About South Korea

	Enlarge
South Korean Flag

South Korea is located on the southern half of the Korean Peninsula, bordered by North Korea to the North, the Yellow Sea to the west and the Sea of Japan to the east. The country's total area is 99,720 square kilometers – slightly larger than the US state of Indiana – and it has 2,413 kilometers of coastline.

Korea was first unified from three states in the 7th century CE and existed as a single country until the early 20th century. In 1905 Korea became a protectorate of Japan and was annexed as a colony in 1910. The country regained its independence in 1945 and split into two republics: the Republic of Korea in the south, and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in the north.

Kotra	Enlarge
Kyungbok Royal Palace in Seoul

The country's population is over 48 million and its population density is more than 10 times the global average, but its birth rate and population growth rate are among the lowest in the world. South Korea is one of the world's most homogeneous nations, with 99% of the population ethnically Korean. Christianity and Buddhism are the most prevalent religions, although nearly half the population identifies itself as having no religion.

South Korea at a Glance

Airports: Incheon International Airport (Seoul); Gimpo Airport, Jeju Airport.

Capital City: Seoul

Cities (Major): Seoul, Busan, Incheon, Daegu, Daejeon, Gwangju, Ulsan

Courier Companies: Brink's

Currency: South Korean won (KRW)

Diamond Trade Shows: Jewelry Fair  Korea http://www.jewelfair.com/main_en

Driver's License: An international driver's license is valid for one year.

Electrical Current: 220V, 60 Hz.

Internet Domain Ending: .kr

Official Languages: Korean

Public Holidays: Holidays in Korea fall into three categories: Public Days Off, National Celebration Days or National Flag Raising Days

Telephone Code: +82 (Seoul 02; Busan 051, Incheon 032, Daegu 053, Daejeon 042, Gwangju 062, Ulsan 052)

Time Zone: Greenwich Mean Time +9

Weather: South Korea has both a humid continental climate and a humid subtropical climate. Summer sees heavier rainfall than winter. Inland winters can be extremely cold, but the average January temperature in Seoul ranges from -7°C to 1°C, while August sees average temperatures of 22°C- to 30°C.

 

Kotra	Enlarge
South Korean Street

Useful Websites

Israeli Embassy in Seoul

Economic Mission of Israel in South Korea

Invest in Israel Investment Promotion Center in Seoul

The Israel-Asia Center