Korea
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| Korea | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 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 | ~$3.4 trillion |
| GDP PPP year | 2023 |
| GDP PPP per capita | ~$44,000 |
| Gini | 31.4 |
| Gini year | 2021 |
| Gini change | decrease |
| HDI | 0.925 |
| HDI year | 2022 |
| HDI change | increase |
Korea. Korea is a region in East Asia comprising the Korean Peninsula and nearby islands, currently divided into the states of the Republic of Korea and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Its history spans millennia, from the founding of Gojoseon to the modern era shaped by the Korean War and rapid economic development. Korean culture, including its language, cuisine, and arts like K-pop and Korean drama, has achieved significant global influence in contemporary times.
Geography
The Korean Peninsula extends southward from mainland Asia, bordered by the Amnok River and the Duman River to the north, with coastlines along the Yellow Sea and the Sea of Japan. Major mountain ranges include the Baekdu-daegan and the Taebaek Mountains, with Mount Paektu holding historical significance. The southern and western regions feature broad plains vital for agriculture, such as the Honam Plain, while the eastern coast is more rugged. The climate is temperate with four distinct seasons, influenced by monsoons, and the peninsula includes numerous islands like Jeju Island, a volcanic UNESCO World Heritage site, and Ulleungdo.
History
Korean history begins with the legendary Dangun founding Gojoseon, followed by the Three Kingdoms of Korea period involving Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla. The latter, with help from the Tang dynasty, unified the peninsula, leading to the Later Silla and Balhae states. The Goryeo dynasty, established by Taejo of Goryeo, saw the creation of the Tripitaka Koreana and invasions by the Mongol Empire. The subsequent Joseon dynasty, founded by Taejo of Joseon, was marked by the creation of Hangul by Sejong the Great, the Imjin War with Toyotomi Hideyoshi's forces, and the Korean Empire. The Japan–Korea Treaty of 1910 led to the Japanese colonial period, ending after World War II with the division of Korea and the subsequent Korean War, which solidified the separate states under the influence of the United States and the Soviet Union.
Culture
Traditional Korean culture is rooted in Confucianism and Korean shamanism, with significant artistic heritage in celadon pottery, hanbok attire, and pansori narrative singing. The written language uses the unique Hangul alphabet, promulgated by Sejong the Great. Modern popular culture, known as the Korean Wave, is driven by global phenomena like K-pop groups such as BTS and BLACKPINK, Korean drama series distributed by Netflix, and acclaimed cinema from directors like Bong Joon-ho, whose film *Parasite* won the Academy Award for Best Picture. Cuisine, centered on kimchi and bibimbap, and traditional holidays like Chuseok and Seollal, remain integral to daily life.
Economy
The South Korean economy, a developed high-income economy, is dominated by global conglomerates known as chaebol, such as Samsung, Hyundai Motor Group, and LG Corporation, with major exports in semiconductors, automobiles, and OLED displays. It is a member of the OECD and the G20. Key industrial centers include the Seoul Capital Area, Busan, and the Ulsan industrial district. In contrast, the North Korean economy is centrally planned and isolated, with significant emphasis on the military and heavy industry, though it faces chronic challenges. Inter-Korean economic projects have included the now-shuttered Kaesong Industrial Region.
Politics
The Republic of Korea is a liberal democracy with a presidential system; its government operates from the capital, Seoul, with recent administrations led by presidents like Yoon Suk Yeol. It maintains a strong alliance with the United States and is a member of the United Nations. The Democratic People's Republic of Korea is a totalitarian one-party state led by the Kim dynasty—Kim Il Sung, Kim Jong Il, and Kim Jong Un—under the guiding ideology of Juche. The Korean Demilitarized Zone forms the heavily fortified border, and relations are governed by the Armistice Agreement of 1953, with ongoing tensions over the North's nuclear weapons program.
Demographics
The combined population of the peninsula is approximately 77 million, with about 51 million in the South and 26 million in the North. The population is highly homogeneous, with Korean as the universal language and a majority having no formal religious affiliation, though significant minorities practice Christianity and Korean Buddhism. The South has a rapidly aging society, with major urban concentrations in the Seoul Capital Area, home to cities like Incheon and Suwon. In the North, the largest city is the capital, Pyongyang. The global Korean diaspora is substantial, with large communities in China, the United States, Japan, and Canada.