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{{Infobox Country
{{Infobox Country
|native_name={{lang|ko-Hang-KR|대한민국}}<br />大韓民國<br />''Daehan-minguk''
|conventional_long_name=Republic of Korea
|common_name=South Korea
|image_flag=Flag of South Korea.svg
|image_coat=Coat of arms of South Korea.svg
|symbol_type=Coat of arms
|image_map=<!--Do not change without discussing at the Talk page-->Locator map of South Korea2.svg<!--Do not change without discussing at the Talk page-->
|national_anthem=''[[Aegukga]]'' {{lang|ko|(애국가)}}<br />The Patriotic Song
|national_motto=''Hongik-ingan'' {{lang|ko|(홍익인간)}}<br /> devotion to the welfare of mankind<br/> {{lang|ko|(널리 인간 세상을 이롭게 하라)}}
|official_languages=[[Korean language|Korean]]
|languages_type = [[Official script|Official scripts]]
|languages = [[Hangul]]
|demonym=South Korean, Korean
|ethnic_groups=
|capital=[[Seoul]]
|latd=37
|latm=35
|latNS=N
|longd=127
|longm=0
|longEW=E
|government_type=[[Presidential system|Presidential]] [[republic]]
|leader_title1=[[President of South Korea|President]]
|leader_title2=[[Prime Minister of South Korea|Prime Minister]]
|leader_name1=[[Lee Myung-bak]]
|leader_name2=[[Chung Un-chan]]
|legislature=[[National Assembly of South Korea|National Assembly]]
|area_rank=108th
|area_magnitude=1 E10
|area_km2=100,140
|area_sq_mi=38,622 <!--Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]]-->
|percent_water=0.3
|population_estimate= 48,508,972<ref>[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ks.html CIA World Factbook]. Accessed 2010-01-04.</ref> <!--CIA-->
|population_estimate_year=2009
|population_estimate_rank=25th
|population_density_km2=493
|population_density_sq_mi=1,274 <!--Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]]-->
|population_density_rank=21st
|GDP_PPP=$1.344 trillion<ref name=imf2>{{cite web|url=http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2009/02/weodata/weorept.aspx?sy=2006&ey=2009&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&c=542&s=NGDPD%2CNGDPDPC%2CPPPGDP%2CPPPPC%2CLP&grp=0&a=&pr.x=45&pr.y=7|title=South Korea|publisher=International Monetary Fund|accessdate=2009-10-01}}</ref>
|GDP_PPP_rank=13th
|GDP_PPP_year=2008
|GDP_PPP_per_capita=$27,692<ref name=imf2/>
|GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank=32nd
|GDP_nominal=$929.124 billion<ref name=imf2/>
|GDP_nominal_rank=15th
|GDP_nominal_year=2008
|GDP_nominal_per_capita=$19,136<ref name=imf2/>
|GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank=36th
|sovereignty_type=[[History of South Korea|Establishment]]
|established_event2=Founding of [[Gojoseon]]
|established_event3=[[Japan–Korea Annexation Treaty|Japan’s occupation of Korea]]
|established_event4=[[March 1st Movement|Independence declared]]
|established_event5=[[Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea|Provisional Government]]
|established_event6=[[Division of Korea|Liberation]]
|established_event7=[[Constitution of the Republic of Korea|Constitution]]
|established_event8=[[History of South Korea#First Republic|Government Proclaimed]]
|established_date2=2333 BC<ref>According to Oral Tradition<br>Savada, Andrea Matles. ''South Korea: A Country Study.'' Area handbook series. Federal Research Division, Library of Congress. Washington, D.C.:1992. p109</ref>
|established_date3=August 29, 1910
|established_date4=March 1, 1919
|established_date5=April 13, 1919
|established_date6=August 15, 1945
|established_date7=July 17, 1948
|established_date8=August 15, 1948
|HDI_year=2007
|HDI={{increase}} 0.937<ref>http://hdr.undp.org/en/media/HDR_2009_EN_Complete.pdf Human Development Report 2009[ (p. 171, 204)</ref>
|HDI_rank=26th
|HDI_year=2007
|HDI_category=<font color="#009900">very high</font>
|Gini=31.3<ref name=ciagini>[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2172.html Gini index] CIA World Fact Book</ref>
|Gini_year=2007
|Gini_category=<span style="color:#090;">low</span>
|currency=[[South Korean won]] (₩)
|currency_code=KRW
|country_code=KOR
|time_zone=[[Korea Standard Time]]
|utc_offset=+9
|time_zone_DST=''not observed''
|utc_offset_DST=+9
|date_format=yyyy년 mm월 dd일<br />yyyy/mm/dd ([[Common Era|CE]])
|drives_on=right
|ac_outlet=220V/60Hz
|cctld=[[.kr]]
|calling_code=[[Telephone numbers in South Korea|82]]
|footnote1=Mobile phone system CDMA, WCDMA, HSDPA and WiBro
|footnote2=Domestic power supply 220V/60 Hz, CEE 7/7 sockets
}}
'''South Korea''', officially the '''Republic of Korea''' ('''ROK''') ({{lang-ko|대한민국}}, {{IPA-ko|tɛːhanminɡuk̚|pron|Ko_pronunciation_of_dae-han-min-guk.ogg}}) and often simply referred to as '''[[Korea]]''', is a country in [[East Asia]], located on the southern half of the [[Korean Peninsula]]. It is neighbored by [[People's Republic of China|China]] to the west, [[Japan]] to the east, and [[North Korea]] to the north. Its capital is [[Seoul]], the second largest [[List of metropolitan areas by population|metropolitan city]] in the world<ref>R.L. Forstall, R.P. Greene, and J.B. Pick, [http://www.uic.edu/cuppa/cityfutures/papers/webpapers/cityfuturespapers/session3_4/3_4whicharethe.pdf "Which are the largest? Why published populations for major world urban areas vary so greatly"], City Futures Conference, (University of Illinois at Chicago, July 2004) &ndash; Table 5 (p.34)</ref> and a major [[global city]].<ref>http://www.foreignpolicy.com/story/cms.php?story_id=4509&page=1</ref> South Korea lies in a [[temperate climate]] region with a predominantly mountainous terrain. Its territory covers a total area of 100,032 square kilometers and has a population of over 48 million, making it the third most densely populated (significantly sized) country in the world (after Bangladesh and Taiwan).<ref name="About Korea">Population density calculated using surface area and population figures from [http://www.korea.net/korea/kor_loca.asp?code=L03].</ref>

Archaeological findings show that the Korean Peninsula was occupied as early as the [[Lower Paleolithic|Lower Paleolithic period]].<ref>[http://www.rom.on.ca/news/releases/public.php?mediakey=sg1yebpnv8 Ancient civilizations]</ref><ref>http://www.opm.go.kr/warp/webapp/content/view?meta_id=english&id=35</ref> [[Korean history]] begins with the founding of [[Gojoseon]] in 2333 [[BC]] by [[Dan-gun]]. Following the unification of the [[Three Kingdoms of Korea]] under [[Silla]] 668 AD, Korea went through the [[Goryeo Dynasty]] and [[Joseon Dynasty]] as one nation until the end of the [[Korean Empire]] in 1910, when Korea was annexed by [[Japan]]. After [[Division of Korea|liberation and occupation]] by Soviet and U.S. forces at the end of World War II, the nation was divided into North and South Korea. The latter was established in 1948 as a [[democracy]]. A [[Korean War|war]] between the two Koreas ended in an uneasy cease-fire. After the war and a period of military rule, the [[Economy of South Korea|South Korean economy]] grew significantly and the country was transformed into a [[G-20 major economies|major economy]]<ref>http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/322280/South-Korea/34997/Economic-and-social-developments</ref> and a [[Democracy Index|full democracy]].

South Korea is a [[Presidential system|presidential]] [[republic]] consisting of 16 [[Administrative divisions of South Korea|administrative divisions]] and is a [[developed country]] with a high [[List of countries by Human Development Index|standard of living]]. It has the fourth largest economy in Asia and the [[List of countries by GDP (nominal)|15th largest]] in the world. The economy is export-driven, with production focusing on [[electronics]], [[Automotive industry|automobile]]s, [[Shipbuilding|ship]]s, [[machinery]], [[petrochemical]]s and [[robotics]]. South Korea is a member of the [[United Nations]], [[WTO]], [[OECD]] and [[G-20 major economies]]. It is also a founding member of [[APEC]] and the [[East Asia Summit]], and a [[major non-NATO ally]] of the [[United States]].

==Government==
{{Main|Government of South Korea}}
[[File:Seoul-National.Assembly-02.jpg|thumb|left|The [[National Assembly of South Korea]]]]
Like many democracies,<ref>[http://a330.g.akamai.net/7/330/25828/20081021185552/graphics.eiu.com/PDF/Democracy%20Index%202008.pdf The Economist Intelligence Unit's Index of Democracy 2008]</ref> South Korea's government is divided into three branches: [[executive (government)|executive]], [[judiciary|judicial]], and [[legislature|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. South Korea is a constitutional democracy.

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 at independence. However, it has retained many broad characteristics and with the exception of the short-lived [[Second Republic of South Korea]], the country has always had a presidential system with an independent chief executive.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.servat.unibe.ch/icl/ks00000_.html |title=South Korea - Constitution |publisher=International Constitutional Law |accessdate=2009-02-16}}</ref> The first direct [[Elections in South Korea|election]] was also held in 1948. Although South Korea experienced a series of military dictatorships since the 1960s up until the 1980s, it has since developed into a successful [[liberal democracy]]. Today, the [[The World Factbook|CIA World Factbook]] describes South Korea's democracy as a "fully functioning modern democracy".<ref name=ciawfb>{{cite web |url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ks.html |title=Korea, South |publisher=[[Central Intelligence Agency]] |work=[[The World Factbook]] |date=10 February 2009 |accessdate=2009-02-16}}</ref>

The national flag of the South Korea was derived from the [[Ba gua]] diagram in [[Taoism]]. It is made up of two curling hemispheres surrounded by binary symbols representing the philosophy of [[yin and yang]].{{Citation needed|date=December 2009}}

==History==
===Before division===
{{Main|History of Korea}}
Korea began with the founding of Joseon (The name [[Gojoseon]] is almost always used to prevent confusion with another Joseon dynasty founded in 14th century; the prefix Go- means 'old' or 'earlier') in 2333 [[BC]] by [[Dangun]].<ref name=koreashistory>{{cite web |url=http://www.asianinfo.org/asianinfo/korea/history.htm |title=Korea's History |publisher=AsianInfo |accessdate=2009-02-17}}</ref> Gojoseon expanded until it controlled much of the northern Korean peninsula and parts of [[Manchuria]]. After numerous wars with the Chinese [[Han Dynasty]], Gojoseon disintegrated, leading to the [[Proto-Three Kingdoms of Korea]] period.

In the early centuries of the Common Era, [[Buyeo Kingdom|Buyeo]], [[Okjeo]], [[Dongye]], and the [[Samhan]] confederacy occupied the peninsula and southern Manchuria. Of the various small states, [[Goguryeo]], [[Baekje]], and [[Silla]] grew to control the peninsula as [[Three Kingdoms of Korea|the Three Kingdoms]]. The unification of the Three Kingdoms by [[Unified Silla|Silla]] in 676 led to the [[North South States Period]], in which much of the Korean peninsula was controlled by [[Unified Silla]], while [[Balhae]] succeeded the northern parts of Goguryeo. In [[Unified Silla]], poetry and art was encouraged, and Buddhist culture flourished. Relationships between Korea and China remained relatively peaceful during this time. However, Unified Silla weakened under internal strife, and surrendered to [[Goryeo]] in 935. [[Balhae]], Silla's neighbor to the north, was formed as a successor state to Goguryeo. During its height, Balhae controlled most of Manchuria and parts of Russia. It fell to the [[History of the Khitans|Khitan]] in 926.

[[Image:SelectedTeachingsofBuddhistSagesandSonMasters1377.jpg|thumb|''[[Jikji]]'', the earliest known book printed with movable metal type in 1377. Bibliothèque Nationale de Paris.]]

After the North-South Period, successor states fought for control during the [[Later Three Kingdoms]] period. The peninsula was soon united by [[Taejo of Goryeo|Emperor Taejo]] of [[Goryeo]]. Like Silla, Goryeo was a highly cultural state and created the [[Jikji]] in 1377, using the world's oldest movable metal [[printing press]].<ref>[http://www.digitaljikji.net/digital_jikji/main.asp Digital Jikji]</ref>

The [[Mongol invasions of Korea|Mongol invasions]] in the 13th century greatly weakened Goryeo. After nearly 30 years of war, Goryeo continued to rule Korea, though as a tributary ally to the Mongols. After the [[Mongolian Empire]] collapsed, severe political strife followed and the Goryeo Dynasty was replaced by the [[Joseon Dynasty]] in 1388 following a rebellion by General [[Taejo of Joseon|Yi Seong-gye]].

King Taejo declared the new name of Korea as "Joseon" in reference to [[Gojoseon]], and moved the capital to [[Seoul]]. The first 200 years of the Joseon Dynasty were marked by relative peace and saw the creation of [[Hangul]] by [[Sejong the Great of Joseon|King Sejong the Great]] in the 14th century and the rise in influence of [[Confucianism]] in the country.

[[File:Gyeongbok Palace main attraction.png|thumb|left|[[Gyeongbokgung|Gyeongbok Palace]] is the largest of the [[Five Grand Palaces]] built during the [[Joseon Dynasty]].]]

Between 1592 and 1598, the [[Japanese invasions of Korea|Japanese invaded Korea]]. [[Toyotomi Hideyoshi]] led the forces and tried to invade [[Asia|the Asian continent]] through Korea, but was eventually repelled by the [[Righteous army]] and assistance from [[Ming Dynasty]] [[China]]. This war also saw the rise of Admiral [[Yi Sun-sin]] and his renowned "[[turtle ship]]". In the 1620s and 1630s, Joseon suffered from [[Manchu invasion of Korea|invasions by the Manchu]] who eventually conquered all of China.

After another series of [[Second Manchu invasion of Korea|invasions from Manchuria]], Joseon experienced a nearly 200-year period of peace. [[Yeongjo of Joseon|King Yeongjo]] and [[Jeongjo of Joseon|King Jeongjo]] especially led a new renaissance of the Joseon Dynasty.

However, the latter years of the Joseon Dynasty were marked by excessive dependence on China for external affairs and isolation from the outside world. During the 19th century, Korea's isolationist policy earned it the name the "[[Hermit Kingdom]]". The Joseon Dynasty tried to protect itself against Western [[imperialism]], but was eventually forced to open trade beginning an era which eventually led to 35 years of [[Korea under Japanese rule|Japanese colonial rule]] (1910-1945). After the end of World War II, the Japanese surrendered to Soviet and U.S. forces who occupied the northern and southern halves of Korea, respectively.

===After division===
{{Main|History of South Korea}}
Despite the initial plan of a unified Korea in the 1943 [[Cairo Declaration]], escalating [[Cold War]] antagonism between the Soviet Union and the United States eventually led to the establishment of separate governments, each with its own ideology, leading to [[division of Korea|Korea's division]] into two political entities in 1948: [[North Korea]] and South Korea. In the North, a former anti-Japanese guerrilla and communist activist, [[Kim Il-sung]] gained power through Soviet support, and in the South, an exiled and right-wing Korean political leader, [[Syngman Rhee]], was installed as president.
[[File:Seoul.Olympic.Stadium.01 copy.jpg|thumb|200px|left|The [[Seoul Olympic Stadium]] viewed from the [[Han River (Korea)|Han River]] that celebrated the [[1988 Summer Olympics]].]]
On 25 June 1950, North Korea launched an attempt to unify the country by military force which lead to the [[Korean War]]. At the time, the Soviet Union had boycotted the [[United Nations]] (UN), thus forfeiting their veto rights. 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. The Soviet Union and [[People's Republic of China|China]] backed North Korea, with the later participation of millions of [[People's Liberation Army|Chinese troops]]. After huge advances on both sides, and massive losses among Korean civilians in both the north and the south, the war eventually reached a stalemate. The 1953 armistice, never signed by South Korea, split the peninsula along the [[Korean Demilitarized Zone|demilitarized zone]] near the original demarcation line. No peace treaty was signed, resulting in the two countries remaining technically at war. At least 2.5 million people died during the Korean War.<ref>[http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/322419/Korean-War Korean War (1950&ndash;53)]. Britannica Online Encyclopedia.</ref>

In 1960, [[April Revolution|a student uprising]] led to the resignation of the autocratic President [[Syngman Rhee]]. A period of political instability followed, broken by General [[Park Chung-hee]]'s [[Supreme Council for National Reconstruction|military coup]] (the ''"5-16 coup d'état"'') against the weak and ineffectual government the next year. Park took over as president until his assassination in 1979, overseeing rapid [[Export-oriented industrialization|export-led economic growth]] as well as severe political repression. Park was heavily criticised as a ruthless military dictator, although the Korean economy developed significantly during his tenure.

The years after Park's assassination were marked again by considerable political turmoil as the previously repressed opposition leaders all campaigned to run for president in the sudden political void. In 1980 there was another [[coup d'état]] by General [[Chun Doo-hwan]] against the transitional government of Choi Gyu Ha, the interim president and a former prime minister under Park. Chun assumed the presidency. His [[Coup d'état of December Twelfth|seizure of power]] triggered nationwide protests demanding [[democracy]], in particular in the city of Gwangju, in [[Jeollanam-do]], where Chun sent special forces to violently suppress the [[Gwangju Democratization Movement]].
[[File:Inside Seoul World Cup Stadium.jpg|thumb|right|200px|View of the [[Seoul World Cup Stadium]] used during the [[2002 FIFA World Cup]] co-hosted by South Korea and Japan.]]

Chun and his government held Korea under a despotic rule until 1987, when Park Jong Chul—a student attending [[Seoul National University]]—was tortured to death. On 10 June, the Catholic Priests' Association for Justice revealed Park's torture, igniting huge demonstrations around the country. Eventually, Chun's party, the [[Democratic Justice Party]], and its leader, [[Roh Tae-woo]] announced the June 29th Declaration, which included the direct election of the president. Roh went on to win the election by a narrow margin against the two main opposition leaders, [[Kim Dae-Jung]] and [[Kim Young-Sam]].

[[File:Gangnampicturefromtheoffice.jpg|thumb|200px|left|View of [[Seoul]]'s [[Gangnam-gu|Gangnam]] district today. South Korea's economic success is often called the [[Miracle on the Han River]].]]
In 1988, Seoul successfully hosted the [[1988 Summer Olympics]], and continuing economic development led to membership in the [[Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development]] (OECD) in 1996. As with many of its Asian neighbors, South Korea was adversely affected by the [[1997 Asian Financial Crisis]], however the country was able to recover and continue its economic growth.

In June 2000, as part of president Kim Dae-Jung's "[[Sunshine Policy]]" of engagement, a [[Inter-Korean Summit|North-South summit]] took place in [[Pyongyang]], the capital of North Korea. 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."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/2000/index.html|title=The Nobel Peace Prize 2000|publisher=The Nobel Foundation|year=2000|accessdate=2009-02-17}}</ref>

In 2002, South Korea and Japan jointly co-hosted the [[2002 FIFA World Cup]], however [[Japan–Korea relations|South Korean and Japanese relations]] later [[Japan–Korea disputes|soured]] due to conflicting claims of [[sovereignty]] over the [[Liancourt Rocks]] (known as Dokdo in Korea and Takeshima in Japan), in what became known as the [[Liancourt Rocks dispute]].

==Foreign relations==
{{Main|Foreign relations of South Korea}}
[[File:Bushes greet South Korean President Lee Myung-bak.jpg|thumb|right|[[President of South Korea]] [[Lee Myung-bak]], with former [[President of the United States|U.S. President]] [[George W. Bush]]]]
South Korea maintains diplomatic relations with approximately 170 countries. The country has also been a member of the [[United Nations]] since 1991, when it became a member state at the same time as North Korea. On January 1, 2007, South Korean Foreign Minister [[Ban Ki-moon]] assumed the post of [[United Nations Secretary-General|UN Secretary-General]]. It has also developed links with the [[Association of Southeast Asian Nations]] as both a member of ''ASEAN Plus three,'' a body of observers, and the [[East Asia Summit]] (EAS).

Beginning in May 2007, South Korea and the [[European Union]] have been negotiating a [[European Union-Korea Free Trade Agreement|free trade agreement]] to reduce trade barriers.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://ec.europa.eu/trade/issues/bilateral/countries/korea/index_en.htm |title=External Trade &ndash; Trade Issues &ndash; South Korea |publisher=European Commission |date=December 2008 |accessdate=2009-03-05}}</ref> South Korea is also negotiating a Free Trade Agreement with [[Canada]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.international.gc.ca/trade-agreements-accords-commerciaux/agr-acc/korea-coree/index.aspx?lang=en |title=Canada-Korea &ndash; Free Trade Agreement Negotiations |publisher=Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada |date=5 January 2009 |accessdate=2009-03-05}}</ref> and another with [[New Zealand]].<ref>http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-03/03/content_10933684.htm</ref> In November 2009, South Korea made its accession to the OECD [[Development Assistance Committee]] marking the first time a former aid recipient country has joined the group as a donor member. South Korea has also agreed to host the G-20 Summit in Seoul in 2010.

===China===
Historically, Korea has had relatively close relations with [[China]]. Before the formation of South Korea, Korean independence fighters worked with Chinese soldiers during the Japanese occupation. However, after [[World War II]], the [[People's Republic of China]] embraced [[Maoism]] while South Korea sought close relations with the United States. The PRC assisted North Korea with manpower and supplies during the [[Korean War]], and in its aftermath the diplomatic relationship between South Korea and the PRC almost completely ceased. Relations thawed gradually and South Korea and the PRC re-established formal diplomatic relations on August 24, 1992. The two countries sought to improve bilateral relations and lifted the forty-year old trade embargo, and<ref name="autogenerated2">[http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Korea/FI11Dg03.html Asia Times &ndash; News and analysis from Korea; North and South<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> South Korean-Chinese relations have improved steadily since 1992.<ref name="autogenerated2" /> The Republic of Korea broke off official relations with the [[Republic of China]] upon gaining official relations with the [[People's Republic of China]]. Today, China is South Korea's most important trading partner.

===Japan===
[[File:Dokdo 20080628-panorama.jpg|thumb|left|[[Liancourt Rocks]] has become an issue known as the [[Liancourt Rocks dispute]]]]
Although there were no formal diplomatic ties between South Korea and Japan after the end of World War II, South Korea and Japan signed the [[Treaty on Basic Relations between Japan and the Republic of Korea]] in 1965 to establish diplomatic ties. There is heavy [[Anti-Japanese sentiment in Korea|anti-Japanese sentiment in South Korea]] due to a number of unsettled [[Japanese-Korean disputes]], many of which stem from the period of [[Korea under Japanese rule|Japanese occupation]]. During [[World War II]], more than 100,000 Koreans were forced to serve in the [[Imperial Japanese Army]].<ref>A Brief History of the US-Korea Relations Prior to 1945. "While less than 100 Koreans in America enlisted in the US military during World War II, more than 100,000 Koreans served in the Japanese army as officers and soldiers. There were two Korean Lt. Generals in the Japanese Army: a Chosun prince, whose rank was honorary and who commanded no troops; and Lt. Gen. Hong Sa-Ik, who was a professional military man from the old Chosun army."</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=
http://www.gangje.go.kr/admin_view0305.asp?idx=711&page=1|title=Truth Commission on Forced Mobilization under the japanese Imperialism Republic of Korea.|accessdate=18/03/9}}</ref> Korean women were lured to the war front to serve the Imperial Japanese Army as sexual slaves, called [[comfort women]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jpri.org/publications/workingpapers/wp77.html|title=Japan's Responsibility Toward Comfort Women Survivors.|accessdate=27/09/9}}</ref>[http://www.comfort-women.org/index.php]

Longstanding issues such as [[Japanese war crimes]] against Korean civilians, the visits by Japanese politicians to the [[Yasukuni Shrine]] honoring Japanese soldiers killed at war (including some class A war criminals), the re-writing of [[Japanese history textbook controversies|Japanese textbooks]] to overlook Japanese aggression during World War II, and the territorial disputes over [[Dokdo Island]]<ref>{http://www.dynamic-korea.com/news/view_news.php?main=KTD&sub=&uid=200800220395&keyword=}</ref> continue to trouble Korean-Japanese relations. In response to then-[[Prime Minister of Japan|Prime Minister]] [[Junichiro Koizumi]]'s repeated visits to the Yasukuni Shrine, former [[President of South Korea|President]] Roh Moo-hyun suspended all summit talks between South Korea and Japan. Japan sent much aid to support development of South Korea after the war, but the amount of compensation for colonial suffering was questioned for its legitimacy. The amount of money they paid and the method of distribution caused protest among those people who suffered from forced labor and abuse.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.voanews.com/Korean/archive/2006-03/2006-03-17-voa12.cfm|title=President Roh Moo-hyun will not hold a summit with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi until Koizumi stops visits to Japan's Yasukuni shrine|publisher=[[Voice of America]]|date=17 March 2006|accessdate=2009-02-15}}</ref>

===North Korea===
Both [[North Korea|North]] and South Korea continue to officially claim sovereignty over the entire peninsula and any outlying islands. With longstanding animosity following the [[Korean War]] from 1950 to 1953, North Korea and South Korea signed an agreement to pursue peace.<ref name="autogenerated4">{{cite news|url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUKSEO16392220071004|title=FACTBOX &ndash; North, South Korea pledge peace, prosperity |accessdate=2007-10-04|publisher=Thomson Reuters|agency=Reuters|date=4 October 2007|accessdate=2009-02-17}}</ref> On October 4, 2007, Roh Moo-Hyun and North Korean leader [[Kim Jong-il]] signed an eight-point agreement on issues of permanent peace, high-level talks, economic cooperation, renewal of train services, highway and air travel, and a joint Olympic cheering squad.<ref name="autogenerated4" />

Despite the Sunshine Policy and efforts at reconciliation, the progress was complicated by [[North Korean missile tests]] in [[1993 North Korean missile test|1993]], [[1998 North Korean missile test|1998]], [[2006 North Korean nuclear test|2006]] and 2009. {{Asof|2009|May|alt=As of mid 2009}}, relationships between North and South Korea are very tense; North Korea has been reported to have deployed missiles,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7905361.stm |title=N Korea 'deploying more missiles'|publisher=BBC News |date=23 February 2009}}</ref> ended its former agreements with South Korea,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7859671.stm |title=North Korea tears up agreements |publisher=BBC News |date=30 January 2009 |accessdate=2009-03-08}}</ref> and threatened South Korea and the United States not to interfere with a satellite launch it had planned.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7931670.stm |publisher=BBC News |date=3 March 2009 |accessdate=2009-03-08}}</ref>
As of 2009, North and South Korea are still technically at war (having never signed an armistice after the Korean War) and share the world’s most heavily fortified border.<ref> http://edition.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/asiapcf/06/03/koreas.agree/index.html</ref> On May 27, 2009, North Korea declared that the ceasefire treaty, signed post Korean War, is no longer valid due to the South Korean government's pledge to "definitely join" the [[Proliferation Security Initiative]].

===United States===
The United States engaged in the decolonization of Korea (mainly South, Soviet Union engaged North Korea) from Japan after World War II. After 3 years of military administration by the United States, the South Korean government was established.
Upon the onset of the Korean War, the U.S. forces were sent to defend South Korea against invasion by North Korea and later China. Since then, the two nations have had strong economic, diplomatic and military ties, although they have at times disagreed with regards to policies towards North Korea. Currently, the [[US Eighth Army|U.S. Eighth Army]], [[Seventh Air Force]] and [[Commander Naval Forces Korea|U.S. Naval Forces Korea]] are stationed in South Korea. In 2007, a free trade agreement known as the [[South Korea – United States Free Trade Agreement|Republic of Korea-United States Free Trade Agreement]] (KORUS FTA) was signed between South Korea and the United States, but has not yet been approved by the legislative bodies of the two countries.

==Armed forces==
{{Main|Military of South Korea}}

A history of invasions by its neighbors and mainly the unresolved tension with North Korea have prompted South Korea to pump 2.6% of its GDP and 15% of all government spending into its military, while maintaining compulsory conscription for men.<ref><http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/rok/budget.htm</ref> Consequently, South Korea has the world's sixth largest number of [[List of countries by number of total troops|active troops]],<ref name="South Korea">{{cite news|title=South Korea's Armed Forces, CSIS (Page 24) |date=2006-07-25|url=http://www.csis.org/media/csis/pubs/060626_asia_balance_powers.pdf}}</ref> the world's second-largest number of [[List of countries by size of armed forces|reserve troops]]<ref name="South Korea"/> and the twelfth largest [[List of countries by military expenditures|defence budget]].

The South Korean military consists of the [[Republic of Korea Army|Army]] (ROKA), the [[Republic of Korea Navy|Navy]] (ROKN), the [[Republic of Korea Air Force|Air Force]] (ROKAF), and the [[Republic of Korea Marine Corps|Marine Corps]] (ROKMC), and reserve forces.<ref> GlobalSecurity on Military of Republic of Korea http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/rok/index.html</ref> Many of these forces are concentrated near the [[Korean Demilitarized Zone]]. All South Korean males are constitutionally required to serve in the military, typically for a period of two years. However, there have been debates about shortening the length of the military services, and even dismissing the mandatory service itself. The government recently allowed some male students who were in the process of earning a university bachelor's degree and master's degree to dismiss the military requirements to allow them to further study and research their fields. Furthermore, Koreans of mixed race are exempt from military duty if they "look distinctively biracial".<ref>http://koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2009/10/116_52759.html</ref>

The [[South Korean army]] has 2,300 [[tank]]s in operation,<ref>{{ cite paper |url=http://www.csis.org/media/csis/pubs/060626_asia_balance_powers.pdf|title=The Asian Conventional Military Balance in 2006: Overview of major Asian Powers|date=26 June 2006|publisher=Center for Strategic and International Studies|last=Cordesman|first=Anthony H.|coauthors=Kleiber, Martin|format=PDF|accessdate=2009-02-14}}</ref> including the [[K1A1]] and [[K2 Black Panther]]. The [[Republic of Korea Navy|South Korean navy]] has the world's sixth largest fleet of [[destroyer]]s, including the [[King Sejong the Great class destroyer]], which has an [[Aegis combat system|Aegis guided missile]] system.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/05/25/asia/AS-GEN-SKorea-Aegis-Destroyer.php|title=South Korea launches first Aegis-equipped destroyer|date=24 May 2007|accessdate=2009-02-15}}</ref><!-- This article summary (not from the original source) is dated 2007. It does NOT say Korea operates an Aegis BMD destroyer, only that one will be operational in 2009. --> The [[Republic of Korea Airforce|South Korean airforce]] operates the ninth largest airforce in the world,<ref>[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/rok/rokaf-equipment.htm ROK Air Force Equipment]</ref> including [[United States|American]] fighters such as the [[F-15K]], [[KF-16]], and the indigenous [[T-50 Golden Eagle]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2009/01/205_34171.html|title=US Pilots Test Fly T-50 Trainer|last=Jung|first=Sung-ki|date=10 November 2008|publisher=[[The Korea Times]]|accessdate=2009-02-15}}</ref>

[[File:ROKS Sejong the Great (DDG 991).jpg|thumb|left|[[Republic of Korea Navy|ROKN]] guided-missile destroyer Sejong the Great (DDG 991)]]
From time to time, South Korea has sent its troops overseas to assist American forces. It has participated in most major conflicts that the United States has been involved in the past 50 years. South Korea dispatched 320,000 troops to fight alongside American, [[Australia]]n, [[Philippines|Filipino]], [[New Zealand]] and [[South Vietnam]]ese soldiers in the [[Vietnam War]], with a peak strength of 50,000. Most recently, South Korea sent 3,300 troops of the [[Zaytun Division]] to help re-building in northern [[Iraq]], and was the 3rd largest contributor in the [[Multinational force in Iraq|coalition forces]] after only the US and Britain.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.army.mil.kr:7081/zaytun2/english/index.jsp|title=Zaytun Division official website|publisher=|date=|accessdate=2009-02-17}}{{Dead link|date=February 2009}}</ref>

The United States has stationed a substantial contingent of [[troop]]s in South Korea since the [[Korean War]] to defend South Korea in case of a North Korean attack. There are also approximately 29,000 [[United States Forces Korea|U.S. Military personnel stationed in Korea]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newsweek.com/id/68465|title=America's Unsinkable Fleet|publisher=Newsweek|date=26 Feb 2007|accessdate=2009-02-17}}</ref> most of them serving one year of unaccompanied tours. The American troops, which primarily are assigned to the [[Eighth United States Army]] are stationed in installations at [[Osan]], Yongsan, [[Dongducheon]], Sungbuk, and [[Daegu]]. A still functioning [[United Nations Command (Korea)|UN Command]] is technically the top of the [[chain of command]] of all forces in South Korea, including the US forces and the entire South Korean military. Although, if a sudden escalation of war between North and South Korea were to occur, as of currently, the United States would assume control of the South Korean Army in all military and paramilitary moves. However, in September 2006, the Presidents of the United States and the Republic of Korea agreed that South Korea should assume the lead for its own defense. In early 2007, the U.S. Secretary of Defense and ROK Minister of National Defense determined that South Korea will assume wartime operational control of its forces on April 17, 2012. U.S. Forces Korea will transform into a new jointwarfighting command, provisionally described as Korea Command (KORCOM).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/rok/doctrine.htm|title=South Korean Military Doctrine|publisher=Global Security|date=2 March 2009|accessdate=2009-06-07}}</ref>

==Administrative divisions==
{{Main|Administrative divisions of South Korea}}
:''See also [[Special cities of Korea]] and [[Provinces of Korea]]''
[[File:Provinces of South Korea.svg|thumb|200px|left|Principal divisions of South Korea]]
[[File:Southkoreamap.png|thumb|left|200px|General map of South Korea]]
The major administrative divisions in South Korea are '''provinces''', '''metropolitan cities''' (self-governing cities that are not part of any province), and one '''special city'''.
<center>
{| class="wikitable"
! !! Name<sup><small>a</small></sup> !! [[hangul]] !! [[hanja]] !! [[population]]
|-
!colspan="5"| Special city (''Teukbyeolsi'')<sup><small>a</small></sup>
|-
|1||[[Seoul|Seoul (Special City)]]||서울특별시||서울特別市||10,421,782
|-
!colspan="32"| Metropolitan cities (''Gwangyeoksi'')<sup><small>a</small></sup>
|-
|2||[[Busan]]||부산광역시||釜山廣域市||3,635,389
|-
|3||[[Daegu]]||대구광역시||大邱廣域市||2,512,604
|-
|4||[[Incheon]]||인천광역시||仁川廣域市||2,628,000
|-
|5||[[Gwangju]]||광주광역시||光州廣域市||1,415,953
|-
|6||[[Daejeon]]||대전광역시||大田廣域市||1,442,857
|-
|7||[[Ulsan]]||울산광역시||蔚山廣域市||1,087,958
|-
!colspan="5"|Provinces (''Do'')<sup><small>a</small></sup>
|-
|8||[[Gyeonggi-do]]||경기도||京畿道||10,415,399
|-
|9||[[Gangwon-do (South Korea)|Gangwon-do]]||강원도||江原道||1,592,000
|-
|10||[[Chungcheongbuk-do]] (Northern Chungcheong)||충청북도||忠淸北道||1,462,621
|-
|11||[[Chungcheongnam-do]] (Southern Chungcheong)||충청남도||忠淸南道||1,840,410
|-
|12||[[Jeollabuk-do]] (Northern Jeolla)||전라북도||全羅北道||1,890,669
|-
|13||[[Jeollanam-do]] (Southern Jeolla)||전라남도||全羅南道||1,994,287
|-
|14||[[Gyeongsangbuk-do]] (Northern Gyeongsang)||경상북도||慶尙北道||2,775,890
|-
|15||[[Gyeongsangnam-do]] (Southern Gyeongsang)||경상남도||慶尙南道||2,970,929
|-
!colspan="5"|Special self-governing province (''Teukbyeoljachi-do'')<sup><small>a</small></sup>
|-
|16||[[Jeju-do|Jeju-teukbyeoljachido]] (Jeju-do)||제주특별자치도||濟州特別自治道||560,000
|}
</center>
{{smaller|<sup>a</sup> [[Revised Romanisation of Korean|Revised Romanisation]].}}

==Geography and climate==
{{Main|Geography of South Korea}}
{{Main|National parks of South Korea}}
[[File:South Korea Topography.png|thumb|left|[[Topography]] of South Korea]]
[[File:Korea-Boseong-Green.tea-09.jpg|thumb|right|[[Boseong]] tea field.]]
South Korea occupies the southern portion of the [[Korean Peninsula]], which extends some 680 miles (1,100&nbsp;km) from the Asian mainland. This mountainous peninsula is flanked by the [[Yellow Sea]] to the west, and the [[East Sea]] (동해)<!--Please do not change the naming here without first discussing it at the Talk page.--> to the east. Its southern tip lies on the [[Korea Strait]] and the [[East China Sea]].

The country's total area is {{convert|38622.57|sqmi|km2|2}}.<ref>The estimated area rises steadily from year to year, possibly due to land reclamation. {{cite web |url=http://kosis.nso.go.kr/cgi-bin/sws_999.cgi?ID=DT_1A1&IDTYPE=3&A_LANG=1&FPUB=3&SELITEM= |work=Korea Statistical Information Service |title=행정구역(구시군)별 국토적 |accessdate=2006-03-27}}</ref>

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, [[drainage basin|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 terrain is mostly mountainous, most of which is not [[arable land|arable]]. [[Lowland]]s, 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-do]] is located about 100 kilometers (about 60&nbsp;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: [[Hallasan]], an extinct [[volcano]], reaches 1,950 meters (6,398&nbsp;ft) above sea level. The most eastern islands of South Korea include [[Ulleungdo]] and [[Dokdo]] (Liancourt Rocks), while [[Marado]] and [[Socotra Rock]] are the southernmost islands of South Korea.

South Korea has 20 national parks and some popular nature places like [[Boseong]] Tea Field, [[Suncheon Ecological Park|Suncheon Bay Ecological Park]] in [[South Jeolla]] province.

===Climate===
{{climate chart
|Seoul
|&minus;7.1|0.8|23
|&minus;5|3|25
|0|10|47
|7|17|94
|13|23|92
|17|26|134
|22|29|369
|22|30|294
|17|26|169
|10|20|50
|3|11|53
|&minus;4|4|21
|source=[http://www.climate-charts.com/Locations/k/KO47108.html climate-charts.com]
|float=right}}
South Korea has a [[humid continental climate]] and a [[humid subtropical climate]], and is affected by the [[East Asian monsoon]], with [[precipitation (meteorology)|precipitation]] heavier in summer during a short rainy season called ''[[East Asian rainy season|jangma]]'' ([[:ko:장마|장마]]), which begins end of June through the end of July. Winters can be cold: in Seoul, the average January temperature range is &minus;7&nbsp;°[[Celsius|C]] to 1&nbsp;°C (19&nbsp;°[[Fahrenheit|F]] to 33&nbsp;°F), and the average August temperature range is 22&nbsp;°C to 30&nbsp;°C (71&nbsp;°F to 86&nbsp;°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 [[tropical cyclone|typhoons]] that bring strong winds and heavy rains. The average annual [[precipitation (meteorology)|precipitation]] varies from 1,370 millimeters (54 [[inch]]es) in Seoul to 1,470 millimeters (58&nbsp;inches) in [[Busan]]. There are occasional typhoons that bring high winds and floods.

===Environment===
{{Main|Environment of South Korea}}
[[File:Korea-Seoul-Cheonggyecheon-2008-01.jpg|thumb|left|[[Cheonggyecheon]], a stream running through Seoul, was restored after being paved over for a motorway.]]
During the first 20 years of South Korea's growth surge, little effort was made to preserve the environment.<ref name="74.125.155.132">http://74.125.155.132/search?q=cache:h-TUQm6gWTMJ:www.american.edu/TED/KORPOLL.htm+pollution+korea&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&client=firefox-a</ref> Unchecked industrialization has resulted in deforestation and the ongoing destruction of wetlands such as the Songdo Tidal Flat.<ref>http://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_opinion/373552.html</ref> 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.<ref name="uk.news.yahoo.com">http://uk.news.yahoo.com/18/20090820/tsc-un-praises-south-korea-s-green-growt-f86fa4c.html</ref><ref>http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/south-korea-to-boost-renewable-energy-investments-by-60-1191.html</ref>

The Green based economic strategy is a comprehensive overhaul of South Korea’s economy, equaling at nearly two percent of the national GDP.<ref name="uk.news.yahoo.com"/> The initiative includes greening such as a nation wide bike network, solar and wind energy, lowering oil dependent vehicles, backing daylight savings and extensive usage of environmentally friendly technologies such as LED in electronics and lighting.<ref name="South Korea’s green new deal">{{cite web|url=http://edition.cnn.com/video/#/video/international/2009/10/18/eok.lah.greening.korea.cnn?iref=videosearch|title=South Korea’s green new deal|publisher=CNN|date= October 18, 2009|accessdate=2009-10-21}}</ref> The country, already the world's most wired plans to build a nation wide next generation internet 10 times faster than broadband to reduce energy usage.<ref name="South Korea’s green new deal"/>

Seoul's [[tap water]] recently became safe to drink, with city officials branding it "Arisu" in a bid to convince the public.<ref> {{cite web
| url= http://www.newsworld.co.kr/cont/0609/42.htm
| title= Seoul City holds 2nd Arisu Festival to show tap water is safe to drink
| publisher= Newsworld
}}</ref> Efforts have also been made with [[afforestation]] projects. Another multi-billion dollar project was the restoration of [[Cheonggyecheon]], a stream running through central Seoul that had earlier been paved over by a motorway.<ref>[http://english.seoul.go.kr/gover/initiatives/inti_02cheon.htm Seoul Metropolitan Government &ndash; "A Clean, Attractive & Global City, Seoul!"<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>)
One major challenge is air quality, with acid rain, sulphur oxides and annual yellow dust storms being particular problems.<ref name="74.125.155.132"/> It is acknowledged that much of these difficulties are a result of South Korea's proximity to China, which is a major air polluter.<ref name="74.125.155.132"/>

South Korea is a member of [[Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty|Antarctic-Environmental Protocol]], [[Antarctic Treaty System|Antarctic Treaty]], [[Convention on Biological Diversity|Biodiversity Treaty]], [[Kyoto Protocol]] (forming the Environmental Integrity Group (EIG), regarding [[UNFCCC]],<ref> http://unfccc.int/parties_and_observers/parties/negotiating_groups/items/2714.php</ref> with [[Mexico]] and [[Switzerland]]), [[United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification|Desertification]], [[CITES|Endangered Species]], [[Environmental Modification Convention|Environmental Modification]], [[Basel Convention|Hazardous Wastes]], [[United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea|Law of the Sea]], [[Convention for the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping from Ships and Aircraft|Marine Dumping]], [[Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty|Nuclear Test Ban]], [[Montreal Protocol|Ozone Layer Protection]], [[MARPOL 73/78|Ship Pollution]], [[International Tropical Timber Agreement, 1983|Tropical Timber 83]], [[International Tropical Timber Agreement, 1994|Tropical Timber 94]], [[Ramsar Convention|Wetlands]], and [[International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling|Whaling]].<ref>{{CIA World Factbook}}</ref>

==Economy==
{{Main|Economy of South Korea}}
{{See also|List of South Korean regions by GDP}}
{{articleissues|section=y|tone=January 2010|npov=January 2010}}
[[File:Seoul Gangnam Skyline.png|thumb|left|Skyline of [[Seoul]]'s [[Gangnam district]] and the [[World Trade Center Seoul]]. Gangnam is one of Seoul's largest central business districts.]]
[[File:South Korea's GDP (real) growth from 1969 to 2009.png|thumb|right|South Korea's real GDP growth from 1969 to 2009, in billions of US dollars. This rapid growth is termed the [[Miracle on the Han River]].]]
[[File:2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 1.jpg|thumb|right|[[Hyundai Kia Automotive Group]] is the world's fourth largest automaker after Toyota, GM and Volkswagen.]]

South Korea is a [[developed country]] and had one of the world's fastest growing economies from the early 1960s to the late 1990s.<ref>{{cite book |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=zdqAakpAeloC&pg=PA328&lpg=PA328&dq=south+korea+fastest+growing+economy+20th+century&source=web&ots=UUvZrK4buo&sig=cvQaMFViBSklOtjirClbbGjgPKY&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=10&ct=result |title=Handbook of Markets and Economies |last=Pecotich |first=Anthony |coauthors=Shultz, Clifford J. |publisher=M.E. Sharpe |isbn=978-0-7656-0972-4 |accessdate=2009-02-17 |year=2006}}{{page number|date=February 2009}}</ref> Its rapid transformation into a wealthy and industrialized economy in this short time was termed the [[Miracle on the Han River]]. This growth surge was achieved through manufacturing oriented [[export]]s and a highly educated [[workforce]].<ref>http://countrystudies.us/south-korea/45.htm</ref>

A member of the [[OECD]], South Korea is classified as a [[High income economy|high-income economy]] by the [[World Bank Group|World Bank]], an [[Developed country|advanced economy]] by the [[IMF]] and [[CIA]]<ref name=qq>[http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2008/02/weodata/groups.htm#ae IMF Advanced Economies List. World Economic Outlook, Database—WEO Groups and Aggregates Information, October 2008.]</ref><ref name=cia>{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/appendix/appendix-b.html|title=Appendix B. International Organizations and Groups. [[World Factbook]].|author=CIA|date=2008|accessdate=2008-04-10}}</ref> and a [[developed market]] by the [[FTSE Group]]. It has a very high [[HDI]], measuring particularly high in the [[Education Index]], where it is ranked first in Asia and seventh worldwide. South Korea is currently ranked as the most [[Global Innovation Index|innovative]] country in the world among major economies in the [[Global Innovation Index]].<ref>[http://www.nam.org/innovationreport.pdf The Innovation Imperative in Manufacturing: How the United States Can Restore Its Edge]</ref>

South Korea is the current chair of the [[G-20 major economies]] and the first country in Asia to host the G-20 summit in Seoul on November 2010. It is one of the 24 selected OECD members in the [[Development Assistance Committee]], a group of the world's major donor countries contributing to [[development aid]] and [[poverty reduction]] in [[developing countries]]. It is also a founding member of [[APEC]], [[ASEAN Plus Three]] and [[East Asia Summit|EAS]].

The South Korean economy is led by large conglomerates known as [[chaebol]]. These include global multinational brands such as [[Samsung]], [[LG]] and [[Hyundai Kia Automotive Group|Hyundai-Kia]]. [[Samsung Group]] is currently the largest [[conglomerate]] in the world by revenue<ref>See [[List of companies by revenue]]</ref><ref>http://www.oled.si/en/about-oled/11-companies-sony-samsung-aplications</ref> and [[POSCO]] is the second largest [[steel]] maker in the world by market value.<ref>{{cite web | url=
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=ae5qz21hHvhM | title=Bloomberg.com | accessdate=2009-01-15}}</ref>

As the largest of the [[Four Asian Tigers]], the [[South Korean economy]] is the [[List of countries by GDP (PPP)|fourth largest]] in Asia and [[List of countries by GDP (PPP)|13th largest]] in the world. In 2009, South Korea surpassed the [[United Kingdom]], [[Russia]] and [[Canada]] as the world's ninth largest exporter.<ref>http://koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/biz/2010/01/123_58324.html</ref> South Korea is a major trading partner of the world's largest economies - it is the third largest trading partner of [[China]] and [[Japan]],<ref>http://www.uschina.org/statistics/tradetable.html</ref><ref>http://web-japan.org/kidsweb/explore/economy/q2.html</ref> the seventh largest [[List of the largest trading partners of the United States|trading partner of the United States]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/statistics/highlights/top/top0712.html|title=Top Trading Partners &ndash; Total Trade, Exports, Imports|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|date=14 February 2008|accessdate=2009-02-17}}</ref> and the eighth largest trading partner of the [[European Union]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/docs/2006/september/tradoc_122529.pdf|title=Top Trading Partners |publisher=EU Directorate General for Trade|date= 2008|accessdate=2009-02-17}}</ref>

South Korea is the world's largest [[shipbuilding|shipbuilder]],<ref name="shipbuilding1">http://www.straightstocks.com/investing-in-asia-stocks/south-korea-dominates-shipbuilding-industry</ref><ref name="shipbuilding2">http://www.shipbuilding.or.kr/Report/Foreign/Foreign_Review/Foreign_Review.html</ref> and one of the [[List of countries by motor vehicle production|top five automobile makers]] in the world.<ref>[http://www.autoindustry.co.uk/news/15-02-06_9 autoindustry.co.uk]</ref> It is Asia's largest exporter of [[oil products]],<ref>http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aXCTb.flA4_c</ref> and dominant in the global [[construction]] industry, in which South Korea's [[Samsung C&T]] built [[Burj Khalifa]], the world's tallest building.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2009/BUSINESS/10/19/korea.dubai.tower/index.html|title=Dubai skyscraper symbol of S. Korea's global heights|publisher=CNN|date= October 19, 2009|accessdate=2009-10-19}}</ref> The country's industrial powerhouse, [[Ulsan]], has a [[GDP per capita]] of $63,817 and would be the world's third wealthiest economy if ranked.<ref>See [[List of South Korean regions by GDP]]</ref> It is home to the world's largest [[automobile]] assembly plant operated by [[Hyundai Motor]], the world's largest [[shipyard]] operated by [[Hyundai Heavy Industries]] and the world's second largest [[oil refinery]] owned by [[SK Energy]].

Its capital, [[Seoul]], is consistently placed among the world's top ten [[financial]] and [[Commercial district|commercial]] cities by [[Forbes]] and [[Mastercard]],<ref>http://www.forbes.com/2008/07/15/economic-growth-gdp-biz-cx_jz_0715powercities_slide_7.html?thisSpeed=15000</ref><ref>http://www.citymayors.com/economics/financial-cities.html</ref> and was named the world's sixth most economically powerful city by [[Forbes]], ahead of [[Paris]] and [[Los Angeles]].<ref>http://www.forbes.com/2008/07/15/economic-growth-gdp-biz-cx_jz_0715powercities_slide_7.html?thisSpeed=15000</ref> In 2007, Seoul was the most expensive city to live in Asia and the third most expensive city worldwide.<ref>See [[List of most expensive cities for expatriate employees]].</ref> With a [[GDP per capita]] of $32,171 in 2008, Seoul has a living standard comparable to [[France]] and [[Italy]].<ref>http://koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/biz/2009/12/123_57724.html</ref><ref name=imf>[http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2009/02/weodata/weorept.aspx?pr.x=73&pr.y=9&sy=2008&ey=2008&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&c=542&s=PPPEX&grp=0&a= World Economic Outlook Database-October 2009], [[International Monetary Fund]]. Implied PPP conversion rate(2008). Accessed on December 23, 2009.</ref><ref name=imf2>[http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2009/02/weodata/weorept.aspx?pr.x=37&pr.y=7&sy=2008&ey=2008&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&c=512,941,914,446,612,666,614,668,311,672,213,946,911,137,193,962,122,674,912,676,313,548,419,556,513,678,316,181,913,682,124,684,339,273,638,921,514,948,218,943,963,686,616,688,223,518,516,728,918,558,748,138,618,196,522,278,622,692,156,694,624,142,626,449,628,564,228,283,924,853,233,288,632,293,636,566,634,964,238,182,662,453,960,968,423,922,935,714,128,862,611,716,321,456,243,722,248,942,469,718,253,724,642,576,643,936,939,961,644,813,819,199,172,184,132,524,646,361,648,362,915,364,134,732,652,366,174,734,328,144,258,146,656,463,654,528,336,923,263,738,268,578,532,537,944,742,176,866,534,369,536,744,429,186,433,925,178,746,436,926,136,466,343,112,158,111,439,298,916,927,664,846,826,299,542,582,443,474,917,754,544,698&s=PPPPC&grp=0&a= World Economic Outlook Database-October 2009], [[International Monetary Fund]]. GDP(PPP) per capita(2008). Accessed on December 23, 2009.</ref>

South Korea is pursuing a large number of multi-billion dollar developments, most notably the [[Digital Media City]] in [[Seoul]], [[Centum City]] in [[Busan]] and [[Songdo International City]] in [[Incheon]]. The 133-[[floor]] [[supertall]] [[Digital Media City Landmark Building]] is slated to become the world's second tallest building in 2015, housing the world's tallest observatory and hotels, while the 151-[[floor]] [[supertall]] [[151 Incheon Tower]] will become the world's tallest twin towers in 2014. Centum City is home to the world's largest [[department store]], the [[Shinsegae]] [[Centum City]], which set a new [[Guinness World Record]] in 2009.<ref>http://community.guinnessworldrecords.com/_Largest-Department-Store/blog/411871/7691.html</ref>

===High-tech industries===
[[File:479563754 8ef9e978a7.jpg|thumb|right|South Korea is the world's largest maker of [[LCD]], [[Plasma display]], [[OLED]] and [[Cathode ray tube|CRT display]]s,<ref>http://news.jknews.co.kr/article/news/20090208/3034077.htm</ref> led by [[LG Display]] and [[Samsung Group|Samsung SDI]].]]
[[File:Samsung Omnia 2 in hand.jpg|thumb|left|South Korea's [[Samsung Electronics|Samsung]] and [[LG Electronics|LG]] are the second and third largest [[cellphone]] makers in the world.<ref>http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Mobile-and-Wireless/Samsung-LG-Lead-an-Improving-Handset-Market-Says-Report-423370/</ref>]]
South Korea is ranked first in the world in the [[Digital Opportunity Index]], and first among major economies in the [[Global Innovation Index]]. The [[Digital Media City]] in Seoul is the first [[high-tech]] complex in the world for digital technologies and a test-bed for new futuristic concepts such as [[ubiquitous computing]].

South Korea has a [[high-tech]] [[infrastructure]] and is the most [[wire]]d country in the world,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.asiamedia.ucla.edu/article.asp?parentid=25697|title=KOREA: Future is now for Korean info-tech|publisher=Regents of the University of California|work=AsiaMedia|date=14 June 2005|accessdate=2009-02-24}}</ref> with the world's highest [[broadband internet access]] per capita,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/int_bro_acc_percap-internet-broadband-access-per-capita |title=Internet Statistics: Broadband access (per capita) (most recent) by country |publisher=NationMaster |date=(undated) |accessdate=2009-02-21}}</ref><ref>http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2009/06/us-20th-in-broadband-penetration-trails-s-korea-estonia.ars</ref> and the fastest average [[Internet]] connections with a nationwide 100Mbps [[fibre-optic]] network that is currently being upgraded to 1Gbps by 2012.<ref>http://sanfrancisco.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/stories/2009/08/24/daily20.html U.S. is 15 years behind South Korea in Internet speed,
San Francisco Business Times - by Steven E.F. Brown</ref>

In [[consumer electronics]], South Korea is the world's largest [[LCD]], [[OLED]], [[Cathode ray tube|CRT]] and [[plasma display]] maker.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2009/02/08/2009020800069.html?Dep0=chosunmain&Dep1=news&Dep2=headline7&Dep3=h3_07|title=한국 또 '세계 디스플레이 4관왕'|date=8 February 2009|accessdate=08-02-09}}</ref> The South Korean companies [[Samsung]] and [[LG Group|LG]] are among the top three manufacturers of [[televisions]]<ref>http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/biz/2009/09/123_51094.html Samsung, LG Compete for Supremacy in TV</ref> and [[mobile phones]].<ref>[http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aVQ6niaxuN.g Handset Sales Post Biggest Drop; Nokia’s Share Falls]</ref> Samsung is currently the world's most valued consumer electronics brand.<ref>http://www.interbrand.com/best_global_brands.aspx</ref>

South Korea is one of the world's leading technology innovators, having the third largest number of [[patent]]s in force worldwide, after [[Japan]] and the [[United States]].<ref>See [[List of countries by patents]].</ref> It has the world's highest patent filings per [[GDP]] and the highest patent filings per [[R&D]] expenditure, as well as the second highest patent filings per million [[population]]. Among [[developed countries]], it has the fastest patent filing growth at over 14.8% in 2007.<ref>http://www.cetraonline.it/file_doc/285/wipo_pub_931.pdf</ref>

The government is also investing in the [[robotics]] industry.<ref name="autogenerated5">{{cite web |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/02/world/asia/02robot.html?ex=1301634000&en=7d5fcaf014309078&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss|title=In a Wired South Korea, Robots Will Feel Right at Home|work=The New York Times|date=2006-04-02|accessdate=2007-06-24}}</ref><ref name="autogenerated3">{{cite web|url=http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2006/09/060906-robots.html|title=A Robot in Every Home by 2020, South Korea Says|work=National Geographic News|date=6 September 2006|accessdate=2007-06-24}}</ref> There are also plans to develop other sectors, including [[financial services]], [[biotechnology]] and [[aerospace]] industries.

South Korea was the first country to start [[Digital Multimedia Broadcasting]] in 2005,<ref>http://broadcastengineering.com
/products/south-korea-mobile-tns-global-0707/</ref> which has now rolled out nation-wide. South Korea's telecom industry developed [[WiBro]], a high-speed mobile broadband internet service, which was launched for the first time in the world in 2006. South Korea also possesses an advanced [[3G]] [[HSDPA]] coverage extending to even mountains and underground subway lines.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://eng.kcc.go.kr/user.do?mode=view&page=E04010000&dc=E04010000&boardId=1058&cp=1&searchKey=ALL&searchVal=UBcN&boardSeq=25474|title=Government and Businesses United to Build the World’s Best Communications Network|publisher=Korea Communications Commission (KCC)|date=2009-04-28|accessdate=2009-08-05}}</ref>

===Transportation and energy===
{{Main|Transport in South Korea|Nuclear power in South Korea}}
[[File:Incheon International Airpot (interesting architecture).jpg|thumb|left|[[Incheon International Airport]], rated the best airport worldwide consecutively since 2005 by [[Airports Council International]].<ref name="airport.kr">{{cite web|url=http://www.airport.kr/notice/NoticeView.iia?functioncode=46&bulletinid=4994|title=Incheon International Airport, Best Airport Worldwide for 4 Years Straight|publisher=Incheon International Airport Corp.|accessdate=2005-05-20}}</ref>]]
[[File:Rainbow fountain Seoul.JPG|thumb|[[Banpo Bridge]], a gigantic rainbow fountain with nearly 10,000 [[LED]] nozzles pumping out 190 tonnes of water every minute over [[Han River (Korea)|Han River]].]]
South Korea has a technologically advanced transportation network consisting of high-speed railways, highways, bus routes, ferry services, and air routes that criss-cross the country. [[Korea Expressway Corporation]] operates the toll highways and service amenities en route.

[[Korail]] provides frequent train service to all major South Korean cities. Two rail lines, [[Gyeongui Line|Gyeongui]] and [[Donghae Bukbu Line]], to [[North Korea]] are now being reconnected. The Korean [[high-speed rail]] system, [[Korea Train Express|KTX]], provides high-speed service along [[Gyeongbu Line|Gyeongbu]] and [[Honam Line]]. Major cities&mdash;including Seoul,<ref>http://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?mode=LSD&mid=sec&sid1=103&oid=079&aid=0002055321</ref> Busan, Incheon, Daegu, Daejeon and Gwangju&mdash;have subway systems. Metropolitan Cities (''gwangyeoksi'', self-governing cities that are not incorporated into any province) have express bus terminals.

Construction of South Korea's largest airport, [[Incheon International Airport]], was completed in 2001. By 2007, the airport was serving 30 million passengers a year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.airport.kr/notice/NoticeView.iia?functioncode=46&bulletinid=5049|title=Incheon International Airport celebrates its eighth year|publisher=Incheon International Airport Corp.|accessdate=2005-05-20}}</ref> The airport has been selected as the "Best Airport Worldwide" for four consecutive years since 2005 by [[Airports Council International]].<ref name="airport.kr"/> Other international airports include [[Gimpo International Airport|Gimpo]], [[Gimhae International Airport|Busan]] and [[Jeju International Airport|Jeju]]. There are also seven domestic airports, and a large number of [[heliports]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/tra_hel-transportation-heliports |title=Transportation Statistics > Heliports (most recent) by country |publisher=NationMaster |year=2008 |accessdate=2009-02-21}}</ref>

[[Korean Air]], founded in 1962, served 21,640,000 passengers, including 12,490,000 international passengers in 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.koreanair.com/local/kr/gd/eng/au/ci/eng_au_ci_ov.htm|title = Company Info / Overview|publisher=Korean Air|accessdate=2005-05-19}}</ref> A second carrier, [[Asiana Airlines]], established in 1988, also serves domestic and international traffic. Combined, South Korean airlines currently serve 297 international routes.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://english.mltm.go.kr/USR/WPGE0201/m_19549/DTL.jsp|title=International Aviation Policy|publisher=Ministry of Land, Transportation and Maritime Affairs|accessdate=2005-05-19}}</ref> Smaller airliners, such as [[Jeju Air]], provide domestic service with lower fares.

South Korea is the world's sixth largest [[nuclear power]] producer and the second-largest in Asia.<ref>[http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601072&sid=aYP84EXlqlkg Bloomberg.com]</ref> [[Nuclear power in South Korea]] supplies 45% of electricity production and research is very active with investigation into a variety of advanced reactors, including a small modular reactor, a liquid-metal fast/[[nuclear transmutation#Transmutation of nuclear wastes|transmutation]] reactor and a high-temperature [[hydrogen]] generation design. Fuel production and waste handling technologies have also been developed locally. It is also a member of the [[ITER]] project.
{{clear}}

==Science and technology==
{{Main|Science and technology in Korea}}
[[File:Korean astronaut-Yi Soyeon-02.jpg|thumb|right|[[Yi So-yeon]], South Korea's first [[astronaut]] in [[space]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/expeditions/expedition17/index.html |title=International Space Station Expedition 17 |publisher=NASA |date=23 Oct 2008 |accessdate=2009-09-21}}</ref>]]

===Aerospace research===
{{Main|Korea Aerospace Research Institute}}

South Korea has launched two satellites, [[Arirang-1]] in 1999 and [[Arirang-2]] in 2006, as part of its space partnership with [[Russia]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://korea.net/news/news/newsView.asp?serial_no=20070703031∂=107 |title=Korea, Russia enter full-fledged space partnership |publisher=Korean Culture and Information Service |date=3 July 2007 |accessdate=2009-03-01}}</ref>

[[Naro Space Center]], the first [[spaceport]] of South Korea, was completed in 2008 at [[Goheung]], [[Jeollanam-do]]. The [[Korea Space Launch Vehicle]] was launched from Naro in the 2009 but failed.<ref>http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/techscience/2009/08/26/15/0601000000AEN20090826005500320F.HTML</ref>

In April 2008, [[Yi So-yeon]] became the first Korean to fly in space, aboard the Russian [[Soyuz TMA-12]].

[[Image:Einstein-Hubo.jpg||thumb|left|Albert HUBO, developed by [[KAIST]], can make expressive gestures with its 5 separate fingers.]]

===Robotics===

[[Robotics]] has been included in the list of main national R&D projects in Korea since 2003.<ref>[http://www.mke.go.kr/language/eng/news/news_view.jsp?seq=7&srchType=1&srchWord=&tableNm=E_01_02&pageNo=1 Special Report: [Business Opportunities&#93; R&D]. [[Ministry of Knowledge Economy]], 3 September 2007. Accessed 15 July 2009.</ref> In 2009, the government announced plans to build robot-themed parks in [[Incheon Free Economic Zone|Incheon]] and [[Masan]] with a mix of public and private funding.<ref>Lee Ho-jeong. [http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2900986 "Robot parks, a world first"]. ''[[JoongAng Daily]]'', February 13, 2009. Accessed 15 July 2009.</ref>

In 2005, [[Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology]] developed the world's second walking [[humanoid robot]], [[HUBO]]. A team in the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology developed the first Korean [[android]], [[EveR-1]] in May 2006. EveR-1 has been succeeded by more complex models with improved movement and vision. Next models are scheduled to be completed by 2010.

===Biotechnology===

Since the 1980s, the Korean government has actively invested in the development of a domestic [[biotechnology]] industry, and the sector is projected to grow to $6.5 billion by 2010.<ref>[http://www.bio2008.org/siteobjects/published/ec046034f6d7506aa06582be6902d018/af4810817445624b5dbc9d45f79c348b/file/Korea%20Country%20Profile.pdf Bio International Convention Korea Country Profile]</ref> The medical sector accounts for a large part of the production, including production of [[Hepatitis A vaccine|hepatitis vaccines]] and [[antibiotic]]s.

Recently, research and development in [[genetic]]s and [[cloning]] has received increasing attention, with the first successful cloning of a dog, [[Snuppy]], and the cloning of two females of an endangered species of wolves by the [[Seoul National University]] in 2007.<ref>[http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2007/03/26/clonedwolf_ani.html Discovery Channel :: News &ndash; Animals :: Endangered Wolf Cloned in South Korea<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

The rapid growth of the industry has resulted in significant voids in regulation of ethics, as was highlighted by the [[Hwang Woo-Suk#Controversies|scientific misconduct]] case involving [[Hwang Woo-Suk]].<ref>[http://www.philau.edu/schools/liberalarts/news/documents/AbdulhaqqSSH.pdf Biotechnology:A Changing Global Landscape]</ref>

==Education==
{{Main|Education in South Korea}}

[[File:Digital Textbook in South Korea.jpg|thumb|right|South Korea is the first country to develop [[Digital Textbook]]s and deploy [[broadband]] internet to every primary and secondary school.]]
Education in South Korea is regarded as being crucial to one's success, and competition is consequently very heated and fierce. In the 2006 results of the [[OECD]] [[Programme for International Student Assessment]], South Korea came first in [[problem solving]], third in [[mathematics]] and eleventh in [[science]].<ref>http://www.pisa.oecd.org/</ref> South Korea's education system is technologically advanced and it is the world's first country to bring high-speed [[fibre-optic]] [[broadband]] internet access to every primary and secondary schools nation-wide. Using this infrastructure, the country has developed the first [[Digital Textbook]]s in the world, which will be distributed for free to every primary and secondary schools nation-wide by 2013.<ref>www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/cs/korea/material/CS_KOR.pdf</ref>

A centralised administration in South Korea oversees the process for the education of children from kindergarten to the third and final year of high school. South Korea has adopted a new educational program to increase the number of their foreign students through the year 2010. According to Ministry of Education, Science and Technology estimate, by that time, the number of scholarships for foreign students in South Korea will be doubled, and the number of foreign students will reach 100,000.<ref>[http://www.education-blog.net/2008/08/28/south-korea-now-open-for-foreign-students/ South Korea Now Open For Foreign Students]</ref>
The school year is divided into two semesters, the first of which begins in the beginning of March and ends in mid-July, the second of which begins in late August and ends in mid-February.The schedules are not uniformly standardized and vary from school to school.

==Demographics==
[[File:Gangnammediapolls.jpg|thumb|right|A view of [[Gangnam-gu]] in [[Seoul]], the world's second-largest [[List of metropolitan areas by population|metropolitan area]].]]
{{Main|Demographics of South Korea|Koreans}}
South Korea is noted for its population density, which at 487 per square kilometer is more than 10 times the global average. Most South Koreans live in urban areas, due to rapid migration from the countryside during the country's quick economic expansion in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://countrystudies.us/south-korea/33.htm |title=South Korea |work=CIA Country Studies |accessdate=2006-04-22}}</ref> The capital city of [[Seoul]] is also the country's largest city and chief industrial center. According to 2005 census, Seoul had a population of 9.8 million inhabitants. The [[Seoul National Capital Area]] has 24.5 million inhabitants making it the world's second largest metropolitan area. Other major cities include [[Busan]] (3.5 million), [[Incheon]] (2.5 million), [[Daegu]] (2.5 million), [[Daejeon]] (1.4 million), [[Gwangju]] (1.4 million) and [[Ulsan]] (1 million).<ref>Populations for all cities as of 2005, {{cite web|url=http://www.kosis.kr/eng/e_stat_OLAP.jsp?tbl_id=DT_1IN0001&org_id=101&vwcd=MT_ETITLE&path=&oper_YN=Y&lang_mode=eng|title=Summary of Census Population (by administrative district/sex/age)|work=NSO Database|accessdate=2009-05-11}}</ref>

The population has also been shaped by international migration. Following the [[Division of Korea|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]]. South Korea’s total population in 1960 was 25 million.<ref>[http://esa.un.org/unpp/p2k0data.asp World Population Prospects: The 2006 Revision]. Source: ''Population Division of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations Secretariat.''</ref> The current population of South Korea is roughly 49,540,000.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ups.kosis.kr/upload/Magazine/NEW/AC/AC10_2008.xls |title=2008년 12월 31일 기준 주민등록인구 및 세대 |work=Korea National Statistical Office |accessdate=2009-04-08}}</ref>

South Korea is a homogeneous society with an absolute majority of the population of [[Koreans|Korean]] ethnicity.<ref>[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ks.html#People South Korea]. CIA &ndash; The World Factbook.</ref> Although small, the percentage of non-Koreans has been increasing.<ref>"[http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/02/world/asia/02race.html?_r=3 South Koreans Struggle With Race]". The New York Times. November 1, 2009.</ref> {{Asof|2009}}, South Korea had 1,106,884 foreign residents, more than double the 2006 total. [[Chinese people in South Korea|Migrants from the People's Republic of China (PRC)]] make up 56.5% of the total; however, many of them are ''[[Koreans in China|Joseonjok]]'', PRC citizens of Korean ethnicity.<ref name="ChosunIlbo20090806">{{citation|periodical=Chosun Ilbo|date=2009-08-06|accessdate=2009-10-18|title=More Than 1 Million Foreigners Live in Korea|url=http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2009/08/06/2009080600243.html}}</ref> The roughly 33,000 [[Mongolians in South Korea|Mongolian immigrants]] are believed to be the largest community of Mongolian citizens residing abroad.<ref name="TaipeiTimes">{{citation|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2003/10/13/2003071505|periodical=Taipei Times|date=2003-10-13|accessdate=2007-08-17|title=Mongolians, Koreans share ancient bonds}}</ref><ref name="Seabreeze">{{citation|url=http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200503/200503290013.html|date=2005-03-29|accessdate=2007-09-05|periodical=The Chosun Ilbo|title=Sea Breeze Helps Korea's Mongolians Speak with One Voice}}</ref> Another notable group is women from [[Southeast Asia]] who comprised 41% of new marriages with Korean farmers in 2006.<ref>[http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2880519 INSIDE JoongAng Daily<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> There are also 31,000 [[United States Forces Korea|US military]] personnel.<ref>US military figures as of 2005, from [http://www.heritage.org/Research/NationalSecurity/troopMarch2005.xls] ([[Microsoft Excel|Excel]] file) Tim Kane Global US Troop Deployment, 1950&ndash;2003</ref> In addition, about 43,000 English teachers from the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and South Africa temporarily reside in Korea.<ref>[http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2009/11/117_56212.html]</ref>

South Korea's birthrate is the world's lowest.<ref>[http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2009/05/113_45496.html South Korea's birthrate world’s lowest - koreatimes.co.kr]</ref> If this continues, its population is expected to decrease by 13 percent to 42.3 million in 2050,<ref>[http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2006/aug/06082802.html South Korea: Lowest Birthrate in the World - LifeSiteNews.com]</ref> South Korea's annual birthrate is approximately 9 births per 1000 people.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/KS.htm | title=South Korea | work=[[CIA World Factbook]] | date=26 June 2009 | accessdate=4 July 2009}}</ref> The average [[Life expectancy]] in 2008 was 79.10 years,<ref>[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2102.html CIA &ndash; The World Factbook 2008] &ndash; Rank Order &ndash; Life expectancy at birth</ref> which is 40th in the world.<ref>https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2102rank.html</ref>

===Cities of South Korea===
{{Main|List of cities in South Korea}}
{{See also|Eight Provinces of Korea|List of regions of Korea}}

The figure below lists the twenty largest cities within administrative city limits; the figures below only include long-term residents.

{{Largest cities of South Korea}}

===Religion===
{{Main|Religion in South Korea}}
{{bar box
| title=South Korea religiosity
| titlebar=#ddd
| left1=religion
| right1=percent
| float=right
| bars=
{{bar percent|No religion|grey|46.5}}
{{bar percent|Buddhism|blue|22.8}}
{{bar percent|Protestantism|green|18.3}}
{{bar percent|Roman Catholic Church|yellow|10.9}}
{{bar percent|Other religions|black|0.7}}
{{bar percent|Won Buddhism|violet|0.3}}
{{bar percent|Confucianism|orange|0.2}}
{{bar percent|Cheondoism|red|0.1}}
{{bar percent|Islam|purple|0.1}}
}}
[[File:Seokguram Buddha.JPG|left|thumb|The [[Seokguram]] [[Grotto]] in [[Bulguksa]] temple, [[UNESCO World Heritage Site]]]]
As of 2005, just under half of the South Korean population expressed [[Irreligion|no religious]] preference.<ref name=koreastats>According to figures compiled by the South Korean [[National Statistical Office]]. {{cite web|url=http://kosis.nso.go.kr:7001/ups/chapterRetrieve.jsp?pubcode=MA&seq=292&pub=3|accessdate=2006-08-23|work=NSO online KOSIS database|title=인구,가구/시도별 종교인구/시도별 종교인구 (2005년 인구총조사)}}</ref> Of the rest, most are [[Christianity|Christian]] or [[Korean Buddhism|Buddhist]]; according to the 2005 census, 29.2% of the population at that time was Christian (18.3% professed to being [[Protestantism|Protestants]] and 10.9% [[Roman Catholic Church|Catholics]]), and 22.8% were Buddhist.<ref name="korea.net">{{cite web|url=http://www.korea.net/korea/kor_loca.asp?code=U05|title=Korea.net: The official website of the Republic of Korea &ndash; Religion}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://2001-2009.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2008/108411.htm|work-U.S. Department of State|publisher=Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor|title=International Religious Freedom Report 2008 &ndash; Korea, Republic of|date=2009-01-22|accessdate=2009-01-31}}</ref> Other religions include [[Islam in Korea |Islam]] and various [[new religious movement]]s such as [[Jeungism]], [[Daesunism]], [[Cheondoism]] and [[Wonbuddhism]]. The earliest religion practiced was [[Korean shamanism]].{{Fact|date=January 2010}} Today, [[freedom of religion]] is guaranteed by the constitution, and there is no [[state religion]].<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.ccourt.go.kr/home/english/welcome/republic.jsp|accessdate=2009-06-26|title=Constitution of the Republic of Korea|publisher=Constitutional Court of Korea}}</ref>

[[Christianity]] is South Korea's largest religion, accounting for more than half of all South Korean religious adherents.
There are approximately 15 million Christians<ref name="AFP religion">{{cite web|url=http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/World/Story/STIStory_267202.html|author=[[Agence France-Presse]]|title=S. Korea president faces protests from Buddhists|work=[[The Straits Times]]|accessdate=2009-01-31|date=2009-01-31}}</ref> in South Korea today, with more than two-thirds of [[Christians]] belonging to the [[Protestant]] group, while about 15% belong to the [[Catholic]] group. The largest Christian church in South Korea, [[Yoido Full Gospel Church]], is located in Seoul. Roman Catholicism has been the fastest growing denomination in South Korea since the late 1980s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m2096/is_2000_Spring-Summer/ai_63300897|title=Christianity, Shamanism, and Modernization in South Korea|last=Kim|first=Andrew Eungi|publisher=CBS Interactive|year=2000|accessdate=2009-02-13}}</ref> South Korea is also the second-largest missionary-sending nation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2006/003/16.28.html|title=Missions Incredible|last=Moll|first=Rob|publisher=Christianity Today International|work=Christianity Today|date=2009-03-01|accessdate=2009-02-17}}</ref>

Buddhism was introduced to Korea in the year 372.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.buddhismtoday.com/english/world/country/027-korea.htm|title=Buddhism in Korea|publisher=Korean Buddhism Magazine, Seoul|year=1997|accessdate=2009-02-17}}</ref> According to the national census as of 2005, South Korea has over 10.7 million Buddhists.<ref name="AFP religion"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://2001-2009.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2008/108411.htm|title=International Religious Freedom Report 2008 - Korea, Republic of|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]|date=2009-09-19|accessdate=2009-02-17}}</ref> Today, about 90% of Korean Buddhists belong to [[Jogye Order]]. Most of the [[National Treasures of South Korea]] are Buddhist artifacts. Along with [[Neo-Confucianism]], Buddhism was also a state religion during the periods from [[Three Kingdoms of Korea]] to [[Goryeo]] before suppression under the Joseon Dynasty.<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/buddhism/subdivisions/koreanzen.shtml BBC &ndash; Korean Zen Buddhism]</ref>

[[Islam in South Korea]] has an estimated 45,000 native followers, in addition to some 100,000 resident foreign workers from Muslim countries,<ref>[http://www.islamawareness.net/Asia/KoreaSouth/ks_news002.html Islam takes root and blooms]</ref> particularly [[Bangladesh]] and [[Pakistan]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Korea’s Muslims Mark Ramadan|publisher=[[The Chosun Ilbo]]|date=September 11, 2008|url=http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200809/200809110016.html|accessdate=2008-10-09}}</ref>

==Culture==
[[File:Paldalmn.jpg|thumb|right|[[Hwaseong Fortress]], a [[UNESCO World Heritage Site]].]]
{{Main|Culture of Korea|South Korean 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. Historically, while the culture of Korea has been heavily influenced by that of neighbouring China, it has nevertheless managed to develop a unique and distinct cultural identity from its larger neighbour.<ref name="Fairbank et al.">{{cite book|author=John K. Fairbank, Edwin O. Reischauer & Albert M. Craig|title=East Asia: Tradition & Transformation|publisher=Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston|year=1978|isbn=039525812X}}</ref> The South Korean [[Ministry of Culture and Tourism (South Korea)|Ministry of Culture and Tourism]] actively encourages the traditional arts, as well as modern forms, through funding and education programs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mct.go.kr/english/section/bureau/cultural_1.jsp|work=MCT Website|title=Associated Organisations|accessdate=2006-04-11}} See also {{cite web|url=http://www.kcaf.or.kr/ehome3/mission.htm|title=Mission and Goal|work=Korea Cultural Administration website|accessdate=2006-04-11}}</ref> The industrialization and urbanization of South Korea have brought many changes to the way [[Korean people]] live. Changing economics and lifestyles have led to a concentration of population in major cities, especially the capital Seoul, with multi-generational households separating into [[nuclear family]] living arrangements.

There were 8 [[UNESCO World Heritage Sites]] in South Korea and recently [[Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty]] was added, with a total of 9.

===Contemporary Music and Film/TV===

In addition to domestic consumption, South Korean mainstream culture, including televised drama, films, and popular music, also generates significant exports to various parts of the world. This phenomenon, often called "[[Hallyu]]" or the "Korean Wave", has swept many countries in Asia and other parts of the world.

Until the 1990s, [[trot]] and [[ballad]]s dominated Korean popular music. The emergence of the rap group [[Seo Taiji and Boys]] in 1992 marked a turning point for Korean popular music, also known as [[K-Pop]], as the group incorporated elements of popular musical genres of [[Rap music|rap]], [[rock music|rock]], and [[techno]] into its music. Hip hop, dance and ballad oriented acts have become dominant in the Korean popular music scene, though trot is still popular among older Koreans. Many K-Pop stars and groups are also well known abroad, especially in Asia.<!--Do not add a list of groups here without first suggesting it at the Talk page.-->

Since the success of the film ''[[Shiri (film)|Shiri]]'' in 1999, [[Korean film]] has begun to gain recognition internationally. Domestic film has a dominant share of the market, partly due to the existence of [[screen quotas]] requiring cinemas to show Korean films at least 73 days a year.

[[Korean drama|Korean television shows]], especially the short form dramatic mini-series called "dramas", have also become popular outside of Korea, becoming another driving trend for the Korean Wave in Asia and elsewhere. The trend has generated internationally known Korean stars and has boosted the image of Korean popular culture. The dramas are popular mostly in Asia. The stories have a wide range, but the most prominent among the export dramas have been romance dramas, such as [[Boys Before Flowers]], [[Autumn Fairy Tale]], [[Winter Sonata]], [[Full House (2004 TV series)]], [[All About Eve (TV series)|All About Eve]], and historical/fantasy dramas, such as [[Dae Jang Geum]], [[The Legend (TV series)|The Legend]] and [[Goong]].

===Cuisine===
{{Main|Korean cuisine}}
[[File:Korean fruit punch-Sujeonggwa-02.jpg|thumb|left|[[Sujeonggwa]]]]
[[File:DCNM12.jpg|thumb|[[Bulgogi]], a traditional Korean barbecue made of either beef or pork]]

Korean cuisine, ''hanguk yori'' (한국요리, 韓國料理), or ''hansik'' (한식, 韓食), has evolved through centuries of social and political change. Ingredients and dishes vary by province. There are many significant regional dishes that have proliferated in different variations across the country in the present day. The [[Korean royal court cuisine]] once brought all of the unique regional specialties together for the royal family. Meals consumed both by the royal family and ordinary Korean citizens have been regulated by a unique culture of etiquette.

Korean cuisine is largely based on [[rice]], [[noodle]]s, [[tofu]], vegetables, fish and meats. Traditional Korean meals are noted for the number of side dishes, ''[[banchan]]'' (반찬), which accompany steam-cooked short-grain rice. Every meal is accompanied by numerous banchan. [[Kimchi]], a fermented, usually spicy vegetable dish is commonly served at every meal and is one of the best known Korean dishes. Korean cuisine usually involves heavy seasoning with [[sesame oil]], ''[[doenjang]]'' (된장), a type of [[Fermented bean paste|fermented soybean paste]], [[Soy sauce#Korean soy sauce|soy sauce]], salt, garlic, ginger, and ''[[gochujang]]'' (고추장), a hot pepper paste.

Soups are also a common part of a Korean meal and are served as part of the main course rather than at the beginning or the end of the meal. Soups known as ''[[guk]]'' (국) are often made with meats, shellfish and vegetables. Similar to guk, ''tang'' (탕) has less water, and is more often served in restaurants. Another type is ''[[jjigae]]'' (찌개), a [[stew]] that is typically heavily seasoned with chili pepper and served boiling hot.

<br>

===Technology culture===
[[File:Korean.culture-PC.bang-01.jpg|thumb|right|[[PC bang]]s are popular [[LAN gaming center]]s in South Korea.]]
[[File:DMB Korea.JPG|left|thumb|[[Digital Multimedia Broadcasting]] (DMB) on a mobile phone]]
South Korean corporations [[Samsung]] and [[LG]] are the second- and third-largest cell phone companies in the world, respectively. A typical South Korean consumer purchases a new phone every 11 months.{{Citation needed|date=January 2010}} An estimated 90% of South Koreans own a [[mobile phone]]. 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. Over one million DMB phones have been sold and the three major wireless communications providers [[SK Telecom]], [[KT]], and [[LG Telecom]] provide coverage in all major cities and other areas.

In recent years [[Video game culture|online games]] have become a significant part of Korean culture. ''[[StarCraft]]'', the [[Real-time strategy|real-time strategy game]], is by far the most popular televised game in South Korea. Game tournaments, recorded in places like the [[COEX Mall]] are often broadcast live on TV stations such as [[MBCGame]] and [[Ongamenet]]. Professional ''StarCraft'' players can command considerable salaries in South Korea as members of pro-gaming teams that are sponsored primarily by cell phone providers. PC games are usually played in [[PC bang]]s which are basically internet cafes, dedicated to LAN games of popular titles like ''[[Kart Rider]]'', ''[[Maple Story]]'', ''[[World of Warcraft]]'', ''[[Mabinogi (video game)|Mabinogi]] ''and ''[[Lineage (video game)|Lineage]]''.

[[File:Goryeo Celadon .jpg|thumb|right|The Cheongja unhak sanggam mun maebyeong from the [[Goryeo]] Dynasty.]]

===Art===
{{Main|Korean art}}
Korean art has been highly influenced by [[Buddhism in Korea|Buddhism]] and [[Korean Confucianism|Confucianism]].
There are well-known [[Korean pottery and porcelain]] like [[Joseon white porcelain|Baekja]] and [[Buncheong]]. Also [[Korean tea ceremony]], [[Pansori]], [[Talchum]] and [[Buchaechum]] are popular Korean performing arts.
[[Hanbok]] is the traditional Korean dress. Nowadays, people wear it during traditional festivals and celebrations.
It has many germants like [[Dopo (clothing)]], [[Durumagi]] and [[Jeogori]], so it is worn as semi-formal or formal wear.

===Architecture===
{{Main|Architecture of South Korea}}
{{Main|Korean architecture}}
[[File:Deoksugungpalacefromthebuilding.jpg|thumb|left|Modern skyline of [[Seoul]] and the [[Deoksugung]] palace.]]
Pre-modern Korean architecture may be divided into two main styles: these used in palace and temple structures, and these used in the houses of common people, which consisted of local variations.

Korean's ancient architects adopted the bracket system and is characterized by thatched roofs and heated floors called ondol. People of the upper classes built bigger houses with tiled roofs. The roofs were elegantly curved and accentuated with slightly uplifting eaves. There still are many sites like [[Hahoe Folk Village]], [[Yangdong Village of Gyeongju]] and [[Korean Folk Village]] where the traditional Korean architecture is preserved.

==Sports==
{{Main|Sport in South Korea}}
[[File:Exhibicion dollyo chagui con apoyo.jpg|right|thumb|A [[taekwondo]] practitioner demonstrating ''dollyo chagui'' technique.]]
The [[martial arts|martial art]] [[taekwondo]] originated in Korea. In the 1950s and 60s, modern rules were standardised and taekwondo became an official [[Olympic Games|Olympic sport]] in 2000. Other Korean martial arts include [[taekkyeon]], [[hapkido]], [[tang soo do]], [[kuk sool won]], [[kumdo]] and [[subak]].

[[Baseball]] was first introduced to Korea in 1905 and has since become the most popular spectator sport in South Korea.<ref>KOIS (2003), p.632.</ref> The first South Korean professional sports league was the [[Korea Baseball Organization]], established in 1982. South Korea finished third during the [[2006 World Baseball Classic]] and second during the [[2009 World Baseball Classic]]. In the [[2008 Summer Olympics]], South Korea won the gold medal in baseball.

[[File:World Peace Gate, Olympic Park, Seoul.jpg|thumb|200px|left|World Peace Gate at [[Olympic Park, Seoul]]]]
In 1988, South Korea hosted the [[1988 Summer Olympics|Summer Olympics in Seoul]], coming fourth with 12 gold medals, 10 silver medals and 11 bronze medals. South Korea regularly performs well in [[archery]], [[shooting]], [[table tennis]], [[badminton]], [[short track speed skating]], [[team handball|handball]], [[hockey]], [[freestyle wrestling]], [[baseball]], [[judo]], [[taekwondo]], and [[Olympic weightlifting|weightlifting]]. South Korea hosted the [[Asian Games]] in 1986 (Seoul) and 2002 (Busan), and will host again in 2014 (Incheon). It also hosted the [[Asian Winter Games]] in 1999, the Winter [[Universiade]] in 1997 and the Summer Universiade in 2003.

In the [[2002 FIFA World Cup]], jointly hosted by South Korea and Japan, the [[South Korean national football team|national football team]] became the first team in the [[Asian Football Confederation]] to reach the semi-finals.

In 2010, South Korea will host their first [[Formula One]] race to be staged at the [[Korean International Circuit]] in [[Yeongam]], about {{convert|400|km|mi|-1}} south of Seoul. In 2011, the South Korean city of Daegu will host the [[2011 World Championships in Athletics|2011 IAAF World Championships in Athletics]].

==See also==
{{Main|Outline of South Korea}}
* [[Index of South Korea-related articles]]
* [[Invest KOREA]] Korea's national investment promotion agency

==Notes==
<!-- Please DO NOT use a scroll template/form/table for the reflink, please read warning on the scroll template page. Thank you. -->
{{Reflist|3}}

==References==
<div class="references-small">
*{{cite book |title=Korea's place in the sun |author=Cumings, Bruce |year=1997 |location=New York |publisher=W.W. Norton |isbn=0-393-31681-5}}
*{{cite book |title=Handbook of Korea, 11th ed. |author=KOIS ([[Korea Overseas Information Service]]) |location=Seoul |publisher=[[Hollym (publishing house)|Hollym]] |year=2003 |isbn=1-56591-212-8}}
*{{cite book |title=Korea: A history of the Korean people (2nd ed.) |author=Nahm, Andrew C. |year=1996 |location=Seoul |publisher=Hollym |isbn=1-56591-070-2}}
*{{cite book |title=The North and South Korean political systems: A comparative analysis (rev. ed.) |author=Yang, Sung Chul |year=1999 |location=Seoul |publisher=Hollym |isbn=1-56591-105-9}}
*{{cite book |title=Korea Annual 2004 |author=Yonhap News Agency |year=2004 |location=Seoul |publisher=Author|isbn=89-7433-070-9}}
*{{cite book |title=From Tradition to Consumption: Constructing a Capitalist Culture in South Korea |author=Dennis Hart |year=2003 |location=Seoul |publisher=Author |isbn=89-88095-44-8}}
*{{cite book |title=[[The Koreans (book)|The Koreans: Who They Are, What They Want, Where Their Future Lies]] |author=[[Michael Breen (author)|Michael Breen]] |year=2004 |location= |publisher=St. Martin's Griffin|isbn=0312326092}}
</div>

==External links==
{{portalpar|Korea|Korea gyeongbokgung.jpg}}
{{commons|South Korea}}
{{sisterlinks|South Korea}}
*[http://www.visitkorea.or.kr/intro.html The Official Korea Tourism Guide Site]
*[http://www.korea.net/ Korea.net: Gateway to Korea]
*[http://www.nso.go.kr/eng2006/emain/index.html Korea National Statistical Office]
*[http://www.britannica.com/nations/Korea South South Korea] in [[Encyclopædia Britannica]]
*{{CIA World Factbook link|ks|South Korea}}
*[http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/krtoc.html A Country Study: South Korea] in the [[Library of Congress]]
*{{dmoz|Regional/Asia/South_Korea/}}
*{{yahoo directory|Regional/Countries/Korea__South/|South Korea}}
*[http://www.turbomaps.com.ar/english/southkorea.php Main cities of South Korea], satellite views and geographical coordinates

{{Korea topics}}
{{Template group
|title = Geography and administration
|list =
{{Regions and administrative divisions of South Korea}}
{{Countries and territories of East Asia}}
{{Countries of Asia}}
}}
{{Template group
|title = International membership
|list =
{{Major non-NATO ally}}
{{East Asia Summit}}
{{Community of Democracies}}
{{Four Asian Tigers}}
}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Korea, South}}
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[[Category:South Korea| ]]
[[Category:East Asian countries]]
[[Category:Divided regions]]
[[Category:G20 nations]]
[[Category:Republics]]
[[Category:Liberal democracies]]
[[Category:States and territories established in 1948]]

{{Link FA|vi}}
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[[ace:Korèa Tunong]]
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[[be-x-old:Рэспубліка Карэя]]
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[[dsb:Pódpołdnjowa Koreja]]
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[[hy:Կորեայի Հանրապետություն]]
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[[cdo:Hàng-guók]]
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[[my:တောင်ကိုရီးယားနိုင်ငံ]]
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[[tet:Koreia Súl]]
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[[chr:ᎤᎦᎾᏭ ᎢᏗᎵ ᎪᎴᎠ]]
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[[diq:Korya Veroci]]
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Revision as of 21:11, 11 January 2010

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