South Korea

South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea (ROK), is a country in East Asia. It constitutes the southern part of the Korean Peninsula and borders North Korea along the Korean Demilitarized Zone; though it also claims the land border with China and Russia. The country's western border is formed by the Yellow Sea, while its eastern border is defined by the Sea of Japan. South Korea claims to be the sole legitimate government of the entire peninsula and adjacent islands. It has a population of 51.96 million, of which half live in the Seoul Capital Area, the ninth most populous metropolitan area in the world. Other major cities include Busan, Daegu, and Incheon.
south-korea

Some of the key events about South Korea

  • 1910
    Japan annexed Korea, beginning a 35-year period of colonial rule
  • 1948
    The Republic of Korea was officially established as an independent nation
  • 1950
    The Korean War began, resulting in millions of casualties and the division of the peninsula
  • 1953
    The Korean War armistice was signed, ending active hostilities
  • 1960
    The April Revolution led to the overthrow of an authoritarian government
  • 1961
    A military coup d'état established an authoritarian regime
  • 1980
    The Gwangju Uprising was violently suppressed, resulting in hundreds of civilian deaths
  • 1987
    Korean Air Flight 858 was bombed, killing all 115 people on board
  • 1988
    Seoul successfully hosted the Summer Olympics, showcasing the country to the world
  • 1995
    The Sampoong Department Store collapse killed 502 people and injured 937
  • 1996
    South Korea joined the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
  • 1997
    The Asian financial crisis severely impacted South Korea's economy
  • 2002
    South Korea co-hosted the FIFA World Cup with Japan
  • 2003
    The Daegu subway fire killed 192 people and injured 151
  • 2009
    South Korea became the first former aid recipient to join the OECD Development Assistance Committee
  • 2012
    Gangnam Style became the first YouTube video to reach one billion views, highlighting Korean pop culture's global influence
  • 2014
    The Sewol ferry disaster resulted in the deaths of 304 people, mostly high school students
  • 2016
    AlphaGo, an artificial intelligence program, defeated a top Go player, marking a milestone in AI development
  • 2016
    A political scandal led to the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye
  • 2018
    The PyeongChang Winter Olympics were held, promoting peace and cooperation on the Korean Peninsula

Disclaimer: This material is written based on information taken from open sources, including Wikipedia, news media, podcasts, and other public sources.

South Korea Latest news

Public voices clash over tomorrow's life-changing vote in Parliament

Public voices clash over tomorrow's life-changing vote in Parliament

Readers share strong views about assisted-dying law and job market problems in Britainʼs latest public debate. Letters tackle hot-button issues from medical ethics to workplace reforms

Society, Business, Politics • November 28 2024 , 12:07 AM  •  539 views
Airport security finds hundreds of live spiders hidden under passenger's clothes

Airport security finds hundreds of live spiders hidden under passenger's clothes

Security staff at Lima airport stopped a traveler with unusual body shape who tried to transport exotic insects to South Korea. The man had wrapped hundreds of rare creatures around his body

Society, Science • November 16 2024 , 03:55 PM  •  270 views
Kim Jong-un's new toy: North Korean leader pushes for drone mass production

Kim Jong-un's new toy: North Korean leader pushes for drone mass production

North Korea moves to mass-produce kamikaze drones after successful testing while strengthening ties with Russia. Japanese and South Korean officials react to growing military partnership between Moscow and Pyongyang

Society, Politics • November 16 2024 , 03:02 PM  •  489 views
Secret plan reveals how UK aims to win Trump's trust using submarines

Secret plan reveals how UK aims to win Trump's trust using submarines

British officials prepare smart strategy to bond with upcoming US president through pacific defense deal. Labour leader plans to use three-way nuclear sub agreement as key talking point

Business, Politics • November 15 2024 , 06:04 PM  •  132 views
Hidden data shows when British people feel most content with life

Hidden data shows when British people feel most content with life

New research points to unexpected age when UK citizens reach their peak happiness. Demographic shifts might change this pattern for future generations‚ experts say

Society, Economics • November 15 2024 , 10:10 AM  •  171 views
UK tops wealthy nations in shocking migration growth numbers last year

UK tops wealthy nations in shocking migration growth numbers last year

New data shows UK experienced fastest migration growth among rich nations with over 740‚000 newcomers last year. Numbers doubled since pre-pandemic times while foreign-born workforce hits new peak

Society, Economics, Politics • November 14 2024 , 11:27 AM  •  314 views
South Korean leader picks up golf clubs to win over future US president

South Korean leader picks up golf clubs to win over future US president

South Koreas president returns to golf after long break to build ties with Donald Trump. The move follows successful golf-diplomacy patterns as both nations prepare for significant changes in early 2025

Economics, Politics • November 12 2024 , 08:47 PM  •  604 views
Korean women's protest movement catches fire in America after latest election

Korean women's protest movement catches fire in America after latest election

A no-men lifestyle movement born in South Korea finds new supporters in US after recent political shifts. The four-point protest spreads globally as women reject traditional social expectations

Society, Politics, Culture • November 12 2024 , 10:00 AM  •  185 views
Trump's comeback leaves Europe searching for quick answers about Ukraine

Trump's comeback leaves Europe searching for quick answers about Ukraine

Democrats choice of keeping aging leadership instead of preparing new candidates led to unexpected election results. Now Europe faces tough choices about its military support for Ukraine and needs fast solutions

Economics, Politics • November 7 2024 , 08:38 AM  •  479 views
North Korea ready to send thousands of soldiers to help Putin's war effort

North Korea ready to send thousands of soldiers to help Putin's war effort

North Koreaʼs top diplomat confirms military support for Russiaʼs campaign in Ukraine during Moscow meeting. Thousands of NK soldiers are getting ready to join Russian forces on frontlines

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Secret EU document shows what UK must do for better post-Brexit deal

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Internal EU papers suggest youth-mobility scheme is key for future UK-EU talks. Document reveals Brussels wants changes to current agreements before starting new partnership discussions

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Population crisis: Why the world might be getting too empty

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Global birth rates are hitting record-low numbers while governments fail to fix the problem. Modern life-style changes and failed state policies show how hard it is to make people have more kids

Society, Economics, Politics • October 29 2024 , 07:39 PM  •  254 views
Pentagon opens door for Ukraine to target North Korean soldiers near frontline

Pentagon opens door for Ukraine to target North Korean soldiers near frontline

US-donated weapons can now be used against North Korean troops fighting alongside Russian forces. Pentagon confirms about 10‚000 North Korean soldiers moved to Russia with some heading towards combat zones

Society, Politics • October 28 2024 , 11:41 PM  •  753 views
Joe Biden's foreign policy puzzle: Why powerful connections weren't enough

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A look at how Bidenʼs extensive diplomatic experience didnt translate into major foreign policy wins. From Middle-East challenges to Ukraine complexities his presidency shows how global leadership needs more than connections

Politics • October 28 2024 , 04:01 PM  •  529 views
Exclusive
Secret footage shows Kim's soldiers ready to join Putin's military campaign

Secret footage shows Kim's soldiers ready to join Putin's military campaign

New mobile-phone videos expose North Korean troops preparing at Russian military facilities. About 3000 soldiers are training now while Moscow expects more than 10000 additional forces soon

Politics • October 27 2024 , 01:24 PM  •  16969 views