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Central Intelligence Agency
The Work of a Nation. The Center of Intelligence
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| page last updated on January 29, 2013 |
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(CONTAINS DESCRIPTION)
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Click flag or map to enlarge 
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| Introduction ::Korea, South |
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An independent kingdom for much of its long history, Korea 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 United States in 1945. After World War II, a democratic-based 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 soldiers from the ROK to defend South Korea from a DPRK invasion that was supported by China and the Soviet Union. An armistice was signed in 1953, splitting the peninsula along a demilitarized zone at about the 38th parallel. Thereafter, South Korea under the PARK Chung-hee regime (1961-79) achieved rapid economic growth with per capita income rising to roughly 17 times the level of North Korea. In 1993, KIM Young-sam (1993-98) became South Korea's first civilian president following 32 years of military rule. South Korea today is a fully functioning modern democracy. President LEE Myung-bak has pursued a policy of global engagement since taking office in February 2008, highlighted by Seoul's hosting of the G-20 summit in November 2010 and the Nuclear Security Summit in March 2012, as well as securing South Korea nonpermanent membership (2013-14) on the UN Security Council and the 2018 Winter Olympic Games. Serious tensions with North Korea have punctuated inter-Korean relations in recent years, including the North's sinking of the South Korean warship Cheonan in March 2010 and its artillery attack on South Korean soldiers and citizens in November 2010.
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Eastern Asia, southern half of the Korean Peninsula bordering the Sea of Japan and the Yellow Sea
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37 00 N, 127 30 E
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total: 99,720 sq km
country comparison to the world: 109
land:
96,920 sq km
water:
2,800 sq km
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slightly larger than Indiana
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total: 238 km
border countries:
North Korea 238 km
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2,413 km
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territorial sea: 12 nm; between 3 nm and 12 nm in the Korea Strait
contiguous zone:
24 nm
exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
continental shelf:
not specified
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temperate, with rainfall heavier in summer than winter
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mostly hills and mountains; wide coastal plains in west and south
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lowest point: Sea of Japan 0 m
highest point:
Halla-san 1,950 m
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coal, tungsten, graphite, molybdenum, lead, hydropower potential
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arable land: 16.58%
permanent crops:
2.01%
other:
81.41% (2005)
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8,320 sq km (2003)
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69.7 cu km (1999)
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total: 18.59 cu km/yr (36%/16%/48%)
per capita:
389 cu m/yr (2000)
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occasional typhoons bring high winds and floods; low-level seismic activity common in southwest
volcanism:
Halla (elev. 1,950 m) is considered historically active although it has not erupted in many centuries
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air pollution in large cities; acid rain; water pollution from the discharge of sewage and industrial effluents; drift net fishing
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party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified:
none of the selected agreements
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strategic location on Korea Strait
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| People and Society ::Korea, South |
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noun: Korean(s)
adjective:
Korean
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homogeneous (except for about 20,000 Chinese)
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Korean, English (widely taught in junior high and high school)
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Christian 31.6% (Protestant 24%, Roman Catholic 7.6%), Buddhist 24.2%, other or unknown 0.9%, none 43.3% (2010 survey)
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48,860,500 (July 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 25
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0-14 years: 15.1% (male 3,844,033/ female 3,533,963)
15-64 years:
73% (male 18,228,643/ female 17,463,195)
65 years and over:
11.9% (male 2,365,749/ female 3,424,917) (2012 est.)
population pyramid: 
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total: 39 years
male:
37.6 years
female:
40.4 years (2012 est.)
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0.204% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 176
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8.42 births/1,000 population (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 216
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6.38 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 153
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0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 91
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urban population: 83% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization:
0.6% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
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SEOUL (capital) 9.778 million; Busan (Pusan) 3.439 million; Incheon (Inch'on) 2.572 million; Daegu (Taegu) 2.458 million; Daejon (Taejon) 1.497 million (2009)
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at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female
under 15 years:
1.09 male(s)/female
15-64 years:
1.04 male(s)/female
65 years and over:
0.69 male(s)/female
total population:
1 male(s)/female (2011 est.)
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16 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
country comparison to the world: 143
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total: 4.08 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 198
male:
4.29 deaths/1,000 live births
female:
3.86 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)
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total population: 79.3 years
country comparison to the world: 41
male:
76.12 years
female:
82.7 years (2012 est.)
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1.23 children born/woman (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 219
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6.5% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 90
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1.967 physicians/1,000 population (2008)
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12.28 beds/1,000 population (2008)
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improved:
urban: 100% of population
rural: 100% of population
total: 100% of population
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less than 0.1% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 134
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9,500 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 100
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fewer than 500 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 90
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3.2% (2001)
country comparison to the world: 64
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4.2% of GDP (2007)
country comparison to the world: 95
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definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population:
97.9%
male:
99.2%
female:
96.6% (2002)
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total: 17 years
male:
18 years
female:
16 years (2008)
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total: 9.8%
country comparison to the world: 104
male:
11.9%
female:
8.5% (2009)
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| Government ::Korea, South |
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conventional long form: Republic of Korea
conventional short form:
South Korea
local long form:
Taehan-min'guk
local short form:
Han'guk
abbreviation:
ROK
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republic
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name: Seoul
geographic coordinates:
37 33 N, 126 59 E
time difference:
UTC+9 (14 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
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9 provinces (do, singular and plural), 6 metropolitan cities (gwangyoksi, singular and plural), 1 special city, and 1 special self-governing city
provinces:
Chungbuk (North Chungcheong), Chungnam (South Chungcheong), Gangwon, Gyeonggi, Gyeongbuk (North Gyeongsang), Gyeongnam (South Gyeongsang), Jeju, Jeonbuk (North Jeolla), Jeonnam (South Jeolla)
metropolitan cities:
Busan (Pusan), Daegu (Taegu), Daejon (Taejon), Gwangju (Kwangju), Incheon (Inch'on), Ulsan
special city:
Seoul
special self-governing city:
Sejong
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15 August 1945 (from Japan)
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Liberation Day, 15 August (1945)
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17 July 1948; note - amended or rewritten many times; current constitution approved 29 October 1987
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mixed legal system combining European civil law, Anglo-American law, and Chinese classical thought
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has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
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19 years of age; universal
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chief of state: President LEE Myung-bak (since 25 February 2008); President-Elect PARK Geun-hye (inauguration 25 February 2013)
head of government:
Prime Minister KIM Hwang-sik (since 1 October 2010)
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; LEE Myung-bak elected on 19 December 2007, PARK Geun-hye elected on 19 December 2012; next election to be held in December 2017; prime minister appointed by president with consent of National Assembly
election results:
LEE Myung-bak (imcumbent) 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%; PARK Geun-Hye elected president on 19 December 2012 (takes office on 25 February 2013); percent of vote - PARK Geun-Hye (NFP) 51.6%, MOON Jae-In (DUP) 48%, others 0.4%
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unicameral National Assembly or Gukhoe (300 seats; 246 members elected in single-seat constituencies, 54 elected by proportional representation; members serve four-year terms)
elections:
last held on 11 April 2012 (next to be held in April 2016)
election results:
percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NFP 152, DUP 127, UPP 13, LFP 5, independents 3
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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)
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Democratic United Party or DUP (formerly the Democratic Party or DP) [MOON Hee-sang]; Liberty Forward Party or LFP (now part of the NFP); New Frontier Party or Saenuri (formerly Grand National Party) or NFP [HWANG Woo-yea]; Progressive Justice Party or PJP [ROH Hoe-chan]; United Progressive Party or UPP [KANG Byeong-gi]
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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
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ADB, AfDB (nonregional member), APEC, ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS, CD, CICA, CP, EAS, EBRD, FAO, FATF, G-20, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAIA (observer), MIGA, MINURSO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE (partner), Paris Club (associate), PCA, PIF (partner), SAARC (observer), SICA (observer), UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNMOGIP, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
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chief of mission: Ambassador CHOI Young-jin
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
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chief of mission: Ambassador Sung Y. KIM
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
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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; the Korean national flag is called Taegukki; white is a traditional Korean color and represents peace and purity; the blue section represents the negative cosmic forces of the yin, while the red symbolizes the opposite positive forces of the yang; each trigram (kwae) denotes one of the four universal elements, which together express the principle of movement and harmony
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taegeuk (yin yang symbol)
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name: "Aegukga" (Patriotic Song)
lyrics/music:
YUN Ch'i-Ho or AN Ch'ang-Ho/AHN Eaktay
note:
adopted 1948, well known by 1910; both North Korea and South Korea's anthems share the same name and have a vaguely similar melody but have different lyrics
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South Korea over the past four decades has demonstrated incredible growth and global integration to become a high-tech industrialized economy. In the 1960s, GDP per capita was comparable with levels in the poorer countries of Africa and Asia. In 2004, South Korea joined the trillion dollar club of world economies, and currently is among the world's 20 largest economies. Initially, a system of close government and business ties, including directed credit and import restrictions, made this success possible. The government promoted the import of raw materials and technology at the expense of consumer goods, and encouraged savings and investment over consumption. The Asian financial crisis of 1997-98 exposed longstanding weaknesses in South Korea's development model including high debt/equity ratios and massive short-term foreign borrowing. GDP plunged by 6.9% in 1998, and then recovered by 9% in 1999-2000. Korea adopted numerous economic reforms following the crisis, including greater openness to foreign investment and imports. Growth moderated to about 4% annually between 2003 and 2007. With the global economic downturn in late 2008, South Korean GDP growth slowed to 0.3% in 2009. In the third quarter of 2009, the economy began to recover, in large part due to export growth, low interest rates, and an expansionary fiscal policy. The US-South Korea Free Trade Agreement was ratified by both governments in 2011 and went into effect in March 2012. Throughout 2012 the economy experienced sluggish growth because of market slowdowns in the United States, China, and the Eurozone. The incoming administration in 2013, following the December 2012 presidential election, is likely to face the challenges of balancing heavy reliance on exports with developing domestic-oriented sectors, such as services. The South Korean economy's long term challenges include a rapidly aging population, inflexible labor market, and heavy reliance on exports - which comprise half of GDP.
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$1.622 trillion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 13
$1.579 trillion (2011 est.)
$1.524 trillion (2010 est.)
note:
data are in 2012 US dollars
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$1.151 trillion (2012 est.)
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2.7% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 122
3.6% (2011 est.)
6.3% (2010 est.)
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$32,400 (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 40
$31,700 (2011 est.)
$30,800 (2010 est.)
note:
data are in 2012 US dollars
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agriculture: 2.7%
industry:
39.8%
services:
57.5% (2012 est.)
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25.18 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 26
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agriculture: 6.4%
industry:
24.2%
services:
69.4% (2011 est.)
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3.8% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 32
3.4% (2011 est.)
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15% (2006 est.)
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lowest 10%: 2.7%
highest 10%:
24.2% (2007)
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31 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 109
35.8 (2000)
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27.4% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 33
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revenues: $271.9 billion
expenditures:
$249.2 billion (2012 est.)
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23.6% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 135
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2% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 21
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33.7% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106
33.6% of GDP (2011 est.)
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2.2% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 38
4% (2011 est.)
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1.5% (31 December 2011)
country comparison to the world: 131
1.25% (31 December 2009)
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5.8% (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 146
5.77% (31 December 2011 est.)
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$369.6 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 14
$352 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
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$1.484 trillion (31 December 2011)
country comparison to the world: 14
$1.445 trillion (31 December 2010)
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$1.356 trillion (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 15
$1.275 trillion (31 December 2010 est.)
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$994.3 billion (31 December 2011)
country comparison to the world: 15
$1.089 trillion (31 December 2010)
$836.5 billion (31 December 2009)
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rice, root crops, barley, vegetables, fruit; cattle, pigs, chickens, milk, eggs; fish
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3.8% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 85
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$22.1 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 17
$26.51 billion (2011 est.)
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$548.2 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 8
$552.8 billion (2011 est.)
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semiconductors, wireless telecommunications equipment, motor vehicles, computers, steel, ships, petrochemicals
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China 24.4%, US 10.1%, Japan 7.1% (2011 est.)
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$520.5 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 8
$521.6 billion (2011 est.)
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machinery, electronics and electronic equipment, oil, steel, transport equipment, organic chemicals, plastics
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China 16.5%, Japan 13%, US 8.5%, Saudi Arabia 7.1%, Australia 5% (2011 est.)
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$319.2 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 8
$306.4 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
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$436.9 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 26
$449.6 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
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$137.5 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 29
$131.7 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
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$190.4 billion (31 December 2011)
country comparison to the world: 23
$164.8 billion (31 December 2009)
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South Korean won (KRW) per US dollar -
1,132.8 (2012 est.)
1,108.29 (2011 est.)
1,156.1 (2010 est.)
1,276.93 (2009)
1,101.7 (2008)
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calendar year
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459.5 billion kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 12
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455.1 billion kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 10
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0 kWh (2011)
country comparison to the world: 215
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0 kWh (2011)
country comparison to the world: 207
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80.59 million kW (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 14
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69.9% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 107
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22% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 8
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2% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 135
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1.3% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 66
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19,990 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 72
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0 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 139
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2.302 million bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 6
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NA bbl
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2.476 million bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 8
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2.23 million bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 12
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907,100 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 8
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753,900 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 9
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539.3 million cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 71
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45.9 billion cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 19
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0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 99
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46.83 billion cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 9
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7.079 billion cu m (1 January 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 84
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579 million Mt (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 8
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| Communications ::Korea, South |
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29.468 million (2011)
country comparison to the world: 11
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52.507 million (2011)
country comparison to the world: 27
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general assessment: excellent domestic and international services featuring rapid incorporation of new technologies
domestic:
fixed-line and mobile-cellular services widely available with a combined telephone subscribership of roughly 170 per 100 persons; rapid assimilation of a full range of telecommunications technologies leading to a boom in e-commerce
international:
country code - 82; numerous submarine cables provide links throughout Asia, Australia, the Middle East, Europe, and US; satellite earth stations - 66
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multiple national TV networks with 2 of the 3 largest networks publicly operated; the largest privately-owned network, Seoul Broadcasting Service (SBS), has ties with other commercial TV networks; cable and satellite TV subscription services available; publicly-operated radio broadcast networks and many privately-owned radio broadcasting networks, each with multiple affiliates, and independent local stations (2010)
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.kr
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315,697 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 62
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39.4 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 11
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| Transportation ::Korea, South |
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114 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 50
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total: 71
over 3,047 m:
4
2,438 to 3,047 m:
20
1,524 to 2,437 m:
12
914 to 1,523 m:
13
under 914 m:
22 (2012)
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total: 43
914 to 1,523 m:
2
under 914 m:
41 (2012)
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510 (2012)
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gas 2,139 km; refined products 864 km (2010)
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total: 3,381 km
country comparison to the world: 51
standard gauge:
3,381 km 1.435-m gauge (1,843 km electrified) (2008)
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total: 103,029 km
country comparison to the world: 40
paved:
80,642 km (includes 3,367 km of expressways)
unpaved:
22,387 km (2008)
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1,600 km (most navigable only by small craft) (2011)
country comparison to the world: 49
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total: 786
country comparison to the world: 14
by type:
bulk carrier 191, cargo 235, carrier 8, chemical tanker 130, container 72, liquefied gas 44, passenger 5, passenger/cargo 15, petroleum tanker 55, refrigerated cargo 15, roll on/roll off 10, vehicle carrier 6
foreign-owned:
31 (China 6, France 2, Japan 14, Taiwan 1, US 8)
registered in other countries:
457 (Bahamas 1, Cambodia 10, Ghana 1, Honduras 6, Hong Kong 3, Indonesia 2, Kiribati 1, Liberia 2, Malta 2, Marshall Islands 41, North Korea 1, Panama 373, Philippines 1, Russia 1, Singapore 3, Tuvalu 1, unknown 8) (2010)
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Incheon (Inch'on), Pohang (P'ohang), Busan (Pusan), Ulsan, Yeosu (Yosu)
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Republic of Korea Army, Navy (includes Marine Corps), Air Force (2011)
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20-30 years of age for compulsory military service, with middle school education required; conscript service obligation - 21 months (Army, Marines), 23 months (Navy), 24 months (Air Force); 18-26 years of age for voluntary military service; women, in service since 1950, admitted to 7 service branches, including infantry, but excluded from artillery, armor, anti-air, and chaplaincy corps; HIV-positive individuals are exempt from military service (2010)
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males age 16-49: 13,185,794
females age 16-49:
12,423,496 (2010 est.)
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males age 16-49: 10,864,566
females age 16-49:
10,168,709 (2010 est.)
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male: 365,760
female:
321,225 (2010 est.)
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2.7% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 51
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| Transnational Issues ::Korea, South |
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Military Demarcation Line within the 4-km-wide Demilitarized Zone has separated North from South Korea since 1953; periodic incidents with North Korea in the Yellow Sea over the Northern Limit Line, which South Korea claims as a maritime boundary; South Korea and Japan claim Liancourt Rocks (Tok-do/Take-shima), occupied by South Korea since 1954
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