Daily Almanac for
Jul 3, 2009
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World > Countries > Korea, South

Korea, South

Facts & Figures
Map of South Korea
Map of Korea, South

President: Lee Myung-bak (2008)

Prime Minister: Han Seung Soo (2008)

Land area: 37,911 sq mi (98,189 sq km)

Population (2009 est.): 48,508,972 (growth rate: 0.2%); birth rate: 8.9/1000; infant mortality rate: 4.2/1000; life expectancy: 78.7; density per sq km: 501

Capital and largest city (2003 est.): Seoul, 10,287,847 (city proper)

Other large cities: Pusan, 3,504,900; Inchon, 2,479,600 (part of Seoul metro. area); Taegu, 2,369,800

Monetary unit: won

More Facts & Figures

Flag of South Korea
Index
  1. Korea, South Main Page
  2. U.S., UN Troops Support South Korea
  3. Instability Follows Truce
  4. North Korea Tests Sunshine Policy
  5. Series of Leaders Encounter Criticism

Geography

Slightly larger than Indiana, South Korea lies below the 38th parallel on the Korean peninsula. It is mountainous in the east; in the west and south are many harbors on the mainland and offshore islands.

Government

Republic.

History

South Korea came into being after World War II, the result of a 1945 agreement reached by the Allies at the Potsdam Conference, making the 38th parallel the boundary between a northern zone of the Korean peninsula to be occupied by the USSR and southern zone to be controlled by U.S. forces. (For details, see Korea, North. )

Elections were held in the U.S. zone in 1948 for a national assembly, which adopted a republican constitution and elected Syngman Rhee as the nation's president. The new republic was proclaimed on Aug. 15 and was recognized as the legal government of Korea by the UN on Dec. 12, 1948.

Next: U.S., UN Troops Support South Korea
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Korea, North Countries Kosovo

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Related content from HighBeam Research on: Korea, South

South Korea.(Country profile)(Country overview) (New Internationalist)

Lots to talk about; South Korea and America; South Korea's Kim meets George Bush.(Asia)(Dealing with North Korea can try the patience of even the best of friends)(Brief Article) (The Economist (US))

Korean film industry takes on Hollywood: in the second of a series of articles focusing on South Korea, Sarah Hill * looks at South Korea's film industry and its right to stave off Hollywood dominance.(South Korea In Focus)(Industry Overview) (Business Asia)

SOUTH KOREA: CONSTRUCTION START-UP ON PLANNED $305,000,000 ZINC PRODUCTION EXPANSION PROJECT IS TENTATIVELY SCHEDULED TO BEGIN SOME TIME DURING THE FIRST HALF OF 1999, KOREA ZINC [SOUTH KOREA] - Order #: 049899. (WWP-Report on Mining, Metal Making and Conversion)

Keep talking to North Korea: but America and South Korea should prepare for the worst. (North Korea descends into famine while the US, China and South Korea try to engage it in talks and prevent its total collapse)(Brief Article)(Editorial) (The Economist (US))

South Korea's nuclear surprise: as more and more countries adopt the IAEA's Additional Protocol, all kinds of nuclear secrets will come spilling out. Currently under microscope: South Korea.(International Atomic Energy Agency) (Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists)

Awkward bedfellows; South Korea and America.(South Korea and America: awkward allies) (The Economist (US))

Hello, world: South Korea. (trade protectionism is still a problem in South Korea) (The Economist (US))

Squid, remorse and unpop music: South Korea and Japan. (South Korean president Kim Dae Jung visits Japan marking improved relations)(Brief Article) (The Economist (US))

SOUTH KOREA: Construction start-up on planned $59,000,000 nitric acid plant is tentatively scheduled to begin some time during the 4th quarter of the year 2001, NAMHAE CHEMICAL CORP. [South Korea] - Order #: 0411001. (WWP- Report on Oil Gas & Petrochemicals in the Developing World)

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