Everything you need to know about South Korea: news, reviews, in-depth analysis, opinion and more
South Korea: Land of the Morning Calm and Asian Economic Tiger
In 1905 after the Russo-Japanese War, Korea became a part of Japanese empire and gained independence after Japan’s surrender to the United States in 1945. After World War II, the Republic of Korea was set up in the southern half of the Korean Peninsula while a Communist-style government was installed in the northern part. During the Korean War (1950-53), US troops and UN forces fought to defend South Korea from North Korea attacks which was supported by China and the Soviet Union. This war was concluded after signing the peace agreement between two countries in 1953. After this South Korea achieved rapid economic growth with per capita income rising to roughly 14 times the level of North Korea. In 1993, KIM Young-Sam became South Korea's first civilian president after 32 years of military rule. Today South Korea has a well functioning modern democracy and is seeking peaceful re-unification with North Korea.
South Korea Profile: Overview of Facts and Figures
Geographical Information on South Korea:
South Korea lies below the 38th parallel on the Korean peninsula. It is bordered by China from the west, Japan from the east and North Korea to the north.
South Korea has humid continental climate and humid subtropical climate. The climatic condition is affected by the East Asian monsoon. Precipitation of South Korea is heavier in summer during a short rainy season and winters are bitterly cold.
Culture, Cuisine and Tradition of South Korea:
Rapid industrialization since decades has provided a multinational touch to South Korean culture. The Government South Korean has taken several initiatives in promoting and preservation of tradition old cultural values, followings, practices and beliefs. The fine blend of cultural assimilations of old and new can be seen from the life and practices of South Koreans.
The cuisine of South Korea is highly influenced by Chinese culture. The cuisine of Korea
is largely based on rice, noodles, tofu, vegetables, and meats. Every meal in South Korea is accompanied by numerous banchan, Kimchi, a fermented, spicy vegetable dish that is served at every meal and is one of the best-known Korean dishes. Korean cuisine usually involves heavy flavor with sesame oil, doenjang (fermented soybean paste), soy sauce, salt, garlic, ginger, and gochujang (red chili paste).
Tourist Attractions of South Korea:
South Korea offers wide varieties of tourist attraction that ranges from fascinating pre-historic sites to majestic forts and palaces, ancient shrines, to national parks teeming with wild species, verdant valleys and rippling waterfalls, golden beaches and islands to colorful cultural villages.
The city of Daejeon is truly fascinating with its numerous natural and artificial spots of sightseeing along with many historical sites embedded with cultural values.
Seoul is the capital of South Korea and considered as most beautiful modern city with many tourist attractions. Kyongbaok Palace, National Museum, Chogyesa Temple, Korean Folk Village at Suwon (south of Seoul) is some sightseeing of Seoul.
Major Sight-seeing Places in South Korea include:
Washington, June 19 (ANI): Scientists including an Indian researcher have suggested that whether a person believes that his or her obesity was caused by overeating or by lack of exercise predicts their actual body mass.
Johannesburg, June 19 (ANI): The South African media has said that England will try to convert the distraction of a looming Ashes series into motivation for Wednesday's first ICC Champions Trophy semi-final at the Oval against South Africa.
London, June 19 (ANI): England captain Alastair Cook has admitted that he is 'he has never felt more nervous' ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy semi-final against South Africa, despite backing his team to withstand the pressure.
Johannesburg, June 19 (ANI): South African captain AB de Villiers has said that England will be the favourites during their ICC Champions Trophy semi final clash with South Africa at The Oval on Wednesday because they are playing at home and know the conditions well.
London, June 19 (ANI): Amid the ball-tampering suspicions that are currently clouding England's ICC Champions Trophy campaign, South Africa captain AB de Villiers stoked the fire by admitting that England seemed to reverse swing the ball more quicker than other teams, which may be a possible concern.
Johannesburg, June 18 (ANI): South African captain AB de Villiers has said that national pride will be the primary focus of his team when they take on England in the first semi-final of the ICC Champions Trophy at The Oval on Wednesday.
Singapore, June 18 (IANS) Ravi Kumar, an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Technology -Madras (IIT-M), has been appointed dean of the Nanyang Business School (NBS) in Singapore's Nanyang Technological University (NTU), it was announced Tuesday.
Petaling Jaya (Malaysia), June 18 (IANS) Indian golfer Anirban Lahiri will rely on the short putter in his hunt for a fourth Asian Tour title at the Worldwide Holdings Selangor Masters Thursday.
London, June 18 (ANI): South African golfer Justin Rose has admitted that his US Open triumph was only possible after the healing of the scars from his 'traumatic' early career.
Seoul, June 18 (IANS) Producer prices in South Korea fell for three straight months due to lower prices of farm goods and crude oil, central bank data showed Tuesday.
Washington, June 18 (IANS) US President Barack Obama and South Korean President Park Geun-hye have held discussion on regional issues over phone, the White House said Monday.
Washington, June 17 (ANI): US lawmakers have pressed President Barack Obama to go beyond supplying Syrian rebels with small arms and to consider imposing a no-fly zone over the war-torn country.
London, June 17 (ANI): UK's eavesdropping agency, Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) had reportedly snooped on the emails and telephone records of the foreign politicians and officials during the G20 summit in 2009.
Johannesburg, June 17 (ANI): England batsman Kevin Pietersen who has not played since March owing to knee injury has confirmed that he will be returning to the team and aim for the Ashes series.
Sydney, June 17 (IANS/EFE) A temporary ban has been imposed by the Australian government on the sale of 19 synthetic drugs in the wake of the death of a teenager who used a substance similar to LSD, the media reported.
Washington, June 17 (IANS) Reacting to North Korea's desire to hold talks with the US, the White House Sunday said it wants to have "credible" negotiations with Pyongyang, provided the Asian nation first reflects its readiness to abide by its obligations.
Jakarta, June 16 (IANS) Legendary Indonesian shuttler Taufik Hidayat bade a tearful goodbye to his loyal fans and his country's badminton association (PBSI) here Sunday at the end of a 17-year-long spectacular professional career.
Jakarta, June 16 (IANS) Malaysia's top seed Lee Chong Wei won the Indonesia Open Super Series Premier men's singles title for the fifth time, beating German Marc Zwiebler 21-15, 21-14 here Sunday.
Ulan Bator (Mongolia), June 16 (ANI): In a daring act of fraud that has the potential of jeopardising his re-election in the June 26 presidential polls, Mongolian President Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj and his close associates ingeniously duped a South Korean investor into buying a license for a gold mine that, after due diligence, was discovered to have no gold value at all.
Recife (Brazil), June 16 (IANS) Veteran midfielder Xavi said Spain will not accept anything less than victory at the Confederations Cup as the reigning World Cup champions begin their quest for the only major trophy that has eluded them.
Washington, June 16 (ANI): As South Africa prayed for former African president Nelson Mandela, who spent his eighth day in hospital, his ex-bodyguard wished to 'set him free.'
Pyongyang, June 16 (Xinhua-ANI): The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Sunday proposed high-level talks with the United States "to defuse tension and realize regional peace and security on the Korean Peninsula," the official KCNA News agency reported.
Itanagar, June 15 (ANI): Given the fast changing geo-political scenario in South and South East Asia, believing that China is looking to cement its ties with India further in a positive manner would amount to landing in quick sand, an editorial in an Arunachal Pradesh daily has opined.
London, June 15(ANI): The risk of breast cancer has increased among British Asian women, a new research has revealed.
Johannesburg, June 15 (ANI): South Africa has managed to advance into the semi-finals of the ICC Champions Trophy on a good average run-rate after their rain-marred match against the West Indies at Sophia Gardens ended in a tie on Friday.
Berlin, June 14 (IANS) Hamburg striker Heung Min Son will join Bayer Leverkusen on a five-year deal, Leverkusen said on its official homepage.
Quito (Ecuador), June 14 (IANS) The Ecuadorian Football Federation (FEF) will file a complaint with world body FIFA against Paraguayan referee Enrique Caceres over his arbitration in Tuesday's 2014 World Cup South American qualifier.
Sydney, June 14 (ANI): Former Australian Test captain Mark Taylor is reportedly set to make a return to the Cricket Australia (CA) board, after he was controversially overlooked when the body was streamlined to a new nine-member board.
Melbourne, June 14 (ANI): Murder-accused Paralympian Oscar Pistorius has reportedly been left off South Africa's team of 32 athletes for the Paralympic athletics world championships, to be held next month in Lyon, France from July 19-28.
Johannesburg, June 14 (ANI): South Africa will return slain Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's assets and cash stashed in the country to Libya.
Toronto, June 13 (IANS) With research showing South Asians being among the people most susceptible to heart diseases in Canada, a walk is being organised in the city of Edmonton to create awareness about the issue.
Dimapur (Nagaland), June 13 (ANI): Many young students are leaving the taekwondo academy here due to lack of proper facilities.
London, June 13 (IANS) A newly discovered art piece - "Painting No. 1" of 1962 - by Indian artist Vasudeo S. Gaitonde has been sold for 698,500 pounds (about $1,093,000) at the Modern and Contemporary South Asian Art sale here.
Seoul, June 13 (IANS/RIA Novosti) North Korea came down on South Korea Thursday after high-level talks between the sides were cancelled.
Tbilisi (Georgia), June 13 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Georgia is prepared to accept Russian President Vladimir Putin's offer to take a role in security at next year's Winter Olympics.
Johannesburg, June 13 (ANI): South Africa paceman Dale Steyn has raised hopes that he will be fit for the critical ICC Champions Trophy game against West Indies on Friday after he bowled at full intensity in the nets on Wednesday.
Sydney, June 13 (ANI): Australia's stand-in captain George Bailey has raised questions about the legitimacy of England's methods for gaining reverse-swing, and hinted that one of the home side's bowling trump cards for the Ashes may be pushing the rules' boundaries.
Johannesburg, June 12 (IANS) South African President Jacob Zuma Wednesday announced progress in Nelson Mandela's health condition as the former leader spent his fifth day in hospital, reported Xinhua.
New Delhi, June 12 (IANS) The government is working to make liquefied natural gas (LNG) a comparably cheaper fuel option and achieve energy security by 2030.
New Delhi, June 12 (IANS) Nearly a month after India was admitted as an observer into the mineral-rich Arctic Council, India's External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid is visiting Norway, a member of the eight-nation forum, where he will pay a visit to the Indian research station, Himadri, in Svalbard
Beijing, June 12 (Xinhua-ANI): South Korea's top policymaker in charge of inter-Korean relations said Wednesday that the abrupt call-off of high-level inter-governmental talks between Seoul and Pyongyang would be a temporary pain for new inter-Korean relations, implying that Seoul is still open to the dialogue with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).
Puerto Ordaz, June 12 (IANS) Uruguay have restored their 2014 World Cup qualification hopes after a first-half strike from Edinson Cavani gave them a 1-0 away victory over Venezuela.
Islamabad, June 12 (ANI): Former Pakistani cricketers have criticised the team's poor batting performance after their ICC Champions Trophy defeat to South Africa, which has left them on the verge of dropping from the tournament.
New York, June 12 (IANS) German supermodel Heidi Klum reportedly got into a public argument with boyfriend Martin Kristen while dining at The Spotted Pig eatery, here.
Abu Dhabi, June 12 (IANS/WAM) Top officials of the UAE have held discussions with their counterparts from Iran, South Korea and the southeastern European republic of Kosovo.
Johannesburg, June 11(ANI): Mandela's frail health and prolonged hospital stays have kept the former president out of public eyes but analyst believe that the awareness about his mortality will not have a dramatic impact on domestic politics.
Islamabad, June 11 (ANI): Israel has exported security equipment to Pakistan over the past five years, according to British Government report.
London, June 11 (ANI): Pakistan Test and ODI captain Misbah-ul Haq has admitted that his team's batsmen were 'totally lost' after their poor show during the 67-run defeat by South Africa in the ICC Champions Trophy.
Moscow, June 11 (IANS/RIA Novosti) The US administration does not regard Russia as a rival in security matters but views Moscow as a partner with whom it can jointly resolve global issues, the US ambassador to Russia said Monday.
Birmingham, June 11 (IANS) South Africa defeated Pakistan in a must win game at Edgbaston here Monday to keep themselves alive in the Champions Trophy.
London, June 10 (IANS/CMC) India have won all their matches since arriving in Britain but the West Indies, the reiging World Twenty20 champions, will pose a big challenge in Tuesday's crucial Group B clash in the ICC Champions Trophy.
Karachi, June 10 (ANI): Former Pakistan pacer Shoiab Akhtar has urged Pakistan bowlers to play aggressively and aim for the wickets in their group matches against South Africa and India in the ongoing Champions Trophy in the UK.
Sydney, June 10 (ANI): South African captain AB de Villiers has reportedly said that the Australians are preparing for a bigger counter attack especially after losing to England at Edgbaston and vouched for the Australian cricket team's Ashes prospects.
Washington, June 10 (ANI): Officials from North Korea and South Korea held first government-level talks in years on Sunday.
Beijing, June 11 (Xinhua-ANI): South Korea and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) have agreed to hold a government meeting in Seoul later this week to resolve inter-Korean issues, media reported Monday.
Seoul, June 10 (IANS/RIA Novosti) North and South Korea have agreed to hold a ministerial meeting in Seoul next week which can help build mutual trust and ease tension on the Korean Peninsula, a government official said.
Washington, June 9 (ANI): US national security advisor, Thomas E.Donilon has said that US president Obama warned Chinese leader Xi Jinping that continued cyber thefts of intellectual property from US companies would damage the ties between the two nations.
London, June 9 (ANI): A US official has branded the two-day summit between President Barack Obama and Chinese leader Xi Jinping as 'positive' and 'constructive'.
London, June 9 (ANI): A US official has branded the two-day summit between President Barack Obama and Chinese leader Xi Jinping as 'positive' and 'constructive'.
Islamabad, June 9 (ANI): Pakistan Test and one-day captain Misbah-ul Haq has picked out the positives and highlighted the performance of his bowlers, instead of worrying over the narrow loss against West Indies in the ICC Champions Trophy opener, which has put Pakistan in a do-or-die battle against South Africa.
Moscow, June 9 (IANS/RIA Novosti) North and South Korea have agreed that talks slated for Sunday should be held in the demilitarised zone between the two countries.
Buenos Aires, June 8 (IANS) Sergio Aguero had two goals ruled out for offside as Argentina were held to a goalless draw by Colombia in a fiery World Cup qualifier at the Estadio Monumental.
Johannesburg, June 8 (ANI): South African ODI skipper AB de Villiers is being groomed for the job of Test captain, along with captaining the one-day side at the ICC Champions Trophy, according to outgoing coach Gary Kirsten.
Washington, June 8 (ANI): A new non-invasive test has been developed that could help detect colorectal cancer in its early stages and thereby improve the chances of survival of people.
Tokyo, June 8 (ANI): Japanese lawmaker Nariyaki Nakayama has said that Korean women were not forcibly taken as sex slaves during wartime.
Johannesburg, June 8 (ANI): South Africa all-rounder Chris Morris will replace paceman Morne Morkel in their ICC Champions Trophy squad, after Morris was ruled out of the tournament because of an injury.
Seoul, June 7 (IANS) South Korea's gross domestic product (GDP) growth for the first quarter was revised down to 0.8 percent amid the still fragile consumer spending, central bank data showed Friday.
I once plugged in an appliance and accidentally blacked out my whole school. I was an instant hero. I later told the head teacher that jumping around yelling "woohoo" was how we expressed deep sorrow where I come from, but he wasn't buying it. My achievement was eventually topped by a friend who dug a hole in his garden and short-circuited his entire street.
Sydney, June 7 (ANI): Signaling a possible breakthrough in cross-border ties after months of escalated military tensions, North and South Korea have finally agreed to hold their first official talks.
Karachi, June 7 (ANI): Pakistani pace lynchpin Umar Gul has said that he is likely to return to bowling again by mid July.
Cardiff, June 7 (IANS) Shikhar Dhawan's maiden ODI ton powered India to a winning start in the Champions Trophy beating South Africa by 26 runs in their first Group B match at Sophia Gardens here Thursday.
Cardiff, June 6 (IANS) The following is the scoreboard of the opening match of the Champions Trophy between India and South Africa in Group B here at the Sophia Gardens Thursday.
Cardiff (Wales), June 6 (ANI): Riding on southpaw Shikhar Dhawan's belligerent 114, India posted a mammoth target of 331 for 7 against the Proteas in the opener of the ICC Champions trophy being played here.
Bangkok, June 6 (IANS) World No.2 Saina Nehwal marched into the quarterfinals of the Thailand Grand Prix Gold badminton tournament here Thursday with a convincing victory over Singapore's Juan Gu.
Pyongyang, June 6 (IANS) North Korea Thursday proposed holding direct talks with South Korea on various issues. Seoul accepted it.
Pyongyang, June 6 (IANS) North Korea Thursday proposed holding talks with South Korea on various issues, the official KCNA news agency reported.
Cardiff (Wales), June 6 (ANI): South African cricket captain A.B. De Villiers has said that his team is tough, and would like to be in a good space mentally, when they take on their opponents in the ICC Champions Trophy that begins from today (Thursday).
Cardiff (Wales), June 6 (ANI): Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has said the team will have to adapt quickly to the new set of one-day cricket rules that will be applicable during the ICC Champions Trophy, when they take on South Africa in the first match of the tournament today.
Washington, June 6 (IANS) India, China and seven other countries have received fresh six-month waivers from the US State Department on Iran sanctions for agreeing to reduce purchases of oil from Tehran.
Washington, June 5 (ANI): The Obama administration will be extending six-month sanctions exemptions to India and eight other countries for significantly reducing oil imports from Iran, officials have said.
Seoul, June 5 (IANS) South Korea's foreign reserves fell last month as the US dollar appreciates, which was caused by expectations for the early end of quantitative easing reduced the conversion value of non-dollar assets, central bank data showed Wednesday.
Tehran, June 5 (IANS) The Iranian national football team beat Qatar 1-0 to restore their hopes of qualifying for the 2014 World Cup.
London, June 5 (ANI): Los Alamos National Laboratory scientists have designed a new type of nanostructured-carbon-based catalyst that could pave the way for reliable, economical next-generation batteries and alkaline fuel cells, providing for practical use of wind- and solar-powered electricity, as well as enhanced hybrid electric vehicles.
Karachi, June 5 (ANI): India had thrashed Australia by 243 runs in a Champions Trophy warm-up match after skittling out the defending champions for just 65 in Cardiff on Tuesday.
Johannesburg, June 5 (ANI): South African player Ryan McLaren has said that he hoped that the ICC Champions Trophy will be the tournament where he cements his position as the all-rounder in South Africa's Castle Lager sponsored-ODI team.
Tokyo, June 5 (ANI): North Korea may be very close to restarting a plutonium reactor that can produce fissile material for nuclear bombs, a US research institute has said.
Sydney, June 5 (ANI): South African fast bowler Dale Steyn has become a doubt for the opening match of the ICC Champions Trophy against India in Cardiff on Thursday, because of a side strain.
Johannesburg, June 4 (ANI): Paralympic star Oscar Pistorius had been reportedly whisked away by his bodyguards and the South African police force after his case for the alleged murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp was postponed to August 19.
Cardiff (Wales), June 4 (ANI): The Indian cricket team toiled hard in Cardiff on Monday, a day before their practice match against Australia, and three days before their Champions Trophy encounter against South Africa.
Sydney, June 4 (ANI): Young Indian-origin Australian fast bowler Gurinder Sandhu has reportedly received a special marketing contract from Cricket Australia (CA) as it aims to attract more Australians of Asian descent to the game.
London, June 4 (ANI): The parents of Oscar Pistorius' dead girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp have said that they want to know why their daughter was shot.
Sydney, June 3(ANI): A team of 46 Australian scientists is going to lead a voyage to Antarctica in a bid to retrace Sir Douglas Mawson's 1911-14 expedition.
London, June 3 (ANI): In response to the criticism over its role in the territorial disputes in South and East China Seas, China has dismissed all allegations, saying that it wanted peaceful development alongside its neighbours.
Seoul, June 3 (IANS) South Korea's consumer prices rose 1 percent in May from a year earlier due to a fall in farm goods and oil product prices, a government report showed Monday.
Johannesburg, June 3 (ANI): South African cricketer J.P. Duminy has said there is scope for improving his skills in all departments of the game, following his unbeaten 150 in Proteas Vs. Netherlands one-day warm-up encounter ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy being played in England.
Sydney, June 2 (ANI): A recent study has found that Australians are becoming addicted to their mobile phones for checking work emails even on holidays or weekends.
London, Jun 2 (ANI): South African captain AB de Villiers has said that beating India in their first ICC Champions Trophy clash is the key to success in the eight-nation tournament.
London, Jun 2 (ANI): The former lead investigating officer of the murder case of Oscar Pistorius' girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, has said that the Paralympic sprinter could go free because of the pictures of the crime scene, which had been recently revealed to the public.
Seoul, June 1 (IANS) South Korea posted a trade surplus of $6.03 billion in May as exports grew at a faster pace than the previous month despite the continued devaluation of the Japanese yen, a government report showed Saturday.
Washington, May 31 (ANI): How and when turtle shell originated has fascinated and confounded biologists for more than two centuries.
