South Korea and its 66 important Details for UPSC, PSC and Other Competitive Exams

South Korea and its Details Like , Capital, GDP, Currency, Geography, Economy, Defence, Culture, Natural resources, Habitat, Sports and all you want to know for UPSC, PSC and Other Competitive Exams.

South Korea and its Basic Details :

Category	Information
Name of the country	South Korea
Capital	Seoul
Independence day	August 15, 1945 (Liberation from Japanese rule)
Major religions	Irreligious, Christianity, Buddhism
Currency	South Korean won (KRW)
Continent	Asia
Top 5 Famous cities	Seoul, Busan, Incheon, Daegu, Daejeon
Top 10 Famous persons	Ban Ki-moon, PSY, Park Geun-hye, Son Heung-min, Lee Byung-hun, BTS members, etc.
Type of government	Presidential republic
Main wars fought	Korean War (1950-1953)
GDP	Approximately $1.6 trillion (USD)
5 popular tourist places	Gyeongbokgung Palace, Jeju Island, Lotte World, Myeongdong, Bukchon Hanok Village

Geography of South Korea :

Category	Information
Geography	Mostly mountainous, with some coastal plains and river valleys
Area	Approximately 100,363 square kilometers
Population	Around 51.7 million
5 Main Mountain Ranges	Baekdudaegan, Taebaek, Sobaek, Nangnim, and Taebaek
5 Main Mountain Peaks	Hallasan, Jirisan, Seoraksan, Deogyusan, and Woraksan
5 Main Rivers	Han River, Nakdong River, Geum River, Yeongsan River, and Seomjin River
Main Lakes	None prominently large
Deserts	None
Plateaus	Yes, including the Gyeonggi Plateau
Volcanoes	Hallasan on Jeju Island, Baekdusan on the border with North Korea
5 Main Crops and Vegetation	Rice, barley, fruits (citrus, apples), ginseng, vegetables
Main Beaches	Haeundae Beach, Gyeongpo Beach, Daecheon Beach, Sokcho Beach, Songjeong Beach
Neighboring Countries	North Korea
Nearby Seas and Oceans	Yellow Sea, Sea of Japan
Length of Coastline	Approximately 2,413 kilometers
Top 5 Natural Resources	Coal, tungsten, graphite, molybdenum, lead

Economy of South Korea :

Category	Details
GDP (nominal)	$1.7 trillion (2023)
GDP (PPP)	$3.1 trillion (2023)
GDP Growth	2.0% (2023)
GDP per capita (nominal)	$33,147 (2023)
GDP per capita (PPP)	$56,709 (2023)
Major Industries	Electronics, Telecommunications, Automobile Production, Chemicals, Shipbuilding, Steel
Top 10 Companies	Samsung Electronics, SK hynix, Samsung Biologics, POSCO, Coupang, LG Electronics, KB Financial Group, Shinhan Financial Group, Korea Electric Power Corporation, Big Hit Entertainment
Per Capita Income	$33,147 (2023)
Top 5 Imports	Mineral Fuels, Machinery, Integrated Circuits, Instruments and Apparatus, Vehicles and their parts
Top 5 Exports	Integrated Circuits, Machinery, Vehicles and their parts, Mineral Fuels, Plastics
Total Gold Reserves	$458.700 billion (July 2021 est.)

Defence Power of South Korea :

Category	Data
Defence	South Korean Armed Forces
Size of Defence Budget (2023)	Approximately USD 42.1-42.4 billion
Total Number of Army Personnel	420,000
Total Number of Air Force Personnel	65,000
Total Number of Navy Personnel	70,000
Total Defence Imports (2020)	$7.3 billion (2020)
Total Defence Exports (2023)	Estimated to reach $20 billion (up from $17.3 billion in 2022)

Cultural of South Korea :

Category	Information
Cultural Background	Deeply rooted in Confucianism, Buddhism, and traditional Korean beliefs. It emphasizes respect for elders, family, and community.
Main Festivals	1. Seollal (Lunar New Year) 2. Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving) 3. Buddha’s Birthday (Seokga Tansinil) 4. Dano (Spring Festival) 5. Mud Festival (Boryeong Mud Festival)
Religious Places	1. Bulguksa Temple 2. Jogyesa Temple 3. Bongeunsa Temple 4. Haedong Yonggungsa Temple 5. Myeongdong Cathedral
Main Arts and Dances	1. Hanbok (Traditional clothing) 2. Pansori (Traditional storytelling) 3. Bukchung (Traditional mask dance) 4. Taegeukmu (Traditional dance) 5. Hwaseong Fortress (Architectural masterpiece)
Main Languages	Korean (Hangeul)
Famous Food and Cuisines	1. Kimchi 2. Bulgogi 3. Bibimbap 4. Samgyeopsal 5. Tteokbokki
UNESCO Protected Buildings	1. Jongmyo Shrine 2. Changdeokgung Palace 3. Hwaseong Fortress 4. Bulguksa Temple 5. Seokguram Grotto

Sports in South Korea :

Category	Information
Sports	Baseball, soccer, basketball, golf, archery, taekwondo, short track speed skating, figure skating
National Game	Taekwondo
Main Sports	Baseball, soccer, golf
Top Athletes	Son Heung-min (soccer), Park Ji-sung (soccer), Shin-soo Choo (baseball), Se Ri Pak (golf), Ki Bo-bae (archery), Lee Sang-hwa (speed skating), Yuna Kim (figure skating)
Top Sports Achievements	12 Olympic gold medals in archery; 2006 FIFA World Cup semifinalists; 2014 silver medal in figure skating (Yuna Kim); 2018 Olympic gold in skeleton (Yun Sung-bin); Numerous golf major winners; 1988 Summer Olympics hosts; 2002 FIFA World Cup co-hosts

Natural Habitat and wild life of South Korea :

Category	Information
Natural Habitat and Wildlife	South Korea features a diverse range of natural habitats, including forests, wetlands, and coastal areas, home to various wildlife species.
National Animal	Siberian Tiger
National Bird	Korean Magpie (Pica serica)
Main Forests	1. Jirisan National Park Forest, 2. Seoraksan National Park Forest, 3. Gayasan National Park Forest, 4. Woraksan National Park Forest, and 5. Songnisan National Park Forest
Main Recognized Natural Habitats	1. DMZ (Demilitarized Zone), 2. Suncheon Bay Wetland Reserve, 3. Upo Wetland, 4. Hallyeohaesang National Park (Marine habitat), and 5. Hallasan National Park (Volcanic habitat)

Biggest in the Afghanistan :

Category	Name	Value
Biggest Company	Samsung Electronics	$200.7 billion
Richest Man	Lee Kun-hee (deceased)	$18.7 billion
Tallest Building	Lotte World Tower	555 meters
Tallest Statue	Gwanghwamun Gate	60 meters
Biggest Bridge	Incheon Bridge	21.99 kilometers
Tallest Mountain	Hallasan	1,950 meters
Longest River	Nakdong River	525 kilometers
Biggest Forest	Jirisan National Park	471.7 square kilometers
Biggest Lake	Soyang Lake	6.3 square kilometers

Brief History Of South Korea :

Here is a brief history of South Korea, including key periods and developments:

Ancient South Korea (c. 2333 BCE – 668 CE):

• South Korea’s history dates back to ancient times when several tribal states inhabited the Korean Peninsula.
• The Gojoseon kingdom is traditionally considered the earliest Korean state, founded around 2333 BCE.
• The Three Kingdoms period (1st century BCE – 7th century CE) saw the emergence of Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla, which eventually unified the peninsula under the Silla Dynasty in 668 CE.
• Buddhism was introduced during this time and played a significant role in Korean culture and society.

Medieval Period (10th – 19th century):

• The Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392) followed the Silla Dynasty, and it is from “Goryeo” that the modern name “Korea” is derived.
• The Mongol Empire invaded and established the Mongol-controlled Goryeo in the 13th century.
• The Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) replaced Goryeo and is known for its Confucian-based governance system, which had a lasting impact on Korean society.
• The Korean alphabet, Hangul, was created during this period, simplifying the writing system.
• The Japanese invasions of Korea (1592-1598) were significant conflicts during the late Joseon Dynasty.

Modern Era (late 19th – 20th century):

• Korea faced external pressures from Western powers, leading to the signing of the Treaty of Ganghwa with the United States in 1876.
• Korea’s sovereignty was gradually eroded, and in 1910, it was officially annexed by Japan, leading to a period of brutal colonial rule.
• World War II ended Japanese rule in 1945, and the Korean Peninsula was liberated.
• The division of Korea along the 38th parallel by the Allies led to the establishment of two separate Korean states, North Korea (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea) and South Korea (Republic of Korea), in 1948.

Recent History (1950 – Present):

• The Korean War (1950-1953) resulted in significant destruction and loss of life. An armistice was signed in 1953, but a formal peace treaty was never reached, leaving North and South Korea technically still at war.
• South Korea underwent rapid industrialization and economic development in the latter half of the 20th century, becoming one of the world’s major economies.
• The country transitioned to democracy in the late 20th century, with the first direct presidential elections held in 1987.
• South Korea has become a global cultural and technological powerhouse, known for its contributions to pop culture (K-Pop), technology (Samsung, LG), and international diplomacy.
• In recent years, South Korea has played a key role in global affairs, with diplomatic efforts aimed at achieving peace and denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula.

This overview highlights the major historical periods and developments in South Korea, from its ancient origins to its modern status as a thriving democracy and economic powerhouse.

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