Guidebook for Living in Korea

Republic of Korea (commonly known as “Korea”)

South Korea is located in Asia on the Korean Peninsula; it measures a total of 100,188.1 ㎢ and takes up 45% of the Korean Peninsula, which is a total of of 221,000 ㎢. The total area of the peninsula includes all of the Korean Peninsula and its annexed islands, occupied by both South and North Korea. The Korean Peninsula is slightly larger than Cambodia (181,035 ㎢), and about 2/3 the size of the Philippines (300,000 ㎢), Vietnam (331,210 ㎢), and Japan (377,915 ㎢)
The Korean Peninsula, on which South Korea and North Korea are located, neighbors China to the northwest with Amnokgang (River) as its borderline, and China and Russia to the northeast with Dumangang (River) as its borderline. The peninsula is bordered by the Yellow Sea in the west, the East Sea in the east, and the South Sea in the south. The southern and western parts of the Korean Peninsula are plains, while the eastern and the northern parts are mountainous. The highest mountain in the Korean Peninsula is Baekdusan(2,744m). Gaemagowon, which is in the northern part of the Korean Peninsula, is called “the Roof of Korea,” and the Taebaek Range located on the east coast is called “Baekdudaegan”. Best known islands of the Korean Peninsula include Jeju Island, Geoje Island, Jin Island, and Ulleung Island. Jeju Island and Ulleung Island were formed by volcanic activities. The west coast and the south coast of the Korean Peninsula are ria coasts, and there is a large tidal range. (Source: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport)

The national flag of Korea is the “Taegeukgi,” which is mostly white with a yin-yang symbol at the center and with “Geon,” “Gon,” “Gam,” and “Li” (groups of black bars) located at each of the four corners.
The white background of the flag represents brightness and pureness, expressing Koreans’ traditional love of peace. The Yin-yang pattern at the center symbolizes harmony between “Yin” (blue) and “Yang” (red), and embodies the truth that all things in the universe get created and exist through interactions between Yin and Yang.
The 4 symbols at the corners represent the images of Yin and Yang, changing and interacting with each other.
Each of these 4 symbols exists in harmony with the Yin-yang at the center. All of these symbols of the Taegeukgi reflect the Korean ideal of promoting creation and prosperity while remaining in sync with the Universe (source: Ministry of Interior and Safety).

The national flower of Korea is the Mugunghwa, which has been loved by the Korean people from ancient times. The name of the flower means, "flower that blooms and never falls for eternity." Ancient records show that the Korean people have regarded the Mugunghwa as a flower from heaven since before the Gojoseon Era. The Silla Kingdom even referred to itself as “Geunhwahyang”, meaning “the nation of Mugunghwa”.

The Mugunghwa has been an important flower throughout Korean history, and love of this flower is even reflected to the national anthem (written during the late Joseon Era), which includes the verse "splendid rivers and mountains with endless roads of Mugunghwa." The Korean people's undying love for the Mugunghwa continued through the Japanese occupation, and it was officially named the national flower after the emancipation.
(Source: Ministry of Interior and Safety).

The lyrics of the national anthem that are sung today were created around 1907, when the country endured the crisis of a foreign invasion, to arouse a patriotsim and love for the country, loyalty, and independence. After establishing the government of the Republic of Korea in 1948, the national anthem, which was composed by Ahn Eak-tae in 1935, along with the current lyrics was played at official government events.
Afterward, it began to be sung nationwide as it was included in textbooks at schools at all levels. To this day, it is sung as our country's national anthem by our people, and is widely known as the national anthem of the Republic of Korea in countries around the world.

Korea’s total population is 51,779,203 (as of the Population and Housing Census in 2019, Statistics Korea), making it the world’s 28th most populous country. The population density is 515 people per ㎢ (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport intellectual statistical yearbook, Statistics Korea Future Population Estimate), which is the 23rd largest in the world.

South Korea's GDP amounts to USD 1.81 trillion, ranking 10th worldwide, and per capita GDP stands at USD 34,983.70 (as of 2021, Bank of Korea).

South Korea adopts a presidential system, and as the head of government, the President, directs and supervises the heads of all central administrative agencies in accordance with laws. The Prime Minister directs and supervises the heads of each central administrative agency under orders from the President. As shown in the organizational chart below, Korea's governmental apparatus consists of 19 departments, 3 ministries, 20 offices, and six committees. (As of June 27, 2024) Among these, 19 administrative departments are in charge of the following tasks.

Korea is divided into 17 metropolitan councils and 226 district councils. Among the metropolitan councils are 1 special city, 6 metropolitan cities, 1 special self-governing city, 6 provinces, and 3 special self-governing province.
Local governments consist of 75 cities, 82 guns (counties), and 69 self-governing districts; as of December 31, 2023, there are 3,491 eups, myeons, and dongs, which are sub-districts of each local government.