The people.

Ethnically, the population is almost entirely Korean. Korean is the official language. Buddhism, Protestant Christianity, and Confucian philosophy, including ancestor worship, are widespread. Ch'ondogyo, a monotheistic religion that incorporates Buddhist, Confucian, Christian, and Taoist concepts, has many adherents, as does Roman Catholicism.

The average annual population growth rate declined after 1960. Family-planning programs begun in 1965 have been mostly responsible for a sharp decline in the birth rate. The death rate also has decreased. Life expectancy at birth is about 73 years. There has been considerable rural-urban migration; three-fourths of the population now lives in urban areas.

Before World War II many Koreans migrated to Japan, China, and the Soviet Union, and 3,300,000 returned after 1945. Also at that time about 2,000,000 people migrated from North Korea to South Korea.

The economy.

South Korea has a predominantly market economy based largely on services and light and heavy industries. Economic growth has been heavily dependent on exports of manufactures. The gross national product (GNP) is growing much faster than the population. The GNP per capita is similar to those of the other rapidly developing East Asian countries.

Agriculture now accounts for only a small proportion of the gross domestic product (GDP) and employs about one-seventh of the workforce. Land reform was implemented after 1948 and has greatly reduced tenancy; small family farms predominate. Production of rice, which is the chief staple, constitutes about two-fifths of farm-production value. The government purchases most rice at subsidized prices. Barley, wheat, soybeans, potatoes, millet, and vegetables are other important crops. Pigs and cattle are the main livestock raised; the production of beef, however, has failed to keep pace with domestic demand. Fishing, which provides food and a surplus for export, has been promoted by the government, and South Korea has become a leading deep-sea-fishing nation.

Mineral industries are dominated by the production of graphite, kaolin, pyrophyllite, talc, tungsten, and low-grade anthracite, which is used domestically for heating. Petroleum and most metals must be imported.

Manufacturing industries account for more than one-fourth of the GDP and employ nearly one-fourth of the workforce. Most industries are owned and run by families, and relatively few firms are listed on the nation's stock exchange. Some 20 conglomerates account for up to one-third of South Korea's manufacturing output, and they subcontract with small firms for ancillary goods and services. South Korea's industrial output has shifted from such light manufacturing as textiles to petrochemicals, electronic goods, steel (of which the country is an important producer), motor vehicles, and ships. About three-fifths of the country's electricity is generated by fossil fuels, with most of the remainder by nuclear power.

Exports of goods and services represent more than one-third of the country's GNP. Overseas construction contracts, particularly in the Middle East, awarded to South Korean firms have been an important source of foreign exchange. Major exports include machinery, textiles, transport equipment, and clothing and footwear. Machinery, mineral fuels, and manufactured goods are the major imports. South Korea has had increasing success in exporting its manufactures to developed countries. Its principal trading partners include the United States, Japan, members of the European Union, and Southeast Asian countries. South Korea has engaged in trade with North Korea since 1990.

Government and social conditions.

South Korea is a republic with a presidential system of government. The constitution promulgated in 1980 was amended in 1987. Legislative power is vested in a unicameral National Assembly, consisting of 299 members, of which the great majority are directly elected and the remainder are apportioned among the political parties. Executive power rests with the president, who is elected by direct popular vote for one five-year term. The president governs with the assistance of the State Council, which includes the prime minister and the heads of executive ministries. The prime minister is appointed by the president with the approval of the National Assembly. The independent judiciary is headed by the Supreme Court.

Government welfare activities are relatively new and limited in range. A national pension system was legislated in 1973 for later implementation. The health-insurance program, established in 1977, is limited in coverage, although it is gradually being extended as the country's standard of living continues to rise.

Health conditions and services in South Korea improved markedly after the Korean War (1950-53), although the availability of health services in rural areas especially has remained inadequate. Most people now have some sort of medical-insurance coverage. Since the 1960s, sanitation and hygiene have improved considerably as South Korea developed economically, and the incidence of serious infectious diseases has drastically declined.

Six years of primary education is compulsory and free. Virtually all school-age children attend primary and three-year middle schools, and nearly all attend three-year general or vocational high schools. Higher education is available at a number of universities and colleges, among them Seoul National University and the private Yonsei University, Korea University, and Ewha Women's University.

The government often imposed strict control over the news media until 1987, but the subsequent democratization of South Korea's political life brought a corresponding freedom to its press and other media.

Cultural life.

Shamanism, Buddhism, and Confucian philosophy constitute the most important elements of modern Korean culture. Modern literature, particularly poetry, commonly deals with social and political issues. With greater international exposure, modern Korean painting has developed surrealistic and abstract expressionistic styles, while traditional painting has also remained important. Korean architecture shows Chinese influence but is adapted to local needs and environment, utilizing wood and stone. Ceramic arts have flourished, and every province continues to produce its distinctive ceramic wares. Calligraphy is also a respected and flourishing art. Folk dances survive, and folk music, accompanied by native musical instruments, is performed occasionally at ceremonies and festive occasions.

History.

The history of South Korea dates from the Japanese surrender at the end of World War II, when the peninsula was divided into northern and southern zones; the Soviet Union occupied the northern part, while the United States controlled the southern part. A separate government emerged in each zone, and on Aug. 15, 1948, the Republic of Korea (South Korea) was established.

On June 25, 1950, North Korean troops invaded South Korea, precipitating the Korean War. United Nations forces, predominantly from the United States, intervened on the side of South Korea; Chinese troops intervened on the side of North Korea. An armistice was signed on July 27, 1953.