For the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, see, Territory controlled by the Republic of Korea in dark green; territory claimed but not controlled in light green, The oldest surviving metal movable type book, the, It has been suggested that this article should be, Transportation, energy and infrastructure. [d] The country's western border is formed by the Yellow Sea, while its eastern border is defined by the Sea of Japan. [182][183][184] This obsession with education has catapulted the resource-poor nation consistently atop the global education rankings. The South Korean government's structure is determined by the Constitution of the Republic of Korea. Number of Entries: The number of times you may seek entry into the United States with that visa. In 936, the Later Three Kingdoms were united by Wang Geon, a descendant of Goguryeo nobility,[76] who established Goryeo as the successor state of Goguryeo. [109] Later that year, Kim received the Nobel Peace Prize "for his work for democracy and human rights in South Korea and in East Asia in general, and for peace and reconciliation with North Korea in particular". [209] Other religions include Islam (130,000 Muslims, mostly migrant workers from Pakistan and Bangladesh but including some 35,000 Korean Muslims[211]), the homegrown sect of Won Buddhism, and a variety of indigenous religions, including Cheondoism (a Confucianizing religion), Jeungsanism, Daejongism, Daesun Jinrihoe, and others. [286] South Korea's economy was one of the world's fastest-growing from the early 1960s to the late 1990s, and was still one of the fastest-growing developed countries in the 2000s, along with Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan, the other three Asian Tigers. [25][26] However, the name Joseon was still widely used by Koreans to refer to their country, though it was no longer the official name. Because of South Korea's tumultuous history, construction and destruction has been repeated endlessly, resulting in an interesting melange of architectural styles and designs. President Yoon declared a state of official national mourning.[124]. The judicial branch operates at both the national and local levels. has achieved a remarkably high level of economic growth and is now the United States' sixth-largest goods trading partner with a trillion-dollar economy. Later Silla carried on the maritime prowess of Baekje, which acted like the Phoenicia of medieval East Asia,[58] and during the 8th and 9th centuries dominated the seas of East Asia and the trade between China, Korea and Japan, most notably during the time of Jang Bogo; in addition, Silla people made overseas communities in China on the Shandong Peninsula and the mouth of the Yangtze River. Robotics has been included in the list of main national R&D projects in Korea since 2003. Fuel production and waste handling technologies have also been developed locally. [209] The number of Protestants has been stagnant throughout the 1990s and the 2000s, but increased to a peak level throughout the 2010s. Soups known as guk () are often made with meats, shellfish and vegetables. Contents 1 History 2 Types 3 Administration Individuals age of 55 and younger than 60 who are not engaged in activities yielding earned income are eligible to be covered under the 'early old-age pension' scheme. [191] Yet with only limited places at the nation's most prestigious universities and even fewer places at top-tier companies, many young people remain disappointed and are often unwilling to lower their sights with the result of many feeling as though they are underachievers. [196] Voluntarily insured persons are not subjected to mandatory coverage but can choose to be. According to the 2005 census, Seoul had a population of 10 million inhabitants. [147] South Korea is ranked 45th on the Corruption Perceptions Index (9th in the Asia-Pacific region), with a score of 57 out of 100.[148]. [169] Fertility saw some modest increase afterwards,[170] but dropped to a new global low in 2017,[171] with fewer than 30,000 births per month for the first time since records began[172] and less than 1 child per woman in 2018. [192][193], In 2015, the country spent 5.1% of its GDP on all levels of education roughly 0.8 percentage points above the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) average of 4.3%. [326], Scientific and technological development in South Korea at first did not occur largely because of more pressing matters such as the division of Korea and the Korean War that occurred right after its independence. Kings Yeongjo and Jeongjo particularly led a new renaissance of the Joseon dynasty during the 18th century. The South Korean Army has 2,500 tanks in operation, including the K1A1 and K2 Black Panther, which form the backbone of the South Korean army's mechanized armor and infantry forces. The unification of the Three Kingdoms by Silla in 676 led to the North South States Period, in which much of the Korean Peninsula was controlled by Later Silla, while Balhae controlled the northern parts of Goguryeo. It has local governments that are granted autonomy and have their executive and legislative branches. Goguryeo experienced a golden age under Gwanggaeto the Great and his son Jangsu,[40][41][42][43] who both subdued Baekje and Silla during their times, achieving a brief unification of the Three Kingdoms of Korea and becoming the most dominant power on the Korean Peninsula. [369] Korean pottery and porcelain, such as Joseon's baekja and buncheong, and Goryeo's celadon are well known throughout the world. ", "At least 153 killed in crowd crush during Halloween festivities in Seoul", "An Ecoregion-Based Approach to Protecting Half the Terrestrial Realm", "Korea National Park Service official site", "Letter to Lee administration: Save the Songdo Tidal Flat", South Korea Boosts Renewable-Energy Investments by 60%, R&D status and prospects on fuel cells in Korea, Renewable Energy Policy Mechanisms by Paul Gipe, "Jobs come first in South Korea's ambitious 'Green New Deal' climate plan", "Moon vows to shut down 30 more coal plants to bring cleaner air and battle climate change", "Seoul City holds second Arisu Festival to show tap water is safe to drink", "Seoul Metropolitan Government "A Clean, Attractive & Global City, Seoul! military juntas) No constitutionally defined basis to current regime (e.g. Exporters Under the U.S.-Korea Trade Agreement", "Military Duty Exemption for Biracial Koreans Will Be Scrapped", "South Korea Beefs Up Anti-Air Defenses as North Blusters", "Korea Aerospace Signs Deal to Sell Trainer Jets to Indonesia", "Allies' future command to be led by S. Korean general: minister", "Amnesty International calls on South Korea to free conscientious objectors", "South Korean Jehovah's Witnesses Face Stigma of Not Serving in Army", "In Landmark Ruling, South Korea's Top Court Acquits Conscientious Objector", "Report for Selected Countries and Subjects", South Korea: Introduction >> globalEDGE: Your source for Global Business Knowledge, Report for Selected Countries and Subjects, "OECD.Stat Education and Training > Education at a Glance > Educational attainment and labor-force status > Educational attainment of 2564 year-olds", "GDP per capita growth (annual%) Data", "Financial markets unstable in S.Korea following Cheonan sinking", "S Korea stands among world's highest-level fiscal reserve holders: IMF", "Lessons from South Korea's Chaebol economy", "South Korea Survived Recession With CEO Tactics", "South Korea GDP grew revised 6.2pc in 2010", "Surging Seoul: Traffic at Incheon Airport is booming. A unitary state is a sovereign state governed as a single entity in which the central government is the supreme authority. Voluntarily and continuously insured persons consists of individuals 60 years of age who want to fulfill the minimum insured period of 20 years to qualify for old age pension benefits. This category comprises retirees who voluntarily choose to have additional benefits, individuals under the age of 27 without income, and individuals whose spouses are covered under a public welfare system, whether military, governmental, or private school teacher pensions. Every 15th day of the 8th lunar month, Koreans celebrate the Midautumn Festival, in which Koreans visit their ancestral hometowns and eat a variety of traditional Korean foods. The South Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism actively encourages the traditional arts, as well as modern forms, through funding and education programs. There were two Korean Lt. It is the country's largest island, with an area of 1,845 square kilometers (712 square miles). Metal chopsticks have been discovered in Goguryeo archaeological sites. [240], China has become South Korea's largest trading partner by far, sending 26% of South Korean exports in 2016 worth $124 billion, as well as an additional $32 billion worth of exports to Hong Kong. [327] Around 60% of all Korean elders, age 65 and over are entitled to a 5% benefit of their past average income at an average of 90,000 Korean Won (KRW). After an ebb and flow that saw both sides facing defeat with massive losses among Korean civilians in both the north and the south, the war eventually reached a stalemate. [244] The situation was largely resolved by South Korea making significant military concessions to China in exchange for THAAD, including not deploying any more anti-ballistic missile systems in South Korea and not participating in an alliance between the United States and Japan. Male citizens 18-35 years old are required to complete at least 21 months of military service. According to the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, the number of scholarships for foreign students in South Korea would have (under the program) doubled by that time, and the number of foreign students would have reached 100,000. Constitution Day is on 17 July, and it celebrates the promulgation of Constitution of the Republic of Korea. [304] A second carrier, Asiana Airlines also serves domestic and international traffic. [322] South Korea's pension system structure is primarily based on taxation and is income-related. [137], In 2017, South Korea was the world's seventh largest emitter of carbon emissions and the fifth largest emitter per capita. Fee: The reciprocity fee, also known as the visa issuance fee, you must pay. Read the country information page for additional information on travel to South Korea. ", "South Korea's president is removed from office as court upholds her impeachment", "New Korean president willing to work with North DW 05/10/2017", "South Korea's Moon may be on brink of legacy-defining moment", "Park Geun-hye: South Korea's ex-leader jailed for 24 years for corruption", "As Birthrate Falls, South Korea's Population Declines, Posing Threat to Economy", "Who is South Korea's new president Yoon Suk-yeol? [230] North and South Korea are still technically at war (having never signed a peace treaty after the Korean War) and share the world's most heavily fortified border. Because of social instability, social issues appeared as main subjects in the 1980s. Rainfall is concentrated in the summer months of June through September. The United States participation was critical for preventing the near defeat of the Republic of Korea by northern forces, as well as fighting back for the territory gains that define the South Korean nation today. [376] People of the upper classes built bigger houses with elegantly curved tiled roofs with lifting eaves. The liberal camp and the conservative camp are the dominant forces of South Korean politics at present. [290][291] The International Monetary Fund compliments the resilience of the South Korean economy against various economic crises, citing low state debt and high fiscal reserves that can quickly be mobilized to address financial emergencies. The martial art taekwondo originated in Korea. Japan is the unitary state. [citation needed] In 2010, South Korea was spending 1.68 trillion in a cost-sharing agreement with the US to provide budgetary support to the US forces in Korea, on top of the 29.6 trillion budget for its own military. His election was significant given that he had in earlier years been a political prisoner sentenced to death (later commuted to exile). [134], The renewable portfolio standard program with renewable energy certificates runs from 2012 to 2022. Almost all South Korean students today learn English throughout their education, with some optionally choosing Japanese or Mandarin as well. [370] The Korean tea ceremony, pansori, talchum and buchaechum are also notable Korean performing arts. Photos and Videos National anthem of South Korea See All Videos, Images and Audio South Korea has the fastest Internet download speeds in the world,[332] with an average download speed of 25.3 Mbit/s. Korean cuisine, hanguk yori (; ), or hansik (; ), has evolved through centuries of social and political change. Combined, South Korean airlines serve 297 international routes. Hangul Day, on 9 October commemorates the invention of hangul, the native alphabet of the Korean language. [79] Like Silla, Goryeo was a highly cultural state, and invented the metal movable type printing press. [318][319] With rising tourist prospects, especially from foreign countries outside of Asia, the South Korean government has set a target of attracting 20 million foreign tourists a year by 2017. Provinces of South Korea Provinces are one of the first-level divisions within South Korea. [255] It ranks nineteenth globally by Human Development Index, and has the third-highest life expectancy in the world. After the war's end in 1953, the country entered into a military alliance with the U.S., and its devastated economy began to soar, recording the fastest rise in average GDP per capita in the world between 1980 and 1990. [350] The government plans to develop Naro-2 by 2018.[351]. The average annual precipitation varies from 1,370 millimeters (54in) in Seoul to 1,470 millimeters (58in) in Busan. The cultural phenomenon known as Hallyu or the "Korean Wave", has swept many countries across Asia making South Korea a major soft power as an exporter of popular culture and entertainment, rivaling Western nations such as the United States and the United Kingdom.[383][384]. South Korean television dramas, known as K-dramas, have begun to find fame internationally. [365] Its rich and vibrant culture left 21 UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritages of Humanity,[366] the fourth largest in the world,[needs update] along with 15 World Heritage Sites. Football has traditionally been regarded as the most popular sport in Korea, with Baseball as the second. [299] Express bus terminals are available in most cities. Although it was again returned to Korea along with the rest of its territory in 1951 with the signing of the Treaty of San Francisco, Japan does not recant on its claims that the Liancourt Rocks are Japanese territory. South Korea's smaller but more advanced artillery force and wide range of airborne reconnaissance platforms are pivotal in the counter-battery suppression of North Korea's large artillery force, which operates more than 13,000 artillery systems deployed in various state of fortification and mobility. South Korean corporations Samsung and LG were ranked first and third largest mobile phone companies in the world in the first quarter of 2012, respectively. [330] Aside from placing/receiving calls and text messaging, mobile phones in the country are widely used for watching Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB) or viewing websites. In addition to male conscription in South Korea's sovereign military, 1,800 Korean males are selected every year to serve 18 months in the KATUSA Program to further augment the United States Forces Korea (USFK). At the time, the Soviet Union had boycotted the United Nations (UN), thus forfeiting their veto rights. There are approximately 28,500 U.S. military personnel stationed in South Korea,[275] most of them serving one year unaccompanied tours. Two rail lines, Gyeongui and Donghae Bukbu Line, to North Korea are now being reconnected. There is a growing trend of inventions of new types of media or apps, utilizing the 4G and 5G internet infrastructure in South Korea. This allowed the UN to intervene in a civil war when it became apparent that the superior North Korean forces would unify the entire country. Dean Rusk and Charles H. Bonesteel III suggested the 38th parallel as the dividing line, as it placed Seoul under U.S. control. There are many significant regional dishes that have proliferated in different variations across the country in the present day. In February 2016, the Kaesong complex was closed by Seoul in reaction to North Korea's launch of a rocket earlier in the month,[234] which was unanimously condemned by the United Nations Security Council. Korail provides frequent train services to all major South Korean cities. Led by the United States, a United Nations coalition of 16 countries undertook its defense. Spring usually lasts from late March to early May, summer from mid-May to early September, autumn from mid-September to early November, and winter from mid-November to mid-March. [336][337][338] Additionally, South Korea today is known as a Launchpad of a mature mobile market, where developers can reap benefits of a market where very few technology constraints exist. A team in the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology developed the first Korean android, EveR-1 in May 2006. Among Christian denominations, Presbyterianism is the largest. South Korean brands such as LG Electronics and Samsung are internationally famous and garnered South Korea's reputation for its quality electronics and other manufactured goods.[285]. [367], The industrialization and urbanization of South Korea have brought many changes to the way modern Koreans live. South Korea has a government which is a Unitary State. It has been praised for various reasons, including its comparatively high test results and its major role in generating South Korea's economic development, creating one of the world's most educated workforces. [36][37][38], During the period known as the ProtoThree Kingdoms of Korea, the states of Buyeo, Okjeo, Dongye and Samhan occupied the whole Korean peninsula and southern Manchuria. A recent agreement with Novavax expands its production for a second vaccine to 40 million doses in 2022, with a $450 million investment in domestic and overseas facilities. The 2017 election of President Moon Jae-in has seen a change in approach towards the North, and both sides used the South Korean-held 2018 Winter Olympics as an opportunity for engagement,[236] with a very senior North Korean political delegation sent to the games, along with a reciprocal visit by senior South Korean cabinet members to the North soon afterwards. [133], The green-based economic strategy is a comprehensive overhaul of South Korea's economy, utilizing nearly two percent of the national GDP. In November 2009, South Korea joined the OECD Development Assistance Committee, marking the first time a former aid recipient country joined the group as a donor member. While South Koreans use Han (or Hanguk) to refer to both Koreas collectively, North Koreans and ethnic Koreans living in China and Japan use the term Joseon instead. The country, including all its islands, lies between latitudes 33 and 39N, and longitudes 124 and 130E. The majority of states in the world have the unitary system of government. The Korean language in South Korea has a standard dialect known as the Seoul dialect (after the capital city), with an additional four dialects (Chungcheong, Gangwon, Gyeongsang, and Jeolla) and one language (Jeju) in use around the country. [142], South Korea is a member of the Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity Treaty, Kyoto Protocol (forming the Environmental Integrity Group (EIG), regarding UNFCCC,[143] with Mexico and Switzerland), Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (not into force), Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, and Whaling.[144]. The country is the world's ninth-largest exporter and ninth-largest importer. South Korea's efforts to build an indigenous space launch vehicle have been marred due to persistent political pressure from the United States, who had for many decades hindered South Korea's indigenous rocket and missile development programs[352] in fear of their possible connection to clandestine military ballistic missile programs, which Korea many times insisted did not violate the research and development guidelines stipulated by US-Korea agreements on restriction of South Korean rocket technology research and development. [357][358], Plans of creating English-teaching robot assistants to compensate for the shortage of teachers were announced in February 2010, with the robots being deployed to most preschools and kindergartens by 2013. Since June, 2021the United States has shared 1,412,800 safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine doses with the people of South Korea free of cost. South Korea is unitary. In 1960, a student uprising (the "April 19 Revolution") led to the resignation of the autocratic then-President Syngman Rhee. Education is regarded with a high priority for South Korean families, as success in education is often a source of pride for families and within South Korean society at large, and is a necessity to improve one's socioeconomic position in South Korean society. The Korean high-speed rail system, KTX, provides high-speed service along Gyeongbu and Honam Line. [130] Summer can be uncomfortably hot and humid, with temperatures exceeding 30C (86F) in most parts of the country. A further 1,800 were deployed since 2007 to reinforce UN peacekeeping forces in Lebanon. In October, the Soviet Union declared Kim Il-sung's government as sovereign over both parts. Christianity is South Korea's largest organized religion, accounting for more than half of all South Korean adherents of religious organizations. The name Goryeo itself was first used by the ancient kingdom of Goguryeo, which was considered a great power of East Asia during its time, in the 5th century as a shortened form of its name. Like many democratic states,[145] South Korea has a government divided into three branches: executive, judicial, and legislative. [164] Regardless of the ethnicity, there are 28,500 US military personnel serving in South Korea, most serving a one-year unaccompanied tour (though approximately 10% serve longer tours accompanied by family), according to the Korea National Statistical Office. An official website of the United States Government, History of U.S. Relations With South Korea, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative Country Page, Office of the U.S. [75] However, Later Silla weakened under internal strife and the revival of Baekje and Goguryeo, which led to the Later Three Kingdoms period in the late ninth century. Nevertheless, EU companies have significant problems accessing and operating in the South Korean market because of stringent standards and testing requirements for products and services often creating barriers to trade. Buddhism was introduced to Korea in the 4th century. Despite lacking natural resources, the nation rapidly developed to become one of the Four Asian Tigers based on international trade and economic globalization, integrating itself within the world economy with export-oriented industrialization; currently being one of the largest exporting nations in the world, along with having one of the largest foreign-exchange reserves in the world. [205] Further criticism has been stemmed for causing labor shortages in various skilled blue collar labor and vocational occupations, where many go unfilled as the negative social stigma associated with vocational careers and not having a university degree continues to remain deep-rooted in South Korean society.[206][207][208]. [132] However, there have been recent efforts to balance these problems, including a government run $84 billion five-year green growth project that aims to boost energy efficiency and green technology. Gija Joseon was purportedly founded in the 12th century BCE, but its existence and role have been controversial in the modern era. Freedom of religion is guaranteed by the constitution, and there is no state religion. The lack of a strong response to these attacks from both South Korea and the international community (the official UN report declined to explicitly name North Korea as the perpetrator for the Cheonan sinking) caused significant anger with the South Korean public. The schedules are not uniformly standardized and vary from school to school. [247] On 22 June, Moon Jae-in and Putin signed a document for foundation of free trade area. There also is an 'active old-age pension' scheme that covers individuals age 60 to 65 engaged in activities yielding earned income. Its southern tip lies on the Korea Strait and the East China Sea. As president, Park oversaw a period of rapid export-led economic growth enforced by political repression. [325] Any one who is under the age of 18 are dependents of someone who is covered or under a special exclusion where they are allowed to alternative provisions. For all Department accounts: https://t.co/kzsNMIOwF9. Exercise normal precautions in South Korea. South Korea is also the second-largest missionary-sending nation, after the United States.[216]. Northern Korea has a autocratic government. Its total area is 100,032 square kilometers (38,622.57sqmi). Competitive video gaming, also called Esports (sometimes written e-Sports), has become more popular in South Korea in recent years, particularly among young people. South Korea is a regional power and a highly developed country, with its economy being ranked as the world's thirteenth-largest by nominal GDP and the fourteenth-largest by GDP (PPP). U.S.-Korea relations continued until 1905, when Japan assumed direction over Korean foreign affairs. Elections take place every five years to elect the President and the members of the national assembly. Thus,its force was diminished andit only served as a trade center until it was conquered by Goguryeo in 313. and sharing the land border with North Korea and Jeju. [379], Korean architecture entered a new phase of development during the post-Korean War reconstruction, incorporating modern architectural trends and styles. [138][139], Seoul's tap water recently became safe to drink, with city officials branding it "Arisu" in a bid to convince the public. Boys' uniforms usually consist of trousers and white shirts, and girls wear skirts and white shirts (this only applies in middle schools and high schools). Updated on February 02, 2022 A unitary state, or unitary government, is a governing system in which a single central government has total power over all of its other political subdivisions. Upon the onset of the Korean War in 1950, U.S. forces were sent to defend against an invasion from North Korea of the South, and subsequently fought as the largest contributor of UN troops.
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