South Korea facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Republic of Korea
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 Emblem
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National seal:
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.svg)
South Korea North Korea (claimed but not controlled)
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| Capital and largest city
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Seoul 37°33′N 126°58′E / 37.550°N 126.967°E |
| Official languages | Korean (Pyojuneo) Korean Sign Language |
| Official script | Hangul |
| Ethnic groups
(2024)
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| Religion
(2024)
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| Demonym(s) |
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| Government | Unitary presidential republic |
| Lee Jae Myung | |
| Kim Min-seok | |
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• Speaker of the National Assembly
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Woo Won-shik |
| Legislature | National Assembly |
| Establishment history | |
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• Gojoseon
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October 3, 2333 BCE (mythological) |
| 57 BC | |
| 668 | |
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• Goryeo dynasty
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July 25, 918 |
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• Joseon dynasty
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August 13, 1392 |
| October 12, 1897 | |
| August 29, 1910 | |
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• Independence from Japan declared
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March 1, 1919 |
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• Provisional Government
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April 11, 1919 |
| August 15, 1945 | |
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• US administration of Korea south of the 38th parallel
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September 8, 1945 |
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• ROK established
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August 15, 1948 |
| February 25, 1988 | |
| Area | |
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• Excl. North Korea
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100,363 km2 (38,750 sq mi) (107th) |
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• Water (%)
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0.3 |
| Population | |
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• 2024 estimate
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 52,081,799 (29th) |
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• Density
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507/km2 (1,313.1/sq mi) (27th) |
| GDP (PPP) | 2025 estimate |
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• Total
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 $3.365 trillion (14th) |
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• Per capita
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$65,112 (28th) |
| GDP (nominal) | 2025 estimate |
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• Total
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 $1.790 trillion (12th) |
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• Per capita
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$34,642 (28th) |
| Gini (2021) | ▼ 33.3 medium |
| HDI (2023) | 0.937 very high · 20th |
| Currency | Korean Republic won (₩) (KRW) |
| Time zone | UTC+9 (Korea Standard Time) |
| Date format |
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| Driving side | right |
| Calling code | +82 |
| ISO 3166 code | KR |
| Internet TLD | |
South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea (ROK), is a country in East Asia. It covers the southern half of the Korean Peninsula. South Korea borders North Korea to the north, the Yellow Sea to the west, and the Sea of Japan to the east. The country has a population of about 52 million people.
About half of the people in South Korea live in the Seoul Metropolitan Area. This is the ninth largest city area in the world. Other big cities include Busan, Daegu, and Incheon.
The Korean Peninsula has been home to people for a very long time. After World War II, Korea was divided into two parts. The southern part became the Republic of Korea in 1948. The northern part became North Korea. In 1950, the Korean War began. The war ended in 1953, but a peace treaty was never signed.
After the war, South Korea's economy grew very quickly. This is often called the "Miracle on the Han River." The country went from being poor to being one of the richest in the world. In 1987, South Korea became a democracy. Today, it is a highly developed country known for its technology and pop culture.
South Korea is famous for its influential pop culture. This includes music, TV shows, and movies. This is known as the Korean Wave. The country is a member of important international groups like the OECD and the G20.
Contents
Name
The name Korea comes from the ancient kingdom of Goryeo. Merchants from the Middle East who visited long ago pronounced it "Korea."
In Korean, South Koreans call their country Daehan Minguk (대한민국), which means "Great Han Republic." They often shorten this to Hanguk (한국). The name comes from old kingdoms in Korean history.
History
Ancient Kingdoms
People have lived on the Korean Peninsula for thousands of years. The first kingdom, called Gojoseon, was founded around 2333 BC according to legend. Later, three main kingdoms fought for control: Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla.
Silla, with help from China, united most of the peninsula in the year 676. This started a time of peace and cultural growth. During this time, the kingdom of Balhae existed in the north.
In 918, the Goryeo dynasty was founded. Goryeo united the peninsula again. During this time, the world's first metal movable type for printing was invented. This was a huge step for sharing knowledge.
In 1392, the Joseon dynasty began. This dynasty ruled for over 500 years. King Sejong the Great created the Korean alphabet, Hangul, making it easier for everyone to read and write.
Japanese Rule and Division
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, Japan became more powerful. In 1910, Japan took control of Korea. This period of Japanese rule lasted for 35 years. Many Koreans fought for independence during this time.
After World War II ended in 1945, Japan's rule over Korea also ended. The United States and the Soviet Union decided to divide Korea into two zones. The Soviet Union controlled the north, and the United States controlled the south.
This division was supposed to be temporary, but the two sides could not agree on how to reunite the country. In 1948, the southern zone became the Republic of Korea (South Korea). The northern zone became the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea).
The Korean War
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On June 25, 1950, North Korea invaded South Korea. This started the Korean War. The United Nations, led by the United States, sent troops to help South Korea. China and the Soviet Union helped North Korea.
The war was very destructive and lasted for three years. Millions of people died, and many cities were destroyed. The war ended in 1953 with an armistice, which is an agreement to stop fighting. However, a peace treaty was never signed. This means North and South Korea are technically still at war. The border between them, called the DMZ, is one of the most heavily guarded in the world.
Modern South Korea
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After the war, South Korea was very poor. But starting in the 1960s, its economy grew incredibly fast. This period is called the "Miracle on the Han River." The country focused on making and selling goods to other countries.
For many years, South Korea was ruled by leaders with strong control. In 1987, large protests led to the country becoming a democracy. Since then, presidents have been chosen through elections. In 1988, Seoul hosted the Summer Olympics, which showed the world how much the country had grown.
In recent years, South Korea has faced political challenges. President Park Geun-hye left office in 2017 after large public protests. In 2024, President Yoon Suk Yeol was also removed from office by the government after he tried to use emergency powers. These events show that democracy is an important part of South Korean society.
Geography and Climate
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South Korea is on the southern part of the Korean Peninsula. The country is mostly mountainous, with plains in the west and southeast. There are about 3,000 islands off the coasts. The largest island is Jeju Island, which has South Korea's highest mountain, Hallasan, a dormant volcano.
South Korea has four distinct seasons: a warm spring, a hot and rainy summer, a cool autumn, and a cold winter. The summer has a rainy season called jangma. The country can also be hit by typhoons in the late summer.
Environment
In the past, fast economic growth caused some environmental problems. But today, South Korea is working hard to protect its environment. The government has invested in green technology, like solar and wind power.
One famous project was the restoration of Cheonggyecheon. This was a stream in Seoul that had been covered by a highway. The highway was removed, and the stream was brought back to life. It is now a beautiful park for people to enjoy.
Government and Politics
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| Lee Jae-myung President |
Kim Min-seok Prime Minister (designated) |
South Korea is a presidential republic and a democracy. The government has three branches:
- The executive branch is led by the President, who is elected by the people for a single five-year term.
- The legislative branch is the National Assembly, which makes laws.
- The judicial branch is made up of the courts, which interpret the laws.
The country is divided into provinces, metropolitan cities, and special cities. The capital, Seoul, is a special city.
Foreign Relations
South Korea is a member of the United Nations and has relationships with countries all over the world.
- North Korea: Relations with North Korea are very important and complicated. The two countries have had talks to improve their relationship, but there are still many challenges because of North Korea's military activities.
- China: China is South Korea's largest trading partner. The two countries have strong economic ties.
- Japan: South Korea and Japan are important neighbors and trading partners. However, their relationship is sometimes difficult because of historical issues and disagreements over islands called the Liancourt Rocks.
- United States: The U.S. is a close ally of South Korea. The two countries have a mutual defense treaty, and there are U.S. military troops stationed in South Korea to help ensure security.
Military
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Because of the ongoing tensions with North Korea, South Korea has a large and powerful military. Most young men in South Korea are required to serve in the armed forces for about 18 months. This is called conscription.
The military is made up of an Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps. They use advanced technology and equipment, some of which is developed and built in South Korea, like the K2 Black Panther tank.
Economy
South Korea has one of the world's largest economies. It is a developed country with a high income. The country is known for its powerful technology companies, called chaebol. Famous brands like Samsung, LG, and Hyundai are from South Korea.
The country's success is partly due to its focus on education. South Korea has a highly skilled workforce. The economy depends heavily on trade, and it is one of the world's biggest exporters of goods like electronics, cars, and ships.
Transportation
South Korea has a modern and efficient transportation network. The KTX is a high-speed train that connects major cities. There are also extensive highways and bus routes.
The main international airport is Incheon International Airport, which is one of the busiest and best airports in the world. Major cities like Seoul and Busan have large subway systems that make it easy to get around.
Science and Technology
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South Korea is a global leader in science and technology. The government and companies invest a lot of money in research and development. The country is known for being one of the most innovative in the world.
- Robotics: Scientists in South Korea have developed advanced humanoid robots like HUBO. Robots are being developed to help in many areas, including teaching and manufacturing.
- Aerospace: South Korea has its own spaceport and has successfully launched satellites into space with its own rocket, the Nuri.
- Internet: South Korea has some of the fastest internet speeds in the world. This has helped its technology and gaming industries to grow.
People and Culture
South Korea has a population of about 51.7 million people. Most people are ethnically Korean. The official language is Korean, which is written using the Hangul alphabet.
About half of the population says they have no religion. Among those who do, Christianity is the largest religion, followed by Buddhism.
Education
Education is extremely important in South Korean society. Students study very hard to get into good universities. This focus on education has helped the country develop its economy and technology. South Korean students often score very high on international tests in math, science, and reading.
Entertainment and the Korean Wave
South Korean culture has become very popular around the world. This is known as the Hallyu, or the "Korean Wave."
- K-pop: This is South Korean pop music. Groups like BTS and Blackpink have fans all over the globe. K-pop is known for its talented performers, exciting music videos, and dedicated fan communities.
- K-dramas: These are television series from South Korea. They are famous for their interesting stories and high-quality production. Shows like Squid Game have become international hits.
- Movies: South Korean films have won many awards. The movie Parasite made history in 2020 by becoming the first non-English language film to win the Academy Award for Best Picture.
Cuisine
Korean food, or hansik, is known for being flavorful and healthy. A typical meal includes rice, soup, and several side dishes called banchan.
The most famous Korean dish is kimchi. It is a spicy, fermented vegetable dish, usually made with cabbage. Other popular dishes include:
- Bulgogi: Grilled, marinated beef.
- Bibimbap: A bowl of rice topped with vegetables, meat, and a fried egg.
- Tteokbokki: Spicy rice cakes, a popular street food.
Sports
The martial art of taekwondo originated in Korea and is now an Olympic sport.
Football (soccer) and baseball are the two most popular sports in the country. The national football team did very well in the 2002 FIFA World Cup, which South Korea co-hosted with Japan.
South Korea is also very strong in other sports, especially archery, shooting, and short track speed skating. The country has hosted the Summer Olympics (Seoul 1988) and the Winter Olympics (Pyeongchang 2018).
See also
In Spanish: Corea del Sur para niños
- Outline of South Korea
- State Council of South Korea ("cabinet" of South Korea)
