I. Overview - Country name: Republic of Korea, abbreviated as Korea. The official English name is Republic of Korea (ROK). - Capital: Seoul (Seoul), population 10,385 million (April 2014). - Big cities: Busan, Daegu, Daejon, Kwangju, Incheon, Ulsan. - Geographical location: In the South of the Korean Peninsula; East, West and South borders the sea; North Korea borders North Korea through the military demarcation line running along the 38th parallel north. - Area: 99,720 km2 (whole peninsula: 222,154 km2) - Climate: The climate is temperate, with 4 distinct seasons. - Population: 49.04 million people (March 2014). - Ethnicity: There is only one ethnic group, the Han people (North Korea). - Religion: Buddhism 10.7 million; Protestant 8.6 million; God 5.1 million; Confucianism 104 thousand... - Language: Korean (one voice, one script). - Currency: Won (exchange rate as of May 30, 2014: 1USD = 1,040 won) - National Day: + October 3, 2333 BC: National Founding Day, also known as the Opening Ceremony. Representative missions abroad organize receptions. + August 15, 1945: Liberation Day (Korean peninsula escaped from Japanese occupation). Holding a solemn commemoration meeting, the President gave a speech. Leaders of countries sent congratulatory messages. + August 15, 1948: The Government of the Republic of Korea was established. - Current key leaders: + President: Pac Kun He (Park Geun Hye), since February 25, 2013. + Prime Minister: Chong Hong Un (Jeong Hong Won), from February 26, 2013. + Chairman of the National Assembly: Chung Ui Hoa (Chung Ui Hwa), from May 29, 2012 + Foreign Minister: Yun Bien Se (Yun Byeong Se), from 11/3/2013. II. Overview of history, country, people 1. History The Korean people have about 5,000 years of history. In 2333 BC, Ko-Choson (Old Korea) was born, including Manchuria, East China (now part of China) and the Korean Peninsula. This state existed for about 1,000 years, successively invaded by the Zhou and Han dynasties (China). In 57 BC, three new feudal states were formed, respectively, namely Ko-Guryo (Gao Cu Le) including the North of the Peninsula and Manchuria, China, Paekche (Bach Chi) and Shilla (Silla). in the southern part of the Peninsula, also known as the Three Kingdoms period. In 668, Shilla annexed Ko-Guryo and Paekche, establishing the unified Shilla dynasty, which lasted nearly three centuries (668-918). From 918-1392, King Wang Kon founded the country Koryo (Korea, the Vuong Dynasty), taking the capital as Kaeseong (King Thanh). From 1392-1910, King Ly Song Gye founded Choson (Korea, Ly Dynasty), moved from the capital to Seoul (1394), King Sejong (fourth dynasty) created the Hangul alphabet that today is known as Hangul. is still being used. In 1910, Japan annexed the Korean Peninsula. In 1945, the Korean Peninsula was liberated and divided, forming two states under two different socio-political regimes, taking the 38th parallel north as the boundary: the South was the Republic of Korea (commonly known as the Republic of Korea). is Korea, the English name is Republic of Korea) and the North is the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (commonly known as Korea, in English as Democratic People's Republic of Korea). On June 25, 1950, the Korean War broke out, at first between the two Koreas and then with the participation of the US army and a number of allied forces, then the participation of the Chinese army. Country. The US and North Korea signed the Armistice Agreement in 1953, the war ended. However, in practical terms, the Korean Peninsula is still in a state of war, the Peace Agreement has not been signed. 2. Country, people 2.1 Culture - society - Korea was originally a country with only one people and one voice, however, today this factor is changing a lot. Korea is transitioning to a "multi-ethnic, multi-cultural" society. As of June 2013, there are about 1.5 million foreigners living in Korea, accounting for 3% of the Korean population1. - Due to the influence of Confucianism, Koreans attach great importance to etiquette and order, especially in relationships of consanguineous (family, relatives), fellow students (same school), and fellow students. incense (same hometown). Young Koreans today tend to favor American and Japanese culture. Although the Korean football team was ranked 4th at the 2002 World Cup, football is not as popular as baseball and basketball. - Korea has relatively developed cinema, music and fashion in Asia (China, Taiwan, Japan, Vietnam). Korean culture is being strongly imported into many Asian countries with the name "Han-lyu (Korean cultural wave)". Typical of Korean dishes are spicy and salty. Famous dishes are Kim-chi (salted vegetables often with chili), grilled meat (bacon, beef), cold vermicelli... Korea has successfully hosted the 1988 Summer Olympics and the Olympic Games. 2002 World Cup soccer championship; won the right to host the 17th Asian Games (October 9, 2014) and the Winter Olympics in 2018. 2.2 Sights - scenic spots Korea has many monuments recognized by UNESCO as world heritages such as: Chang Du Palace (German Choir): completed in 1405 and in December 1997 recognized by UNESCO as a world cultural heritage; Xuan Hoa-shuang Citadel (Thuy Nguyen Hoa Thanh)