Contents
Country Overview
South Korea, formally the Republic of Korea, occupies the southern part of the Korean Peninsula and is a major advanced industrial and technological economy. Seoul is the national capital and the center of a metropolitan region housing more than half of the population. The country is a constitutional presidential republic led by President Lee Jae-myung, elected in June 2025 after the removal of his predecessor; Han Seong-sook took office as prime minister in July 2026. Its economy is especially prominent in semiconductors, automobiles, shipbuilding and digital services. This reference profile explicitly separates the national 2025 census from World Bank population estimates, identifies merchandise trade by reporting year, and presents the North–South Korea division and heritage inscriptions with precise qualifications.
CapitalSeoulNational capital and metropolitan hub [1]
Population51.82 millionNational register-based 2025 census [4]
GDPUS$1.872 trillionWorld Bank 2025 current-dollar series [2]
PresidentLee Jae-myungIn office since June 4, 2025 [9]
Prime ministerHan Seong-sookIn office since July 1, 2026 [11]
World Heritage17 propertiesUNESCO: 15 cultural, 2 natural [17]
Data and status note: The 2025 register-based population census counted approximately 51.82 million persons as of November 1, 2025, whereas the World Bank 2025 annual population estimate is 51,684,564; these differ in methods and reference date. The World Bank lists 2025 GDP of US$1,872.37 billion and 1.0% real growth. South Korea’s Ministry of Trade reported US$709.7 billion exports and US$631.7 billion imports for calendar 2025. Prime Minister Han Seong-sook began serving July 1, 2026, superseding earlier references to Kim Min-seok. UNESCO currently lists 17 inscribed properties; the 2026 Getbol extension did not create a separately numbered eighteenth property.
Identity & State Formation
- Official name
- Republic of Korea (ROK; Daehan Minguk). [1] [15]
- Common name
- South Korea, an informal geographic/political shorthand. [1]
- Capital
- Seoul. [1]
- UN statistical subregion
- Eastern Asia. [1]
- ISO country codes
- KR / KOR / 410. [1]
- State form
- Unitary constitutional presidential republic. [15]
- President
- Lee Jae-myung since June 4, 2025. [9]
- Prime minister
- Han Seong-sook since July 1, 2026. [11]
- Official language
- Korean. [15]
- Writing system
- Hangul alphabet used for standard Korean; Hanja appears in some contexts. [25]
- Currency
- South Korean won (KRW). [6]
- Currency symbol
- ₩ commonly denotes the Korean won. [6]
- National flag
- Taegeukgi, red-blue taegeuk with four black trigrams on white. [25]
- National emblem
- Taegeuk and mugunghwa/rose-of-Sharon motif used in state symbolism. [25]
- National anthem
- Aegukga. [25]
- National holiday
- National Foundation Day October 3. [25]
- Liberation Day
- August 15 marks liberation from Japanese colonial rule in 1945. [25]
- Independence movement
- March First Movement of 1919 promoted Korean self-determination. [25]
- Japanese colonial period
- Korean Peninsula was under Japanese colonial rule from 1910 to 1945. [25]
- Postwar division
- Soviet and U.S. occupation zones emerged after 1945. [22]
- Republic founded
- Republic of Korea government inaugurated August 15, 1948. [25]
- DPRK founded
- North Korean state established September 9, 1948. [22]
- Korean War
- Major conflict began June 25, 1950 and ended large-scale fighting with 1953 armistice. [22]
- Armistice
- Signed July 27, 1953; no comprehensive peace treaty followed. [22]
- Democratic transition
- Mass demonstrations in 1987 advanced direct presidential elections. [15]
- Sixth Republic
- Contemporary democratic constitutional arrangements date from 1987–1988. [15]
- Political system
- Multiparty elections for presidency, legislature and local governments. [15] [13]
- Executive term
- President serves a single five-year term under current constitution. [15]
- National legislature
- Unicameral 300-seat National Assembly. [12]
- UN membership
- September 17, 1991, jointly timed with DPRK admission. [21]
- Industrial transformation
- Rapid postwar industrialization made Korea a major export economy. [20]
- Cultural influence
- Global reach of K-pop, television, film, food and design. [18] [25]
- National development issues
- Low birthrate, aging, housing costs, work conditions and export dependence. [20] [5]
Geography & Population
- Location
- Southern portion of the Korean Peninsula, northeast Asia. [1]
- Northern land frontier
- Military Demarcation Line and Demilitarized Zone with DPRK. [22]
- Western sea
- Yellow Sea / West Sea. [16]
- Eastern sea
- Sea of Japan / East Sea; naming differs internationally. [16]
- Southern waters
- Korea Strait links the peninsula and Japanese archipelago. [16]
- Maritime position
- Near China and Japan across regional seas. [1]
- Surface area
- Approximately 100,000 km², depending on national or international dataset. [1]
- Mountainous landscape
- Taebaek and Sobaek ranges and hilly uplands cover much of the peninsula. [16]
- Highest point
- Hallasan, volcanic summit on Jeju Island, about 1,947 m. [17]
- Jeju Island
- Volcanic island and major tourism, ecology and agricultural region. [17]
- Seoul
- Capital, governmental and economic center on Han River. [1]
- Incheon
- Major port and international airport city in capital region. [24]
- Gyeonggi Province
- Surrounds much of Seoul and includes extensive suburbs. [5]
- Busan
- Large southeastern port metropolis. [24]
- Daegu
- Inland urban and industrial center. [5]
- Daejeon
- Central city with research and administrative institutions. [5]
- Gwangju
- Southwestern metropolis with democratic-movement heritage. [25]
- Ulsan
- Major industrial and automotive/shipbuilding center. [23]
- Sejong
- Planned administrative city hosting numerous government ministries. [12]
- Han River
- Major river through Seoul and central western peninsula. [16]
- Nakdong River
- Long southeastern river system. [16]
- Coastal wetlands
- West and south coasts contain important tidal-flat ecosystems. [17]
- Getbol
- Korean tidal-flat World Heritage property has extensions approved in 2026. [17]
- Temperate monsoon
- Four seasons with hot humid summers and cold winters. [16]
- Monsoon rainfall
- Summer rainfall is concentrated in East Asian monsoon season. [16]
- Typhoon exposure
- Coastal regions face summer and autumn storm hazards. [16]
- Heat waves
- Increasing summer heat affects urban health and infrastructure. [16]
- Air quality
- Fine particles and regional transboundary pollution are policy concerns. [20] [16]
- 2024 register census
- About 51.81 million persons as of November 2024. [5] [4]
- 2025 register census
- About 51.82 million persons as of November 1, 2025. [4]
- 2025 World Bank estimate
- 51,684,564 persons in the annual international series. [3]
- Census/estimate comparison
- A register-based census and modelled annual count differ by coverage and reference date. [4] [3]
- 2025 working-age people
- 35.87 million aged 15–64, or 69.2% of register-census population. [4]
- 2025 capital-area population
- 26.38 million, approximately 50.9% of residents. [4]
- 2025 households
- 23.25 million according to 2025 register-census results. [4]
- Household size
- Approximately 2.16 persons in 2025 general households. [4]
- Settlement concentration
- Seoul–Incheon–Gyeonggi corridor dominates urban population and economic activity. [4]
- Demographic concern
- Very low fertility and rapid aging shape long-run population projections. [5] [20]
South Korea population reference series
The register census and World Bank annual estimate are different measurement systems, not an arithmetic discrepancy to be corrected. [4] [3]
| Series | Reference date | Persons |
|---|---|---|
| Register-based census | November 1, 2024 | About 51.81 million |
| Register-based census | November 1, 2025 | About 51.82 million |
| World Bank annual estimate | 2025 | 51,684,564 |
South Korea 2025 registered demographics
Ministry of Data and Statistics report released July 28, 2026. [4]
| Measure | Value | 2025 register census |
|---|---|---|
| Total population | 51.82 million | November 1 |
| Working-age population 15–64 | 35.87 million | 69.2% of all persons |
| Capital-region population | 26.38 million | 50.9% of all persons |
| Households | 23.25 million | Total households |
| Typical household size | 2.16 | General households |
Economy & International Trade
- Economic classification
- High-income industrial and service economy with major export sectors. [2] [20]
- Nominal GDP 2025
- US$1,872.37 billion in World Bank current-dollar accounts. [2]
- GDP per person 2025
- Approximately US$36,227.0 in World Bank data. [2]
- 2025 real growth
- 1.0% in World Bank and Bank of Korea annual series. [2] [6]
- 2025 inflation
- 2.1% in the World Bank CPI series. [2]
- 2025 modeled unemployment
- 2.7% of labor force, ILO-modeled World Bank series. [2]
- 2025 merchandise exports
- US$709.7 billion, reported by the Ministry of Trade. [7]
- 2025 merchandise imports
- US$631.7 billion, Ministry of Trade. [7]
- 2025 goods trade surplus
- US$78.0 billion, reported for calendar year. [7]
- 2025 exports growth
- +3.8% year on year in Ministry data. [7]
- 2025 imports change
- Approximately −0.02% year on year. [7]
- 2024 WTO goods exports
- US$683.13 billion; separate prior-year international series. [8]
- Semiconductors
- Memory and logic chips are major export products. [8] [7]
- Automobiles
- Passenger cars and components are substantial export categories. [7]
- Shipbuilding
- Commercial and specialized vessels are important industrial products. [7]
- Industrial machinery
- Machinery and capital equipment support manufacturing and global trade. [23]
- Petrochemical industries
- Refined oil and chemical products form part of the goods basket. [8]
- Electronics manufacturing
- Consumer electronics, components and displays are prominent sectors. [23]
- Digital services
- Software, gaming, platforms and telecommunications are important activities. [20]
- Financial system
- Seoul hosts major banking, insurance and securities markets. [6]
- Monetary authority
- Bank of Korea is central bank and monetary policy institution. [6]
- Currency arrangement
- Won exchange rate responds to market trading and monetary conditions. [6]
- Exports by partner
- China and United States were two leading 2024 merchandise destinations. [8]
- China export share
- Approximately 19.5% of 2024 goods exports in WTO data. [8]
- U.S. export share
- Approximately 18.8% in WTO 2024 data. [8]
- EU markets
- European Union was around 10.0% of 2024 goods export destinations. [8]
- Vietnam ties
- Vietnam is an important Korean production and trade partner. [8]
- Global value chains
- Korean chips, batteries and components enter supply chains worldwide. [7] [23]
- R&D investment
- Research and technological innovation are important sources of competitiveness. [20]
- Chaebol groups
- Large diversified conglomerates have influential roles in production and trade. [20]
- SMEs
- Smaller firms contribute substantially to employment and domestic commerce. [20]
- Household debt
- Debt and housing prices are recurring macrofinancial policy issues. [6] [20]
- Aging labor market
- Shrinking working-age population intensifies workforce and pension challenges. [4] [20]
- Energy imports
- Korea relies heavily on imported fuel and energy products. [8]
- Construction weakness
- 2025 construction contraction weighed on real GDP growth. [6]
- External risk
- Semiconductor cycles, trade barriers and geopolitical tensions affect export demand. [7] [20]
- Trade-methodology note
- 2024 WTO customs data should not be presented as 2025 national export results. [8] [7]
South Korea 2025 economic indicators
Current-dollar GDP should not be conflated with constant-price growth or gross national income. [2] [6]
| Measure | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Current-dollar GDP | US$1,872.37 billion | World Bank |
| GDP per person | US$36,227 | World Bank |
| Real annual growth | 1.0% | World Bank/Bank of Korea |
| Annual CPI inflation | 2.1% | World Bank |
South Korea merchandise trade, 2025
Calendar-year trade statistics, published January 2026. [7]
| Measure | US$ billions | Report |
|---|---|---|
| Exports | 709.7 | Ministry of Trade |
| Imports | 631.7 | Ministry of Trade |
| Trade surplus | 78.0 | Ministry of Trade |
| Exports annual change | +3.8% | Year-on-year |
| Imports annual change | −0.02% | Year-on-year |
People & Society
- Principal language
- Korean, with regional dialect diversity. [15]
- Writing
- Hangul is the principal writing system and a celebrated cultural achievement. [25]
- Major religions
- Protestant and Catholic Christianity, Buddhism and nonreligious populations. [5] [18]
- Religion-state relationship
- Constitutional protection of religious freedom and no state religion. [15]
- Historic Confucianism
- Confucian intellectual and ritual traditions influenced education and family life. [17] [25]
- Buddhist heritage
- Historic temples and mountain monasteries remain significant. [17]
- Household pattern
- One- and two-person households form a large share of households. [4]
- 2025 small households
- 66.1% of general households were one or two persons. [4]
- Aging trend
- Larger older population and small birth cohorts shift care requirements. [5] [20]
- Population trend
- Domestic natural population change is pressured by low birth rates. [5]
- Education
- National compulsory education and high secondary/tertiary participation. [20]
- University sector
- Seoul National, Korea and Yonsei are among major academic institutions. [20]
- Technical education
- STEM and engineering training support manufacturing and science. [20]
- Private tutoring
- Supplementary education raises household costs and social policy debates. [20]
- Healthcare
- Universal National Health Insurance covers a broad range of services. [19]
- Longevity
- World Bank estimates life expectancy around 84 years for 2024. [2]
- Urban concentration
- Seoul metro is home to around half the national population. [4]
- Housing affordability
- High housing costs in major cities contribute to demographic concerns. [20]
- Working hours
- Work-life balance and labor protections are subjects of policy reform. [20]
- Gender inequality
- Employment, pay and care disparities remain major social concerns. [20]
- Foreign population
- Migration contributes to workforce supply and social diversity. [4]
- Multicultural families
- Social policy increasingly addresses foreign residents and multicultural households. [5]
- Food traditions
- Kimchi, bibimbap, bulgogi, tteok and regional fermented foods. [18]
- Kimjang
- Communal kimchi-making is recognized as UNESCO intangible heritage. [18]
- Music
- K-pop has worldwide reach alongside traditional gugak music. [18]
- Film
- Korean cinema has international audiences and festival recognition. [25]
- Television and streaming
- Korean-language dramas form a major cultural export. [25]
- Literature
- Korean poetry, fiction and translated literature reach global readership. [25]
- Historic architecture
- Palaces, gates, fortresses and hanok dwellings preserve cultural styles. [17]
- Festivals
- Lunar New Year (Seollal) and harvest holiday Chuseok shape family calendars. [18]
- Sport
- Baseball, football, archery, short-track skating and e-sports are prominent. [25]
- Internet infrastructure
- Extensive broadband and mobile networks support connected life. [20]
- Digital government
- Online state services and digital identity systems are widely developed. [20]
- Disaster risks
- Heat, typhoons, heavy rainfall and wildfire require adaptation planning. [16]
- Coastal heritage
- Tidal flats and island ecosystems are natural-heritage resources. [17]
- Civil society
- Elections, protests, unions and independent media operate in democratic political life. [15]
- Military service
- Compulsory service applies to many eligible men under defense law. [15]
- Public memory
- Democratization and Korean War history remain subjects of civic education. [25]
Government & Institutions
- Constitutional order
- Presidential republic under 1987 constitutional framework. [15]
- President
- Lee Jae-myung, inaugurated June 4, 2025. [9]
- Presidential election
- Special presidential vote held June 3, 2025 after removal of predecessor. [9]
- Lee electoral vote
- Received approximately 49.42% in June 2025 vote. [9]
- Presidential term
- Five years without immediate reelection under current constitution. [15]
- President's functions
- Head of state and government; leads executive and defense policy. [15]
- Prime minister
- Han Seong-sook, serving since July 1, 2026. [11]
- PM appointment
- Appointed by president with National Assembly consent. [15] [11]
- Previous premier
- Kim Min-seok preceded Han as head of cabinet until June 2026. [11]
- PM constitutional role
- Assists president and coordinates cabinet administration. [15]
- National Assembly
- Unicameral parliament consisting of 300 members. [12]
- Assembly term
- 22nd National Assembly began in May 2024. [12]
- 2024 national election
- Parliamentary election held April 10, 2024. [13]
- Parliamentary representation
- Both district and proportional-representation members serve in the Assembly. [13] [12]
- Ruling party
- Democratic Party is the president's party. [9] [12]
- Principal conservative opposition
- People Power Party. [12]
- 2024 martial law crisis
- President Yoon Suk Yeol declared short-lived martial law in December 2024. [9] [15]
- Yoon removal
- Constitutional Court removed Yoon from office in April 2025, prompting early election. [9]
- Electoral oversight
- National Election Commission administers and supervises elections. [13]
- Constitutional Court
- Reviews constitutionality and impeachment matters. [15]
- Ordinary judiciary
- Supreme Court heads general court hierarchy. [15]
- Local governance
- Metropolitan cities, provinces, municipalities and districts hold elected offices. [13]
- 2026 local election
- Voting took place June 3, 2026. [14]
- 2026 local results
- Democratic Party won 12 of 16 major mayoral/provincial contests in reporting by Yonhap. [14]
- Seoul mayoralty
- Incumbent Oh Se-hoon retained the mayoral office in June 2026. [14]
- Legislative authority
- Assembly enacts laws, budgets and approves certain appointments. [12] [15]
- Civil rights
- Constitution provides speech, press, association and electoral rights subject to legal limits. [15]
- Press and protest
- Competitive political media and mass public demonstrations are features of civic life. [15]
- National security law
- Security restrictions relating to North Korea remain contested in rights debates. [15]
- Defense
- Armed forces operate under civilian constitutional command. [15]
- Military alliance
- US–ROK defense relationship shapes strategic policy. [24]
- Monetary governance
- Bank of Korea conducts national monetary policy. [6]
- Economic policymaking
- Ministries coordinate industry, trade, finance and innovation strategies. [23]
- Statistical institutions
- Ministry of Data and Statistics publishes censuses and demographic indicators. [4] [5]
- Administrative city
- Sejong hosts many ministries but is not the official national capital. [12]
- Transition-date caution
- References to Kim Min-seok as prime minister are outdated after June 2026. [11]
- Policy horizon
- Labor, pensions, low fertility, housing and technology are major domestic debates. [20]
South Korea national political timeline
Names and dates reflect changes subsequent to the 2024 parliamentary and 2025 presidential elections. [9] [11] [14]
| Event | Date | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Presidential election | June 3, 2025 | Lee Jae-myung elected |
| Presidential inauguration | June 4, 2025 | Lee took office |
| Prime minister Han confirmed | June 30, 2026 | Assembly consent |
| Han became prime minister | July 1, 2026 | Succeeded Kim Min-seok |
| Local elections | June 3, 2026 | Ruling party won 12 of 16 major contests |
International Profile
- United Nations
- Member since September 17, 1991. [21]
- OECD
- Member of Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. [20]
- G20
- Participates in the Group of Twenty. [24]
- WTO
- Member and major manufactured-goods exporter. [8]
- APEC
- Participates in Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation. [24]
- United States alliance
- Mutual defense treaty and major military cooperation framework. [24]
- U.S. forces
- American forces are stationed in the country under alliance arrangements. [24]
- North Korea relationship
- Divided peninsula with continuing security tensions and distinct governments. [22] [24]
- 1953 armistice status
- Armistice suspended major hostilities but did not establish permanent peace. [22]
- DMZ
- Military Demarcation Line and Demilitarized Zone separate forces. [22]
- Inter-Korean relations
- Diplomatic, military and economic interaction changes with policy and security developments. [24]
- China ties
- Trade and regional security issues are central bilateral concerns. [8] [24]
- Japan ties
- Economic exchange and security coordination coexist with historical disputes. [24]
- Russia ties
- Relations affected by regional security and sanctions considerations. [24]
- European Union
- Major export market and free-trade partner. [8] [23]
- ASEAN economies
- Significant manufacturing, migration, investment and commercial links. [8] [23]
- Vietnam ties
- Vietnam is important in Korean manufacturing and export networks. [8]
- Middle East imports
- Petroleum and gas supply ties are important for energy security. [8]
- Global supply chains
- South Korean semiconductors and batteries influence technology production worldwide. [7]
- Cultural diplomacy
- Korean popular culture supports international travel and cultural exchange. [25] [18]
- Climate diplomacy
- Party to global climate agreements and emissions reporting. [26]
- UNESCO convention
- Accepted World Heritage Convention in 1988. [17]
- UNESCO World Heritage count
- Seventeen inscribed properties as of November 2026. [17]
- World Heritage classification
- Fifteen cultural properties and two natural properties. [17]
- Jeju volcanic landscape
- Natural World Heritage property inscribed 2007. [17]
- Getbol Korean tidal flats
- Natural property inscribed 2021 and extended in 2026. [17]
- Getbol extension definition
- 2026 extension does not make the property count 18. [17]
- Petroglyphs Bangucheon
- Inscribed cultural property in 2025. [17]
- Baekje Historic Areas
- Cultural World Heritage property inscribed in 2015. [17]
- Gaya Tumuli
- Cultural World Heritage property inscribed 2023. [17]
- Changdeokgung Palace
- Cultural World Heritage property inscribed in 1997. [17]
- Seokguram and Bulguksa
- Buddhist cultural World Heritage property inscribed 1995. [17]
- Jongmyo Shrine
- Historic ritual-cultural World Heritage property inscribed 1995. [17]
- Historic Hahoe/Yangdong
- Traditional village World Heritage property inscribed 2010. [17]
- UNESCO tentative list
- Twelve properties in the tentative inventory, separate from inscriptions. [17]
- UNESCO intangible list
- Kimjang, music and other living practices are in a distinct registry. [18]
- International health cooperation
- WHO and other partners monitor public-health trends. [19]
- International data methodology
- National 2025 census, WB annual population and 2024/2025 merchandise trade are separate measures. [4] [2] [7] [8]
Selected South Korean UNESCO World Heritage properties
Representative entries only: UNESCO records 17 inscribed Korean properties overall, not 7. [17]
| Property | Type | Inscribed / amended |
|---|---|---|
| Seokguram Grotto and Bulguksa Temple | Cultural | 1995 |
| Changdeokgung Palace Complex | Cultural | 1997 |
| Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes | Natural | 2007 |
| Baekje Historic Areas | Cultural | 2015 |
| Getbol, Korean Tidal Flats | Natural | 2021; extended 2026 |
| Gaya Tumuli | Cultural | 2023 |
| Petroglyphs along the Bangucheon Stream | Cultural | 2025 |
Sources and Methodology
The Ministry of Data and Statistics 2025 register-based census counted 51.82 million persons (November 1, 2025), whereas the World Bank 2025 annual estimated total is 51,684,564. GDP uses the World Bank’s nominal current-US$ series, with annual real growth distinguished from nominal output. The Korean Ministry of Trade’s 2025 exports (US$709.7bn) and imports (US$631.7bn) are not the WTO 2024 international goods profile. The 2026 premier is Han Seong-sook, who took office July 1, not Kim Min-seok. UNESCO reports 17 inscribed properties; the 2026 Getbol territorial extension did not add a separate property. Political and international descriptions have a November 6, 2026 editorial cutoff.
Editorial cutoff: November 6, 2026 (Pacific Time). All stated population counts, prices, elections, and legal statuses have specific reference dates or qualifications. This page should be updated following major new statistical releases or changes of government.
- UN Statistics Division — M49 statistical classification — Eastern Asia classification and Republic of Korea ISO codes.
- World Bank — Republic of Korea country indicators — 2025 population, GDP, per-capita GDP, growth and inflation.
- World Bank — Republic of Korea total population — 2025 international annual population estimate 51,684,564.
- Ministry of Data and Statistics — 2025 Population and Housing Census, July 2026 — 2025 register-based census, 51.82 million persons and household data.
- Ministry of Data and Statistics — national statistics portal — population, vital, labor and national economic statistics.
- Bank of Korea — national accounts and monetary policy — national accounts, central banking and 2025 GDP growth.
- Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources — Korea’s Annual Exports Reach New Highs in 2025 — 2025 exports US$709.7bn and imports US$631.7bn.
- WTO Tariff & Trade Data — Korea, Republic of — 2024 goods export product and partner mix.
- Yonhap News Agency — Lee Jae-myung formally begins presidential term, June 2025 — June 4, 2025 presidential inauguration and election result.
- Office of the President of the Republic of Korea — official website — presidential role and executive communications.
- Office of the Prime Minister — Han Seong-sook official profile — 50th Prime Minister since July 1, 2026.
- National Assembly of the Republic of Korea — official website — unicameral National Assembly and legislative structure.
- National Election Commission of Korea — national election institutions and administration.
- Yonhap — 2026 Korean local election results, June 4, 2026 — 2026 metropolitan/provincial election outcomes.
- Korea Legislation Research Institute — Korean statutes and Constitution — constitutional rights, judiciary and government structure.
- World Bank Climate Change Knowledge Portal — Republic of Korea — precipitation, storms, heat and climate vulnerability.
- UNESCO World Heritage Centre — Republic of Korea — 17 listed properties; 2025 Bangucheon and 2026 Getbol extension.
- UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage — Republic of Korea — living cultural heritage and separate inscription registry.
- WHO Data — Republic of Korea — longevity and public-health data.
- OECD — Republic of Korea overview — labor, innovation, aging and social policy.
- United Nations — Member States — Republic of Korea admitted in September 1991.
- United Nations Command — Korean Armistice Agreement — 1953 armistice; not a comprehensive peace settlement.
- Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources — official English portal — trade policy, industrial technology and free-trade agreements.
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs — Republic of Korea — diplomacy, alliances, regional relations.
- Korea Heritage Service — official website — cultural heritage preservation and monuments.
- UNFCCC — Republic of Korea parties and reports — international climate obligations and reporting.