About South Korea
ABOUT SOUTH KOREA
An independent kingdom for much of its long history, after World War II, a democratic government was set up in the southern half of the Korean Peninsula. After fending off an invasion by North Korea in 1950, South Korea achieved rapid economic growth and today is a fully functioning modern democracy.
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GOVERNMENT
Chief of State: President Yun Suk-yeol
Head of Government: President Yun Suk-yeol
Government Type: Presidential Republic
Capital: Seoul
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GEOGRAPHY
Area Total: 99,720 sq km
Land: 96,920 sq km
Water: 2,800 sq km
Climate: Temperate, with rainfall heavier in summer than winter; cold winters Natural Resources: Coal, tungsten, graphite, molybdenum, lead, hydropower potential
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PEOPLE & SOCIETY
Population: 51.7 million (July 2021 est.)
Population Growth: 0.26% (2021 est.)
Ethnicity: Homogenous
Language: Korean, English (widely taught in elementary, junior high, and high school)
Religion: Protestant 19.7%, Buddhist 15.5%, Catholic 7.9%, none 56.9% (2015 est.) note: many people also carry on at least some Confucian traditions and practices
Urbanization Urban population: 81.4% of total population (2021)
Rate of Urbanization: 0.31% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Source: The World Factbook
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