Korea

Korea
source
Conventional long name	Korea
Native name	한국 (South), 조선 (North)
National anthem	"Aegukga" (South), "Aegukka" (North)
Capital	Seoul (South), Pyongyang (North)
Largest city	Seoul
Official languages	Korean
Official script	Hangul
Demonym	Korean
Area km2	223,155
Population estimate	~77 million
Population estimate year	2023
GDP PPP	$2.9 trillion (South), $40 billion (North)
GDP PPP year	2023
Currency	South Korean won (₩), North Korean won (₩)
Time zone	Korea Standard Time
Drives on	right
Calling code	+82 (South), +850 (North)
Cctld	.kr (South), .kp (North)

Korea is a region in East Asia located on the Korean Peninsula, currently divided into two sovereign states: the Republic of Korea in the south and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in the north. Its history spans millennia, beginning with the founding of Gojoseon and encompassing successive dynasties like Goryeo and Joseon, before its division following World War II and the subsequent Korean War. Korean culture, characterized by its unique Hangul script, cuisine, and technological prowess, has gained significant global influence.

Etymology and terminology

The name "Korea" is derived from "Goryeo", a dynasty founded by King Taejo in 918 CE, which was itself named after the earlier Goguryeo kingdom. In South Korea, the country is called "Hanguk", a term originating in the late Joseon dynasty and associated with the Korean Empire. In North Korea, it is referred to as "Joseon", harking back to the Joseon dynasty established by Taejo of Joseon. Internationally, the demonym "Korean" is used for the people and the Korean language, which utilizes the Hangul alphabet created by Sejong the Great.

History

Korean history begins with the legendary Dangun founding Gojoseon. The subsequent Three Kingdoms of Korea period saw the rival states of Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla compete for dominance, with Silla eventually unifying most of the peninsula under the Unified Silla period. This was followed by the Goryeo dynasty, renowned for its celadon pottery and the compilation of the Tripitaka Koreana. The Joseon dynasty, which succeeded it, established Confucianism as the state ideology and saw both cultural heights and foreign invasions like those by Toyotomi Hideyoshi. The late 19th century brought the Korean Empire and then Japanese colonial rule, which ended with World War II. The peninsula was then divided at the 38th parallel north, leading to the Korean War and the enduring separation between the Republic of Korea and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

Geography and climate

The Korean Peninsula extends southward from mainland Asia, bordered by the Yellow Sea to the west and the Sea of Japan to the east. The terrain is predominantly mountainous, with the Baekdu and Taebaek Mountains forming major ranges, and plains are concentrated in the southwest and along the Nakdong River and Han River. The climate is temperate with four distinct seasons, influenced by the East Asian monsoon, and can feature severe winters in the north. Major islands include Jeju Island, a volcanic UNESCO World Heritage site, and Ulleungdo.

Government and politics

The Republic of Korea is a unitary presidential constitutional republic with its capital in Seoul; its government is defined by the Constitution of South Korea and led by a president like Yoon Suk Yeol, with a National Assembly and a judiciary headed by the Supreme Court of Korea. The Democratic People's Republic of Korea is a Juche-ideology single-party Stalinist dictatorship centered in Pyongyang, governed by the Kim dynasty—currently under Kim Jong Un—and the Workers' Party of Korea, with its own Constitution of North Korea. The division is maintained by the Korean Demilitarized Zone and heavily involves major powers like the United States, China, and Russia.

Economy

The economy of the Republic of Korea is a highly developed market economy and a global leader in technology, home to conglomerates like Samsung, Hyundai, and LG; it is a member of the OECD and G20, with major exports including semiconductors, automobiles, and products from K-pop and Korean drama cultural industries. In contrast, the economy of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea is an isolated, state-controlled command economy focused on military-first policies, with chronic shortages and reliance on industries like mining; it faces extensive international sanctions from bodies like the United Nations Security Council.

Demographics and culture

The population is predominantly ethnically Korean and speaks the Korean language, with significant overseas communities in China, the United States, and Japan. Traditional culture includes Korean cuisine such as kimchi and bibimbap, pottery like celadon, and arts like pansori narrative singing. Modern cultural influence is seen globally through K-pop groups like BTS and BLACKPINK, dramas, and cinema from directors like Bong Joon-ho. Major religions include Buddhism, Protestantism, and Confucianism, alongside native practices like shamanism.