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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.

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%.

The poverty and distress of the South Koreans were deepened by the Korean War of 1950-53