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East Asia · Asia

South Korea

대한민국
Capital
Seoul
Population
51.7M
Area
100,210 km²
Language
Korean

South Korea is a country in East Asia, Asia. Its capital is Seoul, with a population of approximately 51.7M and a total area of 100,210 km². The official language is Korean and the currency is the Won (₩).

📊 Quick Facts about South Korea

👥
Population
51.7M
total residents
📐
Total Area
100,210 km²
land coverage
🏙️
Pop. Density
516/km²
people per km²
💰
GDP (nominal)
$1.67T
total output
💵
GDP per Capita
$32,300
per person
💱
Currency
Won (₩)
legal tender
🗣️
Language(s)
Korean
official
🌊
Coastline
2,413 km
total shore
🕐
Timezone
UTC+9
UTC offset
🎂
Independence
1945
established
🕐
Local Time in Seoul

South Korea covers an area of 100,210 km² with a population density of 516/km² people per km². The country has a GDP of $1.67T ($32,300 per capita) and gained independence in 1945. It has a coastline of 2,413 km.

Did You Know?

South Korea transformed from one of the world's poorest countries in the 1950s to a high-tech economic powerhouse in one generation, the 'Miracle on the Han River'. It has the world's fastest average internet speed and invented the concept of the 'fan café' that spawned global K-pop culture.

See all 14+ facts about South Korea

✈️ Travel Information for South Korea

📅
Best Time to Visit
April–June, September–November
Temperate continental, cold winters, hot humid summers
💸
Cost of Travel
Mid
vs global average
🛂
Visa
Visa-free for most Western nationalities (K-ETA required)
entry requirements

⚠️ Visa requirements change frequently. Always verify with the official embassy or consulate before travel.

Full South Korea travel guide: visa, costs, plug, safety →

📍 South Korea on the Map

🌍
📍 Seoul, South Korea
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⚠ Coverage varies by country. Zoom in or drag to explore.

🏆 South Korea World Rankings

10th
Economy
10th largest economy in the world
1st
Internet Speed
World's fastest average internet speeds
1st
K-pop
K-pop is South Korea's largest cultural export
1st
5G
First country with a nationwide 5G network

🏛 Must-See Places in South Korea

🗺️ Countries Bordering South Korea

North Korea
North Korea
Pyongyang

⚖️ Compare South Korea with another country

See how South Korea stacks up against its neighbours and peers. Each comparison shows population, area, GDP, language, currency and more, side by side.

South KoreavsNorth Korea
South Korea vs North Korea
South KoreavsChina
South Korea vs China
South KoreavsJapan
South Korea vs Japan
South KoreavsMongolia
South Korea vs Mongolia
Or compare any two countries →

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about South Korea

What is the capital of South Korea?

The capital of South Korea is Seoul.

What continent is South Korea in?

South Korea is located in Asia, in the East Asia region.

What currency does South Korea use?

South Korea uses the Won (₩). The international calling code is +82.

What is the GDP of South Korea?

South Korea has a GDP of $1.67T, with a GDP per capita of $32,300.

🌍 Explore More Countries in East Asia

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Tokyo
Mongolia
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North Korea
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