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For Korea as a whole, see Korea.
South Korea, officially known as the Republic of Korea (ROK; Korean: 대한민국, IPA: [tɛː.han.min.ɡuk̚]), listen ) is an East Asian country occupying the southern half of the Korean Peninsula. To the north, it is bordered by North Korea (Democratic People\'s Republic of Korea), with which it was united until 1945. To the west, across the Yellow Sea, lies China and to the southeast, across the Korea Strait, lies Japan. The Republic of Korea in Korean means "The Great Nation of the Korean People" and is sometimes referred to as the "Land of the Morning Calm", originating from the peaceful Joseon Dynasty. The capital and largest city of South Korea is Seoul, the world\'s 2nd largest metropolitan city. The official language of South Korea is Korean and is currently the 10th most spoken language in the world.http://www.le.ac.uk/eg/fss1/The%20most%20spoken%20languages%20in%20the%20world.htm
The Korean people trace their nation\'s founding back to 2333 BCE by the legendary Dangun Wanggeom. Archaeological research shows that the first Korean settlers have occupied the peninsula since the Lower Paleolithic period with territories expanding as far as mainland China and eastern Russia during the Gojoseon period, the first nation established by Koreans. Following the era of the Three Korean Kingdoms and the Joseon Dynasty, Korea\'s history has been turbulent at times with the last emperor of Korea dating back to the age of the Korean Empire. Since the establishment of the modern republic in 1948, South Korea has struggled with the aftermath of Japanese exploitation (1910-1945), the Korean War (1950-1953), and decades of authoritarian regimes in favour of the strong pursuit on the industrialization and economic development of South Korea. However, as the standard of living and income of South Korean citizens rose considerably in the late 1980s, nationwide demonstrations lead to the collapse of the authoritarian government in 1987 and since then, direct and fair elections were held every 5 years in South Korea. Today, South Korea is an established pioneer of stable democracy in Asia, with South Korean citizens enjoying one of the highest level of poltical freedom and social rights in Asia.
South Korea is a major global industrial power and had one of the fastest growing economies in the world since the 1960s. The South Korean economy is now developed and the 3rd largestIMF (2007). "World Economic Outlook Database, October 2007". 2007. IMF. Retrieved on 2008-02-12. in Asia and the 12th largestIMF. "October 2007 World Economic Outlook Database, October 2007". 2007. IMF. Retrieved on 2008-02-12. in the world. South Korea is one of the Top 10 exporters in the world, having the 6th largest foreign exchange reserves in the world. South Korea is also an international military power, having the 6th largest armed forces in the world and being one of the Top 10 highest military expenditure countries in the world. In the late 20th century, many people referred to South Korea as a Newly Industrialized Country and an Asian Tiger due to its reputation for exponential economic growth. To this date, South Korea is still among the world\'s fastest growing developed countrieshttp://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1018.html and at current pace, it will be the world\'s 3rd richest country by 2025 with a GNP per capita of $52,000.http://www.korea.net/news/news/NewsView.asp?serial_no=20051211008&part=104&SearchDay= South Korea was one of the founding members of APEC and in 1996, South Korea became a member of the OECD, a milestone in its development history. Today, South Korea forms the G20 industrial nations, being the only developed Next Eleven state with many developing countries referring to its economic success as the "Miracle on the Han River," using South Korea\'s success story as a role model.http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,361781,00.html South Korea has a "High" HDI of 0.921 and is part of both the CIA and IMF lists of advanced economies, being defined as a High Income Nation by the World Bank. International recognition of the country and its goods & services was enhanced by the hosting of the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul and further boosted by the co-hosting of the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
South Korea is one of the world\'s most technologically and scientifically advanced countries, having the most intelligent population in the world with a National IQ of 106 along with a heated focus on education, being directly linked with its strong performance in mathematics and sciencehttp://www.rlynn.co.uk/pages/article_intelligence/6.asp — it is a major driving factor behind the South Korean economy and its high-tech industries. It is the only country in the world having state of the art nationwide DMB Digital Mobile TV, WiBro High-Speed Wireless Broadband, 100Mbit/s Fibre-Optic Cable Broadband, full HDTV Broadcasting and 3G HSDPA. It is currently the most wired nation in the world, with more than 95% of all homes connected to high speed broadband internet.Martine Fackler. "In Korea, a Boot Camp Cure for Web Obsession", New York Times, 2007-11-18. South Korea is a global leader in electronics, computers, digital displays, semiconductor devices, mobile phones and hightech gadgets, lead by the two chaebols, Samsung and LG. South Korea also boasts the world\'s 3rd largest steel producer, POSCO and is the world\'s 5th largest automobile manufacturing nation, headed by Hyundai Kia Automotive Group. South Korea is the world\'s largest shipbuilder, lead by several multinational corporations such as Hyundai Heavy Industries and Samsung Heavy Industries. Other important industries of South Korea include robotics and biotechnology, with the world\'s first walking humanoid robot, HUBO, the world\'s second female android EveR-1, and the world\'s first cloned dog, Snuppy.
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The Gukhoe or National Assembly Building in Yeouido, Seoul
The government of South Korea is divided into three branches: executive, judicial, and legislative. The executive and legislative branches operate primarily at the national level, although various ministries in the executive branch also carry out local functions. Local governments are semi-autonomous, and contain executive and legislative bodies of their own. The judicial branch operates at both the national and local levels.
The South Korean government\'s structure is determined by the Constitution of the Republic of Korea. This document has been revised several times since its first promulgation in 1948 (see history of South Korea). However, it has retained many broad characteristics; with the exception of the short-lived Second Republic of South Korea, the country has always had a presidential system with a relatively independent chief executive. http://www.servat.unibe.ch/icl/ks00000_.html The Constitution of Republic of Korea
Tomb mural of Goguryeo, one of the three kingdoms of Korea.
Archeological findings indicate that the Korean peninsula was occupied by humans as early in the Lower Paleolithic period.
Korea began with the legendary founding of Gojoseon in 2333 BCE by Dangun.http://www.asianinfo.org/asianinfo/korea/history.htm 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, 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 rival kingdoms.
Introduction of Buddhism and other influences from China had profound effects on Korea, which later passed on, combined with Korean advances, to Japan."Yayoi Period History Summary," BookRags.com; Jared Diamond, "Japanese Roots," Discover 19:6 (June 1998); Thayer Watkins, "The Genetic Origins of the Japanese"; "Shinto - History to 1900," Encyclopædia Britannica; "The Yayoi period (c. 250 BC–c. AD 250)," Encyclopædia Britannica."Korean Buddhism Basis of Japanese Buddhism," Seoul Times, June 18, 2006; "Buddhist Art of Korea & Japan," Asia Society Museum; "Kanji," JapanGuide.com; "Pottery," MSN Encarta; "History of Japan," JapanVisitor.com. (1993) in Delmer M. Brown (ed.): The Cambridge History of Japan. Cambridge University Press, 140-149. ; George Sansom, A History of Japan to 1334, Stanford University Press, 1958. p. 47. ISBN 0-8047-0523-2From Paekche to Origin of Yamato
Bulguksa Temple, built during the Silla period, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The unification of the Three Kingdoms by Silla in 676 CE led to the North-South States period, in which the 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 Khitan in 926 CE.
After the North-South Period, successor states fought for control during the Later Three Kingdoms period. The peninsula was soon united by Wang Geon of Goryeo. Like Silla, Goryeo was a highly cultural state and created the Jikji in 1377, using the world\'s oldest movable metal printing press. World\'s oldest printed Doc
The Mongol invasions in the 13th century greatly weakened Goryeo. However, Goryeo continued to rule Korea as a tributary ally to the Mongols. After the fall of the Mognolian Empire, which by the time was known as the Yuan Dynasty, Goryeo continued its rule. After severe political strife and continued invasions, Goryeo was soon replaced by the Joseon Dynasty in 1388 CE following a rebellion by General Yi Seong-gye.
Royal march of the Joseon Dynasty at Gyeongbokgung
General Yi 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 was marked by relative peace and saw the creation of hangul by King Sejong the Great in the 14 century CE and the rise and influence of Confucianism.
In the latter of the 16th century CE, Joseon was invaded by a newly unfied Japan. During the Japanese invasions of Korea (1592-1598), centuries of peace had left the dynasty unprepared, and the lack of technology and poor leadership from the government and generals led to the destruction of much of the Korean peninsula. However, continued Korean dominance at sea led by Admiral Yi, the rise of local militias, and the intervention of Ming China put Japan under great pressure to retreat in 1598 CE.
Today, Admiral Yi is celebrated as one of Korea\'s foremost heroes and his turtle ships, used with great success against the Japanese, are considered the world\'s first ironclad warships, although lack of hard evidence of iron plating sparks much debate.
During the last years of the Joseon Dynasty, Korea\'s isolationist policy earned it the name the "Hermit Kingdom," primarily for protection against Western imperialism. In 1910 CE, Korea was annexed by Japan and despite widespread resistance, remained under occupation until the end of World War II in 1945 CE.
In the aftermath of World War II, Soviet Union and United States troops controlled the northern and southern halves of the country respectively. The two Cold War rivals established governments sympathetic to their own ideologies, leading to Korea\'s division into two political entities: North Korea and South Korea.
Despite the initial plan of a unified Korea in the 1943 Cairo Declaration, escalating Cold War antagonism eventually led to the establishment of two separate governments: the communist North and the capitalist South. In the North, a former anti-Japanese guerilla and communist activist, Kim Il Sunghttp://www.bartleby.com/65/ki/KimIlSun.html and in the South, freshly shipped from America, Syngman Rhee were installed as presidents.http://www.bartleby.com/65/rh/Rhee-Syn.html
On June 25, 1950, North Korea invaded the South leading to the Korean War. The Soviet boycott of the United Nations at the time, and therefore, no veto, allowed the UN to intervene when it became apparent that the superior communist forces would easily take over the entire country. The Soviet Union and China backed North Korea, with the participation of millions of Chinese troops. After huge advances on both sides, the war eventually reached a stalemate. The 1953 armistice, never signed by South Korea, split the peninsula along the demilitarized zone near the original demarcation line. No peace treaty was ever signed and the two countries are still technically at war.South Korea. U.S. Department of State. Retrieved on 2006-09-16.
In 1960, a student uprising led to the resignation of the autocratic and corrupt President Syngman Rhee. A period of profound civil unrest and general political instability followed, broken by General Park Chung-hee\'s military coup (the "5.16 coup d\'etat") against the weak and ineffectual government the next year. Park took over as president until his assassination in 1979, overseeing rapid export-led economic growth as well as severe political repression. Park is heavily criticized as a ruthless military dictator, although the Korean economy developed significantly during his tenure.
The years after Park\'s assassination were marked by, again, considerable political turmoil as the previously repressed opposition leaders all campaigned to run for president in the sudden political void. In 1980, there was a coup d\'etat, 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 seizure of power triggered nationwide protest demanding democracy, in particular the city of Gwangju, in South Cholla province where Chun sent in special forces to violently suppress the city, in what is now known as the Gwangju Massacre. Until 1987, he and his government held Korea under despotic rule when Park Jong Chul- a student attending Seoul National University - was tortured to death. http://www.yolsa.org/sub_plus_1.html Yolsa.org Information on Anti-Yushin protests The Catholic Priests\' Association for Justice revealed that Park was tortured, igniting huge demonstrations around the country. The demonstrations snowballed when another student from Yonsei University, Lee Han Yeol, was killed by a police-fired tear gas bomb while he was demonstrating against the military government. The period of resistance is called the Resistance of June when all joined the national movment. 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. http://www.encyber.com/search_w/ctdetail.php?gs=ws&gd=&cd=&q=&p=&masterno=211762&contentno=211762 Encyber Encylopedia article on June 29th Declaration
A part view of Southern Seoul.
In 1988, Seoul hosted the 1988 Summer Olympics, a cause of both national and international celebration in contrast to great turmoil of the past. In 1996, South Korea became a member of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, a testament to further economic growth. As with many of its Asian neighbors, South Korea uffered the Asian financial crisis in 1997, butthe country was able to re-emerge and continue its growth towards a major economic power after a swift recovery. http://www.ecplaza.net/news/0/7299/imf_financial_crisis.html Ecplaza on East Asian Financial Crisis
In June 2000, as part of South Korean president Kim Dae Jung\'s Sunshine Policy of engagement, a North-South summit took place in Pyongyang, the capital city of North Korea. That year, Former President 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." http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/2000/index.html Nobel Peace Prize Recipient in 2000
In 2004, South Korea joined the "trillion dollar club" of world economies. https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ks.html CIA World Factbook
In its foreign relations, South Korea has main strategic intersts in North Korea and the neighboring nations of China, Japan, and Russia, as well as its main ally, the United States. A Brief History of the US-Korea Relations Prior to 1945 [1]
U.S. President George W. Bush and former South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun in 2005 at the 17th APEC meeting.
The United States of America was the primary driver in the establishment and initial sustainment of the South Korean government before and after the Korean War. The two nations have enjoyed both strong economic and diplomatic ties after the Korean War, although they have often been at odds with regard to their policies towards North Korea during former president Kim Dae Jung and Roh Moo-Hyun\'s terms. There was a spike of anti-American sentiment, although U.S-Korea relations have steadily improved since the election of current president Lee Myung Bak. freekorea.us - OFK Archive: Anti-Americanism in Korea–The Statistical Recordoften expressed toward members of the U.S. military,http://freekorea.us/2005/08/07/signs-of-the-times-so-this-is-why-i-spent-four-years-in-korea/ sometimes violently.CNS News. US Soldiers Attacked in South Korea, Prompting US Protest. Retrieved on 2008-2-15. In April 2007, Korea concluded a Free Trade Agreement agreement with the United States.
Historically, Korea had relatively close relations with China. Before the formation of South Korea, Korean independence fighters also worked with Chinese soldiers during the period of Japanese occupation. However, after World War II, the Chinese embraced communism while South Korea became a representative democracy with the help of the United Nations and the United States. The People\'s Republic of China assisted North Korea with manpower and supplies during the Korean War, and in its aftermath the diplomatic relationship between South Korea and China almost completely ceased. Relations thawed gradually however, and South Korea and China established formal diplomatic relations on August 24, 1992. The two countries sought to improve bilateral relations and lifted the fourty-year old trade embargo, and http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Korea/FI11Dg03.html Korea-China relations have improved steadily since 1992.http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Korea/FI11Dg03.html
Although there were no formal diplomatic ties between South Korea and Japan after the Korean War, South Korea and Japan signed the Treaty on Basic Relations between Japan and the Republic of Korea in 1965 to establish diplomatic ties. There are still heavy Anti-Japanese sentiments in South Korea due to a number of unsettled Korean-Japanese disputes, many of which stems from the period of Japanese occupation. During World War II, more than 100,000 Koreans were forced to serve in the Imperial Japanese Army. A Brief History of the US-Korea Relations Prior to 1945. [2] "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." Longstanding issues such as Korea under Japanese rule against Korean civilians, the visits by Japanese politicians to the Yasukuni Shrine honoring Japanese soldiers killed at war, including class A war criminals like Hideki Tojo, the re-writing of Japanese textbooks to overlook Japanese aggression during World War II, and the territorial disputes over Liancourt Rocks continue to trouble Korean-Japanese relations. In response to then-Prime Minister Jun\'ichiro Koizumi\'s repeated visits to the Yasukuni shrine, the President of South Korea Roh Moo-hyun suspended all summit talks between South Korea and Japan.http://www.voanews.com/Korean/archive/2006-03/2006-03-17-voa12.cfm Presently, South Korea and Japan\'s political relations are unstable but thawing progressively, and the newly-elected President of Korea, Lee Myung-Bak, held a summit meeting with Yasuo Fukuda, the current Prime Minister of Japan.
Both 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 1950-1953, North Korea and South Korea signed an agreement to pursue peace on October 4, 2007.Reuters. FACTBOX - North, South Korea pledge peace, prosperity. Retrieved on 2007-10-4.
On October 4th, 2007, Roh Moo-Hyun and North Korean leader Kim Jong Il signed an 8-point peace 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.Reuters. FACTBOX - North, South Korea pledge peace, prosperity. Retrieved on 2007-10-4.
Despite the Sunshine Policy and efforts at reconciliation, the progress was complicated by North Korean missile tests in 1993, 1998, and another in 2006. Recently, North Korea agreed to temporarily suspend its pursuit of a nuclear weapons program for economic and diplomatic support, although some Korean and American officials criticized the North for not being fully cooperative in its temporary suspension of a nuclear weapons program. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,251618,00.html
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 UN Secretary-General. It has also developed links with Association of Southeast Asian Nations as both a member of ASEAN Plus three, a body of observers, and the East Asia Summit (EAS).
There is an ongoing efforts at negotiating a Free Trade Agreement with the European Union, the second largest importer of Korean goods. http://www.bilaterals.org/article.php3?id_article=5202
.jpg/58px-ROKS Munmu the Great (DDH 976).jpg)
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The South Korean military is composed of the Republic of Korea Army (ROKA), Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN), Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF), and Republic of Korea Marine Corps (ROKMC) together with reserve forces. GlobalSecurity on Militar of Republic of Korea http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/rok/index.html Many of these forces are concentrated near the border with North Korea, near and around the demilitarized zone. All South Korean males are constitutionally required to serve in the military, typically for a period of two years. However, there has 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 was in the process of earning a university bachelor\'s degree and master\'s degree to dismiss the military requirements to let them to further study and research on their fields.
From time to time, South Korea has sent its troops overseas to assist American forces. It has participated in most major conflict the United States has been involved in the past 50 years. South Korea dispatched 320,000 troops to fight alongside American, Australian and South Vietnamese 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 is the largest contributor in the coalition forces after the U.S. and Britain.Zaytun Division official website
The United States has stationed a substantial contingent of troops in South Korea since the Korean War to defend South Korea in case of a North Korean attack. There are also approximately 29,000 US soldiers stationed in Korea, America\'s Unsinkable Fleet most of them serving one year of unaccompanied tours. The American Troops are stationed in bases, of which most are camps, which are considered camps not for their lack of buildings or support structure but in order to represent a lack of permanence.
A still functioning UN Command controls all forces in South Korea, including the US forces and the entire Korean military.
(See List of United States Army installations in South Korea and USFK for more information on these military bases.)
Currently, the South Korean navy is working towards being a blue-water navy. It has recently required its first Aegis Combat System-enabled destroyer, the King Sejong the Great class destroyer. South Korea is the fifth country to begin operating an Aegis Combat System-enabled surface ship.http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/special/2007/12/180_3687.html
Principal divisions of South Korea.
General map of South Korea.
| Namea | hangul | hanja | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Special cities (Teukbyeolsi a) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1 | Seoul (National Capital) | 서울특별시 | 서울特別市 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Metropolitan cities (Gwangyeoksi a) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | Busan | 부산광역시 | 釜山廣域市 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3 | Daegu | 대구광역시 | 大邱廣域市 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4 | Incheon | 인천광역시 | 仁川廣域市 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 5 | Gwangju | 광주광역시 | 光州廣域市 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6 | Daejeon | 대전광역시 | 大田廣域市 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 7 | Ulsan | 울산광역시 | 蔚山廣域市 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Provinces | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 8 | Gyeonggi-do | 경기도 | 京畿道 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 9 | Gangwon-do | 강원도 | 江原道 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10 | Chungcheongbuk-do | 충청북도 | 忠淸北道 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 11 | Chungcheongnam-do | 충청남도 | 忠淸南道 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12 | Jeollabuk-do | 전라북도 | 全羅北道 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 13 | Jeollanam-do | 전라남도 | 全羅南道 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 14 | Gyeongsangbuk-do | 경상북도 | 慶尙北道 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 15 | Gyeongsangnam-do | 경상남도 | 慶尙南道 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Special self-governing province (Teukbyeoljachi-do a) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 16 | Jeju | 제주특별자치도 | 濟州特別自治道 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
a Revised Romanization.
b.
Topography of South Korea
South Korea occupies the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula, which extends some 680 miles (1,100 km) from the Asian mainland. This mountainous peninsula is flanked by the Yellow Sea to the west, and the Sea of Japan (East Sea) to the east. Its southern tip lies on the Korea Strait and the East China Sea. The country\'s total area is 38,462.49 square miles (99,617.39 km²).The estimated area rises steadily from year to year, possibly due to land reclamation. 행정구역(구시군)별 국토적. Korea Statistical Information Service. Retrieved on 2006-03-27.;
South Korea can be divided into four general regions: an eastern region of high mountain ranges and narrow coastal plains; a western region of broad coastal plains, river basins, and rolling hills; a southwestern region of mountains and valleys; and a southeastern region dominated by the broad basin of the Nakdong River.
South Korea\'s land is mostly mountainous, of which most is not arable. Lowlands, located primarily in the west and southeast, constitute only 30% of the total land area.
Soraksan mountain in Gangwondo.
About three thousand islands, mostly small and uninhabited, lie off the western and southern coasts of South Korea. Jeju Island is located about 100 kilometers (about 60 mi) off the southern coast of South Korea. It is the country\'s largest island, with an area of 1,845 square kilometers (712 sq mi). Jeju is also the site of South Korea\'s highest point: Halla-san, an extinct volcano, reaches 1,950 meters (6,398 ft) above sea level. The most eastern islands of South Korea include Ulleungdo and Dokdo, while Marado and Ieodo are the southernmost islands of South Korea.
| Climate chart for South Korea | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
23 1 -7 |
25 3 -5 |
47 10 0 |
94 17 7 |
92 23 13 |
134 26 17 |
369 29 22 |
294 30 22 |
169 26 17 |
50 20 10 |
53 11 3 |
21 4 -4 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| temperatures in °C • precipitation totals in mm source: http://www.climate-charts.com/Locations/k/KO47108.html | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Imperial conversion
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The local climate is relatively temperate, with precipitation heavier in summer during a short rainy season called jangma, and winters that can be bitterly cold. In Seoul, the average January temperature range is -7 °C to 1 °C (19 °F to 33 °F), and the average July temperature range is 22 °C to 29 °C (71 °F to 83 °F). Winter temperatures are higher along the southern coast and considerably lower in the mountainous interior. Rainfall is concentrated in the summer months of June through September. The southern coast is subject to late dfdfdfdfdfdfdfdfdfdfdfdfsummer typhoons that bring strong winds and heavy rains. The average annual precipitation varies from 1,370 millimeters (54 inches) in Seoul to 1,470 millimeters (58 inches) in Busan. There are occasional typhoons that bring high winds and floods. The government is concerned of the impact of global warming on the natural disasters.
In urban areas there are problems associated with air pollution as well as water pollution from the discharge of sewage and industrial effluents. Cheonggyecheon is one of the recent attempts at restoring the flow of the clean water in South Korea. http://english.seoul.go.kr/gover/initiatives/inti_02cheon.htm
South Korean is a member of numerous international environmental organizations with specific regards to Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution (MARPOL 73/78), Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, and Whaling. This article contains material from the CIA World Factbook which, as a U.S. government publication, is in the public domain.
Yeouido, an important financial center located in Seoul.
South Korea is a major international economic power; it has the 12-14th economyWorldBank (2007). "2005 International Comparison Program - Preliminary Results". 2007. WorldBank. Retrieved on 2008-02-12. IMF (2007). "World Economic Outlook Database,
