Korea
Despite being a small country, South Korea has a dense, wealthy population and an economy that is the 10th largest in the world. For its rapid postwar economic growth, it earned a name as one of the four “Asian Tigers.” The ancient capital of Seoul, destroyed during the Korean War, has been rebuilt into the second most populous metropolitan area in the world, and over a third of the population resides in its extended boundaries. Although so many live in urban areas, Koreans also enjoy hiking in Korea’s scenic mountains, forests, and near its many miles of coast land.
Although never a land-spanning empire, South Korea boasts a long history and a proud culture. Since its unification in the first century BC, Korea has repeatedly been the target of invasions from its larger neighbors, China and Japan, but it has retained its culture and sovereignty down to this day. In 1948, Korea split into two states, the northern Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the southern Republic of Korea. Today the DPRK is a military dictatorship while the ROK is a modern democracy.
South Korea’s contemporary culture is characterized by a high level of technological awareness. South Koreans have embraced the Internet and modern technology, perhaps more than any other nation. High-speed Internet access is ubiquitous in households and Internet cafes. Technological literacy among youths manifests itself in the use of next-generation cell phones and Internet gaming. Contemporary culture also pervades with TV pop culture, pop music, karaoke, and TV miniseries.
Climate
Korea’s climate is temperate. South Korea is just below the 38 degrees latitude. Winters can be very cold, with average temperatures often below freezing. Precipitation is heavier during the summer.
Health and Safety
Visit the CDC’s Korea page for updated information on health conditions in Korea.
Religion and Festivals
The most-professed religion is Christianity, and the second largest is Buddhism. However, approximately half of all Koreans do not practice a religion. During Chuseok, a three-day holiday celebrated in September or early October, Koreans visit their ancestral hometowns, and as such, traffic jams are a problem.
Transportation
The main international airport is in Inchon. Ferries run from China and Japan. The country of South Korea is small, so it is easy to move around. High speed trains criss-cross the country, and fares are reasonable. In addition, it’s not difficult to take a bus or taxi across the country.
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