South Korea

South Korea is a country in the southern part of the Korean peninsula, in the north east region of Asia. The capital city is Seoul. The official name of South Korea is the Republic of Korea in English, 대한민국 (Daehan Minguk) in Korean writing (Hangeul), and 大韓民國 in Chinese characters (Hanja). About half of the country's people live in its capital city, Seoul, or near the city in the metropolitan area. Korea's Seoul metropolitan area is one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. In fact, some sources say it is the second most populous after Tokyo, Japan. Recently, South Korean culture has become famous around the world. This is partially because of bands like BTS, Korean drama, as well as its economic miracle.

History
South Korea's history began with Dangunwanggeom's Gojoseon. Gojoseon was conquered by Han China. After Gojoseon collapsed, there were a lot of countries such as Buyeo, Okjeo, Dongyae and Samhan. But Baekje, Goguryeo and Silla were the strongest. So their period began, and it is called the Three Kingdoms Period. Goguryeo and Baekje were conquered by Silla and Dang China's allied forces, and Silla unified the three kingdoms. There was another country, Balhae. Balhae was founded by Dae Jo-Young. Later Silla and Balhae's period is called South and North Countries Period. A rebellion in Later Silla caused the birth of a new nation: Goryeo, which was founded by Wanggeon. Mongolia's invaded Goryeo. Near the end of the Goryeo period, there was a great general Lee Seong-Gye. The king of Goryeo directed him to occupy Yodong, but he opposed. However, Lee Seong-Gye went to Yodong to occupy it, but he returned to Goryeo and he revolted. His revolt succeeded, and he founded the country Joseon. Joseon's first king, Taejo, moved the capital to Hanyang (Seoul). Joseon's fourth king, Sejong, made the Korean alphabet, Hangeul. Joseon's twenty-second king, Jeongjo, built Hwaseong Fortress in Suwon. Joseon's twenty-sixth king, Gojong, changed the country's name to Daehanjeguk. When Daehanjaeguk's power weakened, Japan occupied it for 35 years until Japan's defeat in World War II in 1945. In 1950, there was a large and deadly war, the Korean War, which killed millions of people. As a result, Korea was split into two countries, North and South.

Geography 
South Korea is in East Asia, bordering North Korea, and is surrounded by water on three sides, as it makes up the southern part of the Korean peninsula. South Korea is separated from North Korea by the 38th parallel. It is separated from Japan by the Sea of Japan (known as East Sea by the South Koreans). South Korea is mainly mountainous, and there are many islands off the south coast. The capital city, Seoul, is quite close to the North Korean border. The largest island is Jeju Island and the highest mountain is Hallasan, on Jeju. The country is slightly smaller than Iceland and Virginia.

Population 
About 52 million people live in South Korea. The largest cities are Seoul (9.6 million people), Busan (3.3 million people), Incheon (2.9 million people), and Daegu (2.4 million people). The population density is about 507 people per square kilometre (1310 people per square mile). 

South Korea has one of the lowest birth rates in the world. The fertility rate, or number of children born per women, was 0.92 in 2019. This is the lowest in the world. To keep the population the same, the fertility rate must be about 2, so the two children can replace their two parents. The low fertility rate will cause the population to start falling.

Politics and government 
South Korea is a democracy, meaning that people can vote for their government. However, this is recent. South Korea was an authoritarian dictatorship for most of its history. The President of South Korea is elected to a five-year term, and cannot stand in a Presidential Election for a second time. The current president is Moon Jae-in since 10 May 2017. The previous president, Park Geun-hye, was impeached for corruption.

Science and technology 
South Korea is known for a lot of technology. This includes the car makers Hyundai and Kia. The well-known global brands Samsung and LG, which make mobile phones, semi-conductors and electric devices, are also South Korean.

Culture 
South Korea has been affected by both continental culture and marine culture because it is located on a peninsula. Ancient South Korean culture has developed with the culture of Siberia, the northern part of Central Asia, the southern part of Southeast Asia and neighboring countries like China.

Language 
South Korea's customary and official language is Korean. Many linguists says that it is linked with Altaic languages. Hangul, the alphabet which is used to write Korean, was published by King Sejong the Great of Joseon in 1446. It is the only alphabet in the word whose creator, invention day and invention principle is known.

Food 
A customary South Korean regular meal is made up of rice, Korean soup, kimchi and other various dishes. Generally, Korean dishes are seasoned with sesame oil, soy bean paste, soy sauce, salt, ginger and chilli pepper paste. The most famous traditional food of Korea, kimchi, is eaten with nearly every meal. There are lots of popular South Korean typical foods such as bibimbap, tteokbokki, and bulgogi.

Religion 

As of 2008, 19.7% of people are Protestant, 6.6% are Catholic, 23.2% are Buddhist, 49.3% have no religion, and 1.3% either are a part of other religions or have beliefs that are unknown.

Music 
The most representative traditional music of Korea is Arirang and every region has its own folk song. Many South Korean singers are well known in world as K-pop is steadily developing. Famous K-pop artists include BTS, BLACKPINK, EXO, TWICE & NCT.

Hip hop artists such as Zico, Jvcki Wai, San E & Giriboy are also popular.

Circumcision 
77% of South Korean men are circumcised; this tradition was taken from the US military.

Cities and provinces 
South Korea has 1 special city (Teukbyeolsi; 특별시; 特別市), 1 special self-governing city (Teukbyeol-Jachisi; 특별자치시; 特別自治市) 6 metropolitan cities (Gwangyeoksi; 광역시; 廣域市), and 9 provinces (do; 도; 道). The names below are given in English, Revised Romanization, Hangeul, and Hanja.

Special city 
 Seoul Special City (Seoul-teukbyeolsi; 서울특별시; 서울特別市)
 Note: 서울 (Seoul) itself has no corresponding Hanja.
Busan Metropolitan City (Busan-gwangyeoksi; 부산광역시)

Special self-governing city 
 Sejong special self-governing city (Sejong-teukbyeol-jachasi 세종특별자치시; 世宗特別自治市)

Metropolitan cities 
 Busan Metropolitan City (Busan-gwangyeoksi; 부산광역시; 釜山廣域市)
 Daegu Metropolitan City (Daegu-gwangyeoksi; 대구광역시; 大邱廣域市)
 Daejeon Metropolitan City (Daejeon-gwangyeoksi; 대전광역시; 大田廣域市)
 Gwangju Metropolitan City (Gwangju-gwangyeoksi; 광주광역시; 光州廣域市)
 Incheon Metropolitan City (Incheon-gwangyeoksi; 인천광역시; 仁川廣域市)
 Ulsan Metropolitan City (Ulsan-gwangyeoksi; 울산광역시; 蔚山廣域市)

Provinces 
 Gyeonggi Province (Gyeonggi-do; 경기도; 京畿道)
 Gangwon Province (Gangwon-do; 강원도; 江原道)
 North Chungcheong Province (Chungcheongbuk-do; 충청 북도; 忠清北道)
 South Chungcheong Province (Chungcheongnam-do; 충청 남도; 忠清南道)
 North Jeolla Province (Jeollabuk-do; 전라 북도; 全羅北道)
 South Jeolla Province (Jeollanam-do; 전라 남도; 全羅南道)
 North Gyeongsang Province (Gyeongsangbuk-do; 경상 북도; 慶尚北道)
 South Gyeongsang Province(Gyeongsangnam-do; 경상 남도; 慶尚南道)
 Jeju Province (Jeju-do; 제주도; 濟州道)

Notes

References

Further reading 

 Breen, Michael (2004). The Koreans: Who They Are, What They Want, Where Their Future Lies, St. Martin's Griffin. .
 Cumings, Bruce (1997). Korea's place in the sun, New York: W.W. Norton. .
 Hart, Dennis (2003). From Tradition to Consumption: Constructing a Capitalist Culture in South Korea. .
 Hawley, Samuel (2005). The Imjin War. Japan's Sixteenth-Century Invasion of Korea and Attempt to Conquer China, The Royal Asiatic Society. .
 KOIS (2003). Handbook of Korea, 11 edition, Hollym. .
 Nahm, Andrew C. (1996). Korea: A history of the Korean people, 2 edition, Hollym. .
 Yang, Sung Chul (1999). The North and South Korean political systems: A comparative analysis, Hollym. .
 Yonhap News Agency (2004). Korea Annual 2004. .

 
1945 establishments in Asia