Country Profile: Korea, South

South Korea, officially known as the Republic of Korea, is located in Eastern Asia on the southern half of the Korean Peninsula, bordered by the Yellow Sea to the west and the Sea of Japan to the east. With a population of over 52 million, South Korea is a high-income, export-oriented economy known for its advanced technology and manufacturing sectors, especially in semiconductors and automobiles. The country is governed as a presidential republic with a strong emphasis on democratic values, though recent political instability has posed challenges to its governance.

Geography

South Korea encompasses a total area of 99,720 sq km, characterized by mostly hilly and mountainous terrain, with a coastline of 2,413 km. The climate is temperate, featuring cold winters and heavy summer rainfall. The country shares a 237 km border with North Korea and has a strategic location enhanced by around 3,000 mostly small islands lying off its coasts.

Highest Point: Halla-san at 1,950 m
Lowest Point: Sea of Japan at 0 m
Land Use: 16.1% agricultural land (2023 est.), 64.4% forested
Natural Resources: Coal, tungsten, graphite

People and Society

As of 2024, South Korea has a population of 52,081,799, predominantly Korean and largely homogeneous. The country boasts a high literacy rate and a substantial urban population, with 81.5% of its residents living in urban areas. The median age is 45.5 years, indicative of an aging population alongside low birth rates.

Major Cities: Seoul (9.988 million), Busan (3.472 million), Incheon (2.849 million)
Life Expectancy: 83.4 years (2024 est.)
Birth Rate: 7 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)
Urbanization Rate: 0.31% (annual change 2020-2025 est.)

Economy

South Korea operates a high-income, technology-driven economy with a real GDP of $2.607 trillion (2023 est.). The economy is primarily driven by the manufacturing sector, particularly electronics and automobiles, but faces challenges from an aging workforce and external export risks.

GDP per Capita: $50,400 (2023 est.)
Unemployment Rate: 2.7% (2024 est.)
GDP Growth Rate: 1.4% (2023 est.)
Exports: Valued at $769.243 billion (2023 est.)
Major Exports: Integrated circuits, cars

Government

The Republic of Korea is characterized by a presidential system where the President serves both as the head of state and government. The current president is LEE Jae-myung, elected in June 2025. The government comprises a National Assembly with 300 members, and the country is divided into 9 provinces and several metropolitan cities.

Constitution: Last amended in 1987
Suffrage: Voting age is 18 years
Political Parties: Major parties include the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) and the People Power Party (PPP)

Military and Security

The South Korean military consists of approximately 500,000 active personnel, primarily focused on external defense against North Korea. Military expenditures are estimated at 2.4% of GDP (2023 est.), and the country maintains a mutual defense treaty with the United States.

Active Personnel: 365,000 Army, 70,000 Navy, 65,000 Air Force (2025)
Military Engagements: UN mission in Lebanon, South Sudan, and operations against piracy
Defense Partner: The US, with 28,000 troops stationed in South Korea

Energy

South Korea has a total installed electricity generating capacity of 151.139 million kW (2023 est.), primarily from fossil fuels and nuclear power. The country's energy sector is marked by significant electricity consumption and a reliance on both imports and domestic production.

Electricity Consumption: 575.359 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Nuclear Energy: Accounts for 30.7% of total electricity production (2023 est.)
Total Petroleum Production: 38,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

Environment

Environmental issues in South Korea include air pollution, acid rain, and water pollution. The country is actively involved in international environmental agreements and is facing challenges related to urbanization and industrial emissions.

Carbon Dioxide Emissions: 644.231 million metric tonnes (2023 est.)
Agricultural Land: 16.1% of total land area (2023 est.)
Recycling Rate: 67.1% of municipal solid waste (2022 est.)

Transportation

South Korea has an extensive transportation network, including 92 airports and 3,979 km of railway. The country also boasts a robust maritime sector with a merchant marine fleet totaling 2,149 vessels.

Airports: 92 (2025)
Merchant Marine: Consists of 2,149 ships (2023)
Main Ports: Busan, Gwangyang, Incheon

Communications

South Korea has a highly developed communication infrastructure, with a significant percentage of the population utilizing mobile and internet services.

Internet Users: 97% of the population (2023 est.)
Mobile Cellular Subscriptions: 83.9 million (2023 est.)
Fixed Line Subscriptions: 22.155 million (2023 est.)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	52,081,799	(2024 est.)
Area	99,720 sq km
GDP	$2.607 trillion	(2023 est.)
Energy Consumption per Capita	234.668 million Btu	(2023 est.)
Birth Rate	7 births/1,000	(2024 est.)
Unemployment Rate	2.7%	(2024 est.)
Life Expectancy at Birth	83.4 years	(2024 est.)
Public Debt	52.3% of GDP	(2023 est.)
Electricity Access	100%	(2022 est.)
Military Expenditures	2.4% of GDP	(2023 est.)