South Korea occupies the southern half of the Korean Peninsula in East Asia, bordered by North Korea to the north and surrounded by the Yellow Sea and the Sea of Japan. The country is world-renowned for its dynamic pop culture, including K-pop music and Korean cinema, as well as its rapid economic rise known as the 'Miracle on the Han River.' It is also celebrated for its rich culinary traditions, ancient temples, and cutting-edge technology industry.
- Capital
- Seoul
- Continent
- Asia
- Region
- Eastern Asia
- Area
- 100,210 km²
- Coordinates
- 37° N, 127.5° E
Country facts
- Korea was unified under the Silla dynasty in 668 CE, marking one of the earliest consolidated kingdoms on the peninsula.
- The Korean alphabet, Hangul, was created in 1443 under King Sejong the Great to improve literacy among common people.
- South Korea is home to Jeju Island, a volcanic island and UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its dramatic landscapes and lava tubes.
- Kimchi, a traditional dish of fermented vegetables and spices, is eaten at nearly every Korean meal and has been recognized by UNESCO as part of intangible cultural heritage.
- South Korea is one of the world's leading producers of semiconductors, with companies like Samsung and SK Hynix playing a central role in the global electronics supply chain.
Capital facts
- Seoul has served as a major capital city for over 600 years, originally founded as the capital of the Joseon dynasty in 1394.
- Gyeongbokgung Palace, the largest of Seoul's five grand royal palaces, was built in 1395 and remains a major historical landmark in the city center.
- The Han River flows through Seoul and is lined with extensive parks that are popular gathering spots for residents year-round.
- Bukchon Hanok Village preserves hundreds of traditional Korean wooden homes called hanok, offering a glimpse of historical Seoul amid the modern cityscape.
- Seoul hosted the 1988 Summer Olympic Games, an event that helped introduce South Korea to a global audience and symbolized the country's economic transformation.