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Country Guide > East Asia > Korea (Republic Of) | |
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General Information Area 99,313 sq km (38,345 sq miles, excluding demilitarised zone).
Population 47,925,318 (official estimate 2003). Population Density 482.6 per sq km. Capital Seoul. Population: 9,853,972 (2000). Geography The Republic of Korea (South Korea) shares borders to the north with the demilitarised zone (separating it from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea), to the east with the Sea of Japan (East Sea), to the south with the Korea Strait (separating it from Japan), and to the west with the Yellow Sea. There are many islands, bays and peninsulas in the Korea Strait. The volcanic island of Cheju-do lies off the southwest coast. Most of the country consists of hills and mountains and the 30 per cent of flat plain contains the majority of the population and cultivation. Most rivers rise in the mountains to the east, flowing west and south to the Yellow Sea. The Naktong River flows into the Korea Strait near the southern port of Busan. The eastern coast is rocky and steep with mountains rising from the sea. Government Republic since 1945. Head of State: President Roh Moo-Hyun since 2002. Head of Government: Prime Minister Lee Hai-Chan since 2004 Language Korean. Religion Mahayana Buddhism with a large Christian minority. Also Confucianism and Chundo Kyo, which is peculiar to Korea and combines elements of Shamanist, Buddhist and Christian doctrines. Time GMT + 9. Electricity 110/220 volts AC, 60Hz. Government policy is to phase out the 110 volt supply and many hotels now have a 220 volt supply. Communications Telephone IDD is available to Seoul and other major cities. Country code: 82. Outgoing international code: 001 or 002. Mobile telephone SK Telecom is the main network provider (website: www.sktelecom.co.kr). It is possible to rent a handset to use whilst in Korea (Rep) (contact SK Telecom, as above). A new 3G network, KT ICOM (website: www.ktf.com), is also available. Fax Available at major hotels and business centres. Internet ISPs include Korea-Afis (website: www.korea-afis.co.kr), Korea Telecom (website: www.kornet.net) and Shinbiro (http://english.shinbiro.com). There are Internet cafes available in Seoul, and one in Taejon. Telegram There is a service at all main hotels. Korea International Telecommunications Services at 1, Choongmo-ro, Chung-gu, Seoul provides a 24-hour public service. Post Airmail to Western Europe takes up to 10 days. Post offices hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1700, Sat 0900-1300. Press English-language national dailies are Korea Daily News, The Korea Herald and The Korea Times. Radio BBC World Service (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice) and Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov) can be received. From time to time the frequencies change and the most up-to-date can be found online. |
