SOUTH KOREA
History of South Korea
Korean civilization is one of the oldest in the world, with human presence since the Lower Paleolithic.
The founding myth attributes creation to Dangun in 2333 BC. Historically,
Korea was organized into dynasties, most notably the Joseon Dynasty, and experienced periods of invasion by China and Japan. From 1910 to 1945, it suffered Japanese occupation. After World War II,
The peninsula was divided into two states, and the Korean War (1950-1953) solidified the separation between North and South. The Republic of Korea was officially established in 1948, and since 1987 it has enjoyed a multi-party democracy after years of authoritarian regimes.
Location & Geography
South Korea occupies the southern half of the Korean peninsula, with an area of 100,339 km² and a population of 51.7 million inhabitants.
It is a mostly mountainous country, with few plains and a humid continental climate with marked monsoons.
The capital is Seoul, a modern and densely populated metropolis.
South Korea has nearly 3,000 islands, many of them small and uninhabited. Among them, Jeju stands out as the largest island, located about 100 km south of the peninsula, and home to the country's highest peak, the Hallasan volcano (1975 m).
Other important islands are Ulleungdo, Dokdo (contained within territorial disputes with Japan).
Language
한글, Hangul
The official language is Korean, whose written form is the Hangul script, created by King Sejong in 1443 during the Joseon Dynasty. Hangul was designed to be logical and accessible, and since the 20th century, it has been the required language in administration and education.
The Korean language retains approximately 300 symbols of Chinese origin, many modern Anglicisms, and various regional dialects.
Currency
South Korean Won (KRW)
The official currency is the South Korean won (₩),
The most common banknotes in circulation are 1,000, 5,000, 10,000 and 50,000.
The won has been very stable, but its value can fluctuate depending on economic reforms and the trade balance.
The Bank of Korea regulates monetary policy to keep the currency stable.
Exchanging currency for dollars, euros, or yen is very common, and the country has a robust banking infrastructure and multiple exchange options in both airports and urban centers.
