| Local name: Daehanminguk |
| Surface :
99,313 sq km (38,345 sq miles, excluding
demilitarised zone). The Republic of Korea (South Korea) shares
borders to the north with the demilitarised zone (separating it from
the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea), to the east with the Sea
of Japan (East Sea), to the south with the Korea Strait (separating it
from Japan), and to the west with the Yellow Sea. There are many
islands, bays and peninsulas in the Korea Strait.
The volcanic island of Cheju-do lies off
the southwest coast. |
| Population :
47,925,318 inhabitants |
| Electricity: 110/220
volts AC, 60Hz. Government policy is to phase out the 110 volt supply
and many hotels now have a 220 volt supply |
| PASSPORTS:
Passport valid for a minimum of 6 months
required by all. VISAS: Required
by all except the following: nationals of EU countries for touristic
and business purposes for stays of up to 3 months (except nationals of
Italy for stays of up to 2 months); nationals of Antigua & Barbuda,
The Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Brazil, Bulgaria, Colombia, Costa
Rica, Czech Republic, Dominica (Commonwealth of), Dominican Republic,
El Salvador, Estonia, Grenada, Haiti, Hungary, Iceland, Israel,
Jamaica, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Morocco, New
Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Peru, Poland, Romania, St Kitts
& Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent & the Grenadines, Singapore,
Slovak Republic, Surinam, Switzerland, Thailand, Trinidad & Tobago
and Turkey for touristic and business purposes for stays of up to 3
months; nationals of Lesotho for touristic and business purposes for
stays of up to 2 months; nationals of Tunisia for touristic and
business purposes for stays of up to 1 month; |
| Climate: Moderate
climate with four seasons. The hottest part of the year is during the
rainy season between July and August, and the coldest is December to
February. Spring and autumn are mild and mainly dry and are generally
considered the best times to visit |
| Capital :
Seoul - Population: 9,853,972 |
| System :
Republic since 1945 - Executive
power is vested in the president, who is head of state and is elected
for a single five-year term by popular vote. Legislation is the
responsibility of the unicameral Kuk Hoe (National Assembly): of the
assembly’s 273 members, 227 are elected in single-seat
constituencies; the remaining 46 are chosen by proportional
representation. Members of the assembly serve four-year terms. |
| Languages : Korean (English
is widely taught and spoken) |
| Religions : Mahayana
Buddhism with a large Christian minority. Also Confucianism and Chundo
Kyo, which is peculiar to Korea and combines elements of Shamanist,
Buddhist and Christian doctrines |
| Money : Won
(W). Notes are in denominations of W10,000, 5000 and 1000. W1000 is
called Chon Won in Korean (chon means ‘one thousand’). Coins are
in denominations of W500, 100, 50 and 10 |
 |
+ 82 |
|
 |
|
+ 9 |
|
|
|
