Introduction Korea, South
Background:
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 20 times the level of North
Korea. South Korea has maintained its commitment to democratize its
political processes. In June 2000, a historic first North-South
summit took place between the South's President KIM Dae-jung and the
North's leader KIM Chong-il.
Geography Korea, South
Location:
Eastern Asia, southern half of the Korean Peninsula bordering the
Sea of Japan and the Yellow Sea
Geographic coordinates:
37 00 N, 127 30 E
Map references:
Asia
Area:
total: 98,480 sq km
land: 98,190 sq km
water: 290 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly larger than Indiana
Land boundaries: total: 238 km border countries: North Korea 238 km
Coastline:
2,413 km