Category:South-Korea

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South-Korea

Contents

Introduction

After World War II, a republic was set up in the southern half of the Korean Peninsula while a Communist-style government was installed in the north. During the Korean War (1950-1953), US and other UN forces intervened to defend South Korea from North Korean attacks supported by the Chinese. An armistice was signed in 1953, splitting the peninsula along a demilitarized zone at about the 38th parallel. Thereafter, South Korea achieved rapid economic growth with per capita income rising to roughly 18 times the level of North Korea. South Korea today is a fully functioning modern democracy.

Some Numbers

South Korea map
South Korea map
  • Area: total: 98,480 sq km 
 land: 98,190 sq km
 water: 290 sq km
  • Population: 48.6 million (est. as of july 2004)
  • Country: Republic of Korea (South Korea)
  • Currency: South Korean won (KRW)
  • Time Zone: GMT +9.00 hours
  • Telephone Area (Country) Code: 82

Orientation

The South Korean Flag: White with a red (top) and blue yin-yang symbol in the center; there is a different black trigram from the ancient I Ching (Book of Changes) in each corner of the white field
The South Korean Flag: White with a red (top) and blue yin-yang symbol in the center; there is a different black trigram from the ancient I Ching (Book of Changes) in each corner of the white field

Seoul is the capital city of South Korea, with about about 10 million people living there. 70% of South Korea is mountainous and it has a very beautiful countryside with rolling hills. In 1988, South Korea hosted the Olympics, in 2002, the World Cup and the Asian Games. South Korea is a still considered a developing nation, but South Koreans enjoy a very good standard of living. Many Koreans in the cities have cars, computers and other electronics, nice clothing, and nice schools. Koreans in the countryside are not as fortunate. South Koreans love to build public parks, bike paths and recreational facilities, all of which are very popular. South Korea has beautiful beaches on all coasts, as well as beautiful Jeju Island off the south coast.

Seoul is the 600+ year old enduring capital of Korea (now a special city). After the Korean War, it became the capital of South Korea, located in the northwest of the country below the DMZ, on the Han River. Its density has allowed it to become one of the most "digitally-wired" cities in today's globally connected ecomony. It also has more than 1 million registered vehicles which cause isolated traffic-jams beyond midnight.


Languages and Cultures

The country is ethnically homogeneous with an estimation of about 20,000 citizens who are Chinese. So Korean is the national language and main language spoken. English is also widely taught in junior high and high schools in South Korea.

Here is list of some interesting traditions and practices in South Korea:

  • Do feel free to enter Buddhist temples even if a service is under way. Enter through a side door, leave your shoes by the door and sit down at the side of the hall. Don't sit or stand directly in front of the main Buddha image.
  • Don't expect apologies when shoved, bumped and jostled in the street. It may be disconcerting to visitors, but Koreans view collisions as an unavoidable consequence of living in a densely populated country.
  • Do use both hands when giving something to a Korean (especially elderly Koreans or authorities).
  • Do be prepared to use chopsticks - forks will be hard to come by outside of Seoul, though spoons are used to eat rice.
  • Do pour drinks for others and allow them to pour for you - it's somewhat impolite to pour your own drink.
  • Don't forget to remove shoes prior to entering private homes, Korea House (in Seoul) or even your own hotel room if you're staying in a traditional lodging. It's not a bad idea to wear loafers your entire stay.
  • Korean meals are eaten with a spoon and chopsticks which are frequently made of stainless steel. Unlike other Asians such as the Chinese and Japanese, Koreans use the spoon rather than chopsticks to eat rice. Koreans also do not usually lift the rice bowl off of the table when they eat.
  • Do plan on being either the guest or the host if dining with a Korean - Dutch treat isn't appropriate. Usually the eldest person buys.
  • Don't leave your camera, candy bars or anything else that's heat-sensitive on the floor if you're staying in traditional housing or hotels with floor heating during the fall, winter or early spring. Koreans heat their buildings via pipes embedded in the concrete floor.
  • Don't blow your nose in public - Koreans find it disgusting. If the need arises, slip off to the restroom or find another private spot.
  • Direct eye-to-eye contact when talking is considered rude and impolite.
  • Don't try to wear shorts, jeans or sandals when visiting Panmunjeom - you will be barred from joining the tour. "Unkempt or shaggy hair" is also forbidden. And when you are at Freedom Pavilion, don't wave at, point to or attempt to communicate in any way with North Korean border guards.
  • Don't write a Korean's name in red ink. This indicates that the person is deceased.


Also, many Koreans will insist that they be called by only their surname until they get to know you better. This can lead to confusion since more than 20% of the Korean population have Kim as their surname and 15% of the population uses the surname Lee. So if you call for a person named "Kim" in a crowd, many people will think you are calling them.

Legal Systems and Military Structure

The South Korean legal system combines elements of continental European civil law systems, Anglo-American law, and Chinese classical thought.

The President of South Korea is elected by voters during an election for a single five-year term. The State Council is appointed by the President on the prime minister's recommendation The Prime Minister is appointed by president with consent of National Assembly. Deputy prime ministers appointed by president on prime minister's recommendation.


Fact Files:

  • Chief Of State: President ROH Moo-hyun (since 25 February 2003)
  • Head of Government: Prime Minister LEE Hae-chan (since 25 May 2004)
  • Deputy Prime Ministers: KIM Jin-pyo (since 28 January 2005), LEE Hun-jai (since 10 February 2004), OH Myung (since 18 October 2004)


Military age and obligation:


20-30 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 24-28 months, depending on the military branch involved; 18 years of age for voluntary military service (2004).


Certain Official Statistics (where applicable) obtained from http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/xx.html

Sources also from

http://www.seoulsearching.com/culture/

http://www.iexplore.com/dmap/South+Korea/Overview

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