Geography of South Korea

Geographical Features of South Korea

• Yeongsan River: located in south-western South Korea, 129.50 km long, covers an area of 3,467.83 km², runs through Damyang, Naju, Gwangju, and other regions.
• Geum River: a major river, originates in Jangsu-eup, North Jeolla Province.
• Taebaek Mountain Range: stretches across North and South Korea, forms the main ridge of the Korean peninsula.
• Han River: a major river, originates in Jangsu-eup, North Jeolla Province, flows northward through North Jeolla and North Chungcheong Provinces, changes direction in the vicinity of Greater Daejeon, and flows southwest through South Chungcheong Province before emptying into the Yellow Sea near Gunsan city.
• Nakdong River: the longest river in South Korea, passes through major cities such as Daegu and Busan.

Climate in South Korea

• Cold and sunny in winter, hot and sultry with abundant rainfall in summer.
• Spring and autumn are short but pleasant.
• Winter is freezing in the north and interior, milder along the southern coast.
• Summer is hot, humid, and rainy with high humidity, especially in July and August.

History of South Korea

• The Korean name Choson derives from the Chinese name Chaoxian, meaning "Land of the Morning Calm".
• The addition of "Go" to the name Gojoseon (고, 古) means "ancient", distinguishing the kingdom from the Joseon dynasty founded in 1392 CE.
• 38th parallel is the latitude of the country, with the border with North Korea located on this parallel.

Presidents of South Korea

• Yoon Suk-yeol: the 13th and current president of South Korea, born on 18 December 1960, served as the prosecutor general of South Korea between 2019 and 2021.

South Korea's Contributions and Inventions

• Metal Print: Korea was the first to ever print books with metal prints.

Historical Events

• After WWII, Japan lost all its territories to the allied powers, and the 38th parallel was used as a dividing line until the allies decided on a government to establish.
• The United Nations called to intervene, but the Soviet Union refused to permit elections.
• Elections were then held in South Korea, with Syngman Rhee elected as president in 1950.
• North Korean troops crossed the 38th parallel, leading to the Korean War, which lasted three years.
• In 1953, a formal agreement was made to end hostilities, and the DMZ (demilitarized zone) was created between the two countries.
• Kim II Sung and Syngman Rhee were leaders of North and South Korea, respectively, with contrasting ideologies.
• Kim Dae Jung was elected as president, and in 2000, he and Kim Jong-il met at a summit, pledging to avoid war.
• In 2002, the US disclosed that North Korea was conducting a nuclear weapons program.
• North Korea withdrew from the treaty, causing alarm among China, Russia, South Korea, and others.
• A brighter scenario emerged when Kim Jong-un agreed to have an inter-Korean summit in 2018.