On June 25, 1950, North Korean forces invaded South Korea
The war left almost three million Koreans dead or wounded and millions of others
homeless and separated from their families.
The Second Republic under the leadership of Chang Myon ended after only one
year, when Major General Park Chung-hee led a military coup. Park's rule, which
resulted in tremendous economic growth and development but increasingly
restricted political freedoms, ended with his assassination in 1979
. Subsequently, a powerful group of military officers, led by Lieutenant General
Chun Doo Hwan, declared martial law and took power.
throughout the Park and Chun eras, there were many strong protests against the authorities, led by students and labor union activists
movements reached a climax after Chun's 1979 coup and declaration of martial
law.
Former business executive and Mayor of Seoul Lee Myung-bak's 5-year term begins
with his inauguration on February 25, 2008.
In 1987, Roh Tae-woo, a former general, was elected president
1992 election of a long-time pro-democracy activist, Kim Young-sam. Kim became
Korea's first civilian elected president in 32 years.
Thereafter, pro-democracy activities intensified even more, ultimately forcing
political concessions by the government in 1987, including the restoration of
direct presidential elections.
Natural resources: Limited coal, iron ore, limestone, kaolinite, and
graphite.Agriculture, including forestry and fisheries:
Products--rice, vegetables, fruit, root crops, barley; cattle, pigs,
chickens, milk, eggs, fish. Arable land--17% of land area
PeopleNationality: Noun and
adjective--Korean(s).Population (2006): 48,846,823.Population annual
growth rate (2006): 0.42%.Ethnic groups: Korean; small Chinese
minority.Religions: Christianity, Buddhism, Shamanism, Confucianism,
Chondogyo.Language: Korean.Education: Years compulsory--9.
Enrollment--11.5 million. Attendance--middle school 99%, high
school 95%. Literacy--98%.Health (2006): Infant mortality
rate--6.16/1,000. Life expectancy--77.0 yrs (men 73.6 yrs.; women
80.8 yrs).Work force (2005): 23.53 million. Services--67.2%;
mining and manufacturing--26.4%; agriculture--6.4%.