2017 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 US 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 the first civilian president of South Korea's new democratic era. President KIM Dae-jung (1998-2003) won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2000 for his contributions to South Korean democracy and his "Sunshine" policy of engagement with North Korea. President PARK Geun-hye, daughter of former ROK President PARK Chung-hee, took office in February 2013 as South Korea's first female leader. In December 2016, the National Assembly passed an impeachment motion against President PARK over her alleged involvement in a corruption and influence-peddling scandal, immediately suspending her presidential authorities. The impeachment was upheld in March 2017, triggering an early presidential election in May 2017 won by MOON Jae-in. South Korea will host the Winter Olympic Games in February 2018. Discord with North Korea has permeated inter-Korean relations for much of the past decade, highlighted by the North's attacks on a South Korean ship and island in 2010, the exchange of artillery fire across the DMZ in 2015, and multiple nuclear and missile tests in 2016 and 2017.

Area

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

land

96,920 sq km

total

99,720 sq km

water

2,800 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than Pennsylvania; slightly larger than Indiana

Climate

temperate, with rainfall heavier in summer than winter; cold winters

Coastline

2,413 km

Elevation

282 m lowest point: Sea of Japan 0 m highest point: Halla-san 1,950 m

elevation extremes

lowest point: Sea of Japan 0 m

highest point

Halla-san 1,950 m

mean elevation

282 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

Geographic coordinates

37 00 N, 127 30 E

Geography - note

strategic location on Korea Strait; about 3,000 mostly small and uninhabited islands lie off the western and southern coasts

Irrigated land

7,780 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

237 km North Korea 237 km

border countries (1)

North Korea 237 km

total

237 km

Land use

18.1% arable land 15.3%; permanent crops 2.2%; permanent pasture 0.6% 63.9% 18% (2011 est.)

agricultural land

18.1%

forest

63.9%

other

18% (2011 est.)

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

volcanism

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

Natural resources

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

Population - distribution

with approximately 70% of the country considered mountainous, the country's population is primarily concentrated in the lowland areas, where density is quite high; Gyeonggi Province in the northwest, which surrounds the capital of Seoul and contains the port of Incheon, is the most densely populated province; Gangwon in the northeast is the least populated

Terrain

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

Age structure

13.21% (male 3,484,398/female 3,276,984) 12.66% (male 3,415,998/female 3,065,144) 45.52% (male 11,992,462/female 11,303,726) 14.49% (male 3,660,888/female 3,756,947) 14.12% (male 3,080,601/female 4,144,151) (2017 est.)

0-14 years

13.21% (male 3,484,398/female 3,276,984)

15-24 years

12.66% (male 3,415,998/female 3,065,144)

25-54 years

45.52% (male 11,992,462/female 11,303,726)

55-64 years

14.49% (male 3,660,888/female 3,756,947)

65 years and over

14.12% (male 3,080,601/female 4,144,151) (2017 est.)

Birth rate

8.3 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

0.7% (2010)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

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

note

percent of women aged 15-44 (2009)

Death rate

6 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Dependency ratios

36.7 17.7 5.6 (2015 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

17.7

potential support ratio

5.6 (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

36.7

youth dependency ratio

19

Drinking water source

urban: 99.7% of population rural: 87.9% of population total: 97.8% of population urban: 0.3% of population rural: 12.1% of population total: 2.2% of population (2012 est.)

rural

12.1% of population

total

2.2% of population (2012 est.)

urban

0.3% of population

Education expenditures

4.6% of GDP (2012)

Ethnic groups

homogeneous

Health expenditures

7.4% of GDP (2014)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Hospital bed density

10.3 beds/1,000 population (2009)

Infant mortality rate

3 deaths/1,000 live births 3.2 deaths/1,000 live births 2.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

female

2.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

male

3.2 deaths/1,000 live births

total

3 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

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

Life expectancy at birth

82.5 years 79.3 years 85.8 years (2017 est.)

female

85.8 years (2017 est.)

male

79.3 years

total population

82.5 years

Major urban areas - population

SEOUL (capital) 9.774 million; Busan (Pusan) 3.216 million; Incheon (Inch'on) 2.685 million; Daegu (Taegu) 2.244 million; Daejon (Taejon) 1.564 million; Gwangju (Kwangju) 1.536 million (2015)

Maternal mortality ratio

11 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

Median age

41.8 years 40.2 years 43.4 years (2017 est.)

female

43.4 years (2017 est.)

male

40.2 years

total

41.8 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

31 years (2014 est.)

Nationality

Korean(s) Korean

adjective

Korean

noun

Korean(s)

Net migration rate

2.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

4.7% (2016)

Physicians density

2.23 physicians/1,000 population (2014)

Population

51,181,299 (July 2017 est.)

Population distribution

with approximately 70% of the country considered mountainous, the country's population is primarily concentrated in the lowland areas, where density is quite high; Gyeonggi Province in the northwest, which surrounds the capital of Seoul and contains the port of Incheon, is the most densely populated province; Gangwon in the northeast is the least populated

Population growth rate

0.48% (2017 est.)

Religions

Protestant 19.7%, Buddhist 15.5%, Catholic 7.9%, none 56.9% many people practice Confucianism, regardless of their religion or not having a religious affiliation (2015 est.)

note

many people practice Confucianism, regardless of their religion or not having a religious affiliation (2015 est.)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2015 est.)

rural

0% of population

total

0% of population (2015 est.)

urban

0% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

17 years 17 years 16 years (2013)

female

16 years (2013)

male

17 years

total

17 years

Sex ratio

1.07 male(s)/female 1.07 male(s)/female 1.12 male(s)/female 1.06 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female 0.71 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

0-14 years

1.07 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.12 male(s)/female

25-54 years

1.06 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.98 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.71 male(s)/female

at birth

1.07 male(s)/female

total population

1 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.26 children born/woman (2017 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

10.7% 11% 10.5% (2016 est.)

female

10.5% (2016 est.)

male

11%

total

10.7%

Urbanization

82.7% of total population (2017) 0.55% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

rate of urbanization

0.55% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

urban population

82.7% of total population (2017)

Administrative divisions

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

metropolitan cities

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

provinces

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

special city

Seoul

special self-governing city

Sejong

Capital

Seoul; note - Sejong, located some 120 km (75 mi) south of Seoul, is being developed as a new capital 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; note - Sejong, located some 120 km (75 mi) south of Seoul, is being developed as a new capital

time difference

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

Citizenship

no at least one parent must be a citizen of South Korea no 5 years

citizenship by birth

no

citizenship by descent only

at least one parent must be a citizen of South Korea

dual citizenship recognized

no

residency requirement for naturalization

5 years

Constitution

effective 17 July 1948; amended many times, last in 1987 (2017)

Country name

Republic of Korea South Korea Taehan-min'guk Han'guk ROK derived from the Chinese name for Goryeo, which was the Korean dynasty that united the peninsula in the 10th century A.D.; the South Korean name "Han'guk" means "Land of the Han," where "han" may have its origins in the native root for "great [leader]" (similar to the title "khan")

abbreviation

ROK

conventional long form

Republic of Korea

conventional short form

South Korea

etymology

derived from the Chinese name for Goryeo, which was the Korean dynasty that united the peninsula in the 10th century A.D.; the South Korean name "Han'guk" means "Land of the Han," where "han" may have its origins in the native root for "great [leader]" (similar to the title "khan")

local long form

Taehan-min'guk

local short form

Han'guk

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Marc KNAPPER (since 20 January 2017) 188 Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul 110-710 US Embassy Seoul, Unit [82] (2) 397-4114 [82] (2) 725-0152

chief of mission

Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Marc KNAPPER (since 20 January 2017)

embassy

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

FAX

[82] (2) 725-0152

mailing address

US Embassy Seoul, Unit

telephone

[82] (2) 397-4114

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador CHO Yoon-je (since 29 November 2017) 2450 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 939-5600 [1] (202) 797-0595 Agana (Guam), Anchorage (AK), Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Seattle

chancery

2450 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador CHO Yoon-je (since 29 November 2017)

consulate(s) general

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

FAX

[1] (202) 797-0595

telephone

[1] (202) 939-5600

Executive branch

President MOON Jae-in (since 10 May 2017); note - President PARK Geun-hye (since 25 February 2013) was impeached by the National Assembly on 9 December 2016; PARK's impeachment was upheld by the Constitutional Court and she was removed from office on 9 March 2017 Prime Minister LEE Nak-yon (since 1 June 2017); Deputy Prime Ministers KIM Dong-yeon (since 9 June 2017), KIM Sang-kon (since 4 July 2017) State Council appointed by the president on the prime minister's recommendation president directly elected by simple majority popular vote for a single 5-year term; election last held on 9 May 2017 (next to be held in 2022); prime minister appointed by president with consent of National Assembly MOON Jae-in elected president; percent of vote - MOON Jae-in (DP) 41.1%, HONG Joon-pyo (LKP) 25.5%, AHN Cheol-soo (PP) 21.4%, other 12.0%

cabinet

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

chief of state

President MOON Jae-in (since 10 May 2017); note - President PARK Geun-hye (since 25 February 2013) was impeached by the National Assembly on 9 December 2016; PARK's impeachment was upheld by the Constitutional Court and she was removed from office on 9 March 2017

election results

MOON Jae-in elected president; percent of vote - MOON Jae-in (DP) 41.1%, HONG Joon-pyo (LKP) 25.5%, AHN Cheol-soo (PP) 21.4%, other 12.0%

elections/appointments

president directly elected by simple majority popular vote for a single 5-year term; election last held on 9 May 2017 (next to be held in 2022); prime minister appointed by president with consent of National Assembly

head of government

Prime Minister LEE Nak-yon (since 1 June 2017); Deputy Prime Ministers KIM Dong-yeon (since 9 June 2017), KIM Sang-kon (since 4 July 2017)

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 South 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

presidential 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, Arctic Council (observer), ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS, CD, CICA, CP, EAS, EBRD, FAO, FATF, G-20, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAIA (observer), MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE (partner), Pacific Alliance (observer), Paris Club (associate), PCA, PIF (partner), SAARC (observer), SICA (observer), UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, 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 under the District 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 under the District 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 Kuk Hoe (300 seats; 246 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 54 directly elected in a single national constituency by proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms) last held on 13 April 2016 (next to be held in 2020) percent of vote by party - NFP 33.5%, PP 26.7%, MPK 25.5%, JP 7.2%, other 7.1%; seats by party - MPK 123, NFP 122, PP 38, JP 6, independent 11 as of January 2018, seats by party - DP 121, LKP 118, PP 39, BP 9, JP 6, MP 1, Patriotic Party 1, independent 2, vacant 3

description

unicameral National Assembly or Kuk Hoe (300 seats; 246 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 54 directly elected in a single national constituency by proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms)

election results

percent of vote by party - NFP 33.5%, PP 26.7%, MPK 25.5%, JP 7.2%, other 7.1%; seats by party - MPK 123, NFP 122, PP 38, JP 6, independent 11

elections

last held on 13 April 2016 (next to be held in 2020)

note

as of January 2018, seats by party - DP 121, LKP 118, PP 39, BP 9, JP 6, MP 1, Patriotic Party 1, independent 2, vacant 3

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's 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)

note

adopted 1948, well-known by 1910; both North Korea's and South Korea's anthems share the same name and have a vaguely similar melody but have different lyrics

National holiday

Liberation Day, 15 August (1945)

National symbol(s)

taegeuk (yin yang symbol), Hibiscus syriacus (Rose of Sharon); national colors: red, white, blue, black

taegeuk (yin yang symbol), Hibiscus syriacus (Rose of Sharon); national colors

red, white, blue, black

Political parties and leaders

Bareun Party or BP [YOO Seong-min] (split from the NFP) Democratic Party or DP [CHOO Mi-ae] (renamed from Minjoo Party of Korea or MPK in October 2016; formerly New Politics Alliance for Democracy or NPAD, which was a merger of the Democratic Party or DP (formerly DUP) [KIM Han-gil] and the New Political Vision Party or NPVP [AHN Cheol-soo] in March 2014) Justice Party or JP [SIM Sang-jeong] Liberty Korea Party or LKP [HONG Joon-pyo] (formerly the New Frontier Party (NFP) or Saenuri and before that the Grand National Party [HONG Joon-Pyo]) Minjung Party or MP (formed from the merger of the New People's Party (formerly the New People's Political Party or NPP) and the People's United Party or PUP) Patriotic Party People's Party or PP [AHN Cheol-soo] Saenuri Party [CHUNG Kwang-Taek) (split from Liberty Korea Party in April 2017)

Political pressure groups and leaders

Christian Council of Korea Citizen's Coalition for Economic Justice Federation of Korean Trade Unions Korea Women's Association United Korea Women's Hotline Korean Confederation of Trade Unions Korean Veterans' Association Lawyers for a Democratic Society National Council of Churches in Korea 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

$351.6 billion $338 billion (2017 est.)

expenditures

$338 billion (2017 est.)

revenues

$351.6 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

0.9% of GDP (2017 est.)

Central bank discount rate

1.25% (31 December 2016 est.) 1.5% (31 December 2015 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

3.4% (31 December 2017 est.) 3.37% (31 December 2016 est.)

Current account balance

$85.14 billion (2017 est.) $98.68 billion (2016 est.)

Debt - external

$376.9 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $358.2 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

34.1 (2015 est.) 34.1 (2014 est.)

Economy - overview

After emerging from the 1950-53 war with North Korea, South Korea emerged as one of the 20th century’s most remarkable economic success stories, becoming a developed, globally connected, high-technology society within decades. In the 1960s, GDP per capita was comparable with levels in the poorest countries in the world. In 2004, South Korea joined the trillion-dollar club of world economies. Beginning in the 1960s under President PARK Chung-hee, the government promoted the import of raw materials and technology, encouraged saving and investment over consumption, kept wages low, and directed resources to export-oriented industries that remain important to the economy to this day. Growth surged under these policies, and frequently reached double-digits in the 1960s and 1970s. Growth gradually moderated in the 1990s as the economy matured, but remained strong enough to propel South Korea into the ranks of the advanced economies of the OECD by 1997. These policies also led to the emergence of family-owned chaebol conglomerates such as Daewoo, Hyundai, and Samsung, which retained their dominant positions even as the government loosened its grip on the economy amid the political changes of the 1980s and 1990s. The Asian financial crisis of 1997-98 hit South Korea’s companies hard because of their excessive reliance on short-term borrowing, and GDP ultimately plunged by 7% in 1998. South Korea tackled difficult economic reforms following the crisis, including restructuring some chaebols, increasing labor market flexibility, and opening up to more foreign investment and imports. These steps lead to a relatively rapid economic recovery. South Korea also began expanding its network of free trade agreements to help bolster exports, and has since implemented 16 free trade agreements covering 58 countries—including the United State and China—that collectively cover more than three-quarters of global GDP. In 2017, the election of President MOON Jae-in brought a surge in consumer confidence, in part, because of his successful efforts to increase wages and government spending. These factors combined with an uptick in export growth to drive real GDP growth to more than 3%, despite disruptions in South Korea’s trade with China over the deployment of a US missile defense system in South Korea. In 2018 and beyond, South Korea will contend with gradually slowing economic growth - in the 2-3% range - not uncommon for advanced economies. This could be partially offset by efforts to address challenges arising from its rapidly aging population, inflexible labor market, continued dominance of the chaebols, and heavy reliance on exports rather than domestic consumption. Socioeconomic problems also persist, and include rising inequality, poverty among the elderly, high youth unemployment, long working hours, low worker productivity, and corruption.

Exchange rates

South Korean won (KRW) per US dollar - 1,136.7 (2017 est.) 1,160.77 (2016 est.) 1,160.77 (2015 est.) 1,130.95 (2014 est.) 1,052.96 (2013 est.)

Exports

$552.3 billion (2017 est.) $511.8 billion (2016 est.)

Exports - commodities

semiconductors, petrochemicals, automobile/auto parts, ships, wireless communication equipment, flat displays, steel, electronics, plastics, computers

Exports - partners

China 25.1%, US 13.5%, Vietnam 6.6%, Hong Kong 6.6%, Japan 4.9% (2016)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

47.8% 15.2% 29.4% 0.3% 43.9% -36.7% (2017 est.)

exports of goods and services

43.9%

government consumption

15.2%

household consumption

47.8%

imports of goods and services

-36.7% (2017 est.)

investment in fixed capital

29.4%

investment in inventories

0.3%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

2.2% 38.8% 59.1% (2017 est.)

agriculture

2.2%

industry

38.8%

services

59.1% (2017 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$39,400 (2017 est.) $38,400 (2016 est.) $37,500 (2015 est.) data are in 2017 dollars

note

data are in 2017 dollars

GDP - real growth rate

3% (2017 est.) 2.8% (2016 est.) 2.8% (2015 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$1.53 trillion (2016 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$2.027 trillion (2017 est.) $1.967 trillion (2016 est.) $1.913 trillion (2015 est.) data are in 2017 dollars

note

data are in 2017 dollars

Gross national saving

37.2% of GDP (2017 est.) 36.2% of GDP (2016 est.) 36.6% of GDP (2015 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

6.8% 48.5% (2015 est.)

highest 10%

48.5% (2015 est.)

lowest 10%

6.8%

Imports

$448.4 billion (2017 est.) $391.3 billion (2016 est.)

Imports - commodities

crude oil/petroleum products, semiconductors, natural gas, coal, steel, computers, wireless communication equipment, automobiles, fine chemicals, textiles

Imports - partners

China 21.4%, Japan 11.7%, US 10.7%, Germany 4.7% (2016)

Industrial production growth rate

3.5% (2017 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

1.9% (2017 est.) 1% (2016 est.)

Labor force

27.47 million (2017 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

4.9% 24.1% 71% (2016 est.)

agriculture

4.9%

industry

24.1%

services

71% (2016 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$1.305 trillion (31 December 2016 est.) $1.28 trillion (31 December 2015 est.) $1.269 trillion (31 December 2014 est.)

Population below poverty line

12.5% (2015 est.)

Public debt

43.3% of GDP (2017 est.) 45.6% of GDP (2016 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$374.8 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $371.1 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

Stock of broad money

$2.167 trillion (31 December 2017 est.) $1.993 trillion (31 December 2016 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$342.4 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $310.3 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$193.6 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $185 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$2.683 trillion (31 December 2017 est.) $2.515 trillion (31 December 2016 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$742.5 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $658.7 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

23% of GDP (2017 est.)

Unemployment rate

3.8% (2017 est.) 3.7% (2016 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

599.3 million Mt (2014 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Crude oil - imports

2.942 million bbl/day (2016 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

NA bbl (1 January 2017 es)

Electricity - consumption

497 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

67.1% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

1.7% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

21.1% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

7.2% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

103 million kW (2015 est.)

Electricity - production

528.1 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity access

100% (2016)

electrification - total population

100% (2016)

Natural gas - consumption

69.63 billion cu m (2015 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2014 est.)

Natural gas - imports

43.43 billion cu m (2015 est.)

Natural gas - production

188 million cu m (2015 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

7.079 billion cu m (1 January 2017 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

2.63 million bbl/day (2016 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

1.343 million bbl/day (2016 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

935,500 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

3.114 million bbl/day (2016 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 (2017)

Internet country code

.kr

Internet users

44.153 million 89.9% (July 2016 est.)

percent of population

89.9% (July 2016 est.)

total

44.153 million

Telephone system

excellent domestic and international services featuring rapid incorporation of new technologies fixed-line and mobile-cellular services widely available with the latter subscribership up to about 120 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 (2016)

domestic

fixed-line and mobile-cellular services widely available with the latter subscribership up to about 120 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 (2016)

Telephones - fixed lines

28,035,600 55 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

55 (July 2016 est.)

total subscriptions

28,035,600

Telephones - mobile cellular

58.935 million 120 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

120 (July 2016 est.)

total

58.935 million

Airports

111 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

23 (2017)

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 (2017)

Airports - with unpaved runways

38 (2013)

914 to 1,523 m

2

total

40

under 914 m

38 (2013)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

HL (2016)

Heliports

466 (2013)

Merchant marine

1,907 bulk carrier 100, container ship 89, general cargo 394, oil tanker 201, other 1,123 (2017)

by type

bulk carrier 100, container ship 89, general cargo 394, oil tanker 201, other 1,123 (2017)

total

1,907

National air transport system

65,482,307 11.297 billion mt-km (2015)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers

11.297 billion mt-km (2015)

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers

65,482,307

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

348

number of registered air carriers

12

Pipelines

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

Ports and terminals

Busan, Incheon, Gunsan, Kwangyang, Mokpo, Pohang, Ulsan, Yeosu Busan (19,469,000), Kwangyang (2,327,000), Incheon (2,368,000) (2015) Incheon, Kwangyang, Pyeongtaek, Samcheok, Tongyeong, Yeosu

container port(s) (TEUs)

Busan (19,469,000), Kwangyang (2,327,000), Incheon (2,368,000) (2015)

LNG terminal(s) (import)

Incheon, Kwangyang, Pyeongtaek, Samcheok, Tongyeong, Yeosu

major seaport(s)

Busan, Incheon, Gunsan, Kwangyang, Mokpo, Pohang, Ulsan, Yeosu

Railways

3,874 km 3,874 km 1.435-m gauge (2,727 km electrified) (2015)

standard gauge

3,874 km 1.435-m gauge (2,727 km electrified) (2015)

total

3,874 km

Roadways

99,025 km 91,195 km (includes 4,193 km of expressways) 7,830 km (2015)

paved

91,195 km (includes 4,193 km of expressways)

total

99,025 km

unpaved

7,830 km (2015)

Waterways

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

Military branches

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

Military expenditures

2.3% of GDP (2016) 2.3% of GDP (2015) 2.64% of GDP (2014) 2.63% of GDP (2013) 2.61% of GDP (2012)

Military service age and obligation

18-35 years of age for compulsory military service, with middle school education required; minimum 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 (2017)

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

197 (2016)

stateless persons

197 (2016)