South Korea

Welcome to South Korea

South Korea is a country in East Asia, it occupies the southern part of the Korean Peninsula. South Korea, officially known as the Republic of Korea, was founded on August 15, 1948. In recent history, it has seen great progress such as creating a representative democratic government, and has become one of the world’s top high-tech manufacturing economies, despite the ongoing unease relationship with neighboring North Korea. This country is a major Asian power and an inspiring success story.

Since World War II, and especially after the Korean War, globalization and rapid economic and political growth have had marked an effect on the culture. However, traditional thoughts still play an important role under the surface. Korea historically belongs to the Chinese cultural realm. Particularly, after the Three Kingdom Period, Korean culture was strongly impacted by the Chinese, although this influence was given a distinctive Korean stamp. Still, the effect can be seen mostly in their beliefs and religions such as Shamanism, Buddhism, and especially Confucianism, which constitutes the cultural background of Korean culture.

Seoul is the capital and also the largest city in South Korea, it has a population of over 10 million people. Seoul is not just the capital, but the business and financial center of South Korea. Even though it only takes up only 0.6 of the country’s land area, however, more than 48.3% of Korea’s bank deposits are held in Seoul. That is not all, Seoul is the home to major manufacturers’ headquarters as well, including Samsung, LG, Hyundai, and SK. This city also offers many amazing places to the tourists such as Insa-Dong, Lotte World, 63 Building, Seoul Park, World Cup Park, and Boramae Park.

In Korean culture, plants have significant meanings in people’s day-to-day life, two of the most important plants are The Mugunghwa-The Rose of Sharon and King Cherry Blossom. Even though they look close in terms of appearance, they hold different meanings. The Mugunghwa-The Rose of Sharon or the eternal blossom that never fades, has been an important symbol and in the ancient Korean kingdom, it was treasured as a “blossom from heaven”. Even in the ancient Chinese, too, referred to Korea as the “land of wise men where Mugunghwa blooms” Koreans love this national flower because it honors the country’s noble spirit and symbolizes the many successes and tribulations that the nation has gone through.

Spring is a very special time in South Korea because it is the time Cherry Blossom trees and, especially, King Cherry Blossom burst into bloom. This tree symbolizes purity, beauty, love, and new beginning. Cherry blossom festivals are celebrated in various parts of Korea.

Did you know?

• Babies are considered one year old at birth in South Korea.
• There is a special day for “singles”.
• South Korea is the plastic surgery capital of the world.
• Four is an unlucky number, it is similar to death.
• There is WiFi almost everywhere.