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South Korea: Quick Facts

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News •

Japan-based US fighter jets deployed to Korea during joint drills • Nov. 12, 2026, 2:02 AM ET (Korea Herald)
They’ve built lives in Korea. Now they’re preparing for citizenship • Nov. 11, 2026, 1:23 AM ET (Korea Herald)
Samsung, SK hynix price targets diverge nearly threefold over AI outlook • Nov. 10, 2026, 11:53 PM ET (Korea Herald)
Former US diplomat raises concerns over OPCON transfer weakening alliance • Nov. 10, 2026, 2:01 AM ET (Korea Herald)
South Korea reaffirms IAEA cooperation on nuclear submarines • Nov. 10, 2026, 12:45 AM ET (Korea Herald)

Facts

Also Known As Republic of Korea • Taehan Min’guk
Head Of State And Government President: Lee Jae-Myung, assisted by Prime Minister: Han Seong-Sook
Capital Seoul1
Population (2026 est.) 51,055,000
Currency Exchange Rate 1 USD equals 1335.368 South Korean won
Form Of Government unitary multiparty republic with one legislative house (National Assembly [300])
Official Language Korean
Official Religion none
Official Name Daehan Minguk (Republic of Korea)
Total Area (Sq Km) 100,222
Total Area (Sq Mi) 38,696
Monetary Unit (South Korean) won (W)
Population Rank (2026) 29
Population Projection 2030 53,784,000
Density: Persons Per Sq Mi (2026) 1,319.4
Density: Persons Per Sq Km (2026) 509.4
Urban-Rural Population Urban: (2024) 81.5% • Rural: (2024) 18.5%
Life Expectancy At Birth Male: (2024) 80.8 years • Female: (2024) 86.6 years
Gni (U.S.$ ’000,000) (2024) 1,902,095
Gni Per Capita (U.S.$) (2024) 36,750
1Some government offices began relocating to Sejong City, a planned special autonomous city, in July 2012.

Did You Know?

  • Babies are considered one year old at birth in South Korea.
  • South Korea had the fastest internet connectivity globally in 2017.
  • In 2015, South Korea ranked third highest globally in cosmetic procedures per capita.
  • Male citizens 18-35 years old are required to complete at least 21 months of military service.

Photos and Videos

South Korea
Political map of South Korea showing provincial boundaries, major cities such as Seoul, Busan, and Daegu, and the demilitarized zone bordering North Korea. The map includes a locator inset highlighting South Korea's position in East Asia.
Map showing the location of South Korea in East Asia, bordered by North Korea to the north, China to the west across the Yellow Sea, and Japan to the east across the Sea of Japan (East Sea). Major surrounding seas and neighboring countries are labeled, with Seoul marked as the capital.
Namdaemun Gate in Seoul, South Korea illuminated at night, with blurred streaks of car lights from traffic passing in front of the historic stone and wood structure.
Map of South Korea highlighting major physical features such as mountain ranges, national parks, islands, and bodies of water. The map shows the Taebaek and Sobaek Mountains, Mount Halla on Jeju Island, the Demilitarized Zone with North Korea, and surrounding seas including the Yellow Sea and the East Sea (Sea of Japan). An inset locator map displays South Korea's position in East Asia.
T'aebaek Mountains, South Korea
Cheonjiyeon Waterfall on Jeju Island, South Korea, with water cascading over a rocky cliff surrounded by dense green foliage and pooling into a calm basin below.
Han River, South Korea
Daecheong Dam spans the Kum River in South Korea, surrounded by lush green hills and forest, with the reservoir and mountains visible in the background.
Gyeongpodae Pavilion in Gangneung, South Korea, stands on a stone platform surrounded by trees with bare branches and colorful foliage under a clear sky.
Mysticism and success: The role of shamans in South Korea
See and hear a man play a Korean buk
Explore the vibrant city of Seoul and Pusan (Busan), South Korea
National anthem of South Korea
See All Videos, Images, Audio and Interactives →

Related Topics and References

Topics
Dig Deeper: More Articles That Discuss This Topic
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Chung Seung-Hwa
South Korean general
Yoon Suk-Yeol
Yoon Suk-Yeol
president of South Korea
Park Chung-Hee
Park Chung-Hee
president of South Korea
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Choi Kyu-Hah
president of South Korea
Moon Jae-In
Moon Jae-In
president of South Korea
President Park Geun-hye of South Korea wearing a red coat and smiling, photographed at the Paris COP21 United Nations climate change conference.
Park Geun-Hye
president of South Korea
Lee Myung-Bak
Lee Myung-Bak
president of South Korea
Lee Jae-Myung
Lee Jae-Myung
president of South Korea
Kim Dae-jung, President of South Korea, stands at a podium with the United Nations emblem, delivering a speech at the UN Millennium Summit in New York City.
Kim Dae-Jung
president of South Korea
Syngman Rhee
Syngman Rhee
president of South Korea
Roh Tae-Woo
Roh Tae-Woo
president of South Korea
Chun Doo-Hwan, 1985
Chun Doo-Hwan
president of South Korea
Ban Ki-moon, wearing a suit and tie, speaks at a podium with a microphone in front of a United Nations flag.
Ban Ki-Moon
South Korean diplomat and politician
Roh Moo-Hyun
Roh Moo-Hyun
president of South Korea
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Chung Mong-Joon
South Korean businessman and politician
Former opposition leader Kim Young-Sam restored civilian control to South Korea's government after three decades of military rule.
Kim Young-Sam
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Kim Jae Kyu
South Korean military officer
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Yun Po-Sun
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Chung Il Kwon
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Ko Hŭi-dong
Korean artist

Related Places

A map of the continent of Asia, including its countries, boundaries, and capital cities, as well as parts of Europe, Africa, and surrounding oceans.
Asia
continent
Political map of Eastern Asia showing national boundaries and labeling major countries including China, Mongolia, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, and Taiwan. Neighboring countries such as Russia, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Laos are also partially shown. Major surrounding bodies of water include the Sea of Japan, East China Sea, South China Sea, and Pacific Ocean. Disputed and administered regions along the India-China border are marked with lettered labels.
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region, Asia
Seoul: Changgyeong Palace
Seoul
national capital, South Korea
Jeju Island
Jeju Island
island and province, South Korea
Incheon, South Korea
Incheon
South Korea
Busan at night
Busan
South Korea
Daegu, South Korea
Daegu
South Korea
Gwangju
Gwangju
South Korea
Daegu, South Korea
North Gyeongsang
province, South Korea
Daejeon, South Korea
Daejeon
South Korea
Gyeonggi, South Korea
Gyeonggi
province, South Korea
South Gyeongsang, do (province), South Korea
South Gyeongsang
province, South Korea
Gangwon: Mount Seorak
Gangwon
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Mount Gyeryong
South Chungcheong
province, South Korea
Sejong City, South Korea
Sejong City
South Korea

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