What is the capital of South Korea?

Seoul is the capital and largest city of South Korea, with a metropolitan area population of about 25 million — nearly half the country's total population. It has served as the capital for over 600 years since the Joseon dynasty.

What currency does South Korea use?

South Korea uses the South Korean Won (KRW, symbol ₩). The Bank of Korea issues the currency. As of 2024, exchange rates are approximately 1,300–1,400 KRW per 1 USD, though rates fluctuate.

What timezone is South Korea in?

South Korea operates on Korea Standard Time (KST), which is UTC+9. South Korea does not observe daylight saving time, so the UTC+9 offset is constant year-round.

What is South Korea's international calling code?

South Korea's country calling code is +82. When dialing from abroad, dial your country's exit code, then 82, followed by the local number (dropping the leading 0).

What is South Korea's population?

As of 2024, South Korea's population is approximately 51.7 million. South Korea has one of the world's lowest birth rates and an aging population, presenting long-term demographic challenges.

What is South Korea's GDP?

South Korea's nominal GDP is approximately USD 1.7 trillion (2023 IMF estimate), ranking it 13th globally. GDP per capita is roughly USD 33,000. South Korea is a member of the G20 and one of the world's most developed economies.

What language is spoken in South Korea?

Korean (Hangul script) is the official and dominant language. The Korean writing system, Hangul, was created in the 15th century and is considered one of the most scientific alphabets in the world. English is widely taught as a second language.

South Korea Country Facts

Browse key facts about South Korea — geography, demographics, economy, and culture — in one organized, searchable reference.

Official Name

Republic of Korea

Korean: Daehan Minguk (대한민국)

Capital City

Seoul

Metro area: ~25 million people

Total Area

100,210 km²

38,691 sq mi — rank 109th globally

Coastline

2,413 km

Borders Yellow Sea, Sea of Japan, Korea Strait

Bordering Country

North Korea

DMZ border: 238 km (38th parallel)

Timezone

UTC+9 (KST)

Korea Standard Time — no DST observed

Major Cities

Seoul, Busan, Incheon

Also: Daegu, Daejeon, Gwangju

Population (2024)

~51.7 million

Rank ~28th globally

Population Density

516 per km²

1,337 per sq mi — one of world's highest

Official Language

Korean

Written in Hangul (한글) script since 1443

Ethnic Composition

Korean ~96%, others ~4%

One of the world's most homogeneous nations

Life Expectancy

83.5 years

Male 80.6 / Female 86.6 (2022)

Literacy Rate

~99%

Adults age 15 and over (UNESCO)

Government Type

Presidential republic

Unitary constitutional; strong executive branch

Independence

August 15, 1945

Liberation from Japanese rule; republic est. 1948

Legislature

National Assembly

Unicameral; 300 seats, 4-year terms

Calling Code

+82

ISO 3166-1: KR / KOR

Administrative Divisions

17 top-level divisions

8 provinces, 6 metro cities, 1 special city, 2 special autonomous

Currency

South Korean Won (KRW, ₩)

Approx. 1,350 KRW = 1 USD (2024)

Nominal GDP (2023)

~USD 1.71 trillion

Rank 13th globally (IMF estimate)

GDP per Capita (2023)

~USD 33,000

PPP: ~USD 56,000 (World Bank)

HDI (2022)

0.929 — Very High

Rank 19th of 193 countries (UNDP)

Top Exports

Semiconductors, automobiles

Also: ships, steel, petrochemicals, electronics

Major Companies (Chaebols)

Samsung, Hyundai, LG

Also: SK Group, Lotte, Kakao, POSCO

National Flag

Taegukgi (태극기)

White field, red/blue taegeuk, 4 trigrams; current form 1984

Major Religions

Christianity, Buddhism

~56% unaffiliated; Christian ~28%, Buddhist ~16%

National Holiday

Liberation Day (Gwangbokjeol)

August 15 — marks 1945 independence from Japan

Cultural Exports (Hallyu)

K-pop, K-drama, K-film

Also: Korean cuisine (kimchi, bibimbap), manhwa, beauty (K-beauty)

Internet TLD

.kr

Also: .co.kr, .or.kr, .한국 (Korean script TLD)

Drives On

Right side of the road

Steering wheel on the left

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Summary

South Korea (officially the Republic of Korea) is an East Asian nation occupying the southern half of the Korean Peninsula, covering 100,210 km². With a population of about 51.7 million, it is one of the world's most densely populated countries and a leading technology and manufacturing powerhouse. This reference tool presents South Korea's essential facts — geography, people, government, economy, and culture — in a clear, searchable layout.

How it works

All facts are organized into thematic sections: Geography, People, Government, Economy, and Culture.
Use the search box to filter facts by keyword across all categories.
Click any fact card to copy the value to your clipboard.
Switch between categories using the tab bar to focus on a specific section.
All data is embedded in the page — no network requests are made.

Use cases

Students doing geography or social studies assignments on South Korea.
Travelers preparing for a trip who need currency, timezone, and calling code details.
Business professionals researching South Korea's economy and GDP figures.
Journalists and writers needing accurate demographic and political facts.
Trivia enthusiasts brushing up on Korean peninsula statistics.
Teachers preparing classroom materials about East Asian countries.
Expats or newcomers who need quick reference data about their new country.
Korean culture fans wanting background context on the country.

Frequently Asked Questions

Last updated: 2026-06-11 · Reviewed by Nham Vu

South Korea Country Facts

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