South Korea

An Introduction to South Korea

South Korea is situated in East Asia and occupies the southern half of the Korean Peninsular, bordering North Korea to the north, with neighbouring China to the west across the Yellow Sea, and Japan to the east just across the Sea of Japan and the Korea Straight. South Korea is mainly mountainous, with narrow coastal plains to the east and broader coastal plains, river basins and rolling hills to the west and southeast.

The history of Korea stretches back to the founding of Gojoseon in 2333BC, with written and archaeological records dating to around the 7th to 4th century BC. Following a long period of shifting alliances with China and various local dynasties vying for control of the peninsular, the Joseon dynasty was formed in 1392 and ruled until 1910, becoming one of the longest actively ruling dynasties in world history. During the 16th century, Korea experienced the first of many invasions from Japan which, with the alliance of the Chinese Ming dynasty, resulted in the Japanese pulling out of Korea. With the 1895 defeat of China in the Sino-Japanese war, Korea became a puppet state of Japan which controlled the peninsular until its defeat at the end of World War 2. America occupied the south of Korea while the then Soviet Union occupied the north, with separate states being declared in 1948. The Korean War (1950 -53) began with the North attacking the South, resulting in the South being assisted by the US and other UN forces, while the North was supported by both China and the Soviet Union. Although a peace treaty was never signed, an armistice was signed in 1953 resulting in the formation of the demilitarised zone (DMZ) which still separates communist North Korea from South Korea.

Modern South Korea has much to offer visitors, from its huge modern cities which are home to the majority of its 49 million population, to some of the best ski resorts in the world, and a rich cultural and architectural heritage. The capital Seoul with a population of around 10 million is one of the most populated cities in the world and offers visitors an exciting taste the country's fast paced lifestyle, with great shopping and varied nightlife and dining experiences. The south eastern region is home to the historical capital Gyeongju, with many architectural and historical treasures, whilst the eastern coastal and forested mountain regions offer stunning beaches and hiking amidst areas of great natural beauty.

100Km off the southern tip of the peninsular, lies the subtropical resort island of Jeju, with its lovely scenery and beaches dominated by a massive extinct volcano.