Outline of South Korea

The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to South Korea:

Contents

• Geography of South Korea
• Environment of South Korea
• Natural geographic features of South Korea
• Administrative divisions of South Korea
• Government and politics of South Korea
• Executive branch of the government of South Korea
• Legislative branch of the government of South Korea
• Judicial branch of the government of South Korea
• Foreign relations of South Korea
• International organization membership
• Law and order in South Korea
• Military of South Korea
• History of South Korea
• Culture of South Korea
• Art in South Korea
• Sports in South Korea
• Economy and infrastructure of South Korea
• References

South Korea – densely populated sovereign presidential republic located on the southern half of the Korean Peninsula in East Asia. Also known as the "Land of the Morning Calm". It is neighbored by China to the west, Japan to the east and North Korea to the north. South Korea's capital and largest city is Seoul, the world's second largest metropolitan city.

Korea has a history of 5,000 years, with its foundation dating back to 2333 BC by the legendary Dangun. Following the unification of the Three Korean Kingdoms under Silla in AD 668, Korea went through the Goryeo and Joseon Dynasty as one nation until annexed by Japan in 1910. After Japan's defeat in World War II, Korea was divided, and South Korea was established in 1948. It has since developed a successful democracy, maintaining a strong alliance with the United States.

South Korea has the fourth-largest economy in Asia. It had one of the world's fastest growing economies from the 1960s until 1980 and is now considered a developed economy. It is an G20 and OECD member. In response to tension with North Korea, it has developed the world's sixth largest armed forces and has one of the 10-largest defence budgets in the world.

South Korean industries have a strong focus on science and technology. It has an advanced infrastructure and information technology such as electronics, semiconductors, LCD displays, computers and mobile phones, led by Chaebol, a kind of family-owned conglomerate. The economy also has a strong focus on engineering, construction, machinery, textiles, petrochemicals, biotechnology and robotics.