South Korea facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Republic of Korea 대한민국 (Korean) 大韓民國 (Hanja) Daehanminguk (RR)
Flag Emblem
Anthem: 애국가 Aegukga "The Patriotic Song"
National seal:
Territory controlled      Territory claimed but not controlled
Capital and largest city	Seoul 37°33′N 126°58′E / 37.550°N 126.967°E / 37.550; 126.967
Administrative center	Sejong City 36°29′13″N 127°16′56″E / 36.487002°N 127.282234°E / 36.487002; 127.282234
Official languages	Korean (Pyojuneo) Korean Sign Language
Official script	Hangul
Ethnic groups (2024)	94.8% Korean 5.2% other
Religion (2024)	51% no religion 31% Christianity 17% Buddhism 2% other
Demonym(s)	South Korean Korean
Government	Unitary presidential republic
• President	Han Duck-soo (acting)
• Prime Minister	Han Duck-soo
• Speaker of the National Assembly	Woo Won-shik
Legislature	National Assembly
Establishment history
• Gojoseon	October 3, 2333 BCE (mythological)
• Three Kingdoms	57 BCE
• Balhae and Silla Kingdoms	668
• Goryeo dynasty	July 25, 918
• Joseon dynasty	August 13, 1392
• Korean Empire	October 12, 1897
• Japanese annexation	August 29, 1910
• Independence from Japan declared	March 1, 1919
• Provisional Government	April 11, 1919
• Liberation from Japanese occupation	August 15, 1945
• US administration of Korea south of the 38th parallel	September 8, 1945
• ROK established	August 15, 1948
• Current constitution	February 25, 1988
Area
• Excl. North Korea	100,363 km2 (38,750 sq mi) (107th)
• Water (%)	0.3
Population
• 2024 estimate	52,081,799 (28th)
• Density	507/km2 (1,313.1/sq mi) (15th)
GDP (PPP)	2024 estimate
• Total	$3.258 trillion (14th)
• Per capita	$62,960 (28th)
GDP (nominal)	2024 estimate
• Total	$1.948 trillion (12th)
• Per capita	$37,675 (28th)
Gini (2021)	▼ 33.3 medium
HDI (2022)	0.929 very high · 19th
Currency	Korean Republic won (₩) (KRW)
Time zone	UTC+9 (Korea Standard Time)
Date format	yyyy년 m월 d일 yyyy. m. d. (CE)
Driving side	right
Calling code	+82
ISO 3166 code	KR
Internet TLD	.kr .한국

South Korea is a country located on the southern part of the Korean Peninsula in Asia. Its capital city is Seoul. The official name for South Korea is the Republic of Korea. In Korean, it is called 대한민국 (Daehanminguk).

About half of the people in South Korea live in or near the capital city of Seoul. The Seoul metropolitan area is one of the most populated areas in the world. Some people even say it's the second most populated after Tokyo, Japan.

History of South Korea

The history of Korea began with a kingdom called Gojoseon. After Gojoseon fell, many smaller countries appeared. The strongest of these were Baekje, Goguryeo, and Silla. This time is known as the Three Kingdoms Period.

Silla later joined forces with China to conquer Goguryeo and Baekje. This led to Silla uniting the three kingdoms. Another important country was Balhae, founded by Dae Jo-Young. The time of Silla and Balhae is called the South and North Countries Period.

A new nation, Goryeo, was founded by Wanggeon after a rebellion in Silla. Later, Mongolia invaded Goryeo. Near the end of the Goryeo period, a general named Lee Seong-Gye led a revolt. He succeeded and started a new country called Joseon.

Joseon's first king, Taejo, moved the capital to Hanyang, which is now Seoul. The fourth king, Sejong, created the Korean alphabet, Hangul. The twenty-second king, Jeongjo, built the Hwaseong Fortress. The twenty-sixth king, Gojong, changed the country's name to Daehanjeguk.

Japan occupied Korea for 35 years until 1945, when Japan lost World War II. In 1950, the Korean War began. This war caused Korea to be divided into two countries: North Korea and South Korea.

Geography and Nature

Topography of South Korea

South Korea is on the southern part of the Korean Peninsula. This peninsula stretches about 1,100 kilometers (680 miles) from the Asian mainland. The Yellow Sea is to the west, and the Sea of Japan is to the east. The southern tip faces the Korea Strait and the East China Sea.

The country, including its islands, covers about 100,032 square kilometers (38,770 square miles). South Korea has many mountains, and most of the land cannot be used for farming. Flat areas, called lowlands, are mainly in the west and southeast. These lowlands make up only 30% of the total land.

Thousands of islands, mostly small and empty, are off the western and southern coasts. Jeju-do is the largest island, located about 100 kilometers (60 miles) off the southern coast. It is home to Hallasan, an old volcano and South Korea's highest point, reaching 1,950 meters (6,400 feet) above sea level.

South Korea has 20 national parks. It also has beautiful natural places like the Boseong Tea Fields and Suncheon Bay Ecological Park.

Climate and Seasons

South Korea has four clear seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Spring is from late March to early May. Summer lasts from mid-May to early September. Autumn is from mid-September to early November, and winter is from mid-November to mid-March.

The country has a humid continental climate and a humid subtropical climate. It is affected by the East Asian monsoon, which brings heavy rain in summer. This rainy season is called jangma, and it usually lasts from late June to late July.

In Seoul, the average temperature in January is between -7°C (19°F) and 1°C (34°F). In August, it's usually between 22°C (72°F) and 30°C (86°F). Summers can be very hot and humid, with temperatures often going above 30°C (86°F). The southern coast sometimes gets strong winds and heavy rains from typhoons in late summer.

Government and How it Works

The National Assembly of South Korea

South Korea is a constitutional democracy. This means its government follows a constitution, which is a set of rules. The government is divided into three main parts:

• The executive branch (like the President)
• The judicial branch (the courts)
• The legislative branch (the lawmakers)

These parts work together to run the country. Local governments also have their own executive and legislative bodies. The country has had a presidential system since 1948, meaning a president leads the country.

South Korea used to have military dictatorships from the 1960s to the 1980s. But since then, it has become a successful liberal democracy, where people have many freedoms and can choose their leaders.

Administrative Divisions

South Korea is divided into different areas to make it easier to manage. These include:

• Provinces
• Special self-governing provinces
• Metropolitan cities (large cities that manage themselves)
• One special metropolitan city (Seoul)
• One special self-governing city (Sejong City)

Seoul is the capital and the largest special metropolitan city. Other major metropolitan cities include Busan, Daegu, Incheon, Gwangju, Daejeon, and Ulsan.

Transportation and Technology

Incheon International Airport's Maglev station

South Korea developed the HEMU 430X high-speed train, which can travel at over 430 km/h (267 mph), making South Korea the world's fourth country after France, Japan and China to develop a high-speed train running above 420 km/h on conventional rails.

The Daegu Metro Line 3 monorail

South Korea has a very modern transport system. It includes high-speed trains, highways, bus routes, ferries, and air travel. The Korea Expressway Corporation manages the toll highways.

Korail runs frequent train services to all major cities. The KTX is South Korea's high-speed train system. Major cities like Seoul, Busan, and Incheon also have subway systems.

Incheon International Airport is the main airport and one of the busiest in the world. Other international airports are in Gimpo, Busan, and Jeju. Korean Air and Asiana Airlines are the main airlines, offering many flights both inside and outside the country.

South Korea is a leader in technology. It is known for companies like Hyundai, which makes cars. Another famous company is Samsung, which produces mobile phones, computer chips, and other electronic devices.

South Korea is also a major producer of nuclear power. Nuclear power plants provide about 45% of the country's electricity. The country is also working on new types of reactors and exports its nuclear technology to other countries.

People and Language

Population density of South Korea provinces

In 2022, South Korea had about 51.7 million people. It is a very crowded country, with more than 10 times the average world population density. Most South Koreans live in cities. About half of the population lives in the Seoul area, making it the world's second-largest metropolitan area. Other big cities include Busan, Incheon, and Daegu.

South Korea is known for having a very similar population, with about 96% of people being ethnic Koreans.

Dialects of the Korean language

Korean is the official language of South Korea. Most experts believe it is a "language isolate," meaning it's not closely related to other languages. Korean uses its own writing system called Hangul. King Sejong created Hangul in 1446 to make it easier for people to read and write, instead of using difficult Chinese characters.

In South Korea, the standard Korean dialect is the Seoul dialect. There are also other dialects spoken around the country. Almost all students in South Korea learn English in school.

Beliefs and Religions

Religion in South Korea (2015 census)      Irreligious (56.1%)     Protestantism (19.7%)     Korean Buddhism (15.5%)     Catholicism (7.9%)     Other (0.8%)

More than half of South Koreans (56.1%) say they do not belong to any organized religion. Of those who do, most are Christians or Buddhists. In 2015, about 27.6% of the population was Christian (Protestants and Roman Catholics) and 15.5% were Buddhist.

Other religions include Islam and local Korean religions. The country's constitution guarantees freedom of religion, meaning people can choose their own beliefs.

Culture and Arts

A musician playing a gayageum

South Korea shares its traditional culture with North Korea. However, since the peninsula was divided in 1945, the two Koreas have developed different modern cultures. Korean culture has been greatly influenced by China, but it has also developed its own unique identity.

South Korea has a rich culture with many traditions. It has 21 UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritages of Humanity and 15 World Heritage Sites. The government actively supports traditional and modern arts.

Modern Korean life has changed a lot due to industrialization and cities growing. Many families now live in smaller "nuclear family" groups instead of large multi-generational households.

Korean Art

A blue and white porcelain peach-shaped water dropper from the Joseon dynasty in the 18th century

Korean art has been shaped by Buddhism and Confucianism. You can see this in traditional paintings, sculptures, and ceramics. Famous Korean pottery includes Joseon's baekja and Goryeo's celadon. Traditional performing arts include the Korean tea ceremony, pansori (storytelling through song), talchum (mask dance), and buchaechum (fan dance).

After the Korean War, modern Korean art began to grow in the 1960s and 1970s. Artists explored geometric shapes and abstract ideas. They also focused on the harmony between people and nature.

Korean Architecture

Namdaemun

South Korea's history has led to a mix of architectural styles. Traditional Korean buildings are designed to be in harmony with nature. Old architects used special roof designs and heated floors called ondol. You can see traditional architecture in palaces, temples, old houses called hanok, and places like Hahoe Folk Village. Many of these are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Bulguksa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Western architecture came to Korea in the late 1800s. After the Korean War, modern Korean architecture developed quickly. Economic growth in the 1970s and 1980s brought new designs. Today, modern buildings try to balance traditional ideas of nature with fast-paced city growth.

Entertainment and the Korean Wave

K-pop group BTS has emerged as one of the country's most successful Korean boy bands since their rise to international prominence during the latter half of the 2010s.

South Korea has a very lively entertainment industry. Its TV shows, movies, and music are popular all over the world. This global popularity is known as Hallyu or the "Korean Wave." It has made South Korea a major exporter of popular culture.

Blackpink has been one of the most popular K-pop girl groups in the world since the late 2010s.

Before the 1990s, traditional folk music was most popular. But in 1992, the pop group Seo Taiji and Boys changed everything. Since then, K-pop has grown by mixing different music styles from around the world. K-pop groups like BTS and Blackpink are famous globally. Psy's song "Gangnam Style" became a huge international hit in 2012.

Korean films have also become very successful. The movie Shiri in 1999 helped the industry grow. In 2019, the film Parasite won many awards, including Best Picture at the Academy Awards.

South Korean TV shows, especially K-dramas, are popular internationally. Many K-dramas focus on romance or historical stories. The 2021 show Squid Game became one of Netflix's most-watched series worldwide.

Holidays and Celebrations

South Korea has many important holidays. The Korean New Year, or "Seollal," is celebrated on the first day of the Korean calendar. Korean Independence Day is on March 1, remembering a movement for independence in 1919.

Liberation Day on August 15 celebrates Korea's freedom from Japan in 1945. Every year on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, Koreans celebrate the Midautumn Festival. During Chuseok, families visit their hometowns and enjoy traditional foods.

Hangul Day on October 9 celebrates the invention of the Korean alphabet, Hangul.

Korean Food

Bibimbap

Korean food, called hanguk yori or hansik, has changed over many centuries. Different regions have their own special dishes. Korean meals are usually based on rice, noodles, tofu, vegetables, fish, and meats.

Traditional meals come with many side dishes called banchan. Kimchi, a spicy fermented vegetable dish, is served with almost every meal and is very famous. Korean food often uses sesame oil, doenjang (fermented soybean paste), soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and gochujang (hot pepper paste).

Other well-known dishes include bulgogi (grilled marinated beef), gimbap (seaweed rice rolls), and tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes). Soups are also a big part of Korean meals. Guk are soups made with meats, seafood, and vegetables. Jjigae are spicier stews, often served boiling hot.

Popular Korean alcoholic drinks include Soju and Makgeolli. Koreans are unique in East Asia for using metal chopsticks.

Sports and Games

Seoul Sports Complex, Korea's largest integrated sports center

The martial art taekwondo started in Korea. It became an official Olympic sport in 2000. Other Korean martial arts include taekkyeon and hapkido.

Football (soccer) and baseball are the most popular sports in South Korea. The national football team has done very well in the FIFA World Cup, reaching the semi-finals in 2002. They have qualified for every World Cup since 1986.

Sajik Baseball Stadium in Busan. Baseball is one of the most popular sports in South Korea.

Baseball was first played in Korea in 1905. The Korea Professional Baseball league started in 1982. The national team has won medals in international tournaments, including gold at the 2008 Summer Olympics. Many Korean players have also played in Major League Baseball in the United States.

Basketball is also popular. The Korea national basketball team has won many medals in Asian championships.

Taekwondo, a Korean martial art and Olympic sport

South Korea has hosted many big sports events. These include the Asian Games in 1986, 2002, and 2014. Seoul hosted the 1988 Summer Olympics, where South Korea won many medals.

Pyeongchang hosted the 2018 Winter Olympics. South Korea is especially strong in short track speed skating, and has won more Winter Olympic medals than any other Asian country.

Video gaming, also known as esports, is very popular in South Korea, especially among young people. The most popular games are League of Legends and StarCraft.

Images for kids

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  The name Korea is derived from Goguryeo, also known as Koryŏ, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea.

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  Changdeok Palace, one of the Five Grand Palaces built during the Joseon Dynasty and another UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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  The War Memorial of Korea, built in remembrance of the Korean War (1950–1953).

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  Between 1962 and 1994, the South Korean economy grew at an average of 10% annually, fueled by annual export growth of 20%, in a period called the Miracle on the Han River.

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  President Park Chung-hee played a pivotal role in rapidly developing South Korea's economy through export-oriented industrialization.

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  President Kim Dae-jung, the 2000 Nobel Peace Prize recipient for advancing democracy and human rights in South Korea and East Asia and for reconciliation with North Korea, was sometimes called the "Nelson Mandela of Asia."

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  South Korea became the first non-G7 chair of the G-20 when it hosted the 2010 Seoul summit.

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  Jeju Island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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  Cheonggyecheon river is a modern public recreation space in downtown Seoul.

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  Koreans in traditional dress.

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  Seoul National University is considered to be the most prestigious university in South Korea.

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  KAIST main campus in Daejeon.

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  Dialects of the Korean language.

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  Buddha's Birthday celebration in Seoul.

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  Former Secretary-General of the United Nations (2007–2016), Ban Ki-moon.

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  The Joint Security Area.

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  North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in shake hands inside the Peace House.

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  South Korean president Moon Jae-in meets with Russian president Vladimir Putin.

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  Liancourt Rocks have become an issue known as the Liancourt Rocks dispute.

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  President Moon Jae-in and U.S. President Joe Biden having lunch on 21 May 2021, on the Oval Office Patio of the White House.

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  ROKN Sejong the Great, a King Sejong the Great -class guided-missile destroyer built by Hyundai Heavy Industries.

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  The South Korean-developed K2 Black Panther, built by Hyundai Rotem.

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  ROKAF FA-50, a supersonic combat aircraft developed by Korea Aerospace Industries.

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  ROKS Dokdo, the lead ship of the Dokdo-class amphibious assault ship, built by Hanjin Heavy Industries.

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  Haeundae Beach in Busan.

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  A 3D OLED TV made by Korean LG Display, the world's largest LCD and OLED maker.

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  Naro-1 at the launch pad.

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  Albert HUBO, developed by KAIST, can make expressive gestures with its five separate fingers.

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  BTS, one of the most successful K-pop groups.

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  Psy became an international sensation with "Gangnam Style" in 2012.

See also

In Spanish: Corea del Sur para niños