The South Korea population is around 49 million.

This makes the population density 480 per square

kilometer. Seoul, the national capital, is one of the most populated cities in the world with a population of
well over 10 million. From1970 to the 1990s the country went through economic expansion and during this
time rapid migration took place in urban areas. The other populated cities in South Korea are Busan,
Incheon, Daegu, Daejeon, Gwangju, and Ulsan. The majority of the South Korean population is
concentrated to the northwest of the country.

According to the South Korean National Statistical Office around 25 million people do not express any
religious belief. Of the remaining South Korea population the majority are either Christians or Buddhists.
There are other religious groups like the Jeungsando and Wonbuddhism. Yoido Full Gospel Church is the
largest Christian church in South Korea with 780,000 members. It is located in Seoul. Seoul is also home to
some of the largest churches in the world.

The South Korea population mostly shares a common heritage both ethnically and linguistically. The only
exception is a small group of Chinese community who follows their own tradition and culture. South Korea
population has witnessed migration of a large number of South Koreans mostly to United States and
Canada. But improvement in political and economic status has been able to bring down the process of
emigration.

The population of South Korea has seen an increase in the number of the non-Koreans in the country.
According to statistics, there were 378,000 non-Koreans in April 2005. But more than half of this population
had an unauthorized entry to the country. They are mostly from South and Southeast Asian countries,
Nigeria, and former Soviet Union countries. The birth rate in South Korea is around 10 births per 1000
population while the death rate is approximately 5.85 deaths per 1000 population.

South Korea is located in East Asia, on the southern half of the Korean Peninsula jutting
out from the far east of the Asian land mass.

The only country with a land border to South Korea is North Korea, lying to the north
with 238 km of border running along the DMZ. South Korea is mostly surrounded by
water and has 2,413 km of coast line along three seas. To the west, is the Yellow Sea, to
the south is the East China Sea, and to the east is Ulleung-do and Dokdo (Liancourt
Rocks) in the East Sea (Sea of Japan). Geographically, South Korea's land mass is
approximately 100,032 square kilometres[1] 290 square kilometres of South Korea are
occupied by water. The approximate coordinates are 37° North, 127° 30 East.
 Economy of South Korea

The economy of South Korea is a developed,[5] largely free-market economy that is the fourth
largest in Asia and 15th largest in the world. South Korea's transformation into a developed
country between 1960 and 1980 was called the Miracle on the Han River by Koreans. The nation
was considered to be one of the "Asian Tigers".

Today, South Korea is classified as a high income economy by the World Bank and an advanced
economy by the IMF and CIA. South Korea's capital, Seoul, is a major global city and a leading
international financial centre in Asia.[6] South Korea has the smallest gaps between the rich and
the poor in high income Asian economies.[7][8][9]

An extremely competitive education system and a highly skilled and motivated workforce are two
key factors driving this knowledge economy that has the world's highest scientific literacy[10]
and second highest mathematical literacy.[10]

It boasts the world's highest broadband internet access per capita.[11] In 2007, the Economist
Intelligence Unit ranked South Korea's IT Industry Competitiveness among the top three in the
world.[12]

South Korea's economy relies heavily on exports and is the eleventh largest exporter. It is home
to many well known global conglomerates such as Samsung, Hyundai-Kia, LG and SK.

In the second quarter of 2009, South Korea’s economy expanded 2.6 percent from the previous
three months, The economy has achieved the highest growth rates among OECD countries as
support from the government and the central bank bore fruit.[13]

Economy of South Korea

Currency South Korean Won (W)

Fiscal year Calendar year
Trade APEC, WTO and OECD
organizations
Statistics [1]
GDP (PPP) $1.342 trillion (2008)
GDP (Nominal) $947.0 billion (2008)
GDP (PPP) per $27,646 (2008)
capita
GDP world 13th (PPP) (2008); 15th
ranking (nominal) (2008);
GDP growth 2.2% (2008)
GDP by sector agriculture (3.0%), industry
(39.5%), services (57.6%)
(2008 est.)
Inflation 4.7% (2008 est.)
Labour force 24.35 million (2008 est.)
Labour force by agriculture (7.2%), industry
occupation (25.1%), services (67.7%)
(2008 est.)
Unemployment 3.2% (2008 est.)
Main industries electronics, automobile
production, chemicals,
shipbuilding, steel, textiles,
clothing, footwear, food
processing, treatment
Trading Partners [2]
Exports $433.5 billion (2008)
Main Export the People's Republic of
Partners China 25.5%, U.S. 10.9%,
Japan 6.4% (2008)
Imports $427.4 billion (2008)
Main Import The People's Republic of
Partners China 19.2%, Japan 15.1%,
U.S. 8.8%, Saudi Arabia
6.1% (2008)
Public finances [3]
Public debt 24.4% of GDP (2008)
External debt $381.1 billion (2008)
Domestic credit $937.0 billion (2008)
Reserves of $264.2 billion (October
foreign exchange 2009) [4]
Revenues $227.5 billion (2008)
Expenditures $216.7 billion (2008)
Economic aid ODA, $745 million (2005)
 South Korean won
대한민국 원 (Hangul)
大韓民國 圓 1 (Hanja)

Currently circulating coins and banknotes

The won (원) (sign: ₩; code: KRW) is the currency of South Korea. A single won is divided into
100 jeon, the monetary subunit. The jeon is no longer used for everyday transactions, and appears
only in foreign exchange rates.
On June 23, 2009, the Bank of Korea released the 50,000 Won note. The obverse bears a portrait of Shin Saimdang, a prominent 16th-
century artist, calligrapher, and mother of Confucian scholar Yulgok, also known as Yi I, who is on the 5,000 Won note. This note is
the first Korean banknote that features the portrait of a woman.[15] 100,000 won notes were also announced, but their release was later
canceled.[16] The release of the 50,000 won note stirred some controversy among shop owners and those with visual impairments.[17]

2006-2007 Series [9] (Korean)

Image Description
Main Date of BOK Series
Value Dimensions
Color issue Designation
Obverse Reverse Obverse Reverse Watermark

Yi Hwang, "Gyesangjeonggeodo"; Reversed

January
136 × Myeongryundang in a painting Yi Hwang in portrait, Series III
₩1000 Blue 22,
68 mm Seonggyungwan, Dosan Seowon by Jeong value (다)
2007
plum flowers Seon

₩5000 142 × Red Yi I, Ojukheon in "Insects and Plants", a January Series V (마)
68 mm and Gangneung, black painting of a 2, 2006
yellow bamboo watermelon and
cockscombs by Yi I's
mother Shin Saimdang
 Sejong the Great,
Irworobongdo, a
folding screen for
Globe of
Joseon-era kings,
Honcheonsigye and January
₩10 00 148 × and text from the Series VI
Green Cheonsang Yeolcha 22,
0 68 mm second chapter of (바)
Bunyajido in the 2007
Yongbieocheonga,
background
the first work of
literature written in
Korean

Shin Saimdang with

Chochungdo - A
Folding Screen of
Orange June
₩50 00 154 × Embroidered Plants Bamboo and a maesil Series VI
and 23,
0 68 mm and Insects (South tree (바)
Yellow 2009
Korean National
Treasure No. 595)
in the background
Education in South Korea is viewed crucial for success and competition is consequently very
heated and fierce.[1][2] A centralized administration oversees the process for the education of
children from kindergarten to the third and final year of high school. Mathematics, science,
Korean, social studies, and English are generally considered to be the most important subjects.
[citation needed] Sometimes physical education is not considered important as it is not regarded
to be education and therefore many schools lack high-quality gymnasiums and varsity athletics.
[citation needed] South Korea was the first country in the world to provide high-speed internet
access from every primary, junior, and high school.[3]

The school year is divided into two semesters. The first begins in the beginning of March and
ends in mid-July; the second begins in late August and ends in mid-February. They have summer
vacation from mid-July to late August, and winter vacation from late-December to early
February, and also take a short vacation from mid-February to March 1. The schedules are
generally standardized, however it can vary slightly from region to region.[citation needed]
Country Interest Rate Growth Rate Inflation Rate Jobless Rate Current Account Exchange Rate
South Korea 2.00% 0.90% 2.40% 3.50% 4945 1176.0000

SOUTH KOREA GDP GROWTH RATE

South Korea Gross Domestic Product (GDP) expanded 0.90% over the last 4 quarters. The South Korea Gross
Domestic Product is worth 929 billion dollars or 1.50% of the world economy, according to the World Bank. Since
the 1960s, South Korea has achieved an incredible record of growth and integration into the high-tech modern
world economy. An extremely competitive education system and a highly skilled and motivated workforce are two
key factors driving this knowledge economy. In recent years, Korea's economy moved away from the centrally
planned, government-directed investment model toward a more market-oriented one. Economists are concerned
that South Korea's economic growth potential has fallen because of a rapidly aging population and structural
problems that are becoming increasingly apparent. This page includes: South Korea GDP Growth Rate chart,
historical data, forecast and news.

Year Mar Jun Sep Dec Average

2009 -4.20 -2.20 0.90 -1.83
2008 5.50 4.30 3.10 -3.40 2.38
2007 4.50 5.30 4.90 5.70 5.10
2006 6.10 5.10 5.00 4.60 5.20

Read more: http://www.tradingeconomics.com/Economics/GDP-Growth.aspx?Symbol=KRW#ixzz0b8nJ1XV2

SOUTH KOREA GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT (GDP)
South Korea Gross Domestic Product (GDP) chart, historical data, forecast and news. South Korea Gross
Domestic Product (GDP) expanded 0.90% over the last 4 quarters. The South Korea Gross Domestic Product is
worth 929 billion dollars or 1.50% of the world economy, according to the World Bank. Since the 1960s, South
Korea has achieved an incredible record of growth and integration into the high-tech modern world economy. An
extremely competitive education system and a highly skilled and motivated workforce are two key factors driving
this knowledge economy. In recent years, Korea's economy moved away from the centrally planned, government-
directed investment model toward a more market-oriented one. Economists are concerned that South Korea's
economic growth potential has fallen because of a rapidly aging population and structural problems that are
becoming increasingly apparent.

Year Value
2008 929.12
2007 1049.24
2006 951.77

Read more: http://www.tradingeconomics.com/Economics/GDP.aspx?Symbol=KRW#ixzz0b8o0x7FU

SOUTH KOREA EXPORTS

South Korea Exports chart, historical data, forecast and news. South Korea relies largely upon exports to fuel the
growth of its economy. The most important exports are finished products such electronics, semiconductors, LCD
panel, mobile phone, computers related, television, motor vehicle, steel, ships and petrochemicals. Main export
partners are China, European Union, U.S. and Japan.
Year Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Total
2009 21130.6 25397.2 27884.1 30325.4 27807.8 32555.8 31977.5 28940.7 34506.8 33956.5 34270.0 328752.5
2008 32274.6 31178.2 35991.8 37850.3 39383.2 37258.6 40961.2 36610.6 37428.3 37111.1 28841.6 27117.9 422007.3
2007 28229.0 26225.1 30385.8 29944.5 31039.9 32000.1 30207.4 30998.1 29323.5 34433.8 35807.9 33030.3 371625.5
2006 23419.0 23956.0 27035.0 25774.0 28005.0 28268.0 26126.0 27708.0 29933.0 28280.0 30936.0 29174.0 328614.0

Read more: http://www.tradingeconomics.com/Economics/Exports.aspx?Symbol=KRW#ixzz0b8oHDFKb

SOUTH KOREA IMPORTS

South Korea Imports chart, historical data, forecast and news. South Korea imports mainly machinery, electronics
and electronic equipment, oil, steel, transport equipment, organic chemicals and plastics. Its principal import
partners are: China, Japan, United States, European Union and Saudi Arabia.

Year Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Total
2009 24928.1 22591.7 23889.7 24797.5 23328.1 25598.1 27641.1 27406.3 29795.4 30325.8 30223.0 290524.7
2008 36318.0 32624.3 37110.6 38260.4 38704.5 37827.9 42952.5 40420.5 39528.1 36098.8 28853.7 26575.6 435274.7
2007 27560.1 25406.2 29295.5 29596.9 29856.9 28508.1 29223.2 29642.1 27193.6 32741.2 33926.1 33895.9 356845.7
2006 23089.3 23507.8 25945.0 24485.8 26210.4 26023.5 25549.7 27029.5 27636.6 25621.8 26765.1 27518.2 309382.6

Read more: http://www.tradingeconomics.com/Economics/Imports.aspx?Symbol=KRW#ixzz0b8p7qFKN

SOUTH KOREA INFLATION RATE

South Korea inflation rate stands at 2.40 percent year-over-year. Inflation rate refers to a general rise in prices
measured against a standard level of purchasing power. The most well known measures of Inflation are the CPI
which measures consumer prices, and the GDP deflator, which measures inflation in the whole of the domestic
economy. Since the 1960s, South Korea has achieved an incredible record of growth and integration into the high-
tech modern world economy. An extremely competitive education system and a highly skilled and motivated
workforce are two key factors driving this knowledge economy. In recent years, Korea's economy moved away
from the centrally planned, government-directed investment model toward a more market-oriented one.
Economists are concerned that South Korea's economic growth potential has fallen because of a rapidly aging
population and structural problems that are becoming increasingly apparent. This page includes: South Korea
Inflation Rate chart, historical data, forecast and news.

Year Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
2009 3.75 4.10 3.88 3.59 2.74 1.99 1.62 2.16 2.16 1.98 2.40
2008 3.89 3.58 3.94 4.12 4.88 5.55 5.91 5.61 5.11 4.82 4.53 4.14
2007 1.68 2.17 2.16 2.45 2.35 2.55 2.54 2.04 2.32 3.02 3.52 3.61
2006 2.22 2.01 2.00 2.00 2.30 2.41 2.40 2.69 2.48 2.19 2.10 2.09

Read more: http://www.tradingeconomics.com/Economics/Inflation-CPI.aspx?Symbol=KRW#ixzz0b8pmTAHv

Unemployment rate: 3.2% (2008 est.)
3.3% (2007 est.)

Year Unemployment rate Rank Percent Change Date of Information

200
3.10 % 166 2002 est.
3
200
3.40 % 165 9.68 % 2003 est.
4
200
3.60 % 32 5.88 % 2004 est.
5
200
3.70 % 33 2.78 % 2005 est.
6
200
3.30 % 33 -10.81 % December 2006 est.
7
200
3.30 % 38 0.00 % 2007 est.
8
200
3.20 % 37 -3.03 % 2008 est.
9

Investment (gross fixed): 27.1% of GDP (2008 est.)

Year Investment (gross fixed) Rank Percent Change Date of Information

200
29.6 17 2003
4
200
28.7 18 -3.04 % 2004 est.
5
200
29.3 15 2.09 % 2005 est.
6
200
28.4 24 -3.07 % 2006 est.
7
200
28.8 30 1.41 % 2007 est.
8
200
27.1 38 -5.90 % 2008 est
9