About South Korea

South Korea attracts an increasing amount of foreign nationals every year. As such we have provided some information to help you better get to know the country. Please be advised that this information is meant to serve as a reference only, and that you should consult a professional for more in depth statistics.

Official Name: Republic of Korea (ROK) also referred to as South Korea or simply, Korea.

Capital: The capital of the Republic of Korea is Seoul (pronounced Soul).

Location: South Korea is located on the Korean peninsula south of the 38 th parallel. South Korea borders the Democratic Republic of Korea (North Korea), the Sea of Japan, and the Yellow Sea. The Korean peninsula is situated in North East Asia.

Size: The country occupies a total area of 98,480 sq Km. This makes South Korea slightly larger than the US state of Indiana.

Climate: There are four distinct seasons in South Korea. The best time to visit the country is in the autumn (September to November) where the weather is described as pleasant and the sky is usually extremely clear with lots of sun. Winters (November to April) can be extremely cold, and spring (April to May) is usually humid and wet. Summer (May to September) is typified by large numbers of tourists, typhoons, and uncomfortably hot weather.

Population: South Korea has a total population of approximately 49 million people. This makes the nation the 26 th most densely populated country in the world.

Life expectancy at birth: The Republic of Korea has a fairly high life expectancy at birth of 77.23 years. Women in South Korea have a much higher life expectancy than men and on average live to be 81 years old.

Prevalence of HIV/AIDS: In terms of the total population of South Korea there is a relatively low prevalence of HIV/Aids in the country with approximately 8,300 people suffering from the disease. In total there have been less than 200 HIV/Aids related deaths in South Korea.

Major illnesses: There is fairly limited risk of disease in South Korea and healthcare standards are high. However you may be at risk for some specific illnesses including Avian Flu, rabies, and Japanese Encephalitis.

Ethnic Groups: South Korea is fairly homogeneous as a society and there is no great prevalence of any other ethnic groups outside of the local Korean populace. There are however approximately 20,000 people of Chinese ethnicity living in the country.

Languages: The official language is Korean, however English is widely taught in schools and many of the younger generations are fluent in the language.

Religion: A number of different religions and faiths are practiced in South Korea. These include; Christian – 26.3% (Protestant – 19.7%, Roman Catholic 6.6%), Buddhist – 23.2%, other or unknown – 1.3%, none or atheist – 49.3%.

Government: South Korea is a republic and has a republican government. The political system in South Korea operates in much the same way as the political systems in Japan and the USA.

Head of State: President Lee Myung-bak (Since February 2008).

Head of Government: Prime Minister Chung Un-chan (Since September 2009).

Military: Due to the conflict of interests that South Korea has with North Korea there is a large military presence throughout the country. There is a mandatory conscription for males between the ages of 20 – 30, and conscripts must serve at least 24 – 28 months depending on the military branch. Women are excluded from service in the artillery, armor, anti air, and Chaplin corps.

Economy: South Korea is world famous for it technological innovations and strong economy. It currently has a GDP that is equal to that of the lesser European Union member states. By successfully integrating government and business, and helping to introducing innovative economic reforms including directed credit, import restrictions, industry sponsorship, and strong labor unions, South Korea has effectively pushed itself into the top tier of economic nations. Low unemployment, surplus exports, equal income distribution, and moderate inflation are all characteristics of the South Korean economy.

GDP: With a Purchasing Power Parity of US$1.196 trillion, and an official GDP of US$ 897.4 billion, South Korea has one of the strongest economies in the world.

For more information about South Korea expat insurance, the international health insurance plans that we can offer there, or to receive a free quote, please contact one of our expert advisers today.

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