The Korean language in South Korea has a standard dialect known as the Seoul dialect (after the capital city), with an additional four dialects (Chungcheong, Gangwon, Gyeongsang, and Jeolla) and one language (Jeju) in use around the country. From them, Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla emerged to control the peninsula as the Three Kingdoms of Korea. Generals in the Japanese Army: a Chosun prince, whose rank was honorary and who commanded no troops; and Lt. Gen. Bang, Ha-Nam, Study of Korean Corporations Retirement Allowance Schemes, Korea Labor Institute, 1998. [116] President Park Geun-hye's administration was formally accused of corruption, bribery, and influence-peddling for the involvement of close friend Choi Soon-sil in state affairs. [326], Scientific and technological development in South Korea at first did not occur largely because of more pressing matters such as the division of Korea and the Korean War that occurred right after its independence. The winners were announced on 29 September 2013 and shared a total prize pool of 80 million won (US$74,000). A unitary state is the opposite of a federation where powers are dispersed. [395] Recent polling indicates that a majority, 41% of South Korean sports fans continue to self-identify as football fans, with baseball ranked 2nd at 25% of respondents. EU trade with South Korea exceeded 90 billion in 2015 and has enjoyed an annual average growth rate of 9.8% between 2003 and 2013. [185], Higher education is a serious issue in South Korean society, where it is viewed as one of the fundamental cornerstones of South Korean life. South Korea is a multi-party state. [227], Despite the Sunshine Policy and efforts at reconciliation, the progress was complicated by North Korean missile tests in 1993, 1998, 2006, 2009, and 2013. Liberation Day, on 15 August, celebrates Korea's liberation from the Empire of Japan in 1945. A unitary state is a sovereign state governed as a single entity in which the central government is the supreme authority. Provinces of South Korea Provinces are one of the first-level divisions within South Korea. The United States participation was critical for preventing the near defeat of the Republic of Korea by northern forces, as well as fighting back for the territory gains that define the South Korean nation today. The estimated area rises steadily from year to year, possibly because of land reclamation. [371] The Olympic Sculpture Garden in 1988, the transposition of the 1993 edition of the Whitney Biennial to Seoul,[372] the creation of the Gwangju Biennale[373] and the Korean Pavilion at the Venice Biennale in 1995[374] were notable events. No, South Africa is a country. Roh went on to win the election by a narrow margin against the two main opposition leaders, Kim Dae-jung and Kim Young-sam. There are also many airports that were built as part of the infrastructure boom but are barely used. [276], Male citizens who refuse or reject to undertake military services because of conscientious objection are typically imprisoned, with over 600 individuals usually imprisoned at any given time; more than the rest of the world put together. ", "Anthropogenic modification of forests means only 40% of remaining forests have high ecosystem integrity Supplementary Material", "Corruption Perceptions Index 2018 Executive Summary p.8", United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, "World Population Prospects 2022: Demographic indicators by region, subregion and country, annually for 1950-2100", "Population Projections for Provinces (2013~2040)", "South Korea is facing a crisis of extinction and it's not due to North's nukes", "Korea marks first-ever decline in registered population", "Summary of Census Population (by administrative district/sex/age)", "More Than 1 Million Foreigners Live in Korea (According to the article, approximately 443,566 people are considered to be Chinese residents in South Korea with Korean ethnicity. This allowed the UN to intervene in a civil war when it became apparent that the superior North Korean forces would unify the entire country. After the war's end in 1953, the country entered into a military alliance with the U.S., and its devastated economy began to soar, recording the fastest rise in average GDP per capita in the world between 1980 and 1990. As Lelang commandery was destroyed and rebuilt around this time, the place gradually moved toward Liaodong. [325] Any one who is under the age of 18 are dependents of someone who is covered or under a special exclusion where they are allowed to alternative provisions. Since June, 2021 the United States has shared 1,412,800 safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine doses with the people of South Korea - free of cost. [97] While South Korea's request for military support was denied by the United States,[98] North Korea's military was heavily reinforced by the Soviet Union. With the annexation of Korea by Japan in 1910 the colonial regime intervened in Korea's architectural heritage, and Japanese-style modern architecture was imposed. [364], South Korea shares its traditional culture with North Korea, but the two Koreas have developed distinct contemporary forms of culture since the peninsula was divided in 1945. Yi Seong-gye declared the new name of Korea as "Joseon" in reference to Gojoseon, and moved the capital to Hanseong (one of the old names of Seoul). Under Japanese rule, the two names Han and Joseon coexisted. South Korea is unitary. Following the surrender of Japan, in 1945, the "Republic of Korea" ( / , IPA: tanminuk, lit. Korean cuisine, hanguk yori (; ), or hansik (; ), has evolved through centuries of social and political change. In 1949, the United States established diplomatic relations with the Republic of Korea. [385] Western-style pop, hip hop, rhythm and blues, rock, folk, electronic dance oriented acts have become dominant in the modern South Korean popular music scene, though trot is still enjoyed among older South Koreans. His election was significant given that he had in earlier years been a political prisoner sentenced to death (later commuted to exile). On 1 January 2007, former South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon served as UN Secretary-General from 2007 to 2016. Both North and South Korea claim complete sovereignty over the entire peninsula and outlying islands. Combined, South Korean airlines serve 297 international routes. Although it was again returned to Korea along with the rest of its territory in 1951 with the signing of the Treaty of San Francisco, Japan does not recant on its claims that the Liancourt Rocks are Japanese territory. [375], Korean traditional architecture is characterized by its harmony with nature. Korail provides frequent train services to all major South Korean cities. Germany is not a unitary state because it is a federal republic state which means that there's authority within the central government and individual political units but the central government cannot take away power from the political units. [260] South Korea is the EU's tenth largest trade partner, and the EU has become South Korea's fourth largest export destination. Historical dramas have included Faith, Dae Jang Geum, The Legend, Dong Yi, Moon Embracing the Sun, Sungkyunkwan Scandal, Iljimae and Kingdom. Every meal is accompanied by numerous banchan. [209] The number of Protestants has been stagnant throughout the 1990s and the 2000s, but increased to a peak level throughout the 2010s. The South Korean government's structure is determined by the Constitution of the Republic of Korea. South Korea's terrain is mostly mountainous, most of which is not arable. In 2015, South Korea ranked third highest globally in cosmetic procedures per capita. South Korea is a constitutional democracy. Dean Rusk and Charles H. Bonesteel III suggested the 38th parallel as the dividing line, as it placed Seoul under U.S. control. [196] Boys' uniforms usually consist of trousers and white shirts, and girls wear skirts and white shirts (this only applies in middle schools and high schools). R.O.K. [101], The 1953 armistice, never signed by South Korea, split the peninsula along the demilitarized zone near the original demarcation line. [32][33] Gojoseon was noted in Chinese records in the early 7th century. In November 2009, South Korea joined the OECD Development Assistance Committee, marking the first time a former aid recipient country joined the group as a donor member. [107], South Korea was formally invited to become a member of the United Nations in 1991. South Korea dispatched 325,517 troops to fight alongside American, Australian, Filipino, New Zealand and South Vietnamese soldiers in the Vietnam War, with a peak strength of 50,000. In the North, however, a former anti-Japanese guerrilla and communist activist, Kim Il-sung, was appointed premier of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in September. There are large-scale flows of manufactured goods, agricultural products, services, and technology between the two countries. Many K-pop acts have also been able to secure a strong overseas following using online social media platforms such as the video sharing website YouTube. The U.S. government estimates the total population at 51.7 million (midyear 2021). [223] It also has the third highest health adjusted life expectancy in the world.[224]. In 1988, South Korea hosted the Summer Olympics in Seoul, coming fourth with 12 gold medals, 10 silver medals, and 11 bronze medals. South Korean corporations Samsung and LG were ranked first and third largest mobile phone companies in the world in the first quarter of 2012, respectively. Despite the initial plan of a unified Korea in the 1943 Cairo Declaration, escalating Cold War antagonism between the Soviet Union and the United States eventually led to the establishment of separate governments, each with its own ideology, leading to the division of Korea into two political entities in 1948: North Korea and South Korea. South Korea has four distinct seasons; spring, summer, autumn and winter. [326] Anyone who is not employed, of the age of 60 or above, or excluded by article 6 of the National Pension Act,[327] but is of the ages between 18 and 59, is covered under the individually insured pension scheme. [109] Later that year, 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". The Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA) entered into force on March 15, 2012, underscoring the depth of bilateral trade ties. [209] Other religions include Islam (130,000 Muslims, mostly migrant workers from Pakistan and Bangladesh but including some 35,000 Korean Muslims[211]), the homegrown sect of Won Buddhism, and a variety of indigenous religions, including Cheondoism (a Confucianizing religion), Jeungsanism, Daejongism, Daesun Jinrihoe, and others. Over the past several decades, the Republic of Korea (R.O.K.) [262] In 1967, South Korea obliged the mutual defense treaty, by sending a large combat troop contingent to support the United States in the Vietnam War. The free trade agreement was approved in September 2010, and took effect on 1 July 2011. [247] On 22 June, Moon Jae-in and Putin signed a document for foundation of free trade area. Soups known as guk () are often made with meats, shellfish and vegetables. "While less than 100 Koreans in America enlisted in the US military during World WarII, more than 100,000 Koreans served in the Japanese army as officers and soldiers. However, the polling did not indicate the extent to which respondents follow both sports. South Korea regularly performs well in archery, shooting, table tennis, badminton, short track speed skating, handball, field hockey, freestyle wrestling, Greco-Roman wrestling, baseball, judo, taekwondo, speed skating, figure skating, and weightlifting. [222] It also had the OECD's second largest number of hospital beds per 1000 people at 9.56 beds. [131] Unchecked industrialization and urban development have resulted in deforestation and the ongoing destruction of wetlands such as the Songdo Tidal Flat. Large numbers of ethnic Koreans live overseas, sometimes in Korean ethnic neighborhoods also known as Koreatowns. Precise numbers are difficult since statistics do not record ethnicity and given many immigrants are ethnically Korean themselves, and some South Korean citizens are not ethnically Korean.[162]. The majority of states in the world have the unitary system of government. [322] South Korea's pension system structure is primarily based on taxation and is income-related. Following the unification of the Three Kingdoms of Korea into Silla and Balhae in the late 7th century, Korea was ruled by the Goryeo dynasty (9181392) and the Joseon dynasty (13921897). If you decide to travel to South Korea: Read the Department of State's COVID-19 page before planning any international travel, and read the Embassy's COVID-19 page for country-specific COVID-19 information. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Explorations on Martha Rogers' Science of Unitary Human Beings Pa at the best online prices at eBay! [347] The launch of Naro-1 in August 2009 resulted in a failure. [327] Around 60% of all Korean elders, age 65 and over are entitled to a 5% benefit of their past average income at an average of 90,000 Korean Won (KRW). [335] It was ranked 5th in the Global Innovation Index 2022, up from 10th in 2020 and 11st in 2019. [225] Despite mutual animosity, reconciliation efforts have continued since the initial separation between North and South Korea. A unitary state is the opposite of a federation, where governmental powers and responsibilities are divided. [356] [331] Over one million DMB phones have been sold and the three major wireless communications providers SK Telecom, KT, and LG U+ provide coverage in all major cities and other areas. President Lee Myung-bak declared in May 2010 that Seoul would cut all trade with North Korea as part of measures primarily aimed at striking back at North Korea diplomatically and financially, except for the joint Kaesong Industrial Project and humanitarian aid. The liberal camp and the conservative camp are the dominant forces of South Korean politics at present. In recent years, the country has been facing an aging population and the lowest fertility rate in the world. South Korea still uses some Chinese Hanja characters in limited areas, such as print media and legal documentation. What you need to know before you go: visas, Embassy & Consulate locations, vaccinations, etc. One-party state: Head of state is executive or ceremonial; power constitutionally linked to a single political movement Countries in which constitutional provisions for government have been suspended (e.g. What followed was a period of forced assimilation, in which Korean language, culture, and history were suppressed. [191] Yet with only limited places at the nation's most prestigious universities and even fewer places at top-tier companies, many young people remain disappointed and are often unwilling to lower their sights with the result of many feeling as though they are underachievers. Voluntarily and continuously insured persons consists of individuals 60 years of age who want to fulfill the minimum insured period of 20 years to qualify for old age pension benefits. [93], Towards the end of World War II, the U.S. proposed dividing the Korean peninsula into two occupation zones (a U.S. and Soviet one). [65][66][67][68] Buddhism flourished during this time, and many Korean Buddhists gained great fame among Chinese Buddhists[69] and contributed to Chinese Buddhism,[70] including: Woncheuk, Wonhyo, Uisang, Musang,[71][72][73][74] and Kim Gyo-gak, a Silla prince whose influence made Mount Jiuhua one of the Four Sacred Mountains of Chinese Buddhism. [d] The country's western border is formed by the Yellow Sea, while its eastern border is defined by the Sea of Japan. [239] The Republic of Korea broke off official relations with the Republic of China (Taiwan) upon gaining official relations with the People's Republic of China, which does not recognize Taiwan's sovereignty. [115], South Korea saw another milestone in 2012 with the first ever female president Park Geun-hye elected and assuming office. After the First Sino-Japanese War and the Russo-Japanese War, Korea was annexed by Japan (19101945). The United States is working with other governments, global initiatives including COVAX and the African Vaccine Acquisition Trust (AVAT), and other partners to get COVID-19 vaccines to where they are needed most. Ever since the industrialization of South Korea's economy, South Korea has placed its focus on technology-based corporations, which has been supported by infrastructure developments by the government. [14][15][16] The 10th-century kingdom of Goryeo succeeded Goguryeo,[17][18] and thus inherited its name, which was pronounced by the visiting Arab and Persian merchants as "Korea". About nine million people belong to one of the hundred different Presbyterian churches; the biggest ones are the HapDong Presbyterian Church, TongHap Presbyterian Church and the Koshin Presbyterian Church. Its armed forces are ranked as one of the world's strongest militaries, with the world's second-largest standing army by military and paramilitary personnel. [248], Korea and Japan have had difficult relations since ancient times, but also significant cultural exchange, with Korea acting as the gateway between Asia and Japan. This instability was broken by the 16 May 1961 coup led by General Park Chung-hee. South Korea hosted the Asian Games in 1986 (Seoul), 2002 (Busan), and 2014 (Incheon). Major U.S. firms have long been leading investors, while the R.O.K.s top firms have made significant investments in the U.S. The Korean royal court cuisine once brought all of the unique regional specialties together for the royal family. To the surprise of Rusk and Bonesteel, the Soviets accepted their proposal and agreed to divide Korea.[94]. Like many democratic states,[145] South Korea has a government divided into three branches: executive, judicial, and legislative. Exercise normal precautions in South Korea. The PRC assisted North Korea with manpower and supplies during the Korean War, and in its aftermath the diplomatic relationship between South Korea and the PRC almost completely ceased. In March 2018, the U.S. and the Republic of Korea reached an agreement on the renegotiation of the KORUS FTA. The Korean Peninsula was inhabited as early as the Lower Paleolithic period. [322] The national pension covers employees who work in firms that employ five or more employees, fishermen, farmers, and the self-employed in both rural and urban areas. Buddhism was introduced to Korea in the 4th century. There are approximately 28,500 U.S. military personnel stationed in South Korea,[275] most of them serving one year unaccompanied tours. [336][337][338] Additionally, South Korea today is known as a Launchpad of a mature mobile market, where developers can reap benefits of a market where very few technology constraints exist. and sharing the land border with North Korea and Jeju. Is South Korea limited or unlimited government? [296], South Korea became a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in 1996.[297]. Graduating from a top university is the ultimate marker of prestige, high socioeconomic status, promising marriage prospects, and a respectable career path. Goguryeo, the largest and most powerful among them, was a highly militaristic state,[39] and competed with various Chinese dynasties during its 700 years of history. Learn more about our workDelivering Vaccinesand onCOVID-19 Recovery. [159], The population has also been shaped by international migration. For the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, see, Territory controlled by the Republic of Korea in dark green; territory claimed but not controlled in light green, The oldest surviving metal movable type book, the, It has been suggested that this article should be, Transportation, energy and infrastructure. Type Of Government. The first direct election was also held in 1948. South Korea is unitary. Domestic film has a dominant share of the market, partly because of the existence of screen quotas requiring cinemas to show Korean films at least 73 days a year. foreign direct investment in the U.S. has nearly doubled since 2011 from $19.7 billion to $38.8 billion in 2016, making the R.O.K. On 17 May, Chun Doo-hwan forced the Cabinet to expand martial law to the whole nation, which had previously not applied to the island of Jejudo. [19] The modern name of Korea, appears in the first Portuguese maps of 1568 by Joo vaz Dourado as Conrai [20] and later in the late 16th century and early 17th century as Korea (Corea) in the maps of Teixeira Albernaz of 1630. Korea and the Philippines were both invaded by Japan during the WWII era, as with most Asian countries. There is heavy anti-Japanese sentiment in South Korea because of a number of unsettled Japanese-Korean disputes, many of which stem from the period of Japanese occupation after the Japanese annexation of Korea. [173] The average life expectancy in 2008 was 79.10 years,[174] (which was 34th in the world[175]) but by 2015 it had increased to around 81. Quota systems favor large, vertically integrated generators and multinational electric utilities, if only because certificates are generally denominated in units of one megawatt-hour. South Korean brands such as LG Electronics and Samsung are internationally famous and garnered South Korea's reputation for its quality electronics and other manufactured goods.[285]. [340], In late September 2013, a computer-security competition jointly sponsored by the defense ministry and the National Intelligence Service was announced. [241], There were no formal diplomatic ties between South Korea and Japan directly after independence the end of World WarII in 1945. The country's national economy benefits from a highly skilled workforce and is among the most educated countries in the world with one of the highest percentages of its citizens holding a tertiary education degree. [293], Furthermore, South Korea was one of the few developed countries that were able to avoid a recession during the global financial crisis. [277] The vast majority of these are young men from the Jehovah's Witnesses Christian denomination. Recently, research and development in genetics and cloning has received increasing attention, with the first successful cloning of a dog, Snuppy (in 2005), and the cloning of two females of an endangered species of gray wolves by the Seoul National University in 2007. The South Korean Air Force operates 840 aircraft, making it world's ninth largest air force, including several types of advanced fighters like F-15K, heavily modified KF-16C/D,[269] and the indigenous T-50 Golden Eagle,[270][271] supported by well-maintained fleets of older fighters such as F-4E and KF-5E/F that still effectively serve the air force alongside the more modern aircraft. Today, the CIA World Factbook describes South Korea's democracy as a "fully functioning modern democracy". On 12 October 2011, the U.S. Congress passed the long-stalled trade agreement with South Korea. South Korea maintains diplomatic relations with more than 188 countries. South Korea has a universal healthcare system. After normalizing relations with the new Qing dynasty, Joseon experienced a nearly 200-year period of peace. [122], In March 2022, Yoon Suk-yeol, the candidate of conservative opposition People Power Party, won a close election over Democratic Party candidate by the narrowest margin ever. The central government may create (or abolish) administrative divisions (sub-national units). Roman Catholics increased significantly between the 1980s and the 2000s, but declined throughout the 2010s. Initial hopes for a unified, independent Korea were not realized, and in 1948 two separate nations were established the Republic of Korea in the South, and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in the North. [169] Fertility saw some modest increase afterwards,[170] but dropped to a new global low in 2017,[171] with fewer than 30,000 births per month for the first time since records began[172] and less than 1 child per woman in 2018. They are stationed in installations at Osan, Kunsan, Yongsan, Dongducheon, Sungbuk, Camp Humphreys, and Daegu, as well as at Camp Bonifas in the DMZ Joint Security Area. [244] The situation was largely resolved by South Korea making significant military concessions to China in exchange for THAAD, including not deploying any more anti-ballistic missile systems in South Korea and not participating in an alliance between the United States and Japan. A sizable arsenal of many artillery systems, including 1,700 self-propelled K55 and K9 Thunder howitzers and 680 helicopters and UAVs of numerous types, are assembled to provide additional fire, reconnaissance, and logistics support. Furthermore, the Joseon government adopted a strict isolationist policy, earning the nickname "the hermit kingdom", but ultimately failed to protect itself against imperialism and was forced to open its borders. Korea Expressway Corporation operates the toll highways and service amenities en route. There are currently 4 negotiation groups in the Assembly, formed by the Democratic, the United Future, the People's Livelihoods, and the Future Korea. The Korea Republic national team (as it is known) has qualified for every World Cup since Mexico 1986, and has broken out of the group stage twice: first in 2002, and again in 2010, when it was defeated by eventual semi-finalist Uruguay in the Round of 16. [126], South Korea has 20 national parks and popular nature places like the Boseong Tea Fields, Suncheon Bay Ecological Park, and the first national park of Jirisan.[128]. According to a 2015 census conducted by the Korea Statistical Information Service, of the 44 percent of the population espousing a religion, 45 percent are Protestant, 35 percent Buddhist, 18 percent Roman Catholic, and 2 percent . Other major cities include Incheon, Busan, and Daegu. The two failed KSLV-I launch vehicles were based on the Universal Rocket Module, the first stage of the Russian Angara rocket, combined with a solid-fueled second stage built by South Korea. All South Korean males are constitutionally required to serve in the military, typically 18 months. In the 1950s and 1960s, modern rules were standardized, with taekwondo becoming an official Olympic sport in 2000. South Korea. [405], Seoul hosted a professional triathlon race, which is part of the International Triathlon Union (ITU) World Championship Series in May 2010. South Korea is especially strong in short track speed skating. It also hosted the Winter Universiade in 1997, the Asian Winter Games in 1999, and the Summer Universiade in 2003 and 2015. In 1897, the Joseon dynasty changed the official name of the country from Joseon to Daehan Jeguk (Korean Empire). [161], South Korea is considered one of the most ethnically homogeneous societies in the world with ethnic Koreans representing approximately 96% of total population. [289] The South Korean economy is heavily dependent on international trade, and in 2014, South Korea was the fifth-largest exporter and seventh-largest importer in the world. South Korea tends to have a humid continental climate and a humid subtropical climate, and is affected by the East Asian monsoon, with precipitation heavier in summer during a short rainy season called jangma (), which begins end of June through the end of July. Its massive investment in education has taken the country from mass illiteracy to a major international technological powerhouse. VACCINATIONS: None CURRENCY RESTRICTIONS FOR ENTRY: None CURRENCY RESTRICTIONS FOR EXIT: None ALL / Embassies and Consulates Destination Description Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements Safety and Security Local Laws & Special Circumstances After Goryeo was replaced by Joseon in 1392, Joseon became the official name for the entire territory, though it was not universally accepted. a.) The president is elected for a five-year term by the people. The unification of the Three Kingdoms by Silla in 676 led to the North South States Period, in which much of the Korean Peninsula was controlled by Later Silla, while Balhae controlled the northern parts of Goguryeo. [165][166] In addition, about 43,000 English teachers from English-speaking countries reside temporarily in Korea. Daughter of another former president, Park Chung-hee, she carried on a conservative brand of politics.
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