Korea, South

Overview

Despite troubles caused by colonial partitioning and economic breakdown, South Korea is faring particularly well, especially when compared to the other South East Asian nations. Many will start discovering the country in Seoul, the capital, and should not miss the remarkable markets. Being a former Olympic host amongst other athletic events means that sporting visitors will be able to tire themselves out with ease. Those interested in spectator sports should endeavour to watch a few boughts of taekwondo or ssirum. Skiing and hiking are possible in the mountains with the latter being rewarding in the Songnisan National Park.

The spiritual side of the country can be seen by visiting one of the thousands of Buddhist temples. The 33m bronze Buddha will be difficult to miss at Beopjasa which is the country's largest temple site. Modern times have brought various tours of varying involvement in some of the rituals at the temples.

History

Korea was an independent kingdom under Chinese suzerainty for most of the past millennium. Following its victory in the Russo-Japanese War in 1905, Japan occupied Korea; five years later it formally annexed the entire peninsula. After World War II, a republic was set up in the southern half of the Korean Peninsula while a Communist-style government was installed in the north. During the Korean War (1950-53), US and other UN forces intervened to defend South Korea from North Korean attacks supported by the Chinese. An armistice was signed in 1953, splitting the peninsula along a demilitarized zone at about the 38th parallel. Thereafter, South Korea achieved rapid economic growth with per capita income rising to roughly 14 times the level of North Korea. In 1987, South Korean voters elected ROH Tae-woo to the presidency, ending 26 years of military dictatorships. South Korea today is a fully functioning modern democracy. In June 2000, a historic first North-South summit took place between the South's President KIM Tae-chung and the North's leader KIM Jong Il.