South Korea

South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea (ROK), is a country in East Asia constituting the southern part of the Korean Peninsula. It shares borders with North Korea to its north, and oversea neighbours such as Japan to its east and China to its west. South Korea has an area of 100,210 square kilometres (38,622 sq mi) and a population of over 50 million people. The capital city is Seoul; other major cities include Busan, Incheon, Gwangju and Daejeon.

The history of South Korea can be traced back at least 4 000 years ago when it was inhabited by various tribal states known collectively as Gojoseon or ‘Old Joseon’. During this period Buddhism flourished throughout most parts of present-day South Korea until it was replaced by Confucianism during the Three Kingdoms Period from 57 BC – 668 AD. Throughout much of its subsequent history up until 1945 it was divided between two rival states: Silla Kingdom in what would later become modern day territory for both Koreas; and Balhae Kingdom in Manchuria which covered northern parts beyond today’s border line with North Korea. After World War II ended in 1945 following Japanese surrender after atomic bombings on Hiroshima & Nagasaki coupled with Soviet Invasion into Manchuria resulted in division between 2 countries along 38th parallel hence creating new geopolitical reality that exists till this day whereby Northern half became communist state called Democratic People’s Republic Of Corea while Southern half formed anti-communist government named Republic Of Corea shorted down ROC often referred popularly as “South