South Korea
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| 대한민국 大韓民國 Daehan Minguk Republic of Korea | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Anthem Aegukga (애국가; 愛國歌) Patriotic Hymn | ||||||
| | ||||||
| Capital (and largest city) | Seoul | |||||
| Official languages | Korean | |||||
| Government | Presidential republic | |||||
| - | President | Roh Moo-hyun | ||||
| - | Prime Minister | Han Duck-soo | ||||
| Establishment | ||||||
| - | Liberation declared | March 1, 1919 (de jure) | ||||
| - | Liberation | August 15, 1945 | ||||
| - | First Republic | August 13, 1948 | ||||
| - | United Nations Recognition | December 12, 1948 | ||||
| Area | ||||||
| - | Total | 99,646 km² (108th) 38,492 sq mi | ||||
| - | Water (%) | 0.3 | ||||
| Population | ||||||
| - | February 2007 estimate | 49,024,737 (25th) | ||||
| - | Density | 480 /km² (19th) 1,274 /sq mi | ||||
| GDP (PPP) | 2006 estimate | |||||
| - | Total | $1.196 trillion[1] (11th) | ||||
| - | Per capita | $24,500 (34th) | ||||
| HDI (2006) | 0.912 (high) (26th) | |||||
| Currency | South Korean won (KRW) | |||||
| Time zone | Korea Standard Time (UTC+9) | |||||
| - | Summer (DST) | not observed (UTC+9) | ||||
| Internet TLD | .kr | |||||
| Calling code | +82 | |||||
| 1 | Cell phone system CDMA | |||||
| 2 | Domestic power supply 220V/60Hz, CEE 7/7 sockets | |||||
South Korea, officially known as the Republic of Korea (ROK) (Korean: 대한민국, IPA: [tɛː.han.min.guk̚], listen ) is an East Asian state on the southern half of the Korean Peninsula. To the north, it is bordered by North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea), with which it was united until 1945. To the west, across the Yellow Sea, lies China and to the southeast, across the Korea Strait, lies Japan. Approximately one-half of South Korea's population lives in or near the capital Seoul, the country's largest city. Seoul is one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world.
Korea traces its founding to 2333 BC by Dangun Wanggeom. Archaeological research shows that Koreans occupied the peninsula since the Lower Paleolithic period. Korea's history has been turbulent throughout, with numerous wars, fighting invasions from both China and Japan. Since the establishment of the modern republic in 1948, South Korea struggled with the aftermath of Japanese occupation (1910-1945), the Korean War (1950-1953), and decades of authoritarian governments, undergoing five major constitutional changes. While the government officially embraced Western-style democracy from its founding, presidential elections suffered from rampant irregularities. It was not until 1987 that direct and fair presidential elections were held, largely prompted by popular demonstrations, and South Korea has been a multi-party democracy since that time.
The South Korean economy has advanced rapidly since the 1950s and is now the 12th largest (nominal value) economy in the world. South Korea is also among the world's most technologically advanced and digitally-connected countries; it has the fourth highest number and proportion of broadband Internet users among the OECD countries[2] and is a global leader in electronics, digital displays, semiconductor devices, and mobile phones. South Korea also leads the world in the shipbuilding industry, headed by prominent companies such as Hyundai Heavy Industries. South Korea exported ships to the value of 15.09 billion USD in 2004 and is currently the world leader in shipbuilding.[3]
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[edit] Names
In the Korean language, South Korea is called Daehan Min-guk (Korean:대한민국 listen , Hanja:大韓民國, literally "Great Han People's Nation"), Hanguk for short (한국, "Han Nation", usually referring to Korea as a whole) or Namhan (남한, "South Han", referring to South Korea specifically). North Koreans refer to the South as Namchosŏn (남조선, "South Chosŏn"), referring to the Joseon Dynasty of Korea.
The name Han dates back to the ancient Samhan Confederacies of the Proto-Three Kingdoms era of Korea.
The word "Korea" takes its name from the word "Goryeo", which in turn took its name from "Goguryeo".
[edit] History
[edit] Before division
Koreans occupied the Korean peninsula as early in the Lower Paleolithic period. Archaeological evidence shows pottery work as early as 8000 BC.
Korea began with the legendary founding of Gojoseon in 2333 BC by Dangun. Limited linguistic evidence suggests possible Altaic origins of these people, whose northern Mongolian Steppe culture absorbed immigrants and invaders from northern Manchuria, Mongolia and China. Gojoseon grew to a powerful kingdom, stretching from the peninsula and most of Manchuria.[4] After numerous wars with the Han Dynasty, Gojoseon disintegrated and broke up into many smaller states.
During the Proto-Three Kingdoms of Korea period, Buyeo, Okjeo, Dongye, and the Samhan confederacy occupied the peninsula and southern Manchuria. During this time, the power of the Three Kingdoms of Korea grew.
The Three Kingdoms of Korea started in 57 BC and spanned until Silla united the peninsula over Goguryeo in 668. During this time, Goguryeo, Baekje, Silla, and Gaya dominated the peninsula. The three kingdoms fought for control of the peninsula. However, Goguryeo was overall the most powerful and largest kingdom of the three and during its zenith attacked and conquered Chinese territories in Manchuria. Goguryeo fought and repelled numerous wars with China, but a Silla-Tang alliance eventually brought down the kingdom, along with internal strife.
The adoption of the Chinese writing system ("hanja" in Korean) in the 2nd century BC, and Buddhism in the 4th century AD, had profound effects on the Three Kingdoms of Korea (Goguryeo, Baekje, Silla). Koreans later passed on these, as well as their own advances, to Japan.[5][6][7][8]
After the unification of the Three Kingdoms by Silla in 676, Unified Silla had an advanced culture. Poetry and art was encouraged. Unified Silla also enjoyed a peaceful rule since the Song Dynasty was peaceful as well. Culture was passed between both the Song and Silla. Unified Silla broke up in 935 after its last king surrendered to Goryeo.
Balhae, to the north of Unified Silla, was raised as a successor state of Goguryeo and remained culturally active with China as well. During its height, Balhae controlled most of Manchuria and parts of Russia. It fell to the Khitan in 926.
After the North-South Period, successor states fought for control during the Later Three Kingdoms period. The peninsula was soon united by Wang Geon of Goryeo. Goryeo was a highly cultural state and it created the Jikji in 1377, the world's oldest movable metal printing press.[9]
The Mongol invasions in the 13th century and the Khitan invasion contributed to the weakening of Goryeo. Internal strife also weakened the Goryeo court. Goryeo was replaced by the Joseon Dynasty in 1388 by a rebellion by General Yi Seong-gye.
In the 15th century, the turtle ships, possibly the world's first ironclad warships, were deployed, and during the reign of King Sejong the Great, the Korean alphabet hangul was created.
During the latter part of the Joseon Dynasty, Korea's isolationist policy earned it the Western nickname the "Hermit Kingdom". By the late 19th century, the country became the object of colonial designs by the imperial aggressors of Japan and Europe. In 1910, Korea was forcibly annexed by Japan and remained occupied until the end of World War II in 1945.
[edit] After division
In 1945, Soviet Union and United States troops controlled the northern and southern halves of the country respectively. The two Cold War rivals helped establish governments sympathetic to their own ideologies, leading to Korea's current division into two political entities: North Korea and South Korea.
Despite promises of an independent and unified Korea in the 1943 Cairo Declaration, escalating Cold War antagonism between the United States and Soviet Union eventually led to the establishment of two separate governments: the communist North and the capitalist South. The Soviet Union promptly installed Kim Il-sung as the North Korean premier. While many Koreans wanted a national election to choose a leader for the whole country, the Communists refused to participate in elections by blocking entry into North Korea. Democratic elections were held in South Korea only, and Syngman Rhee was elected president. The Republic of Korea was the sole legitimate government of Korea recognized by the United Nations at that time.
On June 25, 1950, the North invaded the South at the instigation of Stalin[10], tacitly approved by Mao Zedong. Thus began a bloody war that caused the deaths of more than 4 million civilians and soldiers alike, now referred to as the Korean War. The United Nations intervened on behalf of South Korea when it became apparent that the superior Communist forces would easily take over the entire country. The Soviet Union and China backed North Korea, with China sending millions of troops across the border. The war eventually reached a stalemate. The 1953 armistice split the peninsula along the demilitarized zone at about the original demarcation line. No peace treaty was ever signed, however, and therefore the two countries are technically still at war.[11]
In 1960, a student uprising led to the resignation of president Syngman Rhee, whose government had become autocratic and corrupt. Then followed a period of profound civil unrest and general political instability. General Park Chung-hee led a military coup (the "5.16 coup d'etat") against the weak and ineffectual government the following year. Park took over as president from 1961 until his assassination in 1979, overseeing rapid export-led economic growth as well as severe political repression.
The year following Park's assassination was marked by considerable political turmoil as the previously repressed opposition leaders all clamored to run for the presidential office. In 1980, General Chun Doo-hwan launched a coup d'etat against the transitional government of Choi Gyu Hwa, the former prime minister under Park and interim president, to assume the presidency. Chun's seizure of power triggered national protest asking for democrazation, particularly protests in Gwangju, South Cholla province. Chun sent in special forces to violently suppress the city which is now known as the Gwangju Massacre. Chun stated his intent to serve only a single term from the outset and eventually allowed direct presidential elections in 1988 under pressure from widespread popular demonstrations.
Despite the previous turmoil, Seoul hosted the 1988 Summer Olympics.
In 1996, South Korea became a member of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development. Despite a severe setback caused by the Asian financial crisis in 1997, the country was able to re-emerge as a major economic power.
In June 2000, as a part of South Korean president Kim Dae Jung's Sunshine Policy of engagement, a North-South summit took place in North Korea's capital Pyongyang. That year, Kim won the Nobel Peace Prize for his work for democracy and human rights and efforts at reconciliation between the two Koreas.[12]
In 2004, South Korea joined the "trillion dollar club" of world economies and, today, its standard of living approximates some of the less affluent countries in Western Europe such as Portugal and Spain.
[edit] Government
The government of South Korea is divided into three branches: executive, judicial, and legislative. The executive and legislative branches operate primarily at the national level, although various ministries in the executive branch also carry out local functions. Local governments are semi-autonomous, and contain executive and legislative bodies of their own. The judicial branch operates at both the national and local levels.
The South Korean government's structure is determined by the Constitution of the Republic of Korea. This document has been revised several times since its first promulgation in 1948 (see History of South Korea). However, it has retained many broad characteristics; with the exception of the short-lived Second Republic of South Korea, the country has always had a presidential system with a relatively independent chief executive.
As with most stable three-branch systems, a careful system of checks and balances is in place. For instance, the judges of the Constitutional Court are partially appointed by the executive, and partially by the legislature. Likewise, when a resolution of impeachment is passed by the legislature, it is sent to the judiciary for a final decision.
[edit] Foreign relations
In its foreign relations, South Korea is primarily concerned with North Korea and the neighboring countries of China, Japan, and Russia, as well as its main ally, the United States.[13]
[edit] United States
The United States of America was the primary driver in the establishment and initial sustenance of the South Korean government before and after the Korean War. They also helped the South Korean economy get on its feet. Since the 1990s, the two nations have often been at odds with regard to their policies towards North Korea, and over the rise of anti-American sentiment [14]often expressed toward members of the U.S. military,[15]sometimes violently.[16] However, most South Koreans are friendly towards the United States and it is South Korea's largest ally.
[edit] China
South Korea and China established formal diplomatic relations on August 24, 1992.
Korea has always had close relations with the Chinese. The Chinese's writing system was used, until the creation of their own. But still is often used and taught as a second language. Ancient Chinese medicine and herbs are used in Korea. Korean food also has deep influences from the Chinese, such as tofu, which was invented in Northern China in 164 BC.
[edit] Japan
South Korea and Japan signed the Treaty on Basic Relations between Japan and the Republic of Korea in 1965. However South Korea has heavy Anti-Japanese sentiment due to a number of unsettled Korean-Japanese disputes, many of which stemmed from the period of Japanese occupation. During World War II, more than 200,000 Koreans were conscripted into the Imperial Japanese Army as officers and soldiers.[17] Longstanding issues such as Japanese war atrocities against Korean civilians, the visits by Japanese politicians to the Yasukuni Shrine honoring Japanese soldiers killed at war, the re-writing of Japanese textbooks to overlook Japanese aggression during World War II, and the territorial disputes over Liancourt Rocks continue to trouble Korean-Japanese relations. In response to then-Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's repeated visits to the Yasukuni shrine, the President of South Korea Roh Moo-hyun suspended all summit talks between South Korea and Japan.[18]
[edit] North Korea
Both North and South Korea continue to officially claim sovereignty over the entire peninsula. Despite longstanding animosity following the Korean War in 1950 (which has still not officially ended), the South and North have in recent times sought to establish a more conciliatory relationship. Events such as family reunifications and the Olympic Games, where the two Koreas entered the opening ceremonies together but still competed as separate teams, promised a gradual thaw in the North-South relationship (see Sunshine policy). However, the progress has been complicated by North Korean missile tests in 1993, 1998 and 2006.
[edit] Other nations
South Korea maintains diplomatic relations with approximately 170 countries. The country has also been a member of the United Nations since 1991, when it joined at the same time as North Korea. On January 1, 2007, South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon assumed the post of UN Secretary-General. It has also developed links with Association of Southeast Asian Nations as both a member of "ASEAN Plus three" and the East Asia Summit (EAS).
Korea has concluded a Free Trade Agreement agreement with the United States in April 2007. It has also started another FTA with the European Union, which is South Korea's second largest exporter.[19]
[edit] Military
The South Korean military today is composed of the Republic of Korea Army (ROKA), Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN), Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF), and Republic of Korea Marine Corps (ROKMC), together with reserve forces. Many of these forces are concentrated near the border with North Korea, near and around the demilitarised zone. All South Korean males are constitutionally required to serve in the military, typically for a period of twenty-four months.
From time to time, South Korea has sent its troops overseas to assist American forces. It has participated in every major conflict the United States has been involved in the past 50 years. South Korea dispatched 320,000 troops to fight alongside American and South Vietnamese soldiers in the Vietnam War, with a peak strength of 50,000. Most recently, South Korea sent 3,300 troops in the form of the Zaytun Division to help re-building in northern Iraq, and is the largest contributor after the U.S. and Britain.
The United States has stationed a substantial contingent of troops in the ROK since the Korean War to defend South Korea in case of an attack from North Korea. The American Troops are stationed in bases, of which most are camps. They are considered camps not for their lack of buildings or support structure but in order to represent a lack of permanence for the ROK Government.
A still functioning UN Command controls all forces in South Korea, including the US forces and the entire Korean military.
(See List of United States Army installations in South Korea and USFK for more information on these military bases.)
The Republic of Korea maintains an active duty military force of approximately 680,000, ranked 8th largest in active duty size in the world. It has the second largest Marine Corps in the world after the United States. There are also approximately 28,000 US soldiers stationed in Korea, most of them serving one year unaccompanied tours.
The Korean military has many advanced capabilities. Currently, its navy is working towards a blue-water navy. It has recently equipped its King Sejong the Great class destroyer the Aegis Combat System and is planning to build more. South Korea is only one of 6 other navies that use the Aegis Combat System.
South Korea has also developed its own fighter jet, the T-50 Golden Eagle, which is exported to other countries as a trainer jet. The T-50 makes South Korea the 12th nation in the world to produce a fighter jet.[20]
[edit] Administrative divisions
- See also Special cities of Korea and Provinces of Korea
| Namea | Hangul | Hanja | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Special cities (Teukbyeolsi a) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1 | Seoul | 서울특별시 | 서울特別市 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Metropolitan cities (Gwangyeoksi a) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | Busan | 부산광역시 | 釜山廣域市 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3 | Daegu | 대구광역시 | 大邱廣域市 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4 | Incheon | 인천광역시 | 仁川廣域市 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 5 | Gwangju | 광주광역시 | 光州廣域市 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6 | Daejeon | 대전광역시 | 大田廣域市 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 7 | Ulsan | 울산광역시 | 蔚山廣域市 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Provinces | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 8 | Gyeonggi-do | 경기도 | 京畿道 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 9 | Gangwon-do | 강원도 | 江原道 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10 | Chungcheongbuk-do | 충청북도 | 忠淸北道 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 11 | Chungcheongnam-do | 충청남도 | 忠淸南道 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12 | Jeollabuk-do | 전라북도 | 全羅北道 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 13 | Jeollanam-do | 전라남도 | 全羅南道 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 14 | Gyeongsangbuk-do | 경상북도 | 慶尙北道 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 15 | Gyeongsangnam-do | 경상남도 | 慶尙南道 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Special self-governing province (Teukbyeoljachi-do a) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 16 | Jeju | 제주특별자치도 | 濟州特別自治道 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
a Revised Romanization.
b.
[edit] Geography and climate
South Korea occupies the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula, which extends some 680 miles (1,100 km) from the Asian mainland. This mountainous peninsula is flanked by the Yellow Sea to the west, and the Sea of Japan (East Sea) to the east. Its southern tip lies on the Korea Strait and the East China Sea. The country's total area is 38,462.49 square miles or 99,617.38 square kilometres.[21]
South Korea can be divided into four general regions: an eastern region of high mountain ranges and narrow coastal plains; a western region of broad coastal plains, river basins, and rolling hills; a southwestern region of mountains and valleys; and a southeastern region dominated by the broad basin of the Nakdong River.
South Korea's land is mountainous, and most of it is not arable. Lowlands, located primarily in the west and southeast, constitute only 30% of the total land area.
About three thousand islands, mostly small and uninhabited, lie off the western and southern coasts of South Korea. Jeju Island is located about 100 kilometres (about 60 mi) off the southern coast of South Korea. It is the country's largest island, with an area of 1,845 square kilometres (712 sq mi). Jeju is also the site of South Korea's highest point: Halla-san, an extinct volcano, reaches 1,950 metres (6,398 ft) above sea level. Other islands of South Korea include Ulleungdo and Liancourt Rocks, which is South Korea's farthest claimed territory to the east and Marado, which is the ROK's southernmost point. However, Liancourt Rocks is one of many disputes with Japan. Ulleungdo is inhabited.
The local climate is relatively temperate, with precipitation heavier in summer during a short rainy season called jangma, and winters that can be bitterly cold. In Seoul, the average January temperature range is -7°C to 1°C (19°F to 33°F), and the average July temperature range is 22°C to 29°C (71°F to 83°F). Winter temperatures are higher along the southern coast and considerably lower in the mountainous interior. Rainfall is concentrated in the summer months of June through September. The southern coast is subject to late summer typhoons that bring strong winds and heavy rains. The average annual precipitation varies from 1,370 millimetres (54 inches) in Seoul to 1,470 millimetres (58 inches) in Busan.
[edit] Economy
South Korea is a major international economic power; it has the twelfth largest economy in the world (eleventh largest by purchasing power parity) and the third largest in Asia, behind only Japan and China (fourth behind China, Japan, and India by purchasing power parity). Its largest trading partner and export market today is China.[22] It achieved rapid economic growth through exports of manufactured goods and is one of the Four Asian Tigers.
Major industries in South Korea today are automobiles, electronics, and steel.
In the 1950s, South Korea was one of the poorest countries in Asia.[23] At the end of World War II, the country inherited a colonial economic system designed solely for Japan's needs. Much of the country's infrastructure was destroyed during the Korean War that followed in 1950-1953.[24] After the war, South Korea became heavily dependent on U.S. aid.[25]
Following the military coup led by General Park Chung-hee in 1962, South Korea embarked on a series of ambitious five-year plans for economic development. Emphasis shifted to foreign trade with the normalization of relations with Japan in 1965 and a resulted in a boom in trade and investment. Rapid expansion, first into light and then heavy industries, followed in the 1960s and 1970s. During this period, the South Korean economy grew at an average annual rate of 8.6%.[26] Park's government plans for economic development greatly boosted the Korean economy.
This phenomenal growth is often called the "Miracle on the Han River", the Han River being the main river that runs through the nation's capital and largest city, Seoul. In the 1980s and 1990's, growth continued as South Korea transformed itself from an exporter of mostly textiles and shoes into a major global producer of automobiles, electronics, shipbuilding, steel and, later, high-technology products such as digital monitors, mobile phones, and semiconductors.
The South Korean model of encouraging the growth of large, internationally competitive companies through easy financing and tax incentives led to the dominance of the family-controlled conglomerates. These companies, known as chaebol, flourished under the support of the Park regime.[27] Some such as Hyundai, Samsung, LG and SK Company became global corporations. In 2004, South Korea joined in the trillion dollar club of world economies.[28]
Since the Asian financial crisis of 1997, however, the corporate landscape has changed considerably as a result of massive bankruptcies and government reforms. The crisis exposed longstanding weaknesses in South Korea's economy, including high debt-to-equity ratios, massive foreign borrowing, and an undisciplined financial sector. This led to two rounds of financial and industrial restructuring; once in 1997 and again following the collapse of Daewoo in 1999.[29] Daewoo's collapse has been recorded as one of the largest bankruptcies in world history. [30][21] By 2003, just over one-half of the 30 largest chaebol from 1995 remained.[31]
Between 2003 and 2005, economic growth had slowed to about 4% per year, an enviable figure in much of the rest of the world.[32] A downturn in consumer spending, attributed to massive personal credit card debt, was offset by rapid export growth, primarily to China. In 2005, the government proposed labor reform legislation and a corporate pension scheme to help make the labor market more flexible, and new real estate policies to cool property speculation.[33] In 2006, South Korean economy has recovered its growth rate to 5.1%, and its outlook for 2007 is foretold positively.
The South Korean economy is characterized by moderate inflation, low unemployment, an export surplus, and fairly equal distribution of income.[34][35][36] South Korea continues to strive to maintain global competitiveness. South Korea has been opened to various employment opportunities in various industries. An example would be the influx of English teachers from native English-speaking countries seeking employment and travel in the country.
Today, there are several strong South Korean industries. South Korea's largest carmaker, Hyundai and its subsidiary Kia are the 7th largest car group in the world.[37]
South Korean car companies are also building factories in other countries. A Kia plant at Georgia, United States is expected to start producing cars in 2009.[38] Korean carmakers are planning to increase its exports even more when it finishes its FTA with the European Union.[39]
The ROK's shipbuilding industry is also the largest in the world. It became the largest after overtaking Japan in 2004.[40] South Korean shipbuilding is efficient enough that a new $80 million vessel is produced every four working days. In 2006, approximately one in every three new vessels was constructed in Korea. Hyundai Heavy Industries built ships totaling 10.6 million compensated gross tons (CGTs), or 34.6 percent, becoming the first nation to breach the 10 million CGT mark.[41] Other Korean shipbuilding companies are Samsung Heavy Industries and Daewoo Marine Engineering & Construction.
Although South Korean shipmakers are leading in terms of ship orders and production, they are wary of Chinese shipmakers.[42] China is planning to become the world's leader in shipbuilding by 2015. However, South Korean shipbuilders have advantage over Chinese counterparts in terms of advanced value-added shipbuilding technology, which Chinese do not have. [43] Peter Bartholomew, the managing director for Industrial Research & Consulting, a business consulting company, says that the "South Koreans are always working to keep three, four, five steps ahead of the Chinese and Japanese".[44]
[edit] Transportation
Transportation in South Korea is provided by an extensive networks of railways, highways, bus routes, ferry services, and air routes. Buses, taxis, subways, and trains provide comfortable and cheap methods of travel around South Korea.
All cities have intercity and intracity bus systems. Major cities also have express bus terminals.
Highways in South Korea are classified into highways (expressways/motorways), national highways, and various classifications below the national level. Korea Highway Corporation operates the toll highways and service amenities en route. South Korea has about 3,000 kilometers of national highways. Most tourist and freight transportation use highways.
Korail provides frequent train service to all major South Korean cities. Two rail lines, Gyeongui and Donghae Bukbu Line, to North Korea are now being reconnected. The Korean high-speed railway system, KTX, provides high-speed service along Gyeongbu and Honam Line.
Major cities have subway systems, including the popular Seoul Subway. Korail commuter lines are already linked with Seoul subway system and several commuter lines connected with Busan, Daegu subway system are under construction.
The main international airport is Incheon International Airport. South Korea has eight international airports and seven domestic airports. South Korea's major international air carriers are Korean Air and Asiana Airlines. About 71 international passenger and cargo airlines operate frequent flight services between Korea and all over the world.
[edit] Demographics
Most South Koreans live in urban areas, due to rapid migration from the countryside during the country's rapid economic expansion in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s.[45] The capital city of Seoul is also the country's largest city and chief industrial center. It had 10.3 million inhabitants in 2006, making Seoul one of the most populated single cities in the world.[46] Other major cities include Busan (3.65 million), Incheon (2.63 million), Daegu (2.53 million), Daejeon (1.46 million), Gwangju (1.41 million) and Ulsan (1.10 million).[47]
The population has also been shaped by international migration. Following the division of the Korean peninsula after World War II, about four million people from North Korea crossed the border to South Korea. This trend of net entry reversed over the next forty years due to emigration, especially to the United States and Canada. However, South Korea's burgeoning economy and improved political climate in the early and mid-1990s slowed the high emigration rates typical of the previous decade. Many of those who left the country chose to return.
Although small, the percentage of non-Koreans in South Korea has risen rapidly in the early twenty-first century. Officially, as of April 2005, the total number of known foreign labourers in South Korea stood at 378,000, 52% of whom were in the country without authorization.[48] This foreign workforce mainly comes from South Asian and Southeast Asian nations. There are also many workers from the former Soviet Union countries as well as some from Nigeria. In addition to these workers, there are about 11,000 expat English teachers and around 31,000 US military personnel.[49]
As of 2005, approximately 22 million or 46.5% of the South Korean population express no religious preference.[50] Of the remainder, 13.7 million are Christian (of which 8.6 million profess to be Protestants and 5.1 million to be Catholics), 10.7 million are Buddhist, and less than half a million belong to various minor religions including Jeungsando and Wonbuddhism. The largest Christian church in South Korea, Yoido Full Gospel Church, is located in Seoul and has approximately 780,000 members (2003 estimate). Including Yoido Full Gospel, 11 of the world's 12 largest churches are located in Seoul (see Korean Christianity). South Korea is also the second largest missionary sending nation on earth, after the U.S.[51] Islam in Korea is estimated to be at 45,000 in addition to some 100,000 foreign workers from Muslim countries.[52]
[edit] Culture
South Korea shares its traditional culture with North Korea, but the two Koreas have developed distinct contemporary forms of culture since the peninsula was divided in 1945. The South Korean Ministry of Culture and Tourism actively encourages the traditional arts, as well as modern forms, through funding and education programs.[53]
Korean art and culture have absorbed influences from many countries; prior to the 19th century, these cultural infusions came primarily from China. Koreans adapted many Chinese art forms with innovation and skill, creating distinctively Korean forms. For many centuries, Korean forms of metalwork, sculpture, painting, and ceramics flourished throughout the Korean peninsula and were then passed on to neighboring countries like Japan. In modern times, Western and particularly the US influences have been strongest. In the aftermath of Japanese occupation all Japanese cultural exports were banned from Korea until 1999. However, trading between the two countries have grown, although there is still strong anti-Japanese sentiment in South Korea.
Recently, Korean pop culture has become popular in Asia and beyond, earning the name Hallyu or "Korean Wave." In Japan, with Korean singers like BoA, and television dramas like Daejanggeum and Winter Sonata have found success.[54] Recent Korean films such as Oldboy and Oasis have also received international acclaim.
The contemporary culture of South Korea is heavily dominated by technology, including feature-rich cell phones and pervasive online gaming. South Korea today has the highest penetration of high-speed internet access to households in the world.[55] Digital multimedia broadcasting now allows South Koreans to watch television on their cell phones.
However, the country still retains centuries-old customs and traditions, such as its unique cuisine, ancestor worship, and some Confucianism ideals. Foods like Bulgogi and Kimchi that have been developed since the Goguryeo and Chosun Dynasty still remain in the Korean diet.
Confucianist ideals, especially from the Chosun Dynasty remain. Respecting elders, worshiping ancestors, and ethical manners are still present in Korean society.
[edit] Sports
Taekwondo, a popular martial art, originated in Korea. Taekwondo roughly translates to the way of punching and kicking, although it is sometimes translated as the way of the hands and feet. It became standard military training in South Korea, and in 1961 the rules were standardized and taekwondo became an official Olympic sport in 2000. Taekwondo in the military is an integral part in the Korean land forces. Other Korean martial arts include subak and taekkyeon.
Baseball was first introduced to Korea in 1905 by an American missionary named Phillip Gillette and has since become the most popular spectator sport in South Korea.[56] The first South Korean professional sports league was the Korea Baseball Association, established in 1982. During the 2006 World Baseball Classic, South Korea reached the final four before losing to Japan. Prior to that final match, the South Korean team was the only undefeated team, and had beaten Japan twice and the United States once.
Other popular sports in South Korea include basketball, football, golf, tennis and ice hockey. Women's golf is especially strong, with 45 South Koreans playing on the world's leading women's tour, the U.S. LPGA Tour, including stars such as future Hall of Famer Se Ri Pak.
South Korea's Olympic teams have performed strongly in archery, shooting, table tennis, short track speed skating, handball, and taekwondo. Other sports South Korea has performed well in are badminton, fencing, weightlifting, boxing, judo, wrestling, and field hockey.
In 1988, South Korea hosted the Summer Olympics in Seoul for the first time.
South Korea has also hosted the Asian Games in 1986 and 2002.
The 2002 FIFA World Cup was jointly hosted by South Korea and Japan, and South Korea became the first Asian team to reach the semi-finals. The Korea Republic national football team, also known as the "Taeguk Warriors", qualified for the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany for their sixth consecutive World Cup.
At the 2004 Summer Olympics, South Korea continued to compete successfully at archery, winning three of the four gold medals and one silver.
During the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy, the South Korean short track team dominated their event, taking home six of the eight gold medals available as well as three silvers and one bronze. Skaters Ahn Hyun Soo and Jin Sun-Yu were the second and third persons in the Olympic Games to win three gold medals.
Recently, there was campaign to have a future Winter Olympics held in Pyeongchang County, however, it lost to Sochi, Russia.
In South Korea, computer games take on a sport-like presentation in South Korea, the most popular of which being Starcraft. Although not recognized as a sport in its own right, the professional leagues are televised through channels such as MBC Game and OnGameNet with announcers, professional players and sponsors such as Adidas and LG. The three major professional Starcraft leagues are Proleague, MSL and OSL. Other popular games in South Korea include the Counterstrike series, Warcraft III, and Maple Story. Famous Korean game companies like Nexon have developed popular internet games that are played worldwide.
See also StarCraft professional competition
[edit] International rankings
| Organisation | Title | Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| International Monetary Fund/World Bank | Gross Domestic Product (nominal) | 12 out of 183 |
| CIA World Factbook | Gross Domestic Product (PPP) | 11 out of 227 |
| World Bank | Ease of Doing Business | 23 out of 175 |
| World Economic Forum | Global Competiveness | 24 out of 125 |
| Heritage Foundation/The Wall Street Journal | Index of Economic Freedom | 31 out of 157 |
| The Economist | Worldwide quality-of-life index, 2005 | 30 out of 111 |
| Reporters Without Borders | Worldwide press freedom index | 31 out of 167 |
| Transparency International | Corruption Perceptions Index | 42 out of 163 |
| United Nations Development Program | Human Development Index | 26 out of 192 |
| OECD | Annual work hours | 1 out of 27 |