South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea (ROK) (Korean: 대한민국, pronounced [tɛːhanminɡuk̚] ( listen)) and often simply referred to as Korea, is a country in East Asia, located on the southern half of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by China to the west, Japan to the east, and North Korea to the north. Its capital is Seoul, the second largest metropolitan city in the world[5] and a major global city.[6] South Korea lies in a temperate climate region with a predominantly mountainous terrain. Its territory covers a total area of 100,032 square kilometers and has a population of over 48 million, making it the third most densely populated (significantly sized) country in the world (after Bangladesh and Taiwan).[7]
Archaeological findings show that the Korean Peninsula was occupied as early as the Lower Paleolithic period.[8][9] Korean history begins with the founding of Gojoseon in 2333 BCE by Dangun. Following the unification of Three Kingdoms of Korea under Silla 668 CE, Korea went through the Goryeo and Joseon Dynasty as one nation until the end of the Korean Empire in 1910, when Korea was annexed by Japan. After liberation and division at the end of World War II, the nation was divided into North and South Korea. The latter was established in 1948 as a democracy. A war between the two Koreas ended in an uneasy cease-fire. During a period of military rule, the South Korean economy grew significantly, and the country was transformed into a major economy[10] and a full democracy.
South Korea is a presidential republic consisting of 16 administrative divisions and is a developed country with a high standard of living. It has the fourth largest economy in Asia and the 15th largest in the world. The economy is export-driven, with production focusing on electronics, automobiles, ships, machinery, petrochemicals and robotics. South Korea is a member of the United Nations, WTO, OECD and G-20 major economies. It is also a founding member of APEC and the East Asia Summit, and a major non-NATO ally of the United States. More recently, South Korea's cultural popularity has increased in Asia and beyond, known as the Korean Wave.[11][12]
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Xinhua
24 (Xinhua) -- China's top political advisor Jia Qinglin met with member and former deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea (ROK) ...
Senior CPC official meets ROK guest Xinhua
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Secretary Rice Welcomes South Korean Foreign Minister Secretary Rice Jan 5 I think it is fair to say that we have few better friends and stronger relations around the world than with the Republic of Korea where we maintain a strong
TheFreeDictionary.com
Wed, 09 Sep 2009 05:00:00 GM
Democratic People's . Republic of Korea. Established (1948). September 9th, 2009 by TheFreeDictionary.com Leave a reply . During the Soviet occupation of North . Korea. , a Korean communist named Kim Il Sung was selected to lead the new state ...
