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Communications

Broadcast media [time series]

multiple national TV networks with 2 of the 3 largest networks publicly operated; the largest privately owned network, Seoul Broadcasting Service (SBS), has ties with other commercial TV networks; cable and satellite TV subscription services available; publicly operated radio broadcast networks and many privately owned radio broadcasting networks, each with multiple affiliates, and independent local stations (2010)

Internet country code [time series]

.kr

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

315,697 (2012) country comparison to the world: 62

Internet users [time series]

39.4 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 11

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: excellent domestic and international services featuring rapid incorporation of new technologies domestic: fixed-line and mobile-cellular services widely available with a combined telephone subscribership of roughly 170 per 100 persons; rapid assimilation of a full range of telecommunications technologies leading to a boom in e-commerce international: country code - 82; numerous submarine cables provide links throughout Asia, Australia, the Middle East, Europe, and US; satellite earth stations - 66 (2011)

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

30.1 million (2012) country comparison to the world: 11

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

53.625 million (2012) country comparison to the world: 25

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

rice, root crops, barley, vegetables, fruit; cattle, pigs, chickens, milk, eggs; fish

Budget [time series]

revenues: $296.1 billion expenditures: $287.2 billion (2013 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) [time series]

0.7% of GDP (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 31

Central bank discount rate [time series]

2.5% (31 December 2013) country comparison to the world: 108 2.75% (31 December 2012)

Commercial bank prime lending rate [time series]

4.7% (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 144 5.39% (31 December 2012 est.)

Current account balance [time series]

$55.69 billion (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 11 $43.34 billion (2012 est.)

Debt - external [time series]

$430.9 billion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 28 $425.1 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income (Distribution of family income - Gini index) [time series]

31.1 (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 112 35.8 (2000)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

South Korea over the past four decades has demonstrated incredible growth and global integration to become a high-tech industrialized economy. In the 1960s, GDP per capita was comparable with levels in the poorer countries of Africa and Asia. In 2004, South Korea joined the trillion-dollar club of world economies, and is currently the world's 12th largest economy. Initially, a system of close government and business ties, including directed credit and import restrictions, made this success possible. The government promoted the import of raw materials and technology at the expense of consumer goods, and encouraged savings and investment over consumption. The Asian financial crisis of 1997-98 exposed longstanding weaknesses in South Korea's development model including high debt/equity ratios and massive short-term foreign borrowing. GDP plunged by 6.9% in 1998, and then recovered by 9% in 1999-2000. South Korea adopted numerous economic reforms following the crisis, including greater openness to foreign investment and imports. Growth moderated to about 4% annually between 2003 and 2007. South Korea's export focused economy was hit hard by the 2008 global economic downturn, but quickly rebounded in subsequent years, reaching 6.3% growth in 2010. The US-Korea Free Trade Agreement was ratified by both governments in 2011 and went into effect in March 2012. Throughout 2012 and 2013 the economy experienced sluggish growth because of market slowdowns in the United States, China, and the Eurozone. The administration in 2014 is likely to face the challenge of balancing heavy reliance on exports with developing domestic-oriented sectors, such as services. The South Korean economy's long term challenges include a rapidly aging population, inflexible labor market, dominance of large conglomerates (chaebols), and heavy reliance on exports, which comprise about half of GDP.

Exchange rates [time series]

South Korean won (KRW) per US dollar - 1,107.3 (2013 est.) 1,126.47 (2012 est.) 1,156.1 (2010 est.) 1,276.93 (2009) 1,101.7 (2008)

Exports [time series]

$557.3 billion (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 9 $547.9 billion (2012 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

semiconductors, wireless telecommunications equipment, motor vehicles, auto parts, computers, display, home appliances, wire telecommunication equipment, steel, ships, petrochemicals

Exports - partners [time series]

China 24.5%, US 10.7%, Japan 7.1%, Hong Kong 6%, Singapore 4.2% (2012 est.)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$1.198 trillion (2013 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP (purchasing power parity)) [time series]

$1.666 trillion (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 13 $1.62 trillion (2012 est.) $1.587 trillion (2011 est.) note: data are in 2013 US dollars

GDP - composition, by end use [time series]

household consumption: 53.1% government consumption: 15.9% investment in fixed capital: 27% investment in inventories: 0.3% exports of goods and services: 54.6% imports of goods and services: -50.8% (2013 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin [time series]

agriculture: 2.6% industry: 39.2% services: 58.2% (2013 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita (PPP)) [time series]

$33,200 (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 42 $32,400 (2012 est.) $31,900 (2011 est.) note: data are in 2013 US dollars

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

2.8% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 123 2% (2012 est.) 3.7% (2011 est.)

Gross national saving [time series]

31.9% of GDP (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 22 31.4% of GDP (2012 est.) 31.9% of GDP (2011 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: 6.4% highest 10%: 37.7% (2011)

Imports [time series]

$516.6 billion (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 9 $519.6 billion (2012 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

machinery, electronics and electronic equipment, oil, steel, optical instruments, transport equipment, organic chemicals, plastics

Imports - partners [time series]

China 15.6%, Japan 12.4%, US 8.3%, Saudi Arabia 7.6%, Qatar 4.9%, Australia 4.4% (2011 est.)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

2.5% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 120

Industries [time series]

electronics, telecommunications, automobile production, chemicals, shipbuilding, steel

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

1.1% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 30 2.2% (2012 est.)

Labor force [time series]

25.86 million (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 25

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture: 6.9% industry: 23.6% services: 69.4% (October 2013 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares [time series]

$1.068 trillion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 11 $1.078 trillion (28 December 2012) $904.7 billion (29December 2011 est.)

Population below poverty line [time series]

16% (2009 est.)

Public debt [time series]

35.8% of GDP (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 106 35.5% of GDP (2012 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]

$341.8 billion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 9 $327 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of broad money [time series]

$1.764 trillion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 10 $1.664 trillion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad [time series]

$223.2 billion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 23 $196.4 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home [time series]

$152.3 billion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 30 $147.2 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of domestic credit [time series]

$1.266 trillion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 16 NA% (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of narrow money [time series]

$465.2 billion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 12 $426 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Taxes and other revenues [time series]

24.7% of GDP (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 133

Unemployment rate [time series]

3.2% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 26 3.2% (2012 est.)

Energy

Carbon dioxide emissions (Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy) [time series]

611 million Mt (2011 est.)

Crude oil - exports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 139

Crude oil - imports [time series]

2.59 million bbl/day (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 5

Crude oil - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 185

Crude oil - proved reserves [time series]

0 bbl country comparison to the world: 151

Electricity - consumption [time series]

449.5 billion kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 11

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 156

Electricity - from fossil fuels [time series]

74.5% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 103

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants [time series]

2% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 137

Electricity - from nuclear fuels [time series]

21.9% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 7

Electricity - from other renewable sources [time series]

1.5% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 78

Electricity - imports [time series]

0 kWh (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 164

Electricity - installed generating capacity [time series]

84.66 million kW (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 14

Electricity - production [time series]

485.1 billion kWh (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 11

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

49.66 billion cu m (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 16

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 130

Natural gas - imports [time series]

47.34 billion cu m (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 10

Natural gas - production [time series]

424.9 million cu m (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 72

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

5.269 billion cu m (1 January 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 95

Refined petroleum products - consumption [time series]

2.301 million bbl/day (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 10

Refined petroleum products - exports [time series]

944,700 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 8

Refined petroleum products - imports [time series]

794,000 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 8

Refined petroleum products - production [time series]

2.83 million bbl/day (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 7

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 99,720 sq km country comparison to the world: 109 land: 96,920 sq km water: 2,800 sq km

Climate [time series]

temperate, with rainfall heavier in summer than winter

Coastline [time series]

2,413 km

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

lowest point: Sea of Japan 0 m highest point: Halla-san 1,950 m

Environment - current issues [time series]

air pollution in large cities; acid rain; water pollution from the discharge of sewage and industrial effluents; drift net fishing

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Total water withdrawal (Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)) [time series]

total: 25.47 cu km/yr (26%/12%/62%) per capita: 548.7 cu m/yr (2003)

Geographic coordinates [time series]

37 00 N, 127 30 E

Geography - note [time series]

strategic location on Korea Strait

Irrigated land [time series]

8,804 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 238 km border countries: North Korea 238 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 14.93% permanent crops: 2.06% other: 83% (2011)

Location [time series]

Eastern Asia, southern half of the Korean Peninsula bordering the Sea of Japan and the Yellow Sea

Map references [time series]

Asia

Maritime claims [time series]

territorial sea: 12 nm; between 3 nm and 12 nm in the Korea Strait contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: not specified

Natural hazards [time series]

occasional typhoons bring high winds and floods; low-level seismic activity common in southwest volcanism: Halla (elev. 1,950 m) is considered historically active although it has not erupted in many centuries

Natural resources [time series]

coal, tungsten, graphite, molybdenum, lead, hydropower potential

Terrain [time series]

mostly hills and mountains; wide coastal plains in west and south

Total renewable water resources [time series]

69.7 cu km (2011)

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

9 provinces (do, singular and plural), 6 metropolitan cities (gwangyoksi, singular and plural), 1 special city, and 1 special self-governing city provinces: Chungbuk (North Chungcheong), Chungnam (South Chungcheong), Gangwon, Gyeonggi, Gyeongbuk (North Gyeongsang), Gyeongnam (South Gyeongsang), Jeju, Jeonbuk (North Jeolla), Jeonnam (South Jeolla) metropolitan cities: Busan (Pusan), Daegu (Taegu), Daejeon (Taejon), Gwangju (Kwangju), Incheon (Inch'on), Ulsan special city: Seoul special self-governing city: Sejong

Capital [time series]

name: Seoul geographic coordinates: 37 33 N, 126 59 E time difference: UTC+9 (14 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Constitution [time series]

effective 17 July 1948; amended several times, last in 1987 (2013)

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: Republic of Korea conventional short form: South Korea local long form: Taehan-min'guk local short form: Han'guk abbreviation: ROK

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Sung Y. KIM (since 3 November 2011) embassy: 188 Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul 110-710 mailing address: US Embassy Seoul, Unit 15550, APO AP 96205-5550 telephone: [82] (2) 397-4114 FAX: [82] (2) 725-0152

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador AHN Ho-young (since 7 June 2013) chancery: 2450 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 939-5600 FAX: [1] (202) 797-0595 consulate(s) general: Agana (Guam), Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Seattle consulate(s): Anchorage (AK), Dallas, Hagatna (Guam)

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President PARK Geun-hye (since 25 February 2013) head of government: (vacant); note - Prime Minister CHUNG Hong-won resigned 27 April 2014; MOON Chang-keuk was nominated Prime Minister 10 June 2014 and awaits parliamentary confirmation; Deputy Prime Minister HYUN Oh-seok (since 26 June 2013) cabinet: State Council appointed by the president on the prime minister's recommendation (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website) elections: president elected by popular vote for a single five-year term; election last held on 19 December 2012 (next to be held in December 2017); prime minister appointed by president with consent of National Assembly election results: PARK Geun-Hye elected president; percent of vote - PARK Geun-Hye (NFP) 51.6%, MOON Jae-In (DUP) 48%, others 0.4%

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

white with a red (top) and blue yin-yang symbol in the center; there is a different black trigram from the ancient I Ching (Book of Changes) in each corner of the white field; the South Korean national flag is called Taegukki; white is a traditional Korean color and represents peace and purity; the blue section represents the negative cosmic forces of the yin, while the red symbolizes the opposite positive forces of the yang; each trigram (kwae) denotes one of the four universal elements, which together express the principle of movement and harmony

Government type [time series]

republic

Independence [time series]

15 August 1945 (from Japan)

International law organization participation [time series]

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation [time series]

ADB, AfDB (nonregional member), APEC, ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS, CD, CICA, CP, EAS, EBRD, FAO, FATF, G-20, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAIA (observer), MIGA, MINURSO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE (partner), Pacific Alliance (observer), Paris Club (associate), PCA, PIF (partner), SAARC (observer), SICA (observer), UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNMOGIP, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

Judicial branch [time series]

highest court(s): Supreme Court of South Korea (consists of a chief justice and 13 justices); Constitutional Court (consists of a court head and 8 justices) judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the president with the consent of the National Assembly; other justices appointed by the president upon the recommendation of the chief justice and consent of the National Assembly; position of the chief justice is a 6-year non-renewable term; other justices serve 6-year renewable terms; Constitutional Court justices appointed - 3 by the president, 3 by the National Assembly, and 3 by the Supreme Court chief justice; court head serves until retirement at age 70, while other justices serve 6-year renewable terms with mandatory retirement at age 65 subordinate courts: High Courts; District Courts; Branch Courts (organized undeer the Branch Courts); specialized courts for family and administrative issues

Legal system [time series]

mixed legal system combining European civil law, Anglo-American law, and Chinese classical thought

Legislative branch [time series]

unicameral National Assembly or Gukhoe (300 seats; 246 members elected in single-seat constituencies, 54 elected by proportional representation; members serve four-year terms) elections: last held on 11 April 2012 (next to be held in April 2016) election results: percent of vote by party - NFP 42.8%, DUP 36.5%, UPP 10.3%, LFP 3.2%, others 7.2%; seats by party - NFP 152, DUP 127, UPP 13, LFP 5, independents 3 note: seats by negotiation group as of April 2014 - NFP 156, NPAD 130, UPP 6, Justice Party 5, Independents 1; note - 2 seats are vacant

National anthem(s) (National anthem) [time series]

name: "Aegukga" (Patriotic Song)

National holiday [time series]

Liberation Day, 15 August (1945)

National symbol(s) [time series]

taegeuk (yin yang symbol)

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

Justice Party [CHEON Ho-sun] Liberty Forward Party or LFP (merged with NFP in October 2012) New Frontier Party (NFP) or Saenuri (formerly Grand National Party) [HWANG Woo-yea] New Politics Alliance for Diplomacy or NPAD [KIM Han-gil and AHN Cheol-soo] (merger of the Democratic Party or DP (formerly DUP) [Kim Han-gil] and the New Political Vision Party or NPVP [AHN Cheol-soo] in March 2014) Progressive Justice Party or PJP [ROH Hoe-chan and CHO Joon-ho] Unified Progressive Party or UPP [LEE Jung-hee]

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

Catholic Priests' Association for Justice Citizen's Coalition for Economic Justice Federation of Korean Industries Federation of Korean Trade Unions Korean Confederation of Trade Unions Korean Veterans' Association Lawyers for a Democratic Society National Council of Churches People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy

Suffrage [time series]

19 years of age; universal

Introduction

Background [time series]

An independent kingdom for much of its long history, Korea was occupied by Japan beginning in 1905 following the Russo-Japanese War. In 1910, Tokyo formally annexed the entire Peninsula. Korea regained its independence following Japan's surrender to the United States in 1945. After World War II, a democratic-based government (Republic of Korea, ROK) was set up in the southern half of the Korean Peninsula while a communist-style government was installed in the north (Democratic People's Republic of Korea, DPRK). During the Korean War (1950-53), US troops and UN forces fought alongside ROK soldiers to defend South Korea from a DPRK invasion supported by China and the Soviet Union. A 1953 armistice split the peninsula along a demilitarized zone at about the 38th parallel. PARK Chung-hee took over leadership of the country in a 1961 coup. During his regime, from 1961 to 1979, South Korea achieved rapid economic growth, with per capita income rising to roughly 17 times the level of North Korea. South Korea held its first free presidential election under a revised democratic constitution in 1987, with former ROK Army general ROH Tae-woo winning a close race. In 1993, KIM Young-sam (1993-98) became the first civilian president of South Korea's new democratic era. President KIM Dae-jung (1998-2003) won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2000 for his contributions to South Korean democracy and his "Sunshine" policy of engagement with North Korea. President PARK Geun-hye, daughter of former ROK President PARK Chung-hee, took office in February 2013 and is South Korea's first female leader. South Korea holds a non-permanent seat (2013-14) on the UN Security Council and will host the 2018 Winter Olympic Games. Serious tensions with North Korea have punctuated inter-Korean relations in recent years, including the North's attacks on a South Korean ship and island in 2010, nuclear and missile tests, and its temporary closure of the inter-Korean Kaesong Industrial Complex in 2013.

Military

Manpower available for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 13,185,794 females age 16-49: 12,423,496 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 10,864,566 females age 16-49: 10,168,709 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually [time series]

male: 365,760 female: 321,225 (2010 est.)

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

Republic of Korea Army; Navy (includes Marine Corps); Air Force (2011)

Military expenditures [time series]

2.8% of GDP (2012) country comparison to the world: 26 2.77% of GDP (2011) 2.8% of GDP (2010)

Military service age and obligation [time series]

20-30 years of age for compulsory military service, with middle school education required; conscript service obligation - 21 months (Army, Marines), 23 months (Navy), 24 months (Air Force); 18-26 years of age for voluntary military service; women, in service since 1950, admitted to 7 service branches, including infantry, but excluded from artillery, armor, anti-air, and chaplaincy corps; HIV-positive individuals are exempt from military service (2012)

People and Society

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 14.1% (male 3,603,943/female 3,328,634) 15-24 years: 13.5% (male 3,515,271/female 3,113,257) 25-54 years: 47.3% (male 11,814,872/female 11,360,962) 55-64 years: 12.4% (male 3,012,051/female 3,081,480) 65 years and over: 12.3% (male 2,570,433/female 3,639,083) (2014 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

8.26 births/1,000 population (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 220

Contraceptive prevalence rate [time series]

80% note: percent of women aged 15-44 (2009)

Death rate [time series]

6.63 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 143

Dependency ratios [time series]

total dependency ratio: 37.1 % youth dependency ratio: 19.9 % elderly dependency ratio: 17.2 % potential support ratio: 5.8 (2014 est.)

Drinking water source [time series]

improved: urban: 99.7% of population rural: 87.9% of population total: 97.8% of population unimproved: urban: 0.3% of population rural: 12.1% of population total: 2.2% of population (2012 est.)

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

5% of GDP (2009) country comparison to the world: 75

Ethnic groups [time series]

homogeneous (except for about 20,000 Chinese)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

less than 0.1% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 154

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

fewer than 500 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 91

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

9,500 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 107

Health expenditure (Health expenditures) [time series]

7.2% of GDP (2011) country comparison to the world: 83

Hospital bed density [time series]

10.3 beds/1,000 population (2009)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 3.93 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 200 male: 4.13 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.73 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)

Languages [time series]

Korean, English (widely taught in junior high and high school)

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 79.8 years country comparison to the world: 39 male: 76.67 years female: 83.13 years (2014 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97.9% male: 99.2% female: 96.6% (2002)

Major urban areas - population [time series]

SEOUL (capital) 9.736 million; Busan (Pusan) 3.372 million; Incheon (Inch'on) 2.622 million; Daegu (Taegu) 2.447 million; Daejon (Taejon) 1.538 million; Gwangju (Kwangju) 1.503 million (2011)

Maternal mortality ratio (Maternal mortality rate) [time series]

16 deaths/100,000 live births (2010) country comparison to the world: 143

Median age [time series]

total: 40.2 years male: 38.7 years female: 41.6 years (2014 est.)

Mother's mean age at first birth [time series]

30.3 (2011 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Korean(s) adjective: Korean

Net migration rate [time series]

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 85

Obesity - adult prevalence rate [time series]

7.7% (2008) country comparison to the world: 139

Physician density (Physicians density) [time series]

2.02 physicians/1,000 population (2010)

Population [time series]

49,039,986 (July 2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 27

Population growth rate [time series]

0.16% (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 183

Religions [time series]

Christian 31.6% (Protestant 24%, Roman Catholic 7.6%), Buddhist 24.2%, other or unknown 0.9%, none 43.3% (2010 survey)

Sanitation facility access [time series]

improved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population 0% of population 0% of population 0% of population (2012 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) [time series]

total: 17 years male: 18 years female: 16 years (2011)

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.13 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2014 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.25 children born/woman (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 220

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) (Unemployment, youth ages 15-24) [time series]

total: 9% country comparison to the world: 116 male: 9.7% female: 8.5% (2012)

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 83.2% of total population (2011) rate of urbanization: 0.71% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

Military Demarcation Line within the 4-km-wide Demilitarized Zone has separated North from South Korea since 1953; periodic incidents with North Korea in the Yellow Sea over the Northern Limit Line, which South Korea claims as a maritime boundary; South Korea and Japan claim Liancourt Rocks (Tok-do/Take-shima), occupied by South Korea since 1954

Refugees and internally displaced persons [time series]

stateless persons: 179 (2012)

Transportation

Airports [time series]

111 (2013) country comparison to the world: 53

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 71 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 19 1,524 to 2,437 m: 12 914 to 1,523 m: 13 under 914 m: 23 (2013)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 40 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 38 (2013)

Heliports [time series]

466 (2013)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 786 country comparison to the world: 14 by type: bulk carrier 191, cargo 235, carrier 8, chemical tanker 130, container 72, liquefied gas 44, passenger 5, passenger/cargo 15, petroleum tanker 55, refrigerated cargo 15, roll on/roll off 10, vehicle carrier 6 foreign-owned: 31 (China 6, France 2, Japan 14, Taiwan 1, US 8) registered in other countries: 457 (Bahamas 1, Cambodia 10, Ghana 1, Honduras 6, Hong Kong 3, Indonesia 2, Kiribati 1, Liberia 2, Malta 2, Marshall Islands 41, North Korea 1, Panama 373, Philippines 1, Russia 1, Singapore 3, Tuvalu 1, unknown 8) (2010)

Pipelines [time series]

gas 2,216 km; oil 16 km; refined products 889 km (2013)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

major seaport(s): Incheon, Pohang, Busan, Ulsan, Yeosu container port(s) (TEUs): Busan (16,163,842), Kwangyang (2,061,958), Incheon (1,924,644)

Railways [time series]

total: 3,381 km country comparison to the world: 52 standard gauge: 3,381 km 1.435-m gauge (1,843 km electrified) (2008)

Roadways [time series]

total: 104,983 km country comparison to the world: 44 paved: 83,199 km (includes 3,779 km of expressways) unpaved: 21,784 km (2009)

Waterways [time series]

1,600 km (most navigable only by small craft) (2011) country comparison to the world: 51

Korea, South