South Korea

The Republic of Korea, commonly known as South Korea, is a nation located in East Asia.

It occupies the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. To its west lies the Yellow Sea. To its east lies the Sea of Japan. The country shares a border with North Korea along the Korean Demilitarized Zone.

South Korea claims to be the sole legitimate government for the entire peninsula and its adjacent islands. Today, it is a major regional power and an emerging power in global affairs.

The history of the peninsula began very early in human history. Inhabitants lived there as far back as the Lower Paleolithic period.

By the mid-first century BC, various polities consolidated into three rival kingdoms. These were Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla. Goguryeo was a large and highly militaristic state. It even defeated a massive force of over one million men during the Goguryeo–Sui War. Baekje acted as a maritime power, spreading culture and Buddhism to Japan. Silla was the smallest kingdom, but it used alliances to unify most of the peninsula in the late seventh century AD.

Following the Three Kingdoms period, new dynasties shaped the Korean identity. The Goryeo dynasty ruled from 918 to 1392. This era achieved lasting unification and gave the name "Korea" to the region. The name comes from Goryeo, which was a shortened version of Goguryeo.

Later, the Joseon dynasty ruled from 1392 to 1897. This period was known for scientific and cultural achievements. However, the country also began a period of isolationism during the mid-17th century. In 1897, the Korean Empire was established to seek modernization and reform.

The 20th century brought intense political shifts and conflict. In 1910, the Korean Empire was annexed by the Empire of Japan. Japanese rule lasted until the end of World War II in 1945. After Japan surrendered, the peninsula was divided into two occupation zones. The Soviet Union occupied the north, and the United States occupied the south. In August 1948, the Republic of Korea was formed in the south.

One month later, the communist Democratic People's Republic of Korea was formed in the north.

War and rapid development defined the modern era. In 1950, North Korea invaded the south, starting the Korean War. This was a major proxy conflict of the Cold War. It involved the United Nations Command and the Soviet-backed People's Volunteer Army from China. The fighting ended with an armistice in 1953, but no peace treaty was signed.

This means the conflict is technically still ongoing. Despite the ruins of war, South Korea experienced a soaring economy. It became one of the "Four Asian Tigers" due to its very fast rise in GDP per capita.

South Korea is now a highly developed and advanced democracy. It is a unitary presidential republic with a National Assembly.

The country is a major non-NATO ally of the United States. Its economy is the 14th largest in the world by nominal GDP. It is also the world's eleventh-largest exporter.

The nation is known for high-speed railway networks and fast internet. It also excels in education, innovation, and human development. However, the population is aging quickly and has the lowest fertility rate in the world.

Cultural influence is another major aspect of modern South Korea. Since the turn of the 21st century, the country has seen the rise of the "Korean Wave." This refers to the global popularity of Korean pop culture. This includes music, television dramas, and cinema. This phenomenon has made South Korean culture influential across the globe. The nation remains a vital member of international groups like the G20 and the OECD.