2013 Edition

Background

An independent kingdom for much of its long history, Korea was occupied by Japan beginning in 1905 following the Russo-Japanese War. In 1910, Tokyo formally annexed the entire Peninsula. Korea regained its independence following Japan's surrender to the United States in 1945. After World War II, a democratic-based government (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 (Democratic People's Republic of Korea, DPRK). During the Korean War (1950-53), US troops and UN forces fought alongside ROK soldiers to defend South Korea from a DPRK invasion supported by China and the Soviet Union. A 1953 armistice split the peninsula along a demilitarized zone at about the 38th parallel. PARK Chung-hee took over leadership of the country in a 1961 coup. During his regime, from 1961 to 1979, South Korea achieved rapid economic growth, with per capita income rising to roughly 17 times the level of North Korea. South Korea held its first free presidential election under a revised democratic constitution in 1987, with former ROK Army general ROH Tae-woo winning a close race. In 1993, KIM Young-sam (1993-98) became South Korea's first civilian president. South Korea today is a fully functioning modern democracy. LEE Myung-bak (2008-2013) pursued a policy of global engagement , highlighted by Seoul's hosting of the G-20 summit in November 2010 and the Nuclear Security Summit in March 2012. South Korea also secured a non-permanent seat (2013-14) on the UN Security Council and will host the 2018 Winter Olympic Games. President PARK Geun-hye took office in February 2013 and is South Korea's first female leader. 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)

25.47 cu km/yr (26%/12%/62%) 548.7 cu m/yr (2003)

per capita

548.7 cu m/yr (2003)

total

25.47 cu km/yr (26%/12%/62%)

Geographic coordinates

37 00 N, 127 30 E

Geography - note

strategic location on Korea Strait

Irrigated land

8,804 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

238 km North Korea 238 km

border countries

North Korea 238 km

total

238 km

Land use

14.93% 2.06% 83% (2011)

arable land

14.93%

other

83% (2011)

permanent crops

2.06%

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 (2011)

Age structure

14.6% (male 3,717,701/female 3,424,490) 13.6% (male 3,525,050/female 3,117,198) 47.8% (male 11,925,181/female 11,491,841) 11.7% (male 2,842,996/female 2,907,730) 12.3% (male 2,469,093/female 3,533,923) (2013 est.)

0-14 years

14.6% (male 3,717,701/female 3,424,490)

15-24 years

13.6% (male 3,525,050/female 3,117,198)

25-54 years

47.8% (male 11,925,181/female 11,491,841)

55-64 years

11.7% (male 2,842,996/female 2,907,730)

65 years and over

12.3% (male 2,469,093/female 3,533,923) (2013 est.)

Birth rate

8.33 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

80% percent of women aged 15-44 (2009)

Death rate

6.5 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)

Dependency ratios

37.1 % 20.4 % 16.7 % 6 (2013)

elderly dependency ratio

16.7 %

potential support ratio

6 (2013)

total dependency ratio

37.1 %

youth dependency ratio

20.4 %

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 (2010 est.)

rural

12% of population

total

2% of population (2010 est.)

urban

0% of population

Education expenditures

5.1% of GDP (2009)

Ethnic groups

homogeneous (except for about 20,000 Chinese)

Health expenditures

7.2% of GDP (2011)

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

10.3 beds/1,000 population (2009)

Infant mortality rate

4.01 deaths/1,000 live births 4.21 deaths/1,000 live births 3.79 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)

female

3.79 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)

total

4.01 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

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

Life expectancy at birth

79.55 years 76.4 years 82.91 years (2013 est.)

female

82.91 years (2013 est.)

total population

79.55 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 urban areas - 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

16 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

Median age

39.7 years 38.2 years 41 years (2013 est.)

female

41 years (2013 est.)

male

38.2 years

total

39.7 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

29.6 (2008 est.)

Nationality

Korean(s) Korean

adjective

Korean

noun

Korean(s)

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

7.7% (2008)

Physicians density

2.02 physicians/1,000 population (2010)

Population

48,955,203 (July 2013 est.)

Population growth rate

0.18% (2013 est.)

Religions

Christian 31.6% (Protestant 24%, Roman Catholic 7.6%), Buddhist 24.2%, other or unknown 0.9%, none 43.3% (2010 survey)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population (2010 est.)

rural

100% of population

total

100% of population (2010 est.)

urban

100% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

17 years 18 years 16 years (2010)

female

16 years (2010)

male

18 years

total

17 years

Sex ratio

1.07 male(s)/female 1.09 male(s)/female 1.13 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female 0.69 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female (2013 est.)

0-14 years

1.09 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.13 male(s)/female

25-54 years

1.04 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.98 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.69 male(s)/female

at birth

1.07 male(s)/female

total population

1 male(s)/female (2013 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.24 children born/woman (2013 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

9.6% 12.1% 8.1% (2011)

female

8.1% (2011)

total

9.6%

Urbanization

83.2% of total population (2011) 0.71% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

0.71% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

83.2% of total population (2011)

Administrative divisions

9 provinces (do, singular and plural), 6 metropolitan cities (gwangyoksi, singular and plural), 1 special city, and 1 special self-governing city Chungbuk (North Chungcheong), Chungnam (South Chungcheong), Gangwon, Gyeonggi, Gyeongbuk (North Gyeongsang), Gyeongnam (South Gyeongsang), Jeju, Jeonbuk (North Jeolla), Jeonnam (South Jeolla) Busan (Pusan), Daegu (Taegu), Daejon (Taejon), Gwangju (Kwangju), Incheon (Inch'on), Ulsan Seoul Sejong

metropolitan cities

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

provinces

Chungbuk (North Chungcheong), Chungnam (South Chungcheong), Gangwon, Gyeonggi, Gyeongbuk (North Gyeongsang), Gyeongnam (South Gyeongsang), Jeju, Jeonbuk (North Jeolla), Jeonnam (South Jeolla)

special city

Seoul

special self-governing city

Sejong

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

effective 17 July 1948; amended several times, last in 1987 (2013)

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 (since 3 November 2011) 188 Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul 110-710 US Embassy Seoul, Unit 15550, APO AP 96205-5550 [82] (2) 397-4114 [82] (2) 725-0152

chief of mission

Ambassador Sung Y. KIM (since 3 November 2011)

embassy

188 Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul 110-710

FAX

[82] (2) 725-0152

mailing address

US Embassy Seoul, Unit 15550, APO AP 96205-5550

telephone

[82] (2) 397-4114

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador AHN Ho-young (since 7 June 2013) 2450 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 939-5600 [1] (202) 797-0595 Agana (Guam), Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Seattle Anchorage (AK)

chancery

2450 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador AHN Ho-young (since 7 June 2013)

consulate(s) general

Anchorage (AK)

FAX

[1] (202) 797-0595

telephone

[1] (202) 939-5600

Executive branch

President PARK Geun-hye (since 25 February 2013) Prime Minister CHUNG Hong-won (since 26 February 2013); Deputy Prime Minister HYUN Oh-seok (since 26 June 2013) State Council appointed by the president on the prime minister's recommendation president elected by popular vote for a single five-year term; PARK Geun-hye elected on 19 December 2012; next election to be held in December 2017; prime minister appointed by president with consent of National Assembly PARK Geun-Hye elected president on 19 December 2012; percent of vote - PARK Geun-Hye (NFP) 51.6%, MOON Jae-In (DUP) 48%, others 0.4%

cabinet

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

chief of state

President PARK Geun-hye (since 25 February 2013)

election results

PARK Geun-Hye elected president on 19 December 2012; percent of vote - PARK Geun-Hye (NFP) 51.6%, MOON Jae-In (DUP) 48%, others 0.4%

elections

president elected by popular vote for a single five-year term; PARK Geun-hye elected on 19 December 2012; next election to be held in December 2017; prime minister appointed by president with consent of National Assembly

head of government

Prime Minister CHUNG Hong-won (since 26 February 2013); Deputy Prime Minister HYUN Oh-seok (since 26 June 2013)

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 (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAIA (observer), MIGA, MINURSO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE (partner), Paris Club (associate), PCA, PIF (partner), SAARC (observer), SICA (observer), UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNMOGIP, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

Judicial branch

Supreme Court of South Korea (consists of a chief justice and 13 justices); Constitutional Court (consists of a court head and 8 justices) Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the president with the consent of the National Assembly; other justices appointed by the president upon the recommendation of the chief justice and consent of the National Assembly; position of the chief justice is a 6-year non-renewable term; other justices serve 6-year renewable terms; Constitutional Court justices appointed - 3 by the president, 3 by the National Assembly, and 3 by the Supreme Court chief justice; court head serves until retirement at age 70, while other justices serve 6-year renewable terms with mandatory retirement at age 65 High Courts; District Courts; Branch Courts (organized undeer the Branch Courts); specialized courts for family and administrative issues

highest court(s)

Supreme Court of South Korea (consists of a chief justice and 13 justices); Constitutional Court (consists of a court head and 8 justices)

judge selection and term of office

Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the president with the consent of the National Assembly; other justices appointed by the president upon the recommendation of the chief justice and consent of the National Assembly; position of the chief justice is a 6-year non-renewable term; other justices serve 6-year renewable terms; Constitutional Court justices appointed - 3 by the president, 3 by the National Assembly, and 3 by the Supreme Court chief justice; court head serves until retirement at age 70, while other justices serve 6-year renewable terms with mandatory retirement at age 65

subordinate courts

High Courts; District Courts; Branch Courts (organized undeer the Branch Courts); specialized courts for family and administrative issues

Legal system

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

Legislative branch

unicameral National Assembly or Gukhoe (300 seats; 246 members elected in single-seat constituencies, 54 elected by proportional representation; members serve four-year terms) last held on 11 April 2012 (next to be held in April 2016) percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NFP 152, DUP 127, UPP 13, LFP 5, independents 3

election results

percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NFP 152, DUP 127, UPP 13, LFP 5, independents 3

elections

last held on 11 April 2012 (next to be held in April 2016)

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 (formerly the Democratic United Party or DUP) [KIM Han-gil] Liberty Forward Party or LFP (now part of the NFP) New Frontier Party (NFP) or Saenuri (formerly Grand National Party) [HWANG Woo-yea] Progressive Justice Party or PJP [ROH Hoe-chan and CHO Joon-ho] United Progressive Party or UPP [LEE Jung-hee]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Catholic Priests' Association for Justice Citizen's Coalition for Economic Justice Federation of Korean Industries Federation of Korean Trade Unions Korean Confederation of Trade Unions Korean Veterans' Association Lawyers for a Democratic Society National Council of Churches People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy

Suffrage

19 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

$276.5 billion $260.1 billion (2012 est.)

expenditures

$260.1 billion (2012 est.)

revenues

$276.5 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

1.5% of GDP (2012 est.)

Central bank discount rate

1.5% (31 December 2011) 1.25% (31 December 2009)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

5.39% (31 December 2012 est.) 5.77% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance

$43.34 billion (2012 est.) $26.07 billion (2011 est.)

Debt - external

$420.4 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $442.5 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

41.9 (2011) 35.8 (2000)

Economy - overview

South Korea over the past four decades has demonstrated incredible growth and global integration to become a high-tech industrialized economy. In the 1960s, 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 is currently the world's 12th largest economy. 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% annually between 2003 and 2007. Korea''s export focused economy was hit hard by the 2008 global economic downturn, but quickly rebounded in subsequent years, reaching 6.3% growth in 2010. The US-South Korea Free Trade Agreement was ratified by both governments in 2011 and went into effect in March 2012. Throughout 2012 the economy experienced sluggish growth because of market slowdowns in the United States, China, and the Eurozone. The incoming administration in 2013, following the December 2012 presidential election, is likely to face the challenges of balancing heavy reliance on exports with developing domestic-oriented sectors, such as services. The South Korean economy''s long term challenges include a rapidly aging population, inflexible labor market, and heavy reliance on exports - which comprise half of GDP.

Exchange rates

South Korean won (KRW) per US dollar - 1,126.47 (2012 est.) 1,108.29 (2011 est.) 1,156.1 (2010 est.) 1,276.93 (2009) 1,101.7 (2008)

Exports

$552.7 billion (2012 est.) $551.8 billion (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

China 24.4%, US 10.1%, Japan 7.1% (2011 est.)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

53.5% 15.8% 26.7% 0.8% 56.5% -53.4% (2012 est.)

exports of goods and services

56.5%

government consumption

15.8%

household consumption

53.5%

imports of goods and services

-53.4%

investment in fixed capital

26.7%

investment in inventories

0.8%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

2.7% 39.8% 57.5% (2012 est.)

agriculture

2.7%

industry

39.8%

services

57.5% (2012 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$31,900 (2012 est.) $31,500 (2011 est.) $30,600 (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

2% (2012 est.) 3.7% (2011 est.) 6.3% (2010 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$1.114 trillion (2012 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$1.598 trillion (2012 est.) $1.566 trillion (2011 est.) $1.51 trillion (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

Gross national saving

31.4% of GDP (2012 est.) 31.9% of GDP (2011 est.) 32.4% of GDP (2010 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

6.4% 37.7% (2011)

highest 10%

37.7% (2011)

lowest 10%

6.4%

Imports

$514.2 billion (2012 est.) $520.1 billion (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

China 16.5%, Japan 13%, US 8.5%, Saudi Arabia 7.1%, Australia 5% (2011 est.)

Industrial production growth rate

1.7% (2012 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.2% (2012 est.) 4% (2011 est.)

Labor force

25.5 million (2012 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

6.2% 23.8% 70% (2012 est.)

agriculture

6.2%

industry

23.8%

services

70% (2012 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$1.024 trillion (31 December 2012) $994.3 billion (31 December 2011) $1.089 trillion (31 December 2010)

Population below poverty line

16.5% (2011 est.)

Public debt

35.1% of GDP (2012 est.) 36.2% of GDP (2011 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$327 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $306.4 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of broad money

$1.596 trillion (31 December 2012) $1.484 trillion (31 December 2011)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$327.5 billion (31 December 2012) $190.4 billion (31 December 2011)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$147.2 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $133.7 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$1.219 trillion (31 December 2012 est.) $1.098 trillion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$392 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $369.6 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

24.8% of GDP (2012 est.)

Unemployment rate

3.2% (2012 est.) 3.4% (2011 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

611 million Mt (2011 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - imports

2.59 million bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - production

61,040 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

NA bbl

Electricity - consumption

455.1 billion kWh (2011 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

71.1% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

1.9% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

20.9% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

1.5% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

84.66 million kW (2010 est.)

Electricity - production

459.5 billion kWh (2011 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

45.9 billion cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2012 est.)

Natural gas - imports

47.31 billion cu m (2012 est.)

Natural gas - production

437 million cu m (2012 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

5.267 billion cu m (1 January 2013 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

2.26 million bbl/day (2012 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

944,700 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

794,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

2.83 million bbl/day (2012 est.)

Broadcast media

multiple national TV 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 available; publicly operated radio broadcast networks and many privately owned radio broadcasting networks, each with multiple affiliates, and independent local stations (2010)

Internet country code

.kr

Internet hosts

315,697 (2012)

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 170 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 (2011)

domestic

fixed-line and mobile-cellular services widely available with a combined telephone subscribership of roughly 170 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 (2011)

Telephones - main lines in use

30.1 million (2012)

Telephones - mobile cellular

53.625 million (2012)

Airports

111 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

23 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

12

2,438 to 3,047 m

19

914 to 1,523 m

13

over 3,047 m

4

total

71

under 914 m

23 (2013)

Airports - with unpaved runways

38 (2013)

914 to 1,523 m

2

total

40

Heliports

466 (2013)

Merchant marine

bulk carrier 191, cargo 235, carrier 8, chemical tanker 130, container 72, liquefied gas 44, passenger 5, passenger/cargo 15, petroleum tanker 55, refrigerated cargo 15, roll on/roll off 10, vehicle carrier 6 31 (China 6, France 2, Japan 14, Taiwan 1, US 8) 457 (Bahamas 1, Cambodia 10, Ghana 1, Honduras 6, Hong Kong 3, Indonesia 2, Kiribati 1, Liberia 2, Malta 2, Marshall Islands 41, North Korea 1, Panama 373, Philippines 1, Russia 1, Singapore 3, Tuvalu 1, unknown 8) (2010)

foreign-owned

31 (China 6, France 2, Japan 14, Taiwan 1, US 8)

registered in other countries

457 (Bahamas 1, Cambodia 10, Ghana 1, Honduras 6, Hong Kong 3, Indonesia 2, Kiribati 1, Liberia 2, Malta 2, Marshall Islands 41, North Korea 1, Panama 373, Philippines 1, Russia 1, Singapore 3, Tuvalu 1, unknown 8) (2010)

total

786

Pipelines

gas 2,216 km; oil 16 km; refined products 889 km (2013)

Ports and terminals

Incheon, Pohang, Busan, Ulsan, Yeosu Busan (16,163,842), Kwangyang (2,061,958), Incheon (1,924,644)

container ports

Busan (16,163,842), Kwangyang (2,061,958), Incheon (1,924,644)

major ports

Incheon, Pohang, Busan, Ulsan, Yeosu

Railways

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

total

3,381 km

Roadways

104,983 km 83,199 km (includes 3,779 km of expressways) 21,784 km (2009)

total

104,983 km

unpaved

21,784 km (2009)

Waterways

1,600 km (most navigable only by small craft) (2011)

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 (2012)

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

Refugees and internally displaced persons

179 (2012)

stateless persons

179 (2012)