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, daehanmingug (Daehan Minguk) in Korean writing (Hangeul), and Da Han Min Guo 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; teugbyeolsi; Te Bie Shi ), 1 special self-governing city (Teukbyeol-Jachisi; teugbyeoljacisi; Te Bie Zi Zhi Shi ) 6 metropolitan cities (Gwangyeoksi; gwangyeogsi; Guang Yu Shi ), and 9 provinces (do; do; Dao ). The names below are given in English, Revised Romanization, Hangeul, and Hanja.
Special city
Seoul Special City (Seoul-teukbyeolsi; seoulteugbyeolsi; seoulTe Bie Shi )
Note: seoul (Seoul) itself has no corresponding Hanja.
Busan Metropolitan City (Busan-gwangyeoksi; busangwangyeogsi)
Special self-governing city
Sejong special self-governing city (Sejong-teukbyeol-jachasi sejongteugbyeoljacisi; Shi Zong Te Bie Zi Zhi Shi )
Metropolitan cities
Busan Metropolitan City (Busan-gwangyeoksi; busangwangyeogsi; Fu Shan Guang Yu Shi )
Daegu Metropolitan City (Daegu-gwangyeoksi; daegugwangyeogsi; Da Qiu Guang Yu Shi )
Daejeon Metropolitan City (Daejeon-gwangyeoksi; daejeongwangyeogsi; Da Tian Guang Yu Shi )
Gwangju Metropolitan City (Gwangju-gwangyeoksi; gwangjugwangyeogsi; Guang Zhou Guang Yu Shi )
Incheon Metropolitan City (Incheon-gwangyeoksi; inceongwangyeogsi; Ren Chuan Guang Yu Shi )
Ulsan Metropolitan City (Ulsan-gwangyeoksi; ulsangwangyeogsi; Wei Shan Guang Yu Shi )
Provinces
Gyeonggi Province (Gyeonggi-do; gyeonggido; Jing Ji Dao )
Gangwon Province (Gangwon-do; gangweondo; Jiang Yuan Dao )
North Chungcheong Province (Chungcheongbuk-do; cungceong bugdo; Zhong Qing Bei Dao )
South Chungcheong Province (Chungcheongnam-do; cungceong namdo; Zhong Qing Nan Dao )
North Jeolla Province (Jeollabuk-do; jeonra bugdo; Quan Luo Bei Dao )
South Jeolla Province (Jeollanam-do; jeonra namdo; Quan Luo Nan Dao )
North Gyeongsang Province (Gyeongsangbuk-do; gyeongsang bugdo; Qing Shang Bei Dao )
South Gyeongsang Province(Gyeongsangnam-do; gyeongsang namdo; Qing Shang Nan Dao )
Jeju Province (Jeju-do; jejudo; Ji Zhou Dao )
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