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Korea, Republic of (South Korea)
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infoGeneral informationkeyboard_arrow_up
- Country common name: South Korea
- Country official name: Taehan-min'guk
- Continent: Asia
- 3-Letter abbreviation: KOR
- 2-Letter abbreviation: KR
- Capital: Seoul
- Major cities: 9.963 million SEOUL (capital), 3.465 million Busan, 2.801 million Incheon, 2.199 million Daegu (Taegu), 1.566 million Daejon (Taejon), 1.522 million Gwangju (Kwangju) (2020)
- Currency: Won (click for current conversion rates)
- Languages: Korean, English (widely taught in elementary, junior high, and high school)
- Motto: No official motto. De facto motto: To broadly Benefit Humanity/Devotion to Human Welfare
- National holiday(s): Liberation Day, 15 August (1945)
flagGovernmentkeyboard_arrow_up- Chief of state: President MOON Jae-in (since 10 May 2017); the president is both chief of state and
- Head of government: Prime Minister KIM Boo-kyum (since 14 May 2021) serves as the principal executive assistant to the president, similar to the role of a vice presidenthead of government: President MOON Jae-in (since 10 May 2017)
- Government type: presidential republic
insert_photoCountry notes & photographskeyboard_arrow_up{"ops":[{"insert":"An independent kingdom for much of its long history, "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Korea"},{"insert":" was occupied by Japan beginning in 1905 following the Russo-Japanese War. In 1910, Tokyo formally annexed the entire Peninsula. Korea regained its independence following Japan's surrender to the US in "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"1945"},{"insert":". After World War II, a democratic government (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 (Democratic People's Republic of Korea, DPRK). During the Korean War (1950-53), US troops and UN forces fought alongside ROK soldiers to defend South Korea from a DPRK invasion supported by communist China and the Soviet Union. A 1953 armistice split the Peninsula along a demilitarized zone at about the 38th parallel. PARK Chung-hee took over leadership of the country in a 1961 coup. During his regime, from 1961 to 1979, South Korea achieved rapid economic growth, with per capita income rising to roughly 17 times the level of North Korea in 1979.South Korea held its first free presidential election under a revised democratic constitution in 1987, with former ROK Army general ROH Tae-woo winning a close race. In 1993, KIM Young-sam (1993-98) became the first civilian president of South Korea's new democratic era. President KIM Dae-jung (1998-2003) won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2000 for his contributions to South Korean democracy and his \"Sunshine\" policy of engagement with North Korea. President PARK Geun-hye, daughter of former ROK President PARK Chung-hee, took office in February 2013 as South Korea's first female leader. In December 2016, the National Assembly passed an impeachment motion against President PARK over her alleged involvement in a corruption and influence-peddling scandal, immediately suspending her presidential authorities. The impeachment was upheld in March 2017, triggering an early presidential election in May 2017 won by MOON Jae-in. South Korea hosted the Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in February 2018, in which North Korea also participated. Discord with North Korea has permeated inter-Korean relations for much of the past decade, highlighted by the North's attacks on a South Korean ship and island in 2010, the exchange of artillery fire across the DMZ in 2015, and multiple nuclear and missile tests in 2016 and 2017. North Korea's participation in the Winter Olympics, dispatch of a senior delegation to Seoul, and three inter-Korean summits in 2018 appear to have ushered in a temporary period of respite, buoyed by the historic US-DPRK summits in 2018 and 2019.\n"}]}terrainGeographic informationkeyboard_arrow_up- Surface area (in km²): 99,720
- Highest point: Halla-san 1,950 m
- Neighboring countries: North Korea 237 km
- Neighboring seas and oceans: Yellow Sea
- Climate: temperate, with rainfall heavier in summer than winter; cold winters
radioRadio stationskeyboard_arrow_upsupervised_user_circlePopulationkeyboard_arrow_up- Population: 51,835,110
- Population density (inhabitants per km²): 519.8
- Average age (in years): 43.2
- Life expectancy at birth (in years): 82.6
- Ethnicity: homogeneous
- Gross domestic product (GDP) per inhabitant (in US dollars): 39,500
- Cultural practices: It is regarded as rude to point with your fingers. Better to gesture with your arm or hand. Casual physical contact, such as back slapping, is considered rude.
local_diningPopular food & drinkskeyboard_arrow_up{"ops":[{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Kimchi"},{"insert":" (Korean: 김치) is a signature Korean dish has been around for more than 2,000 years, dating back to the Shilla Dynasty. Kimchi consists of "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Korean cabbage,"},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"radish"},{"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"pumpkin"},{"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"onion"},{"insert":", ginger, and "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"scallion "},{"insert":"with "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"chili powder"},{"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"crushed garlic"},{"insert":" and salted "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"seafood"},{"insert":", which is then left to ferment. With more than "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"200 variations"},{"insert":" available in Seoul, this traditional cuisine is eaten on its own or with white rice, and added into porridges, soups, and rice cakes. Kimchi is also the basis for many derivative dishes such as "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"kimchi stew "},{"insert":"(kimchi jjigae), "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"kimchi pancake"},{"insert":" (kimchijeon), and "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"kimchi fried rice"},{"insert":".\n"}]}
{"ops":[{"insert":"A must-try during a visit to South Korea is "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"bibimbap "},{"insert":"(Korean: 비빔밥, literally \"mixed rice\"), a filling and nutritious dish that's widely available in restaurants, food courts, and street markets. Depending on region and ingredients used, bibimbap can be served as a "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"meat-based"},{"insert":" or "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"vegetarian"},{"insert":" dish. The most common bibimbap consists of "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"warm rice"},{"insert":" topped with "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"mixed vegetables"},{"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"beef "},{"insert":"or "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"chicken"},{"insert":", and "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"raw egg"},{"insert":", as well as soy sauce and a dollop of chilli pepper paste for seasoning. Ideal for seafood lovers, there's a variation of this Korean mixed rice dish called "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"hoedeopbap"},{"insert":", which replaces meat with "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"raw seafood"},{"insert":" such as "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"salmon"},{"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"tuna"},{"insert":", or "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"octopus"},{"insert":".\n"}]}
{"ops":[{"attributes":{"italic":true,"bold":true},"insert":"Tteokbokki"},{"insert":" (Korean: 떡볶ì´), or "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"simmered rice cake"},{"insert":", is a popular Korean food made from small-sized "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"garae-tteok"},{"insert":" (long, white, cylinder-shaped rice cakes) called "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"tteokmyeon"},{"insert":" (ë–¡ë©´; \"rice cake noodles\") or commonly "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"tteokbokki-tteok"},{"insert":" (ë–¡ë³¶ì´ ë–¡; \""},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"tteokbokki"},{"insert":" rice cakes\"). Eomuk (fish cakes), boiled eggs, and scallions are some common ingredients paired with "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"tteokbokki"},{"insert":" in dishes. It can be seasoned with either spicy "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"gochujang"},{"insert":" (chili paste) or non-spicy "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"ganjang"},{"insert":" (soy sauce)-based sauce; the former is the most common form, while the latter is less common and sometimes called "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"gungjung-tteokbokki"},{"insert":" (royal court "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"tteokbokki"},{"insert":").\nToday, variations also include curry-"},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"tteokbokki"},{"insert":", cream sauce-"},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"tteokbokki"},{"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"jajang-tteokbokki"},{"insert":", seafood-"},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"tteokbokki"},{"insert":", rose-tteokbokki, "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"galbi-tteokbokki"},{"insert":" and so on. "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Tteokbokki"},{"insert":" is commonly purchased and eaten at "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"bunsikjip"},{"insert":" (snack bars) as well as "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"pojangmacha"},{"insert":" (street stalls). There are also dedicated restaurants for "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"tteokbokki"},{"insert":", where it is referred to as "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"jeukseok tteokbokki"},{"insert":" (impromptu "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"tteokbokki"},{"insert":"). It is also a "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"popular home dish"},{"insert":", as the rice cakes ("},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"garae-tteok"},{"insert":") can be purchased in pre-packaged, semi-dehydrated form.\n"}]}
{"ops":[{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Dasik"},{"insert":" (Korean: 다ì‹; lit. \"tea food\") is a bite-size "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"hangwa "},{"insert":"-- type of traditional Korean confections -- that is normally accompanied by "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"tea"},{"insert":". It can be made by "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"kneading grain"},{"insert":" or other "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"edible seedflour"},{"insert":" or "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"pollen with honey"},{"insert":", then pressing them into a decorative mould called "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"dasikpan"},{"insert":" (다ì‹íŒ). A dasik plate usually consists of an assortment of dasik of different colours, including green, yellow, pink, black, and white. Typical ingredients include: "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"rice flour"},{"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"pinepollen"},{"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"black sesame"},{"insert":", "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"chestnut"},{"insert":", and "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"soybean"},{"insert":".\n"}]}
local_post_officePostage stampskeyboard_arrow_up{"ops":[{"insert":"On May 1, "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"1946"},{"insert":" the "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"first commemorative stamps"},{"insert":" in South Korea were issued to celebrate the first anniversary of its independence. On August 15, a 50 "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"chon"},{"insert":" stamp commemorating the first anniversary of the independence was also issued. On September 10, the United States Army Military Government issued definitive stamps with the name of \"Joseon\".\n"}]}
{"ops":[{"insert":"This is a "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"2010 "},{"insert":"stamp commemorating the "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Winter Olympics"},{"insert":" held in "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Vancouver, Canada. "},{"insert":" Figure skating is extremely popular in South Korea. Their female figure skater "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Yuna Kim "},{"insert":"was the 2010 Olympic champion and 2014 silver medalist in ladies' singles. She was also the 2009 & 2013 World champion; the 2009 Four Continents champion; a three-time (2006–2007, 2007–2008, 2009–2010) Grand Prix Final champion; the 2006 World Junior champion; the 2005 Junior Grand Prix Final champion; and a six-time (2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2013, 2014) South Korean national champion.\n"}]}
{"ops":[{"insert":"In "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"2020"},{"insert":" South Korea issued a commemorative stamp set named "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Bears "},{"insert":"celebrating the "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"30th anniversary of diplomatic relations with Russia"},{"insert":". It was a joint commemorative set issue with Russia. \n"}]}
{"ops":[{"insert":"In "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"2021"},{"insert":" KoreaPost issued a set of stamps featuring the Geostationary Korea Multi Purpose Satellite "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"GEO-KOMPSAT"},{"insert":", also named the “"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Cheollian"},{"insert":"â€. Cheollian means "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"clairvoyance"},{"insert":", a claimed ability to gain information about an object, person, location, or physical event through extrasensory perception. Any person who is claimed to have such ability is said accordingly to be a clairvoyant. The KOMPSAT or Korean Multi-Purpose Satellite is a series of South Korean multipurpose satellites for reconnaissance, communication, meteorological, environmental, agricultural and oceanographic monitoring applications. "},{"attributes":{"color":"#000000"},"insert":"Upon its first successful launch in 2010, Korea joined the United States, the European Union, Japan, China, India and Russia to operate an independent weather satellite. It also became the tenth to build its own communication satellite. "},{"insert":"KoreaPost released the stamps in a souvenir stamp sheet containing 12 stamps (2×6) of 380 won, each in three designs.\n"}]}
tap_and_playTelephone & Internet communicationkeyboard_arrow_up- Country international telephone code: +82
- Local emergency telephone number(s): Ambulance: 119; Fire: 119; Police: 112
- Internet code: .kr
- Number of Internet users: 44,153,000
- Percentage of Internet-connected population: 85.2%
gradeAlso useful to knowkeyboard_arrow_up- Vaccinations: For recommendations please refer to the World Health Organization (WHO), or the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) websites.
- Potable/drinkable water: Yes, but some opt for bottled water.
- International driving permit: Suggested
- Road driving side: Right
-
Electricity/Voltage/Plug type(s):
220 V / 60 Hz / plug type(s): F
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