-President Yoon  fundsforNGOs News Leaders of South Korea and Japan agree to improve cooperation - AP NewsLeaders of South Korea and Japan agree to improve cooperation  AP News Rich in symbolism, Takaichi-Lee talks highlight strong Japan-South Korea ties - The Japan TimesRich in symbolism, Takaichi-Lee talks highlight strong Japan-South Korea ties  The Japan Times South Korea-Japan summit exposes ‘strategic’ divide amid great-power tensions - South China Morning PostSouth Korea-Japan summit exposes ‘strategic’ divide amid great-power tensions  South China Morning Post Globalstar Expands East Asia Ground Footprint with New Antenna Arrays in South Korea - news.satnews.comGlobalstar Expands East Asia Ground Footprint with New Antenna Arrays in South Korea  news.satnews.com South Korea urges X to protect minors from Grok deepfakes - Tech in AsiaSouth Korea urges X to protect minors from Grok deepfakes  Tech in Asia South Korean prosecutors seek death penalty for former President Yoon on insurrection charge - ABC NewsSouth Korean prosecutors seek death penalty for former President Yoon on insurrection charge  ABC News South Korea Import Prices Show Slower Growth - TradingView — Track All MarketsSouth Korea Import Prices Show Slower Growth  TradingView — Track All Markets South Korean prosecutor seeks death sentence for ex-leader Yoon over martial law decree - AP NewsSouth Korean prosecutor seeks death sentence for ex-leader Yoon over martial law decree  AP News South Korea and Japan reaffirm interest in cultivating good relations - plenglish.comSouth Korea and Japan reaffirm interest in cultivating good relations  plenglish.com South Korea presses X to shield minors from explicit AI deepfakes via Grok - Yeni Safak EnglishSouth Korea presses X to shield minors from explicit AI deepfakes via Grok  Yeni Safak English Japanese and South Korean leaders bang out surprise K-pop drum duet - CBS NewsJapanese and South Korean leaders bang out surprise K-pop drum duet  CBS News Japan & So. Korea K-pop diplomacy - France 24Japan & So. Korea K-pop diplomacy  France 24 South Korea prosecutor seeks death penalty for ex-president Yoon over martial law - ReutersSouth Korea prosecutor seeks death penalty for ex-president Yoon over martial law  Reuters Wyndham expands operations in South Korea with new properties - Yahoo FinanceWyndham expands operations in South Korea with new properties  Yahoo Finance Crypto Crackdown: Bitcoin Used To Launder Millions In South Korea’s Meth Ring Bust - Asianet NewsableCrypto Crackdown: Bitcoin Used To Launder Millions In South Korea’s Meth Ring Bust  Asianet Newsable North Korea accuses the South of flying drones across the border - NBC NewsNorth Korea accuses the South of flying drones across the border  NBC News South Korea: Internal rift deepening in main opposition party over move to expel ex-leader Han Dong-hoon - lokmattimes.comSouth Korea: Internal rift deepening in main opposition party over move to expel ex-leader Han Dong-hoon  lokmattimes.com Nano Nuclear gains momentum with South Korea micro modular reactor pact - Fox BusinessNano Nuclear gains momentum with South Korea micro modular reactor pact  Fox Business South Korea: Death penalty call for ex-President Yoon a step backward for human rights - Amnesty InternationalSouth Korea: Death penalty call for ex-President Yoon a step backward for human rights  Amnesty International Japan, South Korea push for closer ties to counter regional tension - ReutersJapan, South Korea push for closer ties to counter regional tension  Reuters South Korea U-23 team's defeat to Uzbekistan sparks Asian Games concerns - MSNSouth Korea U-23 team's defeat to Uzbekistan sparks Asian Games concerns  MSN K-pop drum duet steals the show at Japan-South Korea summit - Gamereactor UKK-pop drum duet steals the show at Japan-South Korea summit  Gamereactor UK Japan and South Korea pledge stronger ties amid North Asian tensions - Macao NewsJapan and South Korea pledge stronger ties amid North Asian tensions  Macao News PIL splits $1.5bn container ship haul between China and South Korea - Tradewinds NewsPIL splits $1.5bn container ship haul between China and South Korea  Tradewinds News K-Pop jam session with South Korea and Japan leaders - Sky NewsK-Pop jam session with South Korea and Japan leaders  Sky News Kim Jong Un’s sister says South’s hopes for better relations are an ‘illusion’ - The IndependentKim Jong Un’s sister says South’s hopes for better relations are an ‘illusion’  The Independent After the summit, leaders of Japan and South Korea loosen up in a jam session on K-pop tunes - YahooAfter the summit, leaders of Japan and South Korea loosen up in a jam session on K-pop tunes  Yahoo South Korea Export Price Growth Slows in December - TradingView — Track All MarketsSouth Korea Export Price Growth Slows in December  TradingView — Track All Markets South Korea faces teacher quota dispute as student rolls shrink - upi.comSouth Korea faces teacher quota dispute as student rolls shrink  upi.com Japanese PM drums up a show of unity with South Korea - The TimesJapanese PM drums up a show of unity with South Korea  The Times Japan PM Takaichi, South Korea's Lee visit World Heritage temple in Nara - Japan Wire by KYODO NEWSJapan PM Takaichi, South Korea's Lee visit World Heritage temple in Nara  Japan Wire by KYODO NEWS Japan and South Korea leaders break into K-pop drumming after historic summit - The IndependentJapan and South Korea leaders break into K-pop drumming after historic summit  The Independent South Korea's fusion energy future questioned with sole focus on magnetic confinement fusion - digitimesSouth Korea's fusion energy future questioned with sole focus on magnetic confinement fusion  digitimes Suspected ransomware attack threatens one of South Korea’s largest companies - The Record from Recorded Future NewsSuspected ransomware attack threatens one of South Korea’s largest companies  The Record from Recorded Future News Japan Courts South Korea Amid Rift With China - Foreign PolicyJapan Courts South Korea Amid Rift With China  Foreign Policy Prosecutors Seek Death Penalty for Former South Korea President - The New York TimesProsecutors Seek Death Penalty for Former South Korea President  The New York Times Bessent says weak won doesn't reflect Korea's strong economic fundamentals - The Korea TimesBessent says weak won doesn't reflect Korea's strong economic fundamentals  The Korea Times South Korea's Lee gifted PM Takaichi drum set during Japan visit - Japan Wire by KYODO NEWSSouth Korea's Lee gifted PM Takaichi drum set during Japan visit  Japan Wire by KYODO NEWS Japan and South Korea leaders go viral with K-pop jam session - The IndependentJapan and South Korea leaders go viral with K-pop jam session  The Independent Heatwave deaths drove South Korea's 2024 disaster toll to 387 - upi.comHeatwave deaths drove South Korea's 2024 disaster toll to 387  upi.com Japanese and South Korean leaders jam to K-pop hits at a summit - AP NewsJapanese and South Korean leaders jam to K-pop hits at a summit  AP News South Korea's Presidential Review: Military Agreement Restoration - DevdiscourseSouth Korea's Presidential Review: Military Agreement Restoration  Devdiscourse South Korea cites North's past drone violations in response - MSNSouth Korea cites North's past drone violations in response  MSN South Korea reaffirms bid to join trans-Pacific trade pact at Lee-Takaichi summit - ????? ????? ???????South Korea reaffirms bid to join trans-Pacific trade pact at Lee-Takaichi summit  ????? ????? ??????? South Korea actively buys soybean meal - ?????? ????????? ???????South Korea actively buys soybean meal  ?????? ????????? ??????? South Korea announces completion of KF-21 flight test program - Breaking DefenseSouth Korea announces completion of KF-21 flight test program  Breaking Defense South Korea vehicle imports surge 22% in December - Yahoo! AutosSouth Korea vehicle imports surge 22% in December  Yahoo! Autos South Korean prosecutors demand death penalty for former leader Yoon - The Japan TimesSouth Korean prosecutors demand death penalty for former leader Yoon  The Japan Times Japan-South Korea Leaders Meeting Focuses on Rare Earth Supply Chains, Cooperation Toward Regional Stability - The Japan NewsJapan-South Korea Leaders Meeting Focuses on Rare Earth Supply Chains, Cooperation Toward Regional Stability  The Japan News Cambodia and South Korea Pledge to Bolster Law Enforcement - CambodianessCambodia and South Korea Pledge to Bolster Law Enforcement  Cambodianess South Korean President Lee to visit Beijing for pivotal 2nd summit with Xi - Al JazeeraSouth Korean President Lee to visit Beijing for pivotal 2nd summit with Xi  Al Jazeera Arthur Hayes calls ENA at $1 as USDe enters South Korea, out in UAE - CryptopolitanArthur Hayes calls ENA at $1 as USDe enters South Korea, out in UAE  Cryptopolitan Japanese and South Korean leaders jam to K-pop hits at a summit - ABC NewsJapanese and South Korean leaders jam to K-pop hits at a summit  ABC News U.S. Treasury Flags Won's Decline vs Korea's Economic Fundamentals - ????U.S. Treasury Flags Won's Decline vs Korea's Economic Fundamentals  ????