Seoul; note - Sejong, located some 120 km (75 mi) south of Seoul, serves as an administrative capital for segments of the South Korean Government
Population
52,081,799
Sub-Zones
17
General Information
Basic details about Korea, South
Population:
52,081,799
Area:
99,720 sq km
Currency:
South Korean won
Languages:
Korean, English
Economic Overview
Key economic indicators for Korea, South
GDP:
$2.615 trillion
GDP per Capita:
$50,600
GDP Growth:
1.36%
Inflation:
3.6%
Unemployment:
2.64%
Public Debt:
51.18% of GDP
Credit Rating:
AA (2016)
Political System
Governance structure of Korea, South
Government Type:
presidential republic
Head of State:
President YOON Suk Yeol (since 10 May 2022); note - Prime Minister HAN Duck-soo became Acting President on 14 December 2024 after the National Assembly impeached and suspended YOON from office (South Korea's Constitutional Court has 180 days to rule on YOON's removal); Deputy Prime Minister CHOI Sang-mok became Acting President on 27 December 2024 after the National Assembly impeached and suspended HAN from office
Head of Government:
President YOON Suk Yeol (since 10 May 2022); note - Prime Minister HAN Duck-soo became Acting President on 14 December 2024 after the National Assembly impeached and suspended YOON from office (South Korea's Constitutional Court has 180 days to rule on YOON's removal); Deputy Prime Minister CHOI Sang-mok became Acting President on 27 December 2024 after the National Assembly impeached and suspended HAN from office
Judiciary:
Supreme Court (consists of a chief justice and 13 justices); Constitutional Court (consists of a court head and 8 justices)
Administrative Divisions:
9 provinces (do, singular and plural), 6 metropolitan cities (gwangyeoksi, singular and plural), 1 special city (teugbyeolsi), and 1 special self-governing city (teukbyeoljachisi)
Major Political Parties
Not specified
International Relations
Global position and alliances
UN Member:
Yes
EU Member:
No
Diplomatic Presence:
2450 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
Major Alliances and Organizations
OECD
Economic Sectors & Trade
Detailed economic breakdown
Major Economic Sectors
Agriculture
1.6% (2023 est.)
Industry
31.6% (2023 est.)
Services
58.4% (2023 est.)note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
Trade Volume
Exports:
$769.534 billion
Imports:
$761.102 billion
Major Trading Partners
China 25
USA 18
Hong Kong 4
Japan 4
Taiwan 4
Economic Outlook
Korea, South has a 1.36% GDP growth rate with 3.6% inflation. The economy is characterized by a strong agriculture sector.