South Korea (or officially the Republic of Korea) is medium sized country in South East Asia. It is located in southern part of the Korean peninsula and borders North Korea. The peninsula has been inhabited since Paleolithic times. The legendary Chosun kingdom was formed in 2333 BC by Dangun. From 57 BC the Korean peninsula was dominated by the Three Kingdoms of Korea, which fought among each other and with China for control of the entire peninsula. However, Korea first became unified in 676.

In the following millennia Korea was invaded by the Mongolian and later by the Japanese, but each time managed to fend off the aggressors. However, in 1912 Korea was annexed by Japan and remained occupied until the end of World War II. Soviet forces liberated the north and American forces the south causing a divide in the country. This erupted into the Korean War in 1950, where the north was backed by the Soviet Union and China and the south was backed. The war ended with 4 million dead three years later in a stalemate, but a peace agreement was never signed, so technically North and South Korea are still at war.

South Korea was formally recognised in 1948. A military coup in 1961 resulted in a dictatorship lasting 18 years. The following decade saw substantial political turmoil and unrest before democracy was firmly established in 1988.

Inhabitants: 49,000,000
Area: 100,000 km2
Capital: Seoul (10,000,000 inhabitants)
Languages: Korean
Religion: Buddhism (47%), Protestants (34%), Catholics (15%), others (4%)
GDP (PPP) per capita: $24,500
Government: Presidential republic
Climate: The local climate is relatively temperate, with precipitation heavier in summer during a short rainy season and cold winters.