History
Joseon Dynasty
The Joseon Dynasty ruled Korea for more than five centuries. This period had a major influence on Korean government, education, architecture, art and cultural traditions.
History
East Asia
🇰🇷 South Korea
South Korea is an East Asian country known for its long history, modern cities, food, technology, music, film, sport, and distinctive cultural traditions.
K-PopTechnologyFoodHistoryFilm & TVTraditions
Capital
Seoul
Population
About 52 million
Languages
Korean
Currency
South Korean Won
Cultural Overview
The story of South Korea
South Korea combines historic palaces, temples, traditional neighbourhoods and centuries-old customs with some of the world's most modern cities. In recent decades, Korean music, television, film, food, beauty, fashion and technology have become increasingly influential around the world.
K-PopTechnologyFoodHistoryFilm & TVTraditions
Capital City
Seoul
Seoul is the capital and largest city of South Korea. Historic palaces and traditional neighbourhoods sit alongside skyscrapers, major technology companies, shopping districts and entertainment centres.
Fact File
Learn about South Korea
Explore the history, food, wildlife and culture of South Korea through images and short fact-file summaries.
Food
Kimchi
Kimchi is one of Korea's best-known foods. Vegetables such as cabbage and radish are seasoned and fermented, with many different recipes and regional varieties.
Food
Wildlife
Red-Crowned Crane
The red-crowned crane is an important symbol in Korean culture, traditionally associated with longevity and peace. The species can be seen in parts of the Korean Peninsula.
Wildlife
Culture
K-Pop
South Korean popular music has developed a huge international audience, combining music, dance, fashion, performance and highly produced visual entertainment.
Culture
Historical Timeline
The Story of South Korea
Explore some of the events and periods that have helped shape the history of South Korea.
Influential Figures
Influential People of South Korea
Explore influential people who helped shape the country through music, leadership, sport, activism, and culture.
Music
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Music
A singer and performer whose humorous music video and distinctive horse-riding dance became a worldwide phenomenon and one of the first enormous global K-pop hits.
Football
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Football
An internationally successful footballer who became one of Asia's most recognisable sporting stars through his career in the English Premier League.
Film
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Film
An internationally acclaimed filmmaker whose darkly comic thriller about two very different families became the first non-English-language film to win the Academy Award for Best Picture.
Music & Fashion
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Music & Fashion
A singer and performer who became internationally famous as a member of one of the world's biggest K-pop girl groups and later developed a successful solo career.
Cultural Spotlight
Discover the culture of South Korea
Explore the rich cultural heritage of South Korea through its art, music, traditions, and more.
Cultural Spotlight
Hangul
Hangul is the Korean alphabet. It was developed during the reign of King Sejong in the 15th century with the aim of creating a writing system that ordinary people could learn more easily.
Cultural Spotlight
Cultural Spotlight
Hanbok
Hanbok is traditional Korean clothing recognised by its distinctive shapes, flowing lines and colours. Today it is particularly associated with celebrations, ceremonies and cultural events.
Cultural Spotlight
Places to Explore
Explore South Korea
Discover landscapes, cities, landmarks, and locations that help tell the story of South Korea.
History
History
Gyeongbokgung Palace
Gyeongbokgung was the main royal palace of the Joseon Dynasty and remains one of Seoul's most important historic landmarks.
Nature
Nature
Jeju Island
Jeju is a volcanic island south of the Korean Peninsula known for its dramatic coastline, lava landscapes, waterfalls and Hallasan mountain.
Culture
Culture
Bukchon Hanok Village
This historic Seoul neighbourhood contains traditional Korean houses known as hanok and offers a glimpse of older architectural styles within the modern city.
Coastal City
Coastal City
Busan
Busan is South Korea's second-largest city and an important port, known for its coastline, beaches, markets, temples and international film festival.
Things We’ve Learned About South Korea
South Korea occupies the southern part of the Korean Peninsula.
Hangul is the alphabet used to write the Korean language.
South Korea hosted the Summer Olympic Games in Seoul in 1988.
Kimchi can be made using many different vegetables and recipes.
South Korean music, television and film have developed audiences around the world.