2011 Edition

Background

An independent Korean state or collection of states has existed almost continuously for several millennia. Between its initial unification in the 7th century - from three predecessor Korean states - until the 20th century, Korea existed as a single country. It became a Chinese tributary state in 1392 with the formation of the Choson Dynasty. Korea became an independent country at the conclusion of the Sino-Japanese War in 1895 with the Treaty of Shimonoseki. Imperial Japan, following the Russo-Japanese War in 1905, forced Korea to sign the Protectorate Treaty. In 1910 Tokyo annexed the Peninsula. Korea regained its independence following Japan's surrender to the United States in 1945. After World War II, a Republic of Korea (ROK) was set up in the southern half of the Korean Peninsula while a Communist-style government was installed in the north (the DPRK). During the Korean War (1950-53), US troops and UN forces fought alongside soldiers from the ROK to defend South Korea from DPRK attacks supported by China and the Soviet Union. An armistice was signed in 1953, splitting the peninsula along a demilitarized zone at about the 38th parallel. Thereafter, South Korea under the PARK Chung-hee regime achieved rapid economic growth with per capita income rising to roughly 17 times the level of North Korea. In 1993, KIM Young-sam became South Korea's first civilian president following 32 years of military rule. South Korea today is a fully functioning modern democracy. President LEE Myung-bak has pursued a policy of global engagement since taking office in February 2008, highlighted by Seoul's hosting of the G-20 summit in November 2010 and its scheduled hosting of the Nuclear Security Summit in March 2012. Serious tensions with North Korea have punctuated inter-Korean relations in recent years, including the North's sinking of the South Korean warship Cheonan in March 2010 and its artillery attack on South Korean soldiers and citizens in November 2010.

Area

99,720 sq km 96,920 sq km 2,800 sq km

total

99,720 sq km

water

2,800 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly larger than Indiana

Climate

temperate, with rainfall heavier in summer than winter

Coastline

2,413 km

Elevation extremes

Sea of Japan 0 m Halla-san 1,950 m

highest point

Halla-san 1,950 m

lowest point

Sea of Japan 0 m

Environment - current issues

air pollution in large cities; acid rain; water pollution from the discharge of sewage and industrial effluents; drift net fishing

Environment - international agreements

Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling none of the selected agreements

party to

Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

18.59 cu km/yr (36%/16%/48%) 389 cu m/yr (2000)

per capita

389 cu m/yr (2000)

total

18.59 cu km/yr (36%/16%/48%)

Geographic coordinates

37 00 N, 127 30 E

Geography - note

strategic location on Korea Strait

Irrigated land

8,320 sq km (2008)

Land boundaries

238 km North Korea 238 km

border countries

North Korea 238 km

total

238 km

Land use

16.58% 2.01% 81.41% (2005)

arable land

16.58%

other

81.41% (2005)

permanent crops

2.01%

Location

Eastern Asia, southern half of the Korean Peninsula bordering the Sea of Japan and the Yellow Sea

Map references

Asia

Maritime claims

12 nm; between 3 nm and 12 nm in the Korea Strait 24 nm 200 nm not specified

contiguous zone

24 nm

continental shelf

not specified

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm; between 3 nm and 12 nm in the Korea Strait

Natural hazards

occasional typhoons bring high winds and floods; low-level seismic activity common in southwest Halla (elev. 1,950 m) is considered historically active although it has not erupted in many centuries

volcanism

Halla (elev. 1,950 m) is considered historically active although it has not erupted in many centuries

Natural resources

coal, tungsten, graphite, molybdenum, lead, hydropower potential

Terrain

mostly hills and mountains; wide coastal plains in west and south

Total renewable water resources

69.7 cu km (1999)

Age structure

15.7% (male 3,980,541/female 3,650,631) 72.9% (male 18,151,023/female 17,400,809) 11.4% (male 2,259,621/female 3,312,032) (2011 est.)

0-14 years

15.7% (male 3,980,541/female 3,650,631)

15-64 years

72.9% (male 18,151,023/female 17,400,809)

65 years and over

11.4% (male 2,259,621/female 3,312,032) (2011 est.)

Birth rate

8.55 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)

Death rate

6.26 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)

Drinking water source

urban: 100% of population rural: 88% of population total: 98% of population urban: 0% of population rural: 12% of population total: 2% of population (2008)

rural

12% of population

total

2% of population (2008)

urban

0% of population

Education expenditures

4.2% of GDP (2007)

Ethnic groups

homogeneous (except for about 20,000 Chinese)

Health expenditures

6.5% of GDP (2009)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

less than 0.1% (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

fewer than 500 (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

9,500 (2009 est.)

Hospital bed density

12.28 beds/1,000 population (2008)

Infant mortality rate

4.16 deaths/1,000 live births 4.37 deaths/1,000 live births 3.93 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

female

3.93 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

total

4.16 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Korean, English (widely taught in junior high and high school)

Life expectancy at birth

79.05 years 75.84 years 82.49 years (2011 est.)

female

82.49 years (2011 est.)

total population

79.05 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 97.9% 99.2% 96.6% (2002)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

96.6% (2002)

male

99.2%

total population

97.9%

Major cities - population

SEOUL (capital) 9.778 million; Busan (Pusan) 3.439 million; Incheon (Inch'on) 2.572 million; Daegu (Taegu) 2.458 million; Daejon (Taejon) 1.497 million (2009)

Maternal mortality rate

18 deaths/100,000 live births (2008)

Median age

38.4 years 37 years 39.8 years (2011 est.)

female

39.8 years (2011 est.)

male

37 years

total

38.4 years

Nationality

Korean(s) Korean

adjective

Korean

noun

Korean(s)

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

3.2% (2001)

Physicians density

1.967 physicians/1,000 population (2008)

Population

48,754,657 (July 2011 est.)

Population growth rate

0.23% (2011 est.)

Religions

Christian 26.3% (Protestant 19.7%, Roman Catholic 6.6%), Buddhist 23.2%, other or unknown 1.3%, none 49.3% (1995 census)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population (2008)

rural

100% of population

total

100% of population (2008)

urban

100% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

17 years 18 years 16 years (2008)

female

16 years (2008)

male

18 years

total

17 years

Sex ratio

1.069 male(s)/female 1.1 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 0.67 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

15-64 years

1.04 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.67 male(s)/female

at birth

1.069 male(s)/female

total population

1 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

under 15 years

1.1 male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

1.23 children born/woman (2011 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

9.8% 11.9% 8.5% (2009)

female

8.5% (2009)

total

9.8%

Urbanization

83% of total population (2010) 0.6% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

0.6% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

83% of total population (2010)

Administrative divisions

9 provinces (do, singular and plural) and 7 metropolitan cities (gwangyoksi, singular and plural) Chungcheong-bukto (North Chungcheong), Chungcheong-namdo (South Chungcheong), Gangwon, Gyeonggi, Gyeongsang-bukto (North Gyeongsang), Gyeongsang-namdo (South Gyeongsang), Jeju, Jeolla-bukto (North Jeolla), Jeolla-namdo (South Jeolla) Busan (Pusan), Daegu (Taegu), Daejon (Taejon), Gwangju (Kwangju), Incheon (Inch'on), Seoul, Ulsan

metropolitan cities

Busan (Pusan), Daegu (Taegu), Daejon (Taejon), Gwangju (Kwangju), Incheon (Inch'on), Seoul, Ulsan

provinces

Chungcheong-bukto (North Chungcheong), Chungcheong-namdo (South Chungcheong), Gangwon, Gyeonggi, Gyeongsang-bukto (North Gyeongsang), Gyeongsang-namdo (South Gyeongsang), Jeju, Jeolla-bukto (North Jeolla), Jeolla-namdo (South Jeolla)

Capital

Seoul 37 33 N, 126 59 E UTC+9 (14 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

37 33 N, 126 59 E

name

Seoul

time difference

UTC+9 (14 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

17 July 1948; note - amended or rewritten many times; current constitution approved 29 October 1987

Country name

Republic of Korea South Korea Taehan-min'guk Han'guk ROK

abbreviation

ROK

conventional long form

Republic of Korea

conventional short form

South Korea

local long form

Taehan-min'guk

local short form

Han'guk

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Sung Y. KIM 32 Sejongno, Jongno-gu, Seoul 110-710 US Embassy Seoul, APO AP 96205-5550 [82] (2) 397-4114 [82] (2) 738-8845

chief of mission

Ambassador Sung Y. KIM

embassy

32 Sejongno, Jongno-gu, Seoul 110-710

FAX

[82] (2) 738-8845

mailing address

US Embassy Seoul, APO AP 96205-5550

telephone

[82] (2) 397-4114

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador HAN Duk-soo 2450 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 939-5600 [1] (202) 387-0205 Agana (Guam), Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Seattle

chancery

2450 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador HAN Duk-soo

consulate(s) general

Agana (Guam), Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Seattle

FAX

[1] (202) 387-0205

telephone

[1] (202) 939-5600

Executive branch

President LEE Myung-bak (since 25 February 2008) Prime Minister KIM Hwang-sik (since 1 October 2010) State Council appointed by the president on the prime minister's recommendation president elected by popular vote for a single five-year term; election last held on 19 December 2007 (next to be held in December 2012); prime minister appointed by president with consent of National Assembly LEE Myung-bak elected president on 19 December 2007; percent of vote - LEE Myung-bak (GNP) 48.7%; CHUNG Dong-young (UNDP) 26.1%); LEE Hoi-chang (independent) 15.1%; others 10.1%

cabinet

State Council appointed by the president on the prime minister's recommendation

chief of state

President LEE Myung-bak (since 25 February 2008)

election results

LEE Myung-bak elected president on 19 December 2007; percent of vote - LEE Myung-bak (GNP) 48.7%; CHUNG Dong-young (UNDP) 26.1%); LEE Hoi-chang (independent) 15.1%; others 10.1%

elections

president elected by popular vote for a single five-year term; election last held on 19 December 2007 (next to be held in December 2012); prime minister appointed by president with consent of National Assembly

head of government

Prime Minister KIM Hwang-sik (since 1 October 2010)

Flag description

white with a red (top) and blue yin-yang symbol in the center; there is a different black trigram from the ancient I Ching (Book of Changes) in each corner of the white field; the Korean national flag is called Taegukki; white is a traditional Korean color and represents peace and purity; the blue section represents the negative cosmic forces of the yin, while the red symbolizes the opposite positive forces of the yang; each trigram (kwae) denotes one of the four universal elements, which together express the principle of movement and harmony

Government type

republic

Independence

15 August 1945 (from Japan)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

ADB, AfDB (nonregional member), APEC, ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS, CD, CICA, CP, EAS, EBRD, FAO, FATF, G-20, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAIA (observer), MIGA, MINURSO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE (partner), Paris Club (associate), PCA, PIF (partner), SAARC (observer), UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNMOGIP, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

Judicial branch

Supreme Court (justices appointed by the president with consent of National Assembly); Constitutional Court (justices appointed by the president based partly on nominations by National Assembly and Chief Justice of the court)

Legal system

mixed legal system combining European civil law, Anglo-American law, and Chinese classical thought

Legislative branch

unicameral National Assembly or Gukhoe (299 seats; 245 members elected in single-seat constituencies, 54 elected by proportional representation; members serve four-year terms) last held on 9 April 2008 (next to be held in April 2012) percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - GNP 172, UDP 83, LFP 20, PPA 8, DLP 5, RKP 1, independents 9

election results

percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - GNP 172, UDP 83, LFP 20, PPA 8, DLP 5, RKP 1, independents 9

elections

last held on 9 April 2008 (next to be held in April 2012)

National anthem

"Aegukga" (Patriotic Song) YUN Ch'i-Ho or AN Ch'ang-Ho/AHN Eaktay adopted 1948, well known by 1910; both North Korea and South Korea's anthems share the same name and have a vaguely similar melody but have different lyrics

lyrics/music

YUN Ch'i-Ho or AN Ch'ang-Ho/AHN Eaktay

name

"Aegukga" (Patriotic Song)

National holiday

Liberation Day, 15 August (1945)

National symbol(s)

taegeuk (yin yang symbol)

Political parties and leaders

Democratic Party or DP [SONG Hak-kyu] (formerly the United Democratic Party or UDP); Democratic Labor Party or DLP [LEE Jung-hee]; Future Hope Alliance or FHA [ROH Cheoi-rae} (formerly Pro-Park Alliance); Grand National Party or GNP [PARK Geun-hye]; Liberty Forward Party or LFP [SHIM Dae-pyeong]; Renewal Korea Party or RKP [HAN Myeon-hee]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Federation of Korean Industries; Federation of Korean Trade Unions; Korean Confederation of Trade Unions; Korean National Council of Churches; Korean Traders Association; Korean Veterans' Association; National Council of Labor Unions; National Democratic Alliance of Korea; National Federation of Farmers' Associations; National Federation of Student Associations

Suffrage

19 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

rice, root crops, barley, vegetables, fruit; cattle, pigs, chickens, milk, eggs; fish

Budget

$235.1 billion $222.2 billion (2010 est.)

expenditures

$222.2 billion (2010 est.)

revenues

$235.1 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

1.3% of GDP (2010 est.)

Central bank discount rate

1.25% (31 December 2009) 1.75% (31 December 2008)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

5.508% (31 December 2010 est.) 5.65% (31 December 2009 est.)

Current account balance

$36.35 billion (2010 est.) $32.79 billion (2009 est.)

Debt - external

$398 billion (30 June 2011 est.) $380.9 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

31.4 (2009) 35.8 (2000)

Economy - overview

Since the 1960s, South Korea has achieved an incredible record of growth and global integration to become a high-tech industrialized economy. Four decades ago, GDP per capita was comparable with levels in the poorer countries of Africa and Asia. In 2004, South Korea joined the trillion dollar club of world economies, and currently is among the world's 20 largest economies. Initially, a system of close government and business ties, including directed credit and import restrictions, made this success possible. The government promoted the import of raw materials and technology at the expense of consumer goods, and encouraged savings and investment over consumption. The Asian financial crisis of 1997-98 exposed longstanding weaknesses in South Korea's development model including high debt/equity ratios and massive short-term foreign borrowing. GDP plunged by 6.9% in 1998, and then recovered by 9% in 1999-2000. Korea adopted numerous economic reforms following the crisis, including greater openness to foreign investment and imports. Growth moderated to about 4-5% annually between 2003 and 2007. With the global economic downturn in late 2008, South Korean GDP growth slowed to 0.2% in 2009. In the third quarter of 2009, the economy began to recover, in large part due to export growth, low interest rates, and an expansionary fiscal policy, and growth exceeded 6% in 2010. The South Korean economy's long term challenges include a rapidly aging population, inflexible labor market, and overdependence on manufacturing exports to drive economic growth.

Electricity - consumption

402 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2010)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2010)

Electricity - production

417.3 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Exchange rates

South Korean won (KRW) per US dollar - 1,153.77 (2010) 1,276.93 (2009) 1,101.7 (2008) 929.2 (2007) 954.8 (2006)

Exports

$464.3 billion (2010 est.) $358.2 billion (2009 est.)

Exports - commodities

semiconductors, wireless telecommunications equipment, motor vehicles, computers, steel, ships, petrochemicals

Exports - partners

China 27.9%, US 10.2%, Japan 5.8% (2010)

GDP - composition by sector

2.6% 39.3% 58.2% (2010 est.)

agriculture

2.6%

industry

39.3%

services

58.2% (2010 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$30,000 (2010 est.) $28,300 (2009 est.) $28,400 (2008 est.) data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

6.1% (2010 est.) 0.2% (2009 est.) 2.3% (2008 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$1.007 trillion (2010 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$1.459 trillion (2010 est.) $1.375 trillion (2009 est.) $1.373 trillion (2008 est.) data are in 2010 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

2.7% 24.2% (2007)

highest 10%

24.2% (2007)

lowest 10%

2.7%

Imports

$422.4 billion (2010 est.) $320.4 billion (2009 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery, electronics and electronic equipment, oil, steel, transport equipment, organic chemicals, plastics

Imports - partners

China 17.9%, Japan 16.2%, US 10.1%, Saudi Arabia 5.2%, Australia 4.9% (2010)

Industrial production growth rate

16.6% (2010 est.)

Industries

electronics, telecommunications, automobile production, chemicals, shipbuilding, steel

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

3% (2010 est.) 2.8% (2009 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

28.6% of GDP (2010 est.)

Labor force

24.75 million (2010 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

7.3% 24.3% 68.4% (2010 est.)

agriculture

7.3%

industry

24.3%

services

68.4% (2010 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$1.089 trillion (31 December 2010) $836.5 billion (31 December 2009) $494.6 billion (31 December 2008)

Natural gas - consumption

42.69 billion cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - imports

43.58 billion cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - production

542 million cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

50 billion cu m (1 January 2008 est.)

Oil - consumption

2.251 million bbl/day (2010 est.)

Oil - exports

907,100 bbl/day exports consist of oil derivatives (gasoline, light oil, and diesel), not crude oil (2009 est.)

Oil - imports

3.074 million bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - production

48,400 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2011 est.)

Population below poverty line

15% (2006 est.)

Public debt

22.6% of GDP (2010 est.) 23.5% of GDP (2009 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$291.6 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $270 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$1.346 trillion (31 December 2009) $1.132 trillion (31 December 2008)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$115.6 billion (31 December 2009) $74.6 billion (30 June 2008)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$127 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $117.7 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$1.066 trillion (31 December 2010 est.) $1 trillion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$377 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $334.4 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

23.3% of GDP (2010 est.)

Unemployment rate

3.7% (2010 est.) 3.7% (2009 est.)

Broadcast media

multiple national television networks with 2 of the 3 largest networks publicly operated; the largest privately-owned network, Seoul Broadcasting Service (SBS), has ties with other commercial TV networks; cable and satellite TV subscription services are available; publicly-operated radio broadcast networks and a large number of privately-owned radio broadcasting networks, each with multiple affiliates, and independent local stations (2010)

Internet country code

.kr

Internet hosts

291,329 (2010)

Internet users

39.4 million (2009)

Telephone system

excellent domestic and international services featuring rapid incorporation of new technologies fixed-line and mobile-cellular services widely available with a combined telephone subscribership of roughly 140 per 100 persons; rapid assimilation of a full range of telecommunications technologies leading to a boom in e-commerce country code - 82; numerous submarine cables provide links throughout Asia, Australia, the Middle East, Europe, and US; satellite earth stations - 66

domestic

fixed-line and mobile-cellular services widely available with a combined telephone subscribership of roughly 140 per 100 persons; rapid assimilation of a full range of telecommunications technologies leading to a boom in e-commerce

general assessment

excellent domestic and international services featuring rapid incorporation of new technologies

international

country code - 82; numerous submarine cables provide links throughout Asia, Australia, the Middle East, Europe, and US; satellite earth stations - 66

Telephones - main lines in use

28.543 million (2010)

Telephones - mobile cellular

50.767 million (2010)

Airports

116 (2010)

Airports - with paved runways

22 (2010)

1,524 to 2,437 m

13

2,438 to 3,047 m

21

914 to 1,523 m

12

over 3,047 m

4

total

72

under 914 m

22 (2010)

Airports - with unpaved runways

42 (2010)

914 to 1,523 m

2

total

44

under 914 m

42 (2010)

Heliports

510 (2010)

Merchant marine

bulk carrier 201, cargo 246, carrier 5, chemical tanker 132, container 69, liquefied gas 40, passenger 5, passenger/cargo 21, petroleum tanker 67, refrigerated cargo 15, roll on/roll off 9, vehicle carrier 9 33 (China 9, France 1, Japan 15, US 8) 438 (Cambodia 11, Ghana 1, Honduras 6, Hong Kong 3, Indonesia 1, Kiribati 2, Liberia 1, Malta 3, Marshall Islands 25, North Korea 1, Panama 366, Philippines 1, Russia 1, Singapore 9, Tuvalu 1, unknown 6) (2010)

foreign-owned

33 (China 9, France 1, Japan 15, US 8)

registered in other countries

438 (Cambodia 11, Ghana 1, Honduras 6, Hong Kong 3, Indonesia 1, Kiribati 2, Liberia 1, Malta 3, Marshall Islands 25, North Korea 1, Panama 366, Philippines 1, Russia 1, Singapore 9, Tuvalu 1, unknown 6) (2010)

total

819

Pipelines

gas 2,139 km; refined products 864 km (2010)

Ports and terminals

Incheon (Inch'on), Pohang (P'ohang), Busan (Pusan), Ulsan, Yeosu (Yosu)

Railways

3,381 km 3,381 km 1.435-m gauge (1,843 km electrified) (2008)

total

3,381 km

Roadways

103,029 km 80,642 km (includes 3,367 km of expressways) 22,387 km (2008)

total

103,029 km

unpaved

22,387 km (2008)

Waterways

1,608 km (most navigable only by small craft) (2010)

Manpower available for military service

13,185,794 12,423,496 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

12,423,496 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

13,185,794

Manpower fit for military service

10,864,566 10,168,709 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

10,168,709 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

10,864,566

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

365,760 321,225 (2010 est.)

female

321,225 (2010 est.)

male

365,760

Military branches

Republic of Korea Army, Navy (includes Marine Corps), Air Force (2011)

Military expenditures

2.7% of GDP (2006)

Military service age and obligation

20-30 years of age for compulsory military service, with middle school education required; conscript service obligation - 21 months (Army, Marines), 23 months (Navy), 24 months (Air Force); 18-26 years of age for voluntary military service; women, in service since 1950, admitted to 7 service branches, including infantry, but excluded from artillery, armor, anti-air, and chaplaincy corps; HIV-positive individuals are exempt from military service (2011)

Disputes - international

Military Demarcation Line within the 4-km wide Demilitarized Zone has separated North from South Korea since 1953; periodic incidents with North Korea in the Yellow Sea over the Northern Limit Line, which South Korea claims as a maritime boundary; South Korea and Japan claim Liancourt Rocks (Tok-do/Take-shima), occupied by South Korea since 1954