# South Korea

> country in East Asia

**Wikidata**: [Q884](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q884)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Korea)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/south-korea

## Summary

South Korea is a country located in Asia [1]. The nation has an official population of 51.6 million as of 2022 [2].The official languages spoken in the country are Korean and Korean Sign Language [3]. It operates within the Korea Standard Time zone, which corresponds to UTC+09:00 and the Asia/Seoul identifier [4].

## Summary
South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea (대한민국), is a sovereign state and constitutional republic located in East Asia on the southern half of the Korean Peninsula. Established on August 15, 1948, the country is a highly developed democracy with its capital in Seoul and maintains a significant global presence through its membership in the United Nations, OECD, and G20.

## Key Facts
- **Official Name**: 대한민국 (Daehan Minguk); Republic of Korea.
- **Inception Date**: August 15, 1948 (succeeding the United States Army Military Government in Korea and the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea).
- **Area**: 100,295 square kilometres.
- **Capital**: Seoul (also the most populous urban area).
- **Population**: 51,628,117 (2022 World Bank estimate); 51,466,201 (2017).
- **Government Type**: Presidential republic with a unicameral National Assembly.
- **Current/Recent Leadership**: Yoon Suk Yeol (term ending April 2025), Lee Ju-ho (acting/interim May–June 2025), Lee Jae Myung (preferred start June 4, 2025).
- **Currency**: South Korean Won (since 1945); previously used the Korean mun (1625–1892).
- **Official Languages**: Korean and Korean Sign Language; Jejuan is also used.
- **Religion**: Protestantism (9.6M), Buddhism (7.6M), and Catholicism (3.8M) as of 2015.
- **Demographics**: 98% literacy rate (2008); life expectancy of 84 years (2021).
- **Technical Codes**: ISO Alpha-2: KR, Alpha-3: KOR, Numeric: 410; Calling code: +82; TLD: .kr, .한국.
- **Driving Side**: Right-hand traffic; Railways use left-hand traffic.
- **Electricity**: 220 volts, 60 Hz; Plug types include Europlug and Type F (Schuko).

## FAQs
**What is the structure of the South Korean government?**
South Korea is a presidential constitutional republic where the President serves as both the head of state and head of government. The legislative power is vested in the National Assembly, while the highest judicial authorities are the Supreme Court (for ordinary cases) and the Constitutional Court (for constitutional matters).

**What are the country's primary economic indicators?**
As of 2022, South Korea's nominal GDP was approximately $1.66 trillion, having reached $1.81 trillion in 2021. The country maintains a standard VAT rate of 10% and a Gini coefficient of 31.4 (2016), indicating its status as a major global economy with a central bank, the Bank of Korea, managing the won.

**What international organizations is South Korea a member of?**
South Korea joined the United Nations on September 17, 1991, and is a member of the OECD (1996), WTO (1995), G20, APEC (1989), and MIKTA. It also participates in specialized groups like the Missile Technology Control Regime, the Antarctic Treaty System, and the Nuclear Suppliers Group.

**What are the current demographic challenges in South Korea?**
The country faces a significant decline in its total fertility rate, which dropped from 1.41 in 1999 to an estimated 1.09 in 2021. While life expectancy is high at 84 years, the birth rate has fallen to 4.9 per 1,000 people (2022), contributing to an aging population where seniors surpassed the youth population for the first time in 2016.

**What are the emergency contact numbers in South Korea?**
For immediate assistance, the public can dial 112 for the police, 119 for fire and emergency medical services, and 113 for counterintelligence reporting.

## Why It Matters
South Korea is a pivotal global entity, ranking 16th on the 2021 Democracy Index with a "Very High" Human Development Index score of 0.925. Its transition from the aftermath of World War II to a leading technological and cultural hub is evidenced by its high literacy rates, advanced infrastructure, and influential digital landscape. The country serves as a critical strategic partner in East Asia, maintaining complex diplomatic relations with the United States, China, Japan, and Russia, while its cultural exports—ranging from music databases like maniadb to media ventures like Vlending—impact global entertainment.

## Notable For
- **High Democracy Ranking**: Achieved a score of 8.16 on the 2021 Democracy Index.
- **Social Progress**: Designated as a "free country" by Freedom House.
- **Global Innovation**: Home to major internet forums and websites including Instiz, Jobplanet, and the news analysis site NK News.
- **Cultural Slogans**: Known by the tourism motto "Imagine your Korea" and the traditional philosophy "Hongik Ingan" (To broadly benefit the human world).
- **Digital Infrastructure**: One of the few nations with a non-Latin top-level domain (.한국).
- **Environmental Awareness**: Holds a Happy Planet Index score of 39.8 (2019).

## Body

### History and Inception
South Korea's modern history as a sovereign state began on August 15, 1948. It emerged from the United States Army Military Government in Korea and the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea. The country replaced the former unified "Korea" entity and has since been led by a succession of presidents, starting with Syngman Rhee (1948–1960) and continuing through leaders such as Park Chung-hee (1963–1979), Kim Dae-jung (1998–2003), and Moon Jae-in (2017–2022). The current head of state is Yoon Suk Yeol, with Lee Jae Myung preferred to assume office in June 2025.

### Geography and Environment
Located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula in East Asia, South Korea occupies 100,295 square kilometres. It shares a land border with North Korea, defined by the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), and maritime borders with China and Japan.
- **Bodies of Water**: Bordered by the Yellow Sea to the west, the Sea of Japan (East Sea) to the east, and the Namhae and East China Sea to the south.
- **Extreme Points**:
  - **Northernmost**: Goseong County (38.62° N).
  - **Southernmost**: Marado (33.1125° N).
  - **Easternmost**: Liancourt Rocks (131.87° E).
  - **Westernmost**: Baengnyeongdo (124.65° E).
- **Topography**: The highest point is Hallasan at 1,947 metres, while the lowest point is the Sea of Japan.

### Government and Administrative Divisions
The executive body is the Government of South Korea, led by the President. The legislative branch is the National Assembly. Administratively, the country is divided into several major entities:
- **Special/Metropolitan Cities**: Seoul (Capital), Busan, Daegu, Incheon, Gwangju, Daejeon, and Ulsan.
- **Special Self-Governing City**: Sejong.
- **Provinces**: Gyeonggi, Gangwon, North/South Chungcheong, North/South Jeolla, North/South Gyeongsang, and Jeju Special Self-Governing Province.

### Economy and Infrastructure
South Korea operates a robust economy with a median income of approximately $40,861 (or 58,008,000 KRW in 2022). The Bank of Korea serves as the central bank.
- **Transportation**: Driving is on the right side of the road, while railway traffic operates on the left. The aircraft registration prefix is HL.
- **Utilities**: The electrical system provides 220V at 60Hz.
- **Digital**: The country uses the .kr and .한국 internet domains and has a mobile country code of 450.

### Society and Culture
The population is predominantly urban, with 42 million residents in urban areas compared to 9.7 million in rural regions (2021).
- **Education**: Compulsory education and a high literacy rate of 98% are central to the society. The age of majority is 19, and the age of consent is 13.
- **Media and Internet**: The digital landscape is characterized by diverse platforms such as the entertainment forum Instiz, the feminist forums Megalia and Womad, and the employment site Jobplanet. The media company Vlending is a notable joint venture between MBC and SBS.
- **Public Holidays**: Major celebrations include New Year's Day (Jan 1), Samiljeol (Mar 1), Children's Day (May 5), Memorial Day (Jun 6), Gwangbokjeol (Aug 15), Gaecheonjeol (Oct 3), and Hangul Day (Oct 9), alongside lunar festivals like Ch'usŏk and Korean New Year.

### International Relations
South Korea maintains extensive diplomatic relations with numerous countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, Italy, France, and Ukraine. It is a member of the United Nations (since 1991), the World Trade Organization (since 1995), and the International Monetary Fund. The country is also a partner in the Missile Technology Control Regime and the Nuclear Suppliers Group, reflecting its commitment to international security and non-proliferation.

### Technical Identifiers
- **ISO 3166-1**: Alpha-2: KR, Alpha-3: KOR, Numeric: 410.
- **ISNI**: 0000 0001 2308 8103.
- **VIAF**: 132441370.
- **GS1 Country Code**: 880.
- **International Calling Code**: +82.
- **Trunk Prefix**: 0.

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