Country

South Korea

Also Known As Republic of Korea

Eastern Asia

South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea, constitutes the southern half of the Korean Peninsula and borders North Korea along the Korean Demilitarized Zone, with the Yellow Sea to the west and the Sea of Japan to the east. Japanese colonial rule ended with Japan's surrender in World War II, after which Korea was divided into two zones, and escalating tensions between the Soviet Union and the United States led to the division of Korea into two political entities in 1948: North Korea and South Korea. Its capital is Seoul. This description is adapted from Wikipedia contributors under CC BY-SA 4.0; changes were made. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

Facts

Capital

Seoul 2

Population

51,106,229 2

2026 estimate.

Population Estimate Year

2026 2

Area (sq km)

100,472 2

Independence or Founding Year

1945 2

Japanese colonial rule over Korea ended with Japan's surrender in World War II on 15 August 1945; the Republic of Korea was formally established in the southern half of the peninsula on 15 August 1948.

Classification

Sovereignty Status

UN Member State 1

South Korea

Cities

FAQs

What separates South Korea from North Korea?

A demilitarized zone 2.5 miles wide set by the 1953 armistice.

South Korea faces North Korea across a demilitarized zone, or DMZ, 2.5 miles or 4 kilometers wide. It was established by the terms of the 1953 armistice that ended fighting in the Korean War. The DMZ runs for about 150 miles and roughly follows latitude 38 degrees north, the 38th parallel.

Connections

Associated With

Busan

Busan is a city in South Korea.

Source Busan (Wikipedia)

Daegu

Source Daegu (Wikipedia)

Daejeon

Source Daejeon (Wikipedia)

East Asia

Incheon

Source Incheon (Wikipedia)

Korean Peninsula

Seoul

Seoul is South Korea's capital.

Source Seoul (Wikipedia)

The Korean Peninsula

The Korean Peninsula is divided between North Korea and South Korea.

Source Korean Peninsula (Wikipedia)

Bordered By Water

Korea Strait

Sea of Japan

Yellow Sea

Has Capital

Seoul

Seoul is South Korea's capital.

Source Seoul (Wikipedia)

Rivers Through Territory

Han River

In the Other Atlases

Same As

South Korea

Also in Political Atlas: the same subject.

Discusses

Kim Dae-jung

Also in History Atlas: which this subject discusses.

Source Wikipedia: Kim Dae-jungtier 2

Governed By

Han Seong-sook Government

Also in Political Atlas: which governs this subject.

Source Han Seong-sook (Wikipedia)tier 2

Lee Jae-myung Administration

Also in Political Atlas: which governs this subject.

Source Lee Jae-myung (Wikipedia)tier 2

Nationals Include

Cho Yong-pil

Also in Arts and Music Atlas: a national of this subject.

Do Ho Suh

Also in Arts and Music Atlas: a national of this subject.

Source Wikidata: Do Ho Suh

Kim Whanki

Also in Arts and Music Atlas: a national of this subject.

Kimsooja

Also in Arts and Music Atlas: a national of this subject.

Source Wikidata: Kimsooja

Lee Ufan

Also in Arts and Music Atlas: a national of this subject.

W. Chan Kim

Also in Business Atlas: a national of this subject.

Bae Kyung-hoon

Also in Computing Atlas: a national of this subject.

Bongshin Lee

Also in Computing Atlas: a national of this subject.

Source Wikidata: Bongshin Lee

Byoungho Lee

Also in Computing Atlas: a national of this subject.

Chan-Byoung Chae

Also in Computing Atlas: a national of this subject.

Source Wikidata: Chan-Byoung Chae

Gail-Joon Ahn

Also in Computing Atlas: a national of this subject.

Source Wikidata: Gail-Joon Ahn

Insup Lee

Also in Computing Atlas: a national of this subject.

Source Wikidata: Insup Lee

Jung Hee Cheon

Also in Computing Atlas: a national of this subject.

Kang G. Shin

Also in Computing Atlas: a national of this subject.

Kilnam Chon

Also in Computing Atlas: a national of this subject.

Kyoung Mu Lee

Also in Computing Atlas: a national of this subject.

Source Wikidata: Kyoung Mu Lee

Kyunghyun Cho

Also in Computing Atlas: a national of this subject.

Source Wikidata: Kyunghyun Cho

Naehyuck Chang

Also in Computing Atlas: a national of this subject.

Source Wikidata: Naehyuck Chang

Seok-Hee Hong

Also in Computing Atlas: a national of this subject.

Source Wikidata: Seok-Hee Hong

Su-In Lee

Also in Computing Atlas: a national of this subject.

Yejin Choi

Also in Computing Atlas: a national of this subject.

Source Wikidata: Yejin Choi

Yoonkyung Lee

Also in Computing Atlas: a national of this subject.

Source Wikidata: Yoonkyung Lee

Ha-Joon Chang

Also in Economics Atlas: a national of this subject.

Kim Seong-su

Also in Education Atlas: a national of this subject.

Source Kim Seong-su (Wikipedia)intro of the article

Quote, intro of the article

He served as the second Vice President of South Korea from 1951 to 1952.

Bong Joon-ho

Also in Film and Media Atlas: a national of this subject.

Source Bong Joon-ho (Wikipedia)

Hwang Dong-hyuk

Also in Film and Media Atlas: a national of this subject.

Lee Chang-dong

Also in Film and Media Atlas: a national of this subject.

Source Lee Chang-dong (Wikipedia)

Park Chan-wook

Also in Film and Media Atlas: a national of this subject.

Source Park Chan-wook (Wikipedia)

Yeon Sang-ho

Also in Film and Media Atlas: a national of this subject.

Keebong Paek

Also in Law Atlas: a national of this subject.

Source Wikidata: Keebong Paek

Kim Sanghwan

Also in Law Atlas: a national of this subject.

Source Kim Sanghwan (Wikipedia)Lead sentence 1tier 2

Quote, Lead sentence 1

Kim Sanghwan (Korean: 김상환; Hanja: 金尙煥, born 27 January 1966) is a South Korean jurist who has served since 2025 as the 9th president of the Constitutional Court of Korea.

Lee Tai-young

Also in Law Atlas: a national of this subject.

Source Lee Tai-young (Wikipedia)tier 2

O-Gon Kwon

Also in Law Atlas: a national of this subject.

Source O-Gon Kwon (Wikipedia)

Sang-Hyun Song

Also in Law Atlas: a national of this subject.

Source Song Sang-hyun (Wikipedia)tier 2

Song Sang-hyun

Also in Law Atlas: a national of this subject.

Source Song Sang-hyun - WikipediaLead sentence 1

Quote, Lead sentence 1

Song Sang-hyun (Korean: 송상현; born 21 December 1941) is a South Korean lawyer and former President of the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Yang Sung-tae

Also in Law Atlas: a national of this subject.

Source Yang Sung-tae (Wikipedia)tier 2

Zha Hyoung Rhee

Also in Law Atlas: a national of this subject.

Han Kang

Also in Literature Atlas: a national of this subject.

Hwang Jini

Also in Literature Atlas: a national of this subject.

Kim Jin-myung

Also in Literature Atlas: a national of this subject.

Source Wikipedia (Korean): 김진명Lead paragraph

Quote, Lead paragraph

대한민국 의 소설가 이자 교수이다

Kim Man-jung

Also in Literature Atlas: a national of this subject.

Lee Sang-mook

Also in Science Atlas: a national of this subject.

Source Lee Sang-mook (Wikidata)

Yi So-yeon

Also in Space and Astronomy Atlas: a national of this subject.

Byun Sangil

Also in Sport and Games Atlas: a national of this subject.

Source Wikidata: Byun Sangil

Cho Chikun

Also in Sport and Games Atlas: a national of this subject.

Source Wikidata: Cho Chikun

Cho Hunhyun

Also in Sport and Games Atlas: a national of this subject.

Source Wikidata: Cho Hunhyun

Choi Cheol-han

Also in Sport and Games Atlas: a national of this subject.

Source Wikidata: Choi Cheol-han

Hyun Joo-yup

Also in Sport and Games Atlas: a national of this subject.

Source Hyun Joo-yup (Wikipedia)Lead paragraph [plays]

Quote, Lead paragraph [plays]

is a South Korean former professional basketball player and head coach

Im Dong-hyun

Also in Sport and Games Atlas: a national of this subject.

Source Wikidata: Im Dong-hyun

Jimmy Cha

Also in Sport and Games Atlas: a national of this subject.

Showing 1 to 50 of 74 in Nationals Include, page 1 of 2.

Origin Of

Dancheong

Also in Architecture and Design Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Cho Yong-pil

Also in Arts and Music Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Burning (2018 film)

Also in Film and Media Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Source Burning (2018 film) - WikipediaLead sentence 1

Quote, Lead sentence 1

Burning (Korean: 버닝) is a 2018 South Korean psychological thriller film co-written, produced, and directed by Lee Chang-dong.

Memories of Murder

Also in Film and Media Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Source Memories of Murder (Wikipedia)Lead sentence 1

Quote, Lead sentence 1

Memories of Murder (Korean: 살인의 추억) is a 2003 South Korean neo-noir crime thriller film directed by Bong Joon Ho, from a screenplay by Bong and Shim Sung-bo, and based on the 1996 play Come to See Me by Kim Kwang-lim.

Oldboy

Also in Film and Media Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Source Oldboy 2003 film (Wikipedia)Lead sentence 1

Quote, Lead sentence 1

Oldboy (Korean: 올드보이) is a 2003 South Korean action thriller film directed and co-written by Park Chan-wook.

Parasite

Also in Film and Media Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Source Parasite (Wikipedia)Lead sentence 1

Quote, Lead sentence 1

Parasite (Korean: 기생충) is a 2019 South Korean black comedy thriller film directed by Bong Joon Ho, who co-wrote the screenplay with Han Jin-won.

Pietà

Also in Film and Media Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Squid Game

Also in Film and Media Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Source Squid Game (Wikipedia)Lead sentence 1

Quote, Lead sentence 1

Squid Game (Korean: 오징어 게임; RR: Ojingeo geim) is a South Korean dystopian survival thriller drama television series created, written, and directed by Hwang Dong-hyuk for Netflix.

The Handmaiden

Also in Film and Media Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Source The Handmaiden - WikipediaLead sentence 1

Quote, Lead sentence 1

The Handmaiden (Korean: 아가씨; RR: Agassi; lit. 'Lady') is a 2016 South Korean erotic historical psychological thriller film directed, co-written and co-produced by Park Chan-Wook and starring Kim Min-hee, Kim Tae-ri, Ha Jung-woo and Cho Jin-woong.

Train to Busan

Also in Film and Media Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Source Train to Busan - WikipediaLead sentence 1

Quote, Lead sentence 1

Train to Busan (Korean: 부산행) is a 2016 South Korean action horror film directed by Yeon Sang-ho and written by Park Joo-suk.

10 won bread

Also in Food and Drink Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Source 10 won bread (Wikipedia)

Bap (rice dish)

Also in Food and Drink Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Beondegi

Also in Food and Drink Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Bibimbap

Also in Food and Drink Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Bingsu

Also in Food and Drink Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Bossam

Also in Food and Drink Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Budae Jjigae

Also in Food and Drink Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Source Wikipedia: Budae-jjigae

Chueo-tang

Also in Food and Drink Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Dotori-muk

Also in Food and Drink Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Dwaeji-gukbap

Also in Food and Drink Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Source Dwaeji-gukbap (Wikipedia)

Funchoza

Also in Food and Drink Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Galbi

Also in Food and Drink Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Galbi-jjim

Also in Food and Drink Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Gilgeori toast

Also in Food and Drink Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Source Gilgeori toast (Wikipedia)

Gimbap

Also in Food and Drink Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Gochujang

Also in Food and Drink Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Gujeolpan

Also in Food and Drink Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Hoe-deopbap

Also in Food and Drink Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Japchae

Also in Food and Drink Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Jeok

Also in Food and Drink Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Kimbap

Also in Food and Drink Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Kkakdugi

Also in Food and Drink Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Kongbap

Also in Food and Drink Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Makchang

Also in Food and Drink Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Mandu

Also in Food and Drink Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Samgyetang

Also in Food and Drink Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Ssamjang

Also in Food and Drink Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Sujebi

Also in Food and Drink Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Sundubu Jjigae

Also in Food and Drink Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Tteokbokki

Also in Food and Drink Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Chun Doo-hwan

Also in History Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Source Wikidata: Chun Doo-hwan

Kim Dae-jung

Also in History Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Source Wikidata: Kim Dae-jung

Sejong the Great

Also in History Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Source Wikidata: Sejong the Great

Akjang

Also in Literature Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Chunhyangjeon

Also in Literature Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Source Chunhyangjeon, WikipediaLead section

Quote, Lead section

Chunhyangjeon (Korean: 춘향전; Hanja: 春香傳; lit. The Story of Chunhyang or The Tale of Chunhyang) is one of the best known love stories and folk tales of Korea.

Gasa

Also in Literature Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Hong Gildong jeon

Also in Literature Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Hyangga

Also in Literature Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Pansori

Also in Literature Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Sijo

Also in Literature Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Showing 1 to 50 of 64 in Origin Of, page 1 of 2.

Site Of

Gyeongbokgung Palace

Also in Architecture and Design Atlas: which is located in this subject.

Incheon International Airport

Also in Architecture and Design Atlas: which is located in this subject.

Source Incheon International Airport (Wikipedia)Lead paragraph of the cited Wikipedia article

Quote, Lead paragraph of the cited Wikipedia article

Incheon International Airport (Korean: 인천국제공항, romanized: Incheon gukjegonghang; IATA: ICN, ICAO: RKSI) is the main international airport serving Seoul, the capital of South Korea.

Korea Furniture Museum

Also in Architecture and Design Atlas: which is located in this subject.

Source Korea Furniture Museum (Wikipedia)

Lotte World Tower

Also in Architecture and Design Atlas: which is located in this subject.

Namsan Seoul Tower

Also in Architecture and Design Atlas: which is located in this subject.

Seoul City Hall

Also in Architecture and Design Atlas: which is located in this subject.

Bangudae Petroglyphs

Also in Arts and Music Atlas: which is located in this subject.

Lotte World Tower

Also in Arts and Music Atlas: which is located in this subject.

Source Wikipedia: Lotte World TowerLead sentence 1

Quote, Lead sentence 1

Lotte World Tower (Korean: 롯데월드타워; RR: lotdewoldeutawo) is a 123-story, 555 metres (1,821 ft) supertall skyscraper, located in Sincheon-dong, Songpa District, Seoul, South Korea.

Bobcat Company