In a few decades, South Korea has become one of the most prosperous countries in the world. The Hangang River crosses the Metropolia of Seoul of ten million people, whose past can be glimpsed in the courtyards of the restored Imperial Palace or in the Historical Museum. The surroundings of Gyeongju, the ancient capital of the Silla Dynasty, are home to some of the finest monuments of that time, UNESCO-protected Haiensa Shrine. The port city of Busan is famous for its seafood and film festivals, as well as its stunning beaches. Visit ABBREVIATIONFINDER for the acronym of SKR that stands for the country of South Korea.
Yearbook 2011
South Korea. According to Countryaah official site, Parliament approved in May a comprehensive free trade agreement with the EU. The agreement, which also concerned intellectual property rights, services and security testing, came into force at the end of the first half of the year. A similar agreement with the United States was approved by Parliament in November, despite strong opposition mainly from farmers. The opposition cast its votes, and someone threw a tear gas canister as the vote took place. Both trade agreements had been concluded in 2007, but the ratification process had dragged on over time. The EU and the US were South Korea’s fourth and fifth largest trading partners, respectively.
The hottest rains in a century hit the country in July. Dozens of people were killed and enormous material damage occurred due to floods and landslides in the capital of Seoul.
President Lee Myung Bak launched a new venture in stem cell research in September, an area that South Korea was a leader in a few years earlier. The research was interrupted when it was discovered that results showing successful cloning of human embryos were falsified. According to President Lee, it was now time to invest again because with the help of stem cells it is hoped to cure a wide range of serious diseases. The researcher behind the false results, Woo Suk Hwang, was sentenced to conditional prison in 2009. But he was not deterred: in October, he showed eight coyotes that he claimed were cloned. Woo Suk Hwang said he has developed a new technology to create genetic copies of wildlife.
A political scare happened when the mayoral elections were held in Seoul in October. The post, considered the second most important political office in South Korea, was won by an independent candidate with no ties to any political party. Park Won Son’s victory created nervousness for the established parties ahead of the 2012 parliamentary and presidential elections.
When North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Il passed away in December, military preparedness in South Korea was increased. Concerns existed for increased instability in the Korean Peninsula in the event of a power struggle in the unpredictable nuclear weapons state. Seoul sent condolences to the North Korean people, but did not send any official representative to attend the funeral.
A new reception center for North Korean refugees was started. The existing Hanawon center was not enough for the approximately 3,000 North Koreans who come to South Korea each year. The jumpers spend three months in the center. learn how to apply for a job and use an ATM.
Country data
Area: 99,313 km2 (world rank: 106)
Residents: 51,466,000
Population density: 518 per km2 (as of 2017, world rank: 27)
capital city
Soul (Seoul)
Official languages: Korean
Gross domestic product: 1,531 billion US $; Real growth: 3.1%
Gross national product (GNP, per resident and year): 28,380 US$
Currency: 1 won (W) = 100 Chon
Embassy
Stülerstr. 8/10, 10787 Berlin
Telephone 030 260650,
Fax 030 2606551http: //deu.mofat.go.kr
Government
Head of State: Moon Jae-in, Head of Government: Lee Nak-yeon, Outside: Kang Kyung-wha
National Day: October 3rd (mythological founding day)
Administrative structure
17 provinces, including 8 cities
State and form of government
Constitution of 1988
Presidential Republic
Parliament: National Assembly (Kuk Hoe) with 300 members, election every 4 years
Direct election of the head of state every 5 years (no re-election)
Right to vote from 19 J.
Population: Koreans, last census in 2015: 51,069,375 residents.
Cities (with population): (as of 2015) Soul (Seoul) 9,904,312 residents, Pusan 3,448,737, 2,890,451 Inchon, Taegu 2,466,052., Taejon 1,538,394, Kwangju 1,502,881, Suwon 1,194,313, Ulsan 1,166,615, Ch’angwon 1,059,241, Koyang 990,073, Yong’in 971,327
Religions: 40-50% non-denominational, 16% Buddhists, 20% Protestants, 8% Catholics; 56% non-denominational; Minorities of won Buddhists, shamanists, followers of Cheondogyo, Taejonggyo (as of 2006)
Languages: Korean; English and Japanese
Workers by Economic
Sector Agriculture. 5%, industry 25%, business 70% (2017)
Unemployment (in% of all labor force): 2017: 3.7%
Inflation rate (in%): 2017: 1.9%
Foreign trade: import: 478.5 billion US$ (2017); Export: 573.6 billion US $ (2017)