Page last updated on February 3, 2014

Introduction:
Background:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
An independent kingdom for much of its long history, Korea was occupied by Japan beginning in 1905 following the Russo-Japanese War. In 1910, Tokyo formally annexed the entire Peninsula. Korea regained its independence following Japan's surrender to the United States in 1945. After World War II, a democratic-based government (Republic of Korea, ROK) was set up in the southern half of the Korean Peninsula while a communist-style government was installed in the north (Democratic People's Republic of Korea, DPRK). During the Korean War (1950-53), US troops and UN forces fought alongside ROK soldiers to defend South Korea from a DPRK invasion supported by China and the Soviet Union. A 1953 armistice split the peninsula along a demilitarized zone at about the 38th parallel. PARK Chung-hee took over leadership of the country in a 1961 coup. During his regime, from 1961 to 1979, South Korea achieved rapid economic growth, with per capita income rising to roughly 17 times the level of North Korea. South Korea held its first free presidential election under a revised democratic constitution in 1987, with former ROK Army general ROH Tae-woo winning a close race. In 1993, KIM Young-sam (1993-98) became South Korea's first civilian president. South Korea today is a fully functioning modern democracy. President PARK Geun-hye took office in February 2013 and is South Korea's first female leader. South Korea holds a non-permanent seat (2013-14) on the UN Security Council and will host the 2018 Winter Olympic Games. Serious tensions with North Korea have punctuated inter-Korean relations in recent years, including the North's attacks on a South Korean ship and island in 2010, nuclear and missile tests in 2012 and 2013, and its temporary withdrawal of North Korean workers from the inter-Korean Kaesong Industrial Complex in 2013.
Geography:
Location:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Eastern Asia, southern half of the Korean Peninsula bordering the Sea of Japan and the Yellow Sea
Geographic coordinates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
37 00 N, 127 30 E
Map references:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Asia
Area:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 99,720 sq km
country comparison to the world: 109
land: 96,920 sq km
water: 2,800 sq km
Area - comparative:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
slightly larger than Indiana
Land boundaries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 238 km
border countries: North Korea 238 km
Coastline:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2,413 km
Maritime claims:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
territorial sea: 12 nm; between 3 nm and 12 nm in the Korea Strait
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: not specified
Climate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
temperate, with rainfall heavier in summer than winter
Terrain:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
mostly hills and mountains; wide coastal plains in west and south
Elevation extremes:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest point: Sea of Japan 0 m
highest point: Halla-san 1,950 m
Natural resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
coal, tungsten, graphite, molybdenum, lead, hydropower potential
Land use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
arable land: 14.93%
permanent crops: 2.06%
other: 83% (2011)
Irrigated land:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
8,804 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
69.7 cu km (2011)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 25.47 cu km/yr (26%/12%/62%)
per capita: 548.7 cu m/yr (2003)
Natural hazards:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
occasional typhoons bring high winds and floods; low-level seismic activity common in southwest
volcanism: Halla (elev. 1,950 m) is considered historically active although it has not erupted in many centuries
Environment - current issues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
air pollution in large cities; acid rain; water pollution from the discharge of sewage and industrial effluents; drift net fishing
Environment - international agreements:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
strategic location on Korea Strait
People and Society:
Nationality:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
noun: Korean(s)
adjective: Korean
Ethnic groups:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
homogeneous (except for about 20,000 Chinese)
Languages:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Korean, English (widely taught in junior high and high school)
Religions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Christian 31.6% (Protestant 24%, Roman Catholic 7.6%), Buddhist 24.2%, other or unknown 0.9%, none 43.3% (2010 survey)
Population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
48,955,203 (July 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 26
Age structure:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0-14 years: 14.6% (male 3,717,701/female 3,424,490)
15-24 years: 13.6% (male 3,525,050/female 3,117,198)
25-54 years: 47.8% (male 11,925,181/female 11,491,841)
55-64 years: 11.7% (male 2,842,996/female 2,907,730)
65 years and over: 12.3% (male 2,469,093/female 3,533,923) (2013 est.)
population pyramid: "> Dependency ratios:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total dependency ratio: 37.1 %
youth dependency ratio: 20.4 %
elderly dependency ratio: 16.7 %
potential support ratio: 6 (2013)
Median age:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 39.7 years
male: 38.2 years
female: 41 years (2013 est.)
Population growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.18% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 178
Birth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
8.33 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 219
Death rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6.5 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 153
Net migration rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 92
Urbanization:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
urban population: 83.2% of total population (2011)
rate of urbanization: 0.71% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Major urban areas - population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
SEOUL (capital) 9.778 million; Busan (Pusan) 3.439 million; Incheon (Inch'on) 2.572 million; Daegu (Taegu) 2.458 million; Daejon (Taejon) 1.497 million (2009)
Sex ratio:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.09 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.13 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female
total population: 1 male(s)/female (2013 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
29.6 (2008 est.)
Maternal mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
16 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
country comparison to the world: 144
Infant mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 4.01 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 200
male: 4.21 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 3.79 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total population: 79.55 years
country comparison to the world: 42
male: 76.4 years
female: 82.91 years (2013 est.)
Total fertility rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.24 children born/woman (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 219
Contraceptive prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
80%
note: percent of women aged 15-44 (2009)
Health expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
7.2% of GDP (2011)
country comparison to the world: 83
Physicians density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.02 physicians/1,000 population (2010)
Hospital bed density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
10.3 beds/1,000 population (2009)
Drinking water source:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
Sanitation facility access:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
less than 0.1% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 142
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
9,500 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 100
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
fewer than 500 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 85
Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
7.7% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 139
Education expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5.1% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 74
Literacy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 97.9%
male: 99.2%
female: 96.6% (2002)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 17 years
male: 18 years
female: 16 years (2010)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 9%
country comparison to the world: 116
male: 9.7%
female: 8.5% (2012)
Government:
Country name:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
conventional long form: Republic of Korea
conventional short form: South Korea
local long form: Taehan-min'guk
local short form: Han'guk
abbreviation: ROK
Government type:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
republic
Capital:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
name: Seoul
geographic coordinates: 37 33 N, 126 59 E
time difference: UTC+9 (14 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
9 provinces (do, singular and plural), 6 metropolitan cities (gwangyoksi, singular and plural), 1 special city, and 1 special self-governing city
provinces: Chungbuk (North Chungcheong), Chungnam (South Chungcheong), Gangwon, Gyeonggi, Gyeongbuk (North Gyeongsang), Gyeongnam (South Gyeongsang), Jeju, Jeonbuk (North Jeolla), Jeonnam (South Jeolla)
metropolitan cities: Busan (Pusan), Daegu (Taegu), Daejon (Taejon), Gwangju (Kwangju), Incheon (Inch'on), Ulsan
special city: Seoul
special self-governing city: Sejong
Independence:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
15 August 1945 (from Japan)
National holiday:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Liberation Day, 15 August (1945)
Constitution:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
effective 17 July 1948; amended several times, last in 1987 (2013)
Legal system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
mixed legal system combining European civil law, Anglo-American law, and Chinese classical thought
International law organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Suffrage:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
19 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of state: President PARK Geun-hye (since 25 February 2013)
head of government: Prime Minister CHUNG Hong-won (since 26 February 2013); Deputy Prime Minister HYUN Oh-seok (since 26 June 2013)
cabinet: State Council appointed by the president on the prime minister's recommendation
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
elections: president elected by popular vote for a single five-year term; PARK Geun-hye elected on 19 December 2012; next election to be held in December 2017; prime minister appointed by president with consent of National Assembly
election results: PARK Geun-Hye elected president on 19 December 2012; percent of vote - PARK Geun-Hye (NFP) 51.6%, MOON Jae-In (DUP) 48%, others 0.4%
Legislative branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
unicameral National Assembly or Gukhoe (300 seats; 246 members elected in single-seat constituencies, 54 elected by proportional representation; members serve four-year terms)
elections: last held on 11 April 2012 (next to be held in April 2016)
election results: percent of vote by party - NFP 42.8%, DUP 36.5%, UPP 10.3%, LFP 3.2%, others 7.2%; seats by party - NFP 152, DUP 127, UPP 13, LFP 5, independents 3
note: seats by negotiation group as of February 2014 - NFP 155, DUP 126, Justice Party 5, Independents 6
Judicial branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
highest court(s): Supreme Court of South Korea (consists of a chief justice and 13 justices); Constitutional Court (consists of a court head and 8 justices)
judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the president with the consent of the National Assembly; other justices appointed by the president upon the recommendation of the chief justice and consent of the National Assembly; position of the chief justice is a 6-year non-renewable term; other justices serve 6-year renewable terms; Constitutional Court justices appointed - 3 by the president, 3 by the National Assembly, and 3 by the Supreme Court chief justice; court head serves until retirement at age 70, while other justices serve 6-year renewable terms with mandatory retirement at age 65
subordinate courts: High Courts; District Courts; Branch Courts (organized undeer the Branch Courts); specialized courts for family and administrative issues
Political parties and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Democratic Party or DP (formerly the Democratic United Party or DUP) [KIM Han-gil]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Catholic Priests' Association for Justice
International organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
ADB, AfDB (nonregional member), APEC, ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS, CD, CICA, CP, EAS, EBRD, FAO, FATF, G-20, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAIA (observer), MIGA, MINURSO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE (partner), Paris Club (associate), PCA, PIF (partner), SAARC (observer), SICA (observer), UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNMOGIP, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of mission: Ambassador AHN Ho-young (since 7 June 2013)
chancery: 2450 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 939-5600
FAX: [1] (202) 797-0595
consulate(s) general: Agana (Guam), Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Seattle
consulate(s) general: Anchorage (AK)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of mission: Ambassador Sung Y. KIM (since 3 November 2011)
embassy: 188 Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul 110-710
mailing address: US Embassy Seoul, Unit 15550, APO AP 96205-5550
telephone: [82] (2) 397-4114
FAX: [82] (2) 725-0152
Flag description:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
white with a red (top) and blue yin-yang symbol in the center; there is a different black trigram from the ancient I Ching (Book of Changes) in each corner of the white field; the Korean national flag is called Taegukki; white is a traditional Korean color and represents peace and purity; the blue section represents the negative cosmic forces of the yin, while the red symbolizes the opposite positive forces of the yang; each trigram (kwae) denotes one of the four universal elements, which together express the principle of movement and harmony
National symbol(s):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
taegeuk (yin yang symbol)
National anthem:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
name: "Aegukga" (Patriotic Song)
lyrics/music: YUN Ch'i-Ho or AN Ch'ang-Ho/AHN Eaktay
note: adopted 1948, well known by 1910; both North Korea and South Korea's anthems share the same name and have a vaguely similar melody but have different lyrics
Economy:
Economy - overview:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
South Korea over the past four decades has demonstrated incredible growth and global integration to become a high-tech industrialized economy. In the 1960s, GDP per capita was comparable with levels in the poorer countries of Africa and Asia. In 2004, South Korea joined the trillion dollar club of world economies, and is currently the world's 12th largest economy. Initially, a system of close government and business ties, including directed credit and import restrictions, made this success possible. The government promoted the import of raw materials and technology at the expense of consumer goods, and encouraged savings and investment over consumption. The Asian financial crisis of 1997-98 exposed longstanding weaknesses in South Korea's development model including high debt/equity ratios and massive short-term foreign borrowing. GDP plunged by 6.9% in 1998, and then recovered by 9% in 1999-2000. Korea adopted numerous economic reforms following the crisis, including greater openness to foreign investment and imports. Growth moderated to about 4% annually between 2003 and 2007. Korea''s export focused economy was hit hard by the 2008 global economic downturn, but quickly rebounded in subsequent years, reaching 6.3% growth in 2010. The US-South Korea Free Trade Agreement was ratified by both governments in 2011 and went into effect in March 2012. Throughout 2012 the economy experienced sluggish growth because of market slowdowns in the United States, China, and the Eurozone. The incoming administration in 2013, following the December 2012 presidential election, is likely to face the challenges of balancing heavy reliance on exports with developing domestic-oriented sectors, such as services. The South Korean economy''s long term challenges include a rapidly aging population, inflexible labor market, and heavy reliance on exports - which comprise half of GDP.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$1.598 trillion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 13
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$1.114 trillion (2012 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 135
GDP - per capita (PPP):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$31,900 (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
Gross national saving:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
31.4% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 22
GDP - composition, by end use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
household consumption: 53.5%
government consumption: 15.8%
investment in fixed capital: 26.7%
investment in inventories: 0.8%
exports of goods and services: 56.5%
imports of goods and services: -53.4%
GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 2.7%
industry: 39.8%
services: 57.5% (2012 est.)
Agriculture - products:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
rice, root crops, barley, vegetables, fruit; cattle, pigs, chickens, milk, eggs; fish
Industries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
electronics, telecommunications, automobile production, chemicals, shipbuilding, steel
Industrial production growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.7% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 108
Labor force:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
25.5 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27
Labor force - by occupation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 6.2%
industry: 23.8%
services: 70% (2012 est.)
Unemployment rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.2% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 26
Population below poverty line:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
16.5% (2011 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest 10%: 6.4%
highest 10%: 37.7% (2011)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
41.9 (2011)
country comparison to the world: 51
Budget:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
revenues: $276.5 billion
expenditures: $260.1 billion (2012 est.)
Taxes and other revenues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
24.8% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 129
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.5% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 30
Public debt:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
35.1% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106
Fiscal year:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
calendar year
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.2% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 52
Central bank discount rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.5% (31 December 2011)
country comparison to the world: 131
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5.39% (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 146
Stock of narrow money:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$392 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 14
Stock of broad money:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$1.596 trillion (31 December 2012)
country comparison to the world: 12
Stock of domestic credit:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$1.219 trillion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 16
Market value of publicly traded shares:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$1.024 trillion (31 December 2012)
country comparison to the world: 15
Current account balance:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$43.34 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 14
Exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$552.7 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 7
Exports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
semiconductors, wireless telecommunications equipment, motor vehicles, computers, steel, ships, petrochemicals
Exports - partners:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
China 24.4%, US 10.1%, Japan 7.1% (2011 est.)
Imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$514.2 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 8
Imports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
machinery, electronics and electronic equipment, oil, steel, transport equipment, organic chemicals, plastics
Imports - partners:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
China 16.5%, Japan 13%, US 8.5%, Saudi Arabia 7.1%, Australia 5% (2011 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$327 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 9
Debt - external:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$420.4 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$147.2 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 30
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$327.5 billion (31 December 2012)
country comparison to the world: 20
Exchange rates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
South Korean won (KRW) per US dollar -
Energy:
Electricity - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
459.5 billion kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 11
Electricity - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
455.1 billion kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 11
Electricity - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 91
Electricity - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 207
Electricity - installed generating capacity:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
84.66 million kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 14
Electricity - from fossil fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
71.1% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 103
Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
20.9% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 8
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.9% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 136
Electricity - from other renewable sources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.5% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 76
Crude oil - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
61,040 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 60
Crude oil - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 140
Crude oil - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.59 million bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 5
Crude oil - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA bbl
Refined petroleum products - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.83 million bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 7
Refined petroleum products - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.26 million bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 10
Refined petroleum products - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
944,700 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 9
Refined petroleum products - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
794,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 8
Natural gas - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
437 million cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 72
Natural gas - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
45.9 billion cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 20
Natural gas - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 129
Natural gas - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
47.31 billion cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 9
Natural gas - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5.267 billion cu m (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 95
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
611 million Mt (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 9
Communications:
Telephones - main lines in use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
30.1 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 11
Telephones - mobile cellular:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
53.625 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 25
Telephone system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
general assessment: excellent domestic and international services featuring rapid incorporation of new technologies
domestic: fixed-line and mobile-cellular services widely available with a combined telephone subscribership of roughly 170 per 100 persons; rapid assimilation of a full range of telecommunications technologies leading to a boom in e-commerce
international: country code - 82; numerous submarine cables provide links throughout Asia, Australia, the Middle East, Europe, and US; satellite earth stations - 66 (2011)
Broadcast media:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
multiple national TV networks with 2 of the 3 largest networks publicly operated; the largest privately owned network, Seoul Broadcasting Service (SBS), has ties with other commercial TV networks; cable and satellite TV subscription services available; publicly operated radio broadcast networks and many privately owned radio broadcasting networks, each with multiple affiliates, and independent local stations (2010)
Internet country code:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
.kr
Internet hosts:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
315,697 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 62
Internet users:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
39.4 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 11
Transportation:
Airports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
111 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 53
Airports - with paved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 71
over 3,047 m: 4
2,438 to 3,047 m: 19
1,524 to 2,437 m: 12
914 to 1,523 m: 13
under 914 m: 23 (2013)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 40
914 to 1,523 m: 2
under 914 m:
Heliports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
466 (2013)
Pipelines:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
gas 2,216 km; oil 16 km; refined products 889 km (2013)
Railways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 3,381 km
country comparison to the world: 52
standard gauge: 3,381 km 1.435-m gauge (1,843 km electrified) (2008)
Roadways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 104,983 km
country comparison to the world: 44
paved: 83,199 km (includes 3,779 km of expressways)
unpaved: 21,784 km (2009)
Waterways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1,600 km (most navigable only by small craft) (2011)
country comparison to the world: 51
Merchant marine:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 786
country comparison to the world: 14
by type: bulk carrier 191, cargo 235, carrier 8, chemical tanker 130, container 72, liquefied gas 44, passenger 5, passenger/cargo 15, petroleum tanker 55, refrigerated cargo 15, roll on/roll off 10, vehicle carrier 6
foreign-owned: 31 (China 6, France 2, Japan 14, Taiwan 1, US 8)
registered in other countries: 457 (Bahamas 1, Cambodia 10, Ghana 1, Honduras 6, Hong Kong 3, Indonesia 2, Kiribati 1, Liberia 2, Malta 2, Marshall Islands 41, North Korea 1, Panama 373, Philippines 1, Russia 1, Singapore 3, Tuvalu 1, unknown 8) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
major seaport(s): Incheon, Pohang, Busan, Ulsan, Yeosu
container port(s) (TEUs): Busan (16,163,842), Kwangyang (2,061,958), Incheon (1,924,644)
Military:
Military branches:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Republic of Korea Army; Navy (includes Marine Corps); Air Force (2011)
Military service age and obligation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
20-30 years of age for compulsory military service, with middle school education required; conscript service obligation - 21 months (Army, Marines), 23 months (Navy), 24 months (Air Force); 18-26 years of age for voluntary military service; women, in service since 1950, admitted to 7 service branches, including infantry, but excluded from artillery, armor, anti-air, and chaplaincy corps; HIV-positive individuals are exempt from military service (2012)
Manpower available for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 13,185,794
females age 16-49: 12,423,496 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 10,864,566
females age 16-49: 10,168,709 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
male: 365,760
female: 321,225 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.8% of GDP (2012)
country comparison to the world: 80
Transnational Issues:
Disputes - international:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Military Demarcation Line within the 4-km-wide Demilitarized Zone has separated North from South Korea since 1953; periodic incidents with North Korea in the Yellow Sea over the Northern Limit Line, which South Korea claims as a maritime boundary; South Korea and Japan claim Liancourt Rocks (Tok-do/Take-shima), occupied by South Korea since 1954