The Republic of Korea is a nation of East Asia. It is commonly called South Korea. The country lies on the southern half of the Korean peninsula, a piece of land that juts out into the Pacific Ocean. North Korea occupies the northern half of the peninsula. For hundreds of years the people of the peninsula were united in a single state. However, Korea has been split into two separate countries since the mid-20th century. Since then, South and North Korea have faced each other across a heavily guarded border. The area of South Korea is 38,402 square miles (99,461 square kilometers). Seoul, the capital and largest city, lies near the border with North Korea. GeographyThe country's only land border is with North Korea. South Korea's eastern border lies along the East Sea, or Sea of Japan. The Yellow Sea is to the west, and the East China Sea is to the south. The main islands of Japan lie about 120 miles (190 kilometers) to the southeast. The eastern coast of South Korea forms a long, smooth curve, without many islands. However, the western and southern coasts are jagged and have many bays and small islands. A larger island named Cheju lies off the southwest coast. Most of South Korea is covered by low mountains. The Taebaek Mountains run along the eastern coast. The Sobaek Mountains form an S-shape across the southern part of the country. None of South Korea's mountains are very high. The highest peak in South Korea is Mount Halla. It rises to 6,398 feet (1,950 meters) on Cheju Island. South Korea's three largest rivers are the Naktong, Han, and Kum. All three begin in the Taebaek Mountains. The country's main lowlands are found in the basins of the Naktong River in the southeast and the Han River in the northwest. Many people live on these lowlands, which provide the country's best farmland. South Korea has cold, dry winters. Its summers are hot and humid. The rainy season is from June to August. The southern coast is the wettest part of the country. Plants and animalsSouth Korea has about 4,500 different types of plants. The forests on the southern coast and on Cheju Island have evergreen trees such as camellia and camphor. Pine trees are common in other parts of South Korea. Oaks, maples, birches, and other types of trees are also found. Pheasants and rabbits are among the most common wildlife. There are also deer in the forests. Many types of birds, reptiles, and fish are found in the country. Tigers, leopards, and bears were once numerous, but few still exist in South Korea. The country's national parks protect some plants and animals. People and cultureAlmost all the people of both North and South Korea are ethnically Korean and speak the Korean language. Traditional Korean values are based on the Confucian system, which emphasizes being calm, obedient, and respectful. Many people follow both the Confucian system and Buddhism. Almost one in four Koreans are Buddhists. A slightly larger number of Koreans are Christians. Some Koreans follow the religion of Chondogyo, which means “Teaching of the Heavenly Way.” It was begun in 1860 and combines elements of Buddhism, Confucianism, and Christianity. More than 80 percent of South Koreans live in cities and towns. Many of the cities are very crowded. Seoul is the political, economic, and cultural center of the country. The country's other major cities include Pusan, Taegu, Inchon, and Taejon. EconomyThe South Korean economy depends on a mix of services and industry. More than half of South Korean workers are employed in services, which includes work in banks, government offices, schools, stores, the military, tourism, and entertainment. Foreign trade is especially important to the economy. South Korea's main trading partners are the United States, Japan, and China. Factories provide work for nearly one in five people in South Korea. Seoul is a manufacturing center, and there are also large factories in the southeast. Industry in South Korea has been dominated by huge companies called chaebol. Among the country's largest companies are Daewoo, Hyundai, and Samsung. Factories in South Korea make televisions, cars, electronics, machinery, cloth, chemicals, and many other products. A small percentage of Koreans work in mines that provide coal, copper ore, iron ore, zinc, and other resources. Less than one fourth of the republic's land can be farmed. Rice is the most important crop. Cabbages, onions, and apples are also very important. Large numbers of pigs, cattle, and chickens are raised. South Korea has become one of the world's major deep-sea fishing nations. In addition, there are many fish farms. HistoryPeople have lived on the Korean peninsula since at least 10,000 BC. After about 3,000 BC, fishing villages grew up along the rivers and the seacoasts. The ancient kingdom of Choson developed in the northwest. The Chinese conquered Choson in 108 BC. The Three KingdomsIn the 1st century BC, the peninsula was divided between three Korean states. These Three Kingdoms were Koguryo in the north, Paekche in the southwest, and Silla in the southeast. The Three Kingdoms battled each other for centuries. With help from China, Silla defeated the Paekche and Koguryo kingdoms in the 7th century AD. Silla then controlled most of Korea. During the peacetime that followed, the Chinese strongly influenced Korea. In this period, Korea made great advances in astronomy, medicine, metal casting, sculpture, and textile making. Ships from Silla and China traded many products. Koryo periodIn the 9th century, Silla lost much of its territory. However, Korea was united again under the Koryo state in 935. The Koryo state held onto power until 1392. During this period, the Koreans copied some parts of the Chinese system of government. Buddhism had been introduced from China several centuries earlier, and many Buddhist temples were built during the Koryo period. The Koryo ruled from Kaesong, which is now part of North Korea. Choson periodIn 1392 the Korean general Yi Songgye took power. He named his state Choson, after the ancient kingdom.Yi built his capital in the south, at what is now Seoul, South Korea. The Choson kings ruled until 1910. Under their rule, powerful landowners caused Buddhism to decline in Korea. Confucian values were promoted instead. The Korean alphabet was created by the mid-15th century. Korea was often the target of attacks by foreign powers. The kingdom was invaded by Japan in the 1590s and by a Chinese group in the 1620s and 1630s. The Korean Choson rulers remained under some Chinese influence until the late 1800s. However, Korea largely shut out other foreign contact beginning in the mid-1600s. Japanese controlIn 1894 a group of Korean peasants rebelled, demanding better treatment by the government. Both Japan and China sent armies to Korea to help stop the rebellion. Soon, the Japanese and Chinese armies began to fight each other. This started the Sino-Japanese War of 1894–95. Japan won the war. In 1910 Japan made Korea into a Japanese colony. The Japanese brought modern ways, but they treated the Koreans very poorly. Division into North and South KoreaNear the end of World War II, in 1945, troops from the United States took over the southern part of Korea. Armies from the Soviet Union occupied the north. South Korea became a separate, independent country in 1948, with Syngman Rhee as president. Weeks afterward, North Korea became independent. Korean WarIn 1950 the North Korean army invaded South Korea, beginning the Korean War. The United Nations voted to aid South Korea, and the United States and several other countries sent troops. At the end of 1950, China supported North Korea with hundreds of thousands of troops. Millions of people died in the war. In 1953 the war ended, with the peninsula still divided into North Korea and South Korea. Ever since, large armies have kept watch on both sides of the border. Strict ruleFor most of the period from 1948 to 1987, South Korea's government allowed the people little freedom. Many people were arrested and hurt—or killed—for political reasons. South Korea's economy grew very quickly. However, life was difficult for many workers. Most did not earn good wages. Many people tried to form unions and protest against the government. DemocracyIn 1987 Roh Tae Woo won South Korea's first democratic election for president. Many political freedoms were reestablished. South Korea also began to develop better relationships with many other nations. The country hosted the Summer Olympic Games in Seoul in 1987. In 1991 North Korea and South Korea separately became members of the United Nations. South Korea's democracy strengthened in the 1990s. Kim Young Sam became president in 1993. He was followed in 1998 by President Kim Dae Jung. Tensions between North and South Korea had often been high since the Korean War. Kim won the Nobel peace prize in 2000 for his efforts to improve relations with North Korea. The economy of South Korea was hurt in 1998, as a financial crisis hit much of Asia. However, the country's economy began to grow again by 1999. Population (2001 estimate), 47,676,000. |