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Overview
The Korean peninsula was unified under Silla in 668, ruled for five centuries by Joseon, colonized by Japan (1910 – 1945) and divided in 1945. South Korea's postwar 'Miracle on the Han' produced Samsung, K-pop and one of the world's most advanced economies.
Basic Information
CapitalSeoul
Population52 million
Area100,363 km²
CurrencySouth Korean won (KRW)
LanguagesKorean
RegionEast Asia
History Timeline
- 668Silla unifies the peninsula
- 918 – 1392Goryeo dynasty
- 1392 – 1897Joseon dynasty
- 1910 – 1945Japanese colonial rule
- 1950 – 1953Korean War
- 1987Democratization
Ancient Peoples
- Gojoseon
- Three Kingdoms peoples
Ancient Kingdoms
- Goguryeo
- Baekje
- Silla
- Goryeo
- Joseon
Empires
- Empire of Japan (as colony)
Religions
- Buddhism
- Christianity
- Confucianism
- Shamanism
Culture
Hangul alphabet, hansik cuisine, K-pop and K-drama global wave.
Language
Korean, written in the Hangul alphabet designed in 1443.
Important Battles
- Battle of Hansan Island1592
Yi Sun-sin's naval victory
- Incheon Landing1950
Turning point of the Korean War
Historical Figures
Sejong the Great
1418 – 1450
Joseon king who created Hangul
Yi Sun-sin
1545 – 1598
Admiral
Park Chung-hee
1963 – 1979
Developmental president
Archaeological Sites
- Gyeongju
- Gochang dolmens
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
- Gyeongju Historic Areas
- Changdeokgung Palace
- Jongmyo Shrine
Dynasties
- Silla
- Goryeo
- Joseon
Colonial Period
Japanese colony 1910 – 1945.
Modern History
Presidential republic; a leading technology exporter.