population density of south korea. The population of Seoul and its ethnic composition
How has the population of Korea changed over the centuries? How many people lived in it before, how many live now?
Answering these questions is not always easy. The main problem faced by those historians who deal with the demography of medieval Korea (and indeed of any medieval state) is the lack of any reliable statistical materials. In this regard, Korean historians are still in a rather advantageous position, because population censuses have been conducted here quite regularly since ancient times.
At first glance, these censuses were organized in a coherent pattern. Once every three years, the village elders informed the officials about how many families ("yards") there are in a particular village, and how many people live in each yard. This information was sent to the county, and then to the province, and, finally, to the capital, where they were summarized.
However, it has long been known that the results of these ancient "censuses" are extremely unreliable. First, they were held much less regularly than theoretically expected. Secondly, according to modern historians, censuses could underestimate the real population by more than two times. Often, two censuses taken just a few years apart produced very different results. There were several reasons for this. The main one was that the authorities did not conduct the census for the sake of idle demographic curiosity. The government needed to know how many taxpayers in the country and how many people liable for military service. Based on the census data, tax and draft quotas were determined for each province and each county. It is clear that the majority of the people were not particularly eager to pay taxes or join the glorious ranks of the armed forces. Therefore, any village, any county sought to underestimate the size of its population, because this meant that later they would have to pay less taxes and send fewer men to soldiers. Thus, the data presented "to the top" were always, to one degree or another, underestimated. A few officials simply did not have the opportunity to seriously check them, and, often, did not particularly strive for this (especially if excessive bureaucratic curiosity was neutralized by expensive offerings from interested residents of the county).
Therefore, all data on the population of Korea in the pre-colonial era, that is, in the period before 1910, are extremely unreliable. Apparently, in the 15th century, about 7-8 million people lived in the country, that is, 10 times less than now (I remind you that we are talking about both halves of Korea, and at present the total population of the North and South is 70 million human). The 15-million mark was overcome at the end of the 18th or the beginning of the 19th century. The vast majority of Koreans, approximately 96-98%, then lived in villages. The population of Seoul, as far as we can now judge, during the five centuries of the rule of the Li dynasty fluctuated between 100 and 150 thousand people. It was, of course, the largest city in Korea, because the population of even the largest provincial cities in those days did not exceed 10 thousand. Already in our century, in 1918, there were 189,153 inhabitants in Seoul, that is, more than six times more than in Kaesong, which, with a population of 27,659 people, was then the second city of the country. It is curious that at that time Pyongyang was in third place (21.869), fourth and fifth - completely provincial now Sanju and Cheonju, while the current megacities of Busan, Daegu, Gwangju occupied very modest places: twelfth, sixth, and ... thirty sixth respectively.
The first reliable, that is, organized according to modern scientific methods, census was carried out in Korea only in 1910. It gave a result of 17 million 420 thousand people. For comparison, the population of Russia was then 160 million people, the United States - 92 million, France - 40 million, China - 450 million. In other words, in 1910 the population of Korea was 9 times smaller than the Russian one (now it is two times smaller) and 6 times smaller than the American one (now it is four times smaller). In 1945, when Korea was divided into North and South, there were already 28 million people living in it: in the South there were about 19 million, and in the North about 9 million inhabitants. This ratio (2:1 in favor of the South) is generally maintained to this day.
As elsewhere in the world, the population of Korea before the beginning of this century was very young. The birth rate was very high, a woman usually gave birth 7-10 times in her (usually short) life, but about a third of the children died before reaching the age of one, and another third did not live to the age of ten. There is nothing surprising in this: in the now idealized Tsarist Russia at the end of the last century, according to official data, out of every 1,000 newborns, 279 died before they reached the age of one! In Korea in 1910, the average life expectancy for men was only ... 24 years. Women lived a little longer - 26 years. These figures for us seem terribly low, but, again, for those times they are quite common. Therefore, the population of Korea, despite the high birth rate, grew very slowly. The high birth rate was "compensated" by high mortality.
During the colonial era, the situation in Korea improved significantly. New drugs, European medicine, and especially the spread of modern ideas about hygiene made many diseases - from appendicitis to cholera - curable, which were previously deadly. Therefore, by 1945, the average life expectancy for men was 43, and for women - 44 years, that is, almost two (!) Times more than just three decades before.
Generally speaking, the demographic situation in Korea in 1920-1960. was very similar to what now exists in Africa or in the countries of the Middle East: during this time, the birth rate remained high, but the death rate rapidly decreased. The result was rapid population growth. Over the past century, the population of Korea has quadrupled, and for the most part this leap happened in just 15 years: 1945-1960! For comparison: over the same century, the population of France increased 1.4 times, Spain - 2.0 times, Germany - 1.2 times, Japan - 1.9 times.
In the 1960s, the rate of population growth caused considerable anxiety in Korea, then a poor country. The authorities even started a birth control campaign at that time, although not as active as in today's China. However, the best solution to problems, as always happens, was not loud slogans, posters and persistent calls for civic consciousness, but the country's economic development. As the standard of living and the level of education increased, the birth rate in Korea began to decline rapidly, and very quickly. This happens always and everywhere: contrary to the ideas common in modern Russia, the better people live in a particular country, the fewer children they usually have. In just two decades, Korea has gone from being a typical developing country to being a typical highly developed country: low birth rate, low death rate, high life expectancy. In 1995, Koreans lived on average 70.4 years and Korean women 78 years, three times longer than just a century ago.
However, this new model also has a downside. As in most developed countries, today in Korea even a simple reproduction of the population is not ensured. Now a Korean woman has an average of 1.8 children. While the majority of married women in Korea do not work, they no longer want to have as many children as their mothers or grandmothers had. This is understandable. In the old days, children, especially sons, were a guarantee of a secure old age. In addition, in peasant families (that is, in 9/10 of all families), children began to work from the age of 10-11, and their labor contribution to the family budget could be quite significant. Now the situation has changed. The education of children is very expensive, they start working very late, and there are many ways to ensure their old age.
It is clear that in order for the population to remain at a more or less stable level, each woman on average should have a little more than two births. This situation, for example, exists in the United States, where the average woman has 2.1 children. However, among the developed countries, the USA, with its cult of the family and "family values," is an exception, while Korea, with its 1.8 children per family, is much more typical. The population of Korea, however, continues to grow, but this is solely due to the continuing increase in life expectancy to this day and the constant decrease in mortality.
In 1998, the population of South Korea was 46 million 440 thousand people. Data on the population of the North is not very reliable, but it is most likely around 23-24 million. If we count both northerners and southerners, then in terms of population, Korea is in 12th place in the world. Even if we talk about South Korea alone, then it is not the smallest country: South Korea, with its 46 million inhabitants, belongs to approximately the same "weight category" as England (57 million), Poland (38 million), France (58 million), Spain (40 million).
The history of the state of South Korea (Republic of Korea) dates back to 1945, when the Korean Peninsula was divided after the Soviet-American agreement, and then in 1948 the formation of two states - North (DPRK) and South Korea. In those years, the population of South Korea was 19 million people, and the country itself was one of the most underdeveloped and poor in the region.
Population census in ancient times
The state of Korea has a long history. Since ancient times, the population of Korea (South and North) has been under strict accounting. This was done by the elders in the villages, who every three years provided information to officials about the number of families and people in each village. Information was collected by counties, then by provinces and reduced to general figures already in the capital.
However, the reliability of this information has long been in doubt, since it was possible to underestimate the real number (presumably by at least 2 times). Each village and province was interested in a lower number of people living in order to pay less taxes or join the army.
Scientists suggest that in the 15th century the population of Korea was about 8 million people, and by the beginning of the 19th century it had grown to 15 million. Most of the Koreans lived in villages (about 97%). The number of inhabitants of the capital fluctuated during this time from 100 to 150 thousand people (during the reign of the Li dynasty).
The population of Korea in the 20th and 21st centuries
The first completely reliable census took place only in 1910 and gave a figure of 17 million people. For comparison: the population of Russia at that time was 160 million.
In 1948, the country was divided into two states: North Korea and South (9 and 19 million citizens, respectively). Since then, the percentage of people living at different ends of the peninsula has remained almost unchanged (2:1 - South:North).
By 1998, the population of South Korea was already 46.44 million people, and it could already compete in numbers with large European countries: England (57 million), Poland (38 million), France (58 million), Spain (40 million).
Demographics
Until the early 20th century, Korea's female population was young and the birth rate was very high. One Korean woman gave birth to an average of 7-10 children, but a third of them died in infancy and another third before the age of 10 years. Life expectancy for men was 24 (!), and for women - 26 years. Thus, in those years, the high birth rate was fully compensated by high child and adult mortality, because the total population increased rather slowly.
During the era of colonization of the country by Japan (first half of the 20th century), demographic figures are improving due to the emergence of new treatments, new medicines and a decrease in mortality. By 1945, the average life expectancy for men was 43 years, for women - 44, that is, almost 2 times longer.
The biggest spike in the birth rate occurred between 1945 and 1960 (the start of the economy), at which time the government began to worry that South Korea's population was growing too fast. In this regard, there have been attempts to limit the birth rate of Koreans.
The economic progress of the country brought changes to these figures: as education increased and life improved, the birth rate began to fall. By 1995, Koreans live for 70 years, and Korean women - 78, which is 3 times more than in the beginning of the 20th century.
In 2004, the number of Koreans was 48.4 million, the duration for women - 72.1, men - 79.6 years.
Population growth of Korea, its capital and demographic indicators in the 20th-21st centuries
According to the table, one can trace the dynamics of the increase in the number of inhabitants of the Republic and a significant change in demographic indicators for more than 100 years.
Population, million people | Capital Seoul, number of inhabitants, people | Average life expectancy (men/women), years |
|
(North + South) | |||
no data | |||
no data | |||
no data | |||
9.9 million (excluding suburbs) | no data | ||
no data | |||
23 million (suburban) |
By 2017, the Republic of Korea has become one of the most highly developed countries in the world. Modern Korean women have an average of 1.18 children. Although most of them do not work, they show no desire to have many children. This is due to the expensive education that children need to provide, and the later age when children start working and contributing to the family budget.
Korean nationality
The official language is Korean, although it has 6 dialects with differences in pronunciation and grammar. From the middle of the 20th century, texts began to be written from left to right, 50% of the words were borrowed from Chinese.
What is the population of South Korea in terms of ethnic composition and religion? Koreans make up 90% of the country's population, and 10% - national. minorities, among which the Chinese predominate (20 thousand). A large number of people from China, the Philippines and the Malaysian islands come to the country to work.
According to the latest statistics in 2016, 46% of Koreans do not identify themselves with any religion, the rest adhere to Buddhist and Confucian religious movements, and there are also Protestants and Catholics.
The population density is quite high - 508 people / km 2, with 47% of the population living in two cities - Seoul (11 million) and Busan (4 million).
In 2016, the population of the Republic amounted to 51.634 million. The largest cities are Seoul, Busan, Incheon, Daegu, Taejon, Ulsan.
Korean character traits
The most important feature of the Koreans is hard work, which underlies the national character. A career for young citizens is the main life goal.
Korean Character Features:
- always "save face", do not raise their voice, do not show resentment, anger or weakness;
- respectful attitude towards guests, all the best for them;
- respect for elders, the young man always and in everything agrees with the elder (brother, father, grandfather);
- patriotic solidarity, always ready to help their friend both at home and abroad.
Hard-working Koreans only recently switched to a 5-day work week and an 8-hour work day (before that there was a 6-day workday for 10 hours a day). Koreans study or work almost continuously, it is not even customary for them to go to a bar and drink beer with friends, and it would never even occur to them to play several hours a day on a computer. A Korean child, on average, has 1 hour of entertainment per day and devotes 10-12 hours to study, then passes exams, becomes a student, etc.
Economic development
Now the Republic of Korea has become an industrial country with a highly developed industry.
But after the end of the Korean War in 1953, it found itself with a dilapidated economy, its GDP was below the level of underdeveloped African countries. Moreover, natural resources in this country were at a minimum level.
A little over 60 years have passed - and now it is an industrial country with a highly developed industry. GDP per capita (South Korea) in 2016 amounted to more than 37 thousand dollars, the unemployment rate for 2016 was 3.6%.
What is the mystery of this transformation? Experts say that the answer to this question must be sought, first of all, in the Koreans themselves. After all, both the government (since 1961, when President Park came to power), and the people of South Korea themselves set themselves the goal of creating a country with highly educated specialists, and all forces and means were subordinated to this. A whole generation of people with a high level of education has learned in the country, who laid the foundation for industrial and economic prosperity.
Also, President Park, with the help of increasing his powers and power management, forced wealthy Koreans to invest in the industry of their country, in particular, in the creation of shipbuilding.
The employment rate of the population of South Korea in 2016 was 65% for residents of working age (15-64 years old) who have well-paid jobs. Among men, this figure is higher (76%) than among women (55%).
Koreans are rightly proud of their level (85% of adults have completed secondary education) and the quality of education. The country has a very high standard of living, the average family income per person in 2016 was more than 19 thousand dollars a year.
Urban and rural population
During the period of the "Korean economic miracle" (1960-1985), South Korea rapidly transformed from an agricultural to an urbanized country with a high level of industry. In agriculture, due to the mechanization of people, less and less people were required, and in cities, with such industrial growth, more and more. This process affected the urban population of South Korea. The population of cities over the years has grown from 34 to 65% due to the massive relocation of peasants.
Until 1970, the South Korean capital was a chaotic pile of one-story houses. Now Seoul surprises tourists with its ultra-high building density, which is explained not only by the high cost of land, but also by the traditions that have developed even earlier in Korean villages to allocate as much area as possible for scarce land for plowing.
Megapolis Seoul
The distribution of the population of South Korea is characterized by high density - 453 people / sq km on average in the country, as well as a high share of urbanization: over the past 60 years, the percentage of the urban population has increased from 34% (1960) to 80% (2015).
A special role in urbanization is given to Seoul, which has been inhabited by 100-150 thousand people for almost 5 last centuries. But in 1936, Seoul was already inhabited by 727 thousand, in 1945 - 901 thousand, in 1960 - 1.5 million. by 9%.
Economists attribute this to the emergence of satellite cities of Seoul, to which residents of the capital began to move. They are attracted there by cheaper housing, fresh air and good ecology. All of these satellites are connected to Seoul by subway lines.
The huge zone of Seoul and its satellites (more than 80 km in circumference) is now home to 45% of the total population of the Republic, which is an example of an extremely high concentration of population in the metropolitan area (for example, only 13% of the English population lives in London).
Thrifty Nation
Koreans are a very frugal nation. It is interesting to know how and how much the population of South Korea spends money on utilities and other expenses? The main principle here is the separation of bills and expenses. Any Korean family opens several accounts, which allows them to share expenses for education, food, etc.
The biggest part is studying at a university, for which they begin to save money from the first months of a child's life. For the purchase of food and visiting a restaurant (national tradition) - a separate account, for utilities - as well. Moreover, Koreans most often buy products via the Internet (it is 40% cheaper than in a store). And for travel in public transport, they generally came up with the idea of paying with a credit card.
Korea is dying?
Recently, the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea predicted that the population of South Korea is gradually dying out due to low birth rates in recent decades. Researchers have calculated that this will happen by 2750.
With the current number of 50 million people, the total number of Koreans is projected to decrease to 10 million by 2136. The coming years will confirm or refute these statements.
- a state in northeast Asia, occupying the southern part of the Korean Peninsula. In the north it borders on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, in the east it is washed by the Sea of Japan, in the south and southeast by the Korea Strait, in the west by the Yellow Sea. South Korea also owns several islands, the largest of which are Jeju, Chedo and Geojedo.
The name comes from the ethnonym used in the X-XIV centuries.
Official name: The Republic of Korea
Capital: seoul
The area of the land: 98.5 thousand sq. km
Total population: 50 million people
Administrative division: 9 provinces and 5 cities of central subordination.
Form of government: Republic.
Head of State: The president.
Composition of the population: 99% are Korean, there is also a small Chinese minority.
Official language: Korean.
Religion: 51.2% - Buddhism, 34.4% - Christians (Protestants), 10.6% - Catholics, 1.8 - followers of shamanism and Confucianism.
Internet domain: .kr
Mains voltage: ~110 V/220 V, 60 Hz
Phone country code: +82
Country barcode: 880
Climate
Moderate monsoon. The average annual temperature is up to +5 C in the north and +14 C in the south. Summer is hot - 21-24 C (up to +35 C), with frequent and heavy rains brought by monsoons from June to July. Winter is cold - up to -10 C on the coasts and -20 C in the central regions, with little snow. Frequent thaws. Precipitation falls on average up to 2000 mm. per year (in the north - up to 5000 mm., in Seoul - about 1500 mm.), mainly in summer. The best time to visit the country is from June to October.
Geography
The state with a total area of 98.5 thousand square kilometers is located in the southern part of the Korean Peninsula in northeast Asia. It borders North Korea in the north. In the east it is washed by the Sea of Japan, in the south and southeast by the Korea Strait, in the west by the Yellow Sea.
The landscape of the country is very diverse, 70% of the territory is occupied by low mountains, stretching from north to south with chains of the Sobaek ridges (the highest point is the city of Chirisan, 1915 m), Gyeongsan (mountains Nanmin, 2014 m), Geumgang (1638 m), Seorak (1780 m) and Taebaek (1546 m). The highest mountain point of the country is the city of Hallasan (1950 m), located on the largest island of the country - Chechzhudo.
The coastline is quite indented and framed by a large number (more than 3 thousand) of islands, especially along the western and southern coasts of the country. In the east, the coastline is rocky and relatively straight, with small beaches at estuaries.
Flora and fauna
Vegetable world
Due to the mild climate, the vegetation of Korea is very diverse. In the mountains of Korea, broad-leaved and oak forests grow, which alternate with mixed forests and conifers. The most common tree species in the forests are oaks, hornbeams, birches, lindens and other species, among which there are valuable ones.
There are fewer forests directly in South Korea. Ginseng is very common here in the foothills. And in the mountains grow oaks, maples, ash trees. Lianas and lemongrass are often found on tree trunks, as well as wild grapes. Below, along the lower mountain belt, dense pine forests grow. On the territory of the subalpine belt, beautiful alpine meadows are spread, near which many shrubs grow. By the way, Korean pine, found in the forests of Korea, is the most expensive tree species.
In the south of Korea, there are many evergreen trees, such as the Japanese camellia. Summer green trees, such as chestnut, are also very common. In total, the flora of Korea has more than 4 thousand varieties. This is despite the fact that large areas of forests were cut down in the twentieth century. Bamboo grows in the valleys, the shoots of which grow up to 10 meters.
Animal world
Foxes, wild boars, gorals, roe deer, spotted deer, red deer, columns, otters, squirrels live in the forests of South Korea, sometimes you can meet tigers, leopards, lynxes and Ussuri and white-breasted bears. In coastal areas, the greatest diversity of birds is observed: passerines, herons, cranes, storks, geese, ducks, waders, gulls, cormorants, auks, guillemots and guillemots.
In addition, on the territory of South Korea there are such birds of prey as the Kamchatka sea eagle, and large birds of the order of chickens - pheasants, black grouses and hazel grouses. Several hundred species of fish live in the coastal and inland waters of the country.
Attractions
Korea, with its picturesque nature, mountains, beaches and rivers, with a rich cultural and historical heritage, is one of the most interesting countries in Southeast Asia in terms of tourism. Here you can see ancient Buddhist monasteries, royal palaces, sculptural monuments, pagodas, archaeological sites, fortresses, folk villages and numerous museums. And the picturesque nature and carefully preserved habitat give the country a special charm.
Banks and currency
Won (W, KRW). In circulation are banknotes of 50,000, 10,000, 5,000 and 1,000 won (often referred to simply as "chon", which means "thousand") and coins of 500, 100, 50 and 10 won (5 and 1 won coins are now practically are not used and are withdrawn from circulation after the denomination of 2009).
Banks are open on weekdays from 9.30 to 16.30, on Saturday until 13.30. Day off - Sunday. ATMs are open from 9.30 to 22.00, and some - around the clock.
Money can be exchanged at banks, specialized exchange offices and large hotels. US dollars are accepted in many small shops and in the market on a par with local currency, however, in department stores and large stores, dollars are not accepted at all.
VISA, American Express, Diners Club, Master Card and JCB credit cards are accepted everywhere. Traveler's checks can only be cashed at banks or offices of major international transport and travel companies.
Bank checks of 100,000 won or more are also in use, but when paying with them, you need to indicate your passport number, address and telephone number in Korea on the back, so if you do not have a residence permit, it is almost impossible to pay with checks.
Useful information for tourists
The traditional system of hierarchy and respect for elders is still of great importance in all spheres of life. Direct questions about age and marital status are considered commonplace, as they allow the Korean to get an idea about the interlocutor and his place in the hierarchical system of society. Koreans avoid expressing emotions in public or laughing out loud in the presence of older people.
Greetings are always pronounced with a slight bow, the depth of which depends on the position of the speakers. At a meeting, both the right and left hands are served and shaken, although the right hand is preferred - the left hand is placed under the right. Failure to comply with this rule may be regarded as a manifestation of impoliteness. More common is just a nod of the head, as well as a slight or respectful bow (depending on who greets whom). Usually they do not look directly into the eyes - this is perceived, rather, as a threat or an attempt to exert psychological pressure.
Here they almost never say "thank you" or "nothing" so as not to embarrass the person who has shown the courtesy. When gifts are brought, they are quietly left at the entrance, and not shown to the person for whom they are intended. No one will also apologize by inadvertently pushing someone they meet on the street or stepping on their foot. Public displays of affection, such as kissing and hugging, are considered obscene.
At the table, they do not start eating until the eldest in age arrives, and everyone rises when he leaves the table.
During the meal, do not leave chopsticks in rice, as this is associated with a funeral. You cannot write names in red ink - this is how the names of the dead are written. Traditionally, Koreans sit, eat and sleep on the floor. Therefore, when entering a Korean home, you must always take off your shoes. You can not stand on the threshold, so as not to let in evil spirits.
It is impossible to talk about divorce, death or ruin, even as a joke, so as not to invite evil fate on yourself. It is considered indecent to be bare-legged in the presence of elders, so it is recommended to always wear socks or stockings when visiting a Korean family.
Tips are not taken in restaurants, the calculation is made not with the waiter, but at the checkout, which is located at the exit. There is usually no menu as such in Korean restaurants; all the names of dishes and their prices are indicated on a special table that hangs on the wall. Tipping is given only in large hotels of international class.
In the elevators of multi-storey buildings there is no fourth floor (the word "sa" - "fourth" sounds the same as "death"), so it is usually denoted by the letter "F" or the third is immediately followed by the fifth floor.
South Korea is the name of the Republic of Korea, adopted in the media, so that there is no confusion when mentioning a neighboring state. Previously, this country was a single entity with North Korea. Therefore, the peoples living there today have common roots. The population of South Korea in 2019 is 51,294,272 people(current as of 03/28/2019).
History of the South Korean ethnic group
Koreans have been considered the indigenous people of the Republic of Korea since ancient times. In the 19th century, the Chinese also immigrated to these territories. Today, immigrants from neighboring states live and work in South Korea. Taiwanese, Chinese and even a small number of Japanese have been living there for a long time.
The main religions of the country are the following beliefs:
- Buddhism;
- Confucianism;
- Shamanism;
- Christianity;
- Taoism;
- Faith in ancestors.
The official language of the country is Korean. On the territory of the state there are many dialects of the official language.
The population of South Korea in numbers
The South Korean population is over 51.2 million. The ratio of men and women is approximately equal. The birth rate is twice the death rate. For example, more than 400,000 people are born in South Korea every year.
« In the Middle Ages, Korean women gave birth to 7-10 babies. Only 2-3 children survived to adulthood. And the total life expectancy did not exceed 30 years then. Therefore, with a high birth rate, Korea had problems with demography for a long time.».
The total area of the Republic of Korea is 99,720 square kilometers. The population density is 510 people per square meter. These figures directly indicate the overpopulation of the country.
![](https://i0.wp.com/southkorealife.ru/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/south-korea-population.png)
The pension burden ratio in South Korea reaches 15%. The indicator is quite low, because the working-age population in Korea is much larger than those who are retired.
The average life expectancy in the country is 79 years. Men live to age 75, while women live an average of 7 years longer. Compared with previous centuries, such figures speak of the development of medicine and concern for the ecology of the republic. In addition, these figures are close to European standards.
South Korea is a rather closed country for foreigners. That is why its centuries-old traditions can be found unchanged. The South Korean population is growing due to the birth rate, but also due to moderate immigration, too. The government of the country is not interested in a large increase in the population, because overpopulation is already observed in South Korea.
The official name is the Republic of Korea (RK). It occupies the southern part of the Korean Peninsula from the 38th parallel. The area is 99.2 thousand km2, or 45% of the entire territory of Korea. The population is 47.340 million people. (2001). The official language is Korean. The capital is Seoul (10.3 million people, 2000). Public holiday - Liberation Day on August 15th. On this day in 1945, Korea was liberated from 35 years of Japanese colonial rule. This day also marks the anniversary of the establishment of the government of the Republic of Kazakhstan, formed in 1948. Other important public holidays are Sol, or Lunar New Year (the first day of the first month according to the lunar calendar), Independence Movement Day (March 1), Buddha's Birthday (the eighth day fourth month of the lunar calendar), Memorial Day (fallen in wars, celebrated on July 6), Constitution Day (adopted in 1948, celebrated on July 17), Chuseok (ancestral memorial day, celebrated on the fifteenth day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar), Education Day state (the formation of the first Korean state in 2333 BC is celebrated, celebrated on October 1), Christmas (celebrated on December 25). The monetary unit is won.
Member of the UN (since 1991) and its specialized organizations, OECD (since 1996), WTO (since 1995), APEC (since 1989), etc.
Sights of South Korea
Geography of South Korea
It is located between 124°11'00'' and 131°52'42'' East longitude and 33°06'40'' and 43°00'39'' North latitude. In the north, Korea borders on China and the Russian Federation. The western coast of Korea is washed by the Yellow Sea, the eastern coast by the Sea of Japan. The depth of the seas does not exceed 100 m, so the bottom forms a shallow continental shelf. Shallow seas are favorable for fishing. On the shallow shelf since the 1990s. geological survey work is underway to search for mineral resources. The weak and warm Kuroshio current, coming from the Philippines, bifurcates at the southern tip of the Korean Peninsula. One current flows into the Yellow Sea along the western coast of Korea, the other into the Sea of Japan. These currents do not significantly affect winter temperatures. The strong East Korea Current (Tonghan Current) flows along the east coast in a northerly direction and has a high temperature gradient compared to neighboring waters. The main part of the east coast is characterized by higher winter temperatures than the west coast due to the influence of the monsoons and the warm current.
The east coast has a relatively flat coastline. The largest bays located here are Enkhyn and Yenil. A network of lagoons, including the most famous Gyeongpo and Hwangjinpo, create favorable conditions for tourism. The west coast has a rugged coastline, characterized by an abundance of tidal flats, a wide range of tides (6-9.3 m). The largest island of Jeju with an area of 1777 km2 is located off the southern coast of the Korean Peninsula.
Most of the territory (70%) of Korea is occupied by hills and mountains. The Nannim mountain range in the North and Taebaek in the South stretch in a north-south direction and serve as a watershed between the western and eastern slopes. Smaller mountain ranges run parallel to each other from northeast to southwest. In the region of the Kema Plateau, at an altitude of 1500 m above sea level, there is the highest peak on the Korean Peninsula - Mount Paektusan (2744 m). Other mountain peaks are Mount Nannimsan in the area of the Nannim Range in the North, Hallasan Mountain on Jeju Island (1950 m) of volcanic origin, as well as Mount Seoraksan (1780 m) and Geumgangsan (1638 m), which attract tourists with their scenic beauty. The largest rivers (km): Amnokkan (790), Naktong (525), Tumangan (521) and Hangang (514).
Most of the soils are of granite or gneiss origin with an admixture of limestone and volcanic rocks. Agriculture is based on soils of artificial origin, formed by man over a long period of time.
In Korea, reserves of hard and brown coal, iron ore, polymetallic ores, gold, silver, graphite, and salt have been identified. The main part of the mineral resources is located in the north of the Korean Peninsula.
Wild fauna in Korea is represented by large mammals (tiger, leopard, black Himalayan and brown Ussuri bear, lynx, spotted deer, deer, musk deer), as well as birds (379 species recorded), small mammals (badger, marten, weasel), 25 species reptiles, 14 amphibians and 130 freshwater fish. Tiger, lynx, and other large mammals live in the highlands in the north of the Korean Peninsula.
The climate of Korea is continental, monsoonal. The summer monsoon brings heavy rainfall. The winter monsoon is dry and brings low temperatures. The average January temperature is 0-3.5°C in the South of the peninsula and from -6°C (in the flat part) to -26°C (in the area of the Kema plateau) in the North, the average July temperature is +25.3°C in the South and +22-25°С in the North. The average annual rainfall ranges from 500 mm in the central and eastern regions to 1400-1500 mm on the southern coast. 70% of precipitation falls from June to September. The fluctuation of annual indicators is great: once every 8 years, the annual rainfall in the South falls below 1000 mm.
The climate of the Korean Peninsula is influenced by two types of cyclones. One type - spring, brings heavy rainfall in March-April and early summer. The second type is typhoons coming to Korea in July-August. Every 2-3 years there is a strong typhoon that can cause significant damage.
Population of South Korea
Population density 476 people. per 1 km2. In terms of population, Kazakhstan ranks 26th in the world, and 3rd in terms of population density. In the 1960s, which became the first peaceful decade after many years of wars and post-war reconstruction, there was a high rate of population growth (about 3% per year). In the 1970s this figure dropped to 2%, and in the 1990s. and the first years of the 21st century. - to less than 1%. In the next quarter of a century, according to existing forecasts, the population growth rate may drop to zero. The ratio of the male and female population is close to one: in 2001, the number of men was 28.8 million people, and women - 28.5 million people. Urban population 79%.
Average life expectancy is 76 years. For women, this figure is 79.5 years, for men - 72 years. The economically active population (aged 15-64) is 72%. The population of the Republic of Kazakhstan is homogeneous: non-Koreans account for less than 1% of the population.
Slightly more than half of the country's population consider themselves to be stable adherents of any religious denomination. Of these, 51% are followers of Buddhism, 34% - Protestantism, 11% - Catholicism, 2% - Confucianism, 2% - other confessions.
History of South Korea
Korea is one of the most ancient states of East Asia. The earliest state formation in the history of Korea is the Ancient Joseon, which flourished in the 5th-6th centuries. BC. In Korean, "Joseon" means "Land of Morning Calm" or "Land of Morning Calm".
In the 1st century BC. on the Korean peninsula, the early feudal states of Koguryeo, Baekche and Silla are formed. This historical period of time is called the "period of the three kingdoms."
Three states were at the stage of early feudal development. They established Confucianism and Buddhism.
Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla fought a long internecine struggle for leadership. The Chinese empires Sui and Tang intervened in the bloody conflicts between the Korean states.
In the 7th century Silla won the wars against Goguryeo and Baekje. A united Silla was created - the first unified state in the history of Korea. In the 8th c. the united Silla turned into a strong centralized feudal state. At the beginning of the 9th c. Silla is in decline as a result of feudal civil strife.
In 918, the commander Wang Gong unites the lands of the Korean Peninsula and forms the state of Koryo (hence the European name Korea). The entire period of Koryo's existence (10th century - late 14th century) was marked by constant wars with the Khitans, Jurchens, and a courageous struggle against the Mongol invasions.
At the end of the 11th c. the state of Koryo began to noticeably weaken. The country was ravaged not only by the Khitans, Jurchens, Mongols, but also by the strife of feudal cliques. The weakening of the state was accompanied by an increase in feudal exploitation, which led to popular uprisings. In con. 12th c. In Korea, there were three major uprisings of peasants, covering a significant part of the territory of Korea.
In 1392, the commander Lee Song-gye carried out a coup d'état and proclaimed a new dynasty - the Lee dynasty, which ruled Korea until 1910. The founder of the dynasty, Lee Song-gye, gave a new name to the state he created - Joseon in memory of Ancient Joseon.
The new wang (king) and his followers carried out a series of reforms aimed at reviving Korea and strengthening the centralized state.
In the 15th-17th centuries. Korea put up stubborn resistance to foreign invaders. In 1592-98, Korea repulsed the Japanese invasion with the help of China. In a long destructive war (the Imjin War went down in history) against Japan, the Korean people showed courage and heroism. The Korean navy, using the iron-clad Kobukson (Turtle) ship, scored several victories over the Japanese navy. The outstanding military leader Admiral Yi Sun-sin led the Korean navy.
In the beginning. 17th century the Korean people also repulsed the invasions of the Manchu tribes.
Fearing new invasions by foreigners, the ruling aristocracy of Korea in the 17th century. began to pursue a policy of isolation from the outside world. Korea became known as the "hermit country". Protective outposts were built along the Korean coast, the population was forbidden to communicate with foreigners. Even fishermen were not allowed to go far out to sea, so as not to have contact with sailors of foreign ships. However, in con. 18th century European missionaries began to penetrate into China, bringing with them the ideas of Christianity. The Christian religion gradually established itself in Korean society.
The internal life of Korea in the 17th-18th centuries. marked by conflicts, internecine strife, conspiracies and coups, the struggle of various "parties". Nevertheless, this period in the history of Korea is also characterized by the development of crafts and trade, the emergence of workshops. Mining began to develop, the extraction of gold, silver, and copper was established. Gradually formed commodity-money relations.
An outstanding page in the history of Korean culture in the 18th century. there was an ideological trend "sirhak" ("real sciences"), which arose as a counterbalance to orthodox Confucianism. The Sirkhakists opposed the cruel exploitation of the peasantry, for the introduction of equal land tenure, the development of national industry and trade. They called to adopt all the best that other nations have, protested against social inequality and superstition. Supporters of this trend demanded an end to the policy of "sadezhuyi" ("kowtow" to the "big brother", which was China). The views of the Sirhak ideologists reflected the growing democratic tendencies in Korean society, the beginning of the crisis of the feudal system.
Beginning 19th century marked by the instability of the Korean state, the growth of the performances of peasants and artisans against the dominance of feudal lords and aristocracy. During this period, a new teaching "tonghak" ("Eastern teaching") appeared, which absorbed the ideas of Buddhism, Confucianism, Christianity and Korean shamanism. The main idea of "tonkhak" is that all people are equal.
In the 19th century Korea becomes the object of expansion of countries that tried to "open" Korea by force. In 1876, Japan was the first to impose an unequal treaty on Korea. Then other states - the USA (1882), Great Britain (1883), Russia (1884), France (1886) - concluded similar treaties with it. A struggle for dominance in Korea unfolded between the major powers.
In the 1870-90s. in the conditions of the crisis of feudal relations and external influence in Korea, the “kehwa undong” (“movement for reforms”) movement was born, the ideological basis of which was the “movement for real sciences” (“sirhak”). Supporters of "kehwa undong" opposed feudalism, for the development of capitalist relations, against Chinese influence in the country, for expanding ties with foreign countries. Their program included the suppression of corruption, the reorganization of the Armed Forces, the improvement of the situation of the people, the assimilation of the best practices of other countries.
On December 4, 1884, the reformers carried out a coup d'état, but two days later, with the help of Chinese troops under the command of Yuan Shikai, the reform movement was suppressed.
In con. 19th century in Korea, a broad peasant movement against feudal oppression unfolded. This movement resulted in the peasant war of 1893-94, which, at the insistence of the ruling circles of Korea, was suppressed by Chinese troops. China's military action caused resentment from Japan, which sent troops to Korea under the pretext of protecting its subjects and defeated the Chinese forces. As a result of China's defeat in 1895, Korea freed itself from Chinese vassalage and became an independent state.
In 1896, the Korean royal court staked on Russia in the hope of preventing the enslavement of Korea by Japan. Russia stands for preserving the independence of Korea. After the defeat in the war with Japan in 1905, Russia was unable to resist Japanese influence in Korea. In November 1905, Japan imposed a defense treaty on Korea, which meant the establishment of a Japanese protectorate over it. In August 1910, Japan completely annexed Korea, turning it into a governor-general - part of the Japanese empire.
For almost 40 years, Japanese colonial rule in Korea continued, bringing innumerable disasters and suffering to the Korean people. Over the years, Korea has gone through three stages of Japanese rule: the first - "saber regime", the second - "cultural management", or "velvet cat's paw", and the third - "integration", i.e. attempts to involve Koreans in lower-level power structures.
An important stage in the history of the national liberation movement in Korea was the March 1 uprising of 1919, in which up to 2 million Koreans took part. The March Day movement was crushed by the Japanese colonialists.
During World War II Korea was turned by Japan into a military-strategic foothold. Hundreds of factories for the production of weapons and military equipment for the Japanese army were built in Korea. A number of industries in Korea (metallurgical, chemical), railway transport served the Japanese empire. Japan exported significant amounts of rice produced in Korea for its own needs.
The brutal suppression of freedoms, national oppression and lack of rights pushed the Korean people to fight against colonial enslavement. A guerrilla movement unfolded on the territory of Korea. One of the guerrilla units was led by Kim Il Sung, the future leader of North Korea. The Provisional Government of Korea operated in Shanghai. More than 5 thousand Koreans fought in the ranks of the armies of the anti-Hitler coalition.
The defeat of the Japanese Kwantung grouping by the Soviet Army in August 1945 brought liberation to the Korean people. However, the confrontation that began between the USSR and the USA did not allow the creation of a single Korean state. In May 1948, on the initiative of the United States, parliamentary elections were held in South Korea (the US area of responsibility). On August 15, 1948, the Republic of Korea is proclaimed. Lee Syngman becomes the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
In August 1948, elections to the Supreme People's Assembly were also held in the North of Korea. September 9, the establishment of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea is proclaimed. Kim Il Sung is appointed Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers. He is also the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea.
After the formation of two Korean states, the confrontation on the peninsula intensifies. In 1950, the Korean conflict broke out, the responsibility for unleashing which lies both with the leaders of the DPRK and the ROK, Kim Il Sung and Lee Syngman, and with the states - allies of the North and South (USSR and USA).
The armed forces of the PRC (on the side of North Korea), as well as the United States and its allies (on the side of South Korea) took part in the Korean War. The USSR provided material assistance to the DPRK in the war. The UN Security Council resolution of June 25, 1950 recognized the DPRK as an aggressor. The Korean War, which lasted 3 years, ended with the signing of an armistice agreement in July 1953, which is still in effect.
State structure and political system of South Korea
According to the Constitution, the state system of the Republic of Kazakhstan is defined as democratic, and its people are endowed with sovereign rights. The constitution was adopted on July 17, 1948, and later amendments were made to its text.
Administratively, the country is divided into 9 provinces (Gyeonggin-do, Gangwon-do, Chungcheongbuk-do, Chungcheongnam-do, Jeollapuk-do, Jeollanam-do, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Gyeongsangnam-do, Jeju-do) and 7 cities with provincial administrative rights (million people, 2000): Seoul, Busan (3.8), Daegu (2.5), Incheon (2.5), Gwangju (1.4), Daejeon (1.4), Ulsan (1.0). In addition, there are 232 lower-level administrations: 72 "si" (large cities), 89 "kun" (county) administrations, 69 "ku" (urban areas within large cities) administrations.
RK is a presidential republic. The highest body of legislative power is the unicameral legislative assembly, consisting of 273 deputies elected for 4 years by direct vote. According to party lists, 1/6 of the total number of deputies is elected, 5/6 - in single-mandate constituencies.
The main function of Parliament is legislative. Other functions include passing the budget, overseeing the conduct of foreign policy, declaring war and sending troops abroad, stationing foreign troops in the country, and supervising or investigating special matters of national importance.
The President is elected by direct universal suffrage for a term of 5 years, after which he is not eligible to run again. The president is both the head of state and the executive branch. As the leader of a political party, he appoints senior government officials in accordance with the recommendations of his party. The President appoints the Prime Minister and other leaders of the executive branch. The president is also the supreme commander in chief and directs the foreign policy of the state.
The president performs the functions of the head of the executive branch through the State Council, which consists of 15-30 people appointed by the president and reporting only to him. Members of the Council of State may head or supervise ministries, act on behalf of the president, and have the right to attend and speak at meetings of the National Assembly.
The prime minister who heads the government is appointed by the president with the approval of the National Assembly. During the administration of President Kim Dae-jung (1998-2003), public administration reform was carried out. In 1998-2001, as a result of the reorganization of state bodies, the number of ministerial posts was reduced from 43 to 31, and the total number of civil servants (in the government apparatus and in local authorities) was reduced by 10% to 829,816 people.
The leading political parties are the New Millennium Democratic Party (more often called the Democratic Party), the Great Country Party, and the United Liberal Democrats Party. There are also a number of smaller parties whose political influence is negligible. The opposition Great Country Party won the 2000 parliamentary elections. As of June 2002, its faction consisted of 133 deputies, the faction of the Democratic Party - 119 deputies (including 4 independent deputies who joined the faction after the parliamentary elections), the faction of the United Liberal Democrats - 17 deputies, the Democratic People's Party - 2 deputies, independent - 4 deputies .
Lee Syngman was elected the first president of the Republic of Kazakhstan in 1948, whose reign fell on the Korean War and the reconstruction period, which was distinguished by a difficult political and economic situation. In April 1960, under the pressure of powerful student protests, Lee Syngman was forced to resign from his post.
With the formation of the government by the representative of the Democratic Party, Chang Myung, the transitional stage of the country's development is counted, which ended in May 1961 with a military coup and the coming to power of General Park Chung-hee, who then won the presidential election in 1963. This period is marked by an authoritarian style of government, in which the administration of Park Chung-hee , strictly controlling the socio-political processes in the country and suppressing opposition speeches, sought to concentrate financial, material and human resources on strategic areas of economic development. Under President Park Chung-hee, the foundations were laid for a development model that enabled the country to achieve impressive economic success and remained unchanged until the crisis of 1997-98.
After the assassination of President Park Chung Hee in October 1979, a short transitional period followed, during which Choi Gyu Ha, who took office, was at the head of the country. As a result of a military coup in December 1979, General Chung Du Chwan, who was elected president of the country by the National Conference for Unification (Electoral College) in August 1980, came to power.
In 1987, the Constitution of the country restored the provision for direct presidential elections, and in the same year, former General Ro Dae Wu was elected to the highest state post.
As a result of the progressive transformations taking place in the country, in 1992 a civilian politician, a representative of the ruling party, Kim Yong Sam, was elected president.
In 1997, a symbolic event for the Republic of Kazakhstan took place: for the first time, peacefully, as a result of democratic elections, there was a transfer of power from the ruling party to the opposition, when Kim Dae-jung was elected president, for many years considered a symbol of opposition to the authoritarian regimes that ruled in the Republic of Kazakhstan until the early 1990s. 1990s
In December 2002, he won, and in February 2003, the representative of the Democratic Party of the New Millennium, No Moo Hyun, took up his duties.
The Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan consist of the Ground Forces, the Navy and the Air Force. The total strength of the Armed Forces is 690 thousand people, of which 560 thousand are the Ground Forces, 67 thousand are the Navy, and 63 thousand are the Air Force (2001). Military spending in 2001 was 15,388 billion won (11.92 billion US dollars). The South Korean army is armed with 2360 tanks, 2400 armored personnel carriers, 5180 artillery pieces, 160 ships and 6 submarines, approx. 550 fighters, etc.
The cornerstone of Kazakhstan's foreign policy is the strategic military-political alliance and close trade and economic relations with the United States. Since the normalization of diplomatic relations between the ROK and Japan in 1965, South Korean-Japanese ties have been actively expanding in the fields of politics, security, economics, and culture. In August 1992, the ROK established diplomatic relations with the PRC, after which bilateral relations began to develop dynamically in many areas, primarily in the economy. China has become one of the most important foreign trade partners of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
In the beginning. 21st century The Republic of Kazakhstan pays priority attention to the state of relations with the countries of East Asia. Since 1999, the Republic of Kazakhstan has been participating in the annual meetings of the heads of state and government of the Republic of Kazakhstan, China and Japan, during which topical issues of international relations are discussed, with priority given to the joint search for ways to solve economic problems. The Republic of Kazakhstan is also actively developing contacts with the countries of Southeast Asia within the framework of the ASEAN + Three dialogue (10 member countries of ASEAN and the Republic of Kazakhstan, China, Japan).
ROK established diplomatic relations with the USSR in September 1990. Russian-South Korean relations cover the spheres of politics, security, economics, science and culture. Meetings of the leaders of the two countries at the highest level have become regular. However, economic cooperation has significant untapped reserves. The volume of trade is 3.2 billion dollars, the declared South Korean investments in the Russian Federation - approx. $270 million (2002).
Economy of South Korea
In the 55 years of its existence, the Republic of Kazakhstan has gone from being an underdeveloped country, having acquired in the 1970s. the status of a “new industrial economy”, to be recognized as an industrialized state, which was officially formalized by joining the OECD in 1996. The volume of GDP in 2001 amounted to 545 billion won (422 billion US dollars) (increased 1.3 times since 1995).
After World War II, Korea was thrown far back in its economic development. The Korean War completed the destruction of the industrial potential in the south of the peninsula. Settled in the beginning 1960s The authoritarian regime of General Park Chung Hee managed to accelerate industrialization and ensure high rates of economic growth, which made it possible to build a highly developed economy in a short historical period. An important role was played by the concentration of human, material, financial, scientific and technical resources in the strategic areas of development of export-oriented industries. With the assistance of the government, large conglomerates, or chaebols (Hyundai, Samsung, etc.) were formed, and support was provided for their promotion to world markets. In this, the government was assisted by banks controlled by it, through which financial flows were redistributed.
At the same time, the state's efforts were aimed at forming the foundations of a market economy: a legislative system was being developed, a network of financial institutions and stock exchanges was developing, a securities market was taking shape, and the mechanism of relations with the world market was being improved.
The sociocultural factor played an exceptionally important role in the development of modern South Korea. The Koreans' commitment to Confucian ethics with its preaching of diligence, craving for education, discipline, respect for elders was fully used by the state and business for development purposes. Working week in the 1960s and 70s in fact, it was not regulated, reaching 60 or even 70 hours a week. The duration of the vacation was only a few days. And in modern conditions, for more than a week, the vast majority of Koreans do not dare to leave their jobs. The activity of trade unions was allowed only at the level of enterprises and at the same time was strictly regulated.
With the assistance of the state, large national business managed to successfully reproduce on Korean soil the advanced methods of organizing entrepreneurial activity borrowed from developed countries. The rigidly organized economic system created by Park Chung Hee, although deformed and weakened in the 1980s, nevertheless existed, retaining its main features, until the middle of the 1980s. 1990s The search for new forms of development was hampered by the bloc of politicians, bureaucrats and representatives of big business that had formed in the previous period, which contributed to the reproduction of large-scale corruption. Such was the payment for the deep involvement of the state in economic processes.
Under these conditions, only a sharp change in the economic situation could break the established status quo. The monetary and financial crisis that spread in East Asia in 1997 not only destabilized the economic situation in South Korea, but also made it impossible for the economic mechanism that existed at that time to function.
The core of the economic reforms carried out in 1998-2002 by the administration of Kim Dae-chung was the curtailment of direct state intervention in the economy and, accordingly, the formation of a fundamentally different relationship between state institutions and business. A course was taken to ensure the independence of the banking and credit sector and create equal conditions for the access of commercial structures to credit resources, to support progressive sectoral transformations and strengthen competitive principles, incl. by expanding access to the domestic market for external investors. The administration of President Roh Moo-hyun has declared its desire to continue and develop the economic reforms that have begun. After the recession of 1997-98, the South Korean economy quickly returned to its pre-crisis level and regained the sustainability of economic development. The country's external debt in 2002 was $128.8 billion, while foreign exchange reserves reached $121.4 billion.
The leading role in the South Korean economy is played by the manufacturing industry (32% of GDP) and the service sector (52%). Construction accounts for 8.2%, agriculture 4.5%, power industry 3%, mining 0.3%.
Production of extractive industries in the 1990s and in the early years of the 21st century. stagnating or even shrinking. Hard coal reserves are estimated at 1.5 billion tons, but its extraction, which amounted to 24.5 million tons in 1985, then constantly decreased to 5 million tons (2000). In turn, the production of iron ore, after its maximum of 665 thousand tons in 1985, also decreased to 180 thousand tons. The same trend characterizes the extraction of graphite and other mineral resources. The process of reducing the production of domestic raw materials is associated with growing competition for imports of cheaper and better quality fuel and raw materials, mainly from Australia, Canada, the USA, and Indonesia.
An important place in the country's economy is played by metallurgy, the chemical industry, and shipbuilding. Production in the Republic of Kazakhstan of sea vessels increased 7 times in 1980-2000 (total carrying capacity 12 million tons), steel production - 1.7 times (41 million tons). Industries such as electronics, automotive, and biotechnology are developing dynamically. The production of cars in 1980-2000 increased 23 times (2.8 million units).
Traditionally, the so-called system is widespread in the Republic of Kazakhstan. lifelong employment, in which the employee has a high chance of linking his activity with the only place of work in his working biography. Under these conditions, unemployment in the Republic of Kazakhstan is usually insignificant - 2-4%. From con. 1990s the labor market is changing, acquiring the features inherent in a developed market economy (mobility, flexibility), while unemployment remains at a low level (2.9% in 2002).
The South Korean economy is characterized by low inflation, the level of which in the 1990s. It fluctuated within 2-5%, with the exception of the crisis year 1998, when the rise in prices increased to 7.5%. In the post-crisis period, price dynamics declined again. In 2002, retail price inflation was 2.7%.
The leading role in the economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan is played by a small group of large companies - chaebols. They account for 57% of the country's exports. By their nature, these are conglomerates whose structure evolved in the 1960s–1990s as financial, human, and technological resources accumulated. in favor of more and more advanced industries: from light industry and basic industry to automotive, electronics, computer science, biotechnology and aerospace engineering. The number of strategic industries sometimes grew to 8-10. After the crisis of 1997-98 and under pressure from the state, chaebols reduce the number of strategic lines of business to 2-3. South Korean business leaders occupy significant positions in the world market in such industries as metallurgy (POSCO), automotive and shipbuilding (Hyundai), electronics and information systems (Samsung and LG).
The dynamic development of the South Korean economy over the past four decades has been accompanied by profound structural changes that have led to a decrease in the role of the agricultural sector in the country's economic complex. Although the volume of agricultural production increased almost 15 times in 1970-2000, the share of the agricultural sector in GDP decreased from 26.1 to 4.5%, while a significant decrease in the share of the agricultural population in the total population of the country during this period from 44.7 to 9, five%. In agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the average size of a farm is 1.3 hectares. Only 6.3% of farmers have a land plot of 3 hectares or more. The aging trend of the agricultural population, which has been observed for a long time, has led to the fact that the proportion of farmers aged 60 years and older increased from 24% in 1990 to 41% in 2001. The development of social infrastructure (education, health care) and housing construction in the countryside is still lagging behind. The accumulated problems had a negative impact on the profitability of the agricultural business. The level of income of rural households in 2000 was only 80% of that of urban households, while in 1990 this figure was 97%.
At the same time, positive processes are taking place in agriculture: an increase in its concentration and specialization, and an increase in the efficiency of a number of industries. The number of rice-producing farms with arable land of 3 ha or more increased in 1990–98 from 18,000 to 35,000. cost of rice by 30%. The concentration of production in pig production is growing: 7% of farms containing more than 1000 heads of pigs produced 52% of pork (1998).
In providing support to agriculture, the government proceeds not only from purely economic calculations. It considers the development of the agrarian economy as a guarantee of maintaining a favorable social environment that contributes to the transfer to new generations of national traditions that are threatened in the context of globalization. According to the OECD, the level of support for agriculture in South Korea is 5 times higher than the similar average indicators of the member countries of this organization. With the support of the state, the volume of agricultural production has doubled over the past 15 years. Rice production reached 5.5 million tons (2001), which covers the country's needs for this important product and allows the ROK to provide food assistance to the DPRK. The production of citrus fruits is 644 thousand tons, apples 400 thousand tons, grapes 450 thousand tons. There are noticeable changes in animal husbandry: due to the growth of cheaper imports, the number of beef cattle decreased in 1995-2001 from 2.6 million to 1.4 million heads, the number of dairy cows is stable at the level of 550 thousand, while in the context of strengthening the competitiveness of pig and poultry farming, the number of pigs increased in the same period from 6.5 million to 8.7 million, poultry - from 85.8 million to 102.4 million. Currently, the main emphasis in agricultural policy is not so much on increasing quantitative indicators, but on increasing the efficiency of production in the agricultural sector.
The Republic of Kazakhstan has a developed system of transport and communications. The length of commercially operated railways is 3.12 thousand km. At the same time, the length of double tracks is 1 thousand km, 668 km, or 21% of all railways, have been electrified. Railways transported in 2001 43.86 million tons, or 10.281 billion tkm. There is a 412 km high-speed rail line connecting Seoul and the port city of Busan in the southeast of the country. The total length of paved roads is 91.5 thousand km (2002). The first 24-kilometer high-speed highway between Seoul and Incheon was built in 1968. In 1970, the Seoul-Busan highway (428 km) was put into operation, the construction of which became an important milestone in the development of transport infrastructure in the Republic of Kazakhstan. By 2002, the length of express roads was more than 2.6 thousand km. There are approx. 13 million cars, of which 8.9 million are cars, which is more than 35 times higher than in 1980. The material and technical base of air transport is constantly being strengthened in the Republic of Kazakhstan. In 2002, the first phase of the new Incheon International Airport near Seoul opened. At the same time, Gimpo Airport is gradually refocusing on serving domestic flights. Two South Korean airlines - Korean Airlines and Asiana Airlines, having an air fleet of 118 and 59 aircraft, respectively, provide transportation of passengers and air cargo in the Republic of Kazakhstan and more than 70 countries of the world. In the country in 2000, a total of 22.5 million passengers were transported, on international flights - 19.5 million passengers. The leading role in ensuring the delivery of commercial goods to the country and abroad belongs to maritime transport. The largest seaports of the country are Busan, Ulsan, Incheon, Mokpo. In total, 530 million tons of cargo was processed in the international seaports of the Republic of Kazakhstan in 2000.
Within the framework of the nationwide program of the national network of telecommunications and informatics in the country “Cyber K. 21”, a single developed information system accessible to any type of users was created, uniting 34 thousand state institutions, 10 thousand schools, 1000 centers of computer education of the population. There are more than 15 million personal computers in the country, 44 ordinary and 50 cell phones per 100 inhabitants. Covering 22.3 million Internet users, the South Korean Internet market in terms of its capacity is the fourth in the world after the USA, Japan and Germany.
Domestic trade and services in the Republic of Kazakhstan are developing dynamically. And this applies to different market segments. The volume of retail trade through the network of discounters was 12 trillion won in 2001 (10 trillion in 2000). TV sales amounted to 2 trillion won, online sales in the beginning. 21st century doubled annually, and department store turnover was 16.1 trillion won.
From the 2nd floor. 1980s The tourism industry is intensively developing in the Republic of Kazakhstan. This is facilitated by the regular holding of international exhibitions, business forums, cultural festivals, major sports competitions in the Republic of Kazakhstan (1988 Summer Olympics, 2002 World Football Championship, 2002 Asian Games and world championships in various disciplines). As a result, the number of foreign tourists visiting the Republic of Kazakhstan annually increased from 170,000 in 1970 to 5.5 million in 2002. The growth in the welfare of the population has led to a significant increase in the number of South Koreans traveling abroad for vacations. In 2001, 6 million people spent their holidays in other countries: approx. 4 million visited Asia (mainly in China and Japan), more than 800 thousand - in the USA, approx. 400 thousand - in Europe, 260 thousand - in Australia and Oceania.
The Korean Bank, founded in 1950, plays the leading role in the monetary system of the Republic of Kazakhstan and functions as a central bank. The Korean Bank conducts emission transactions, implements monetary policy, lends to the banking system. For several decades, until the financial crisis of 1997-98, the banking and credit system was under strict state control. Control over the banking system made it possible to direct financial flows to those areas of the economy that the government defined as priorities. However, the regulatory role of officials, sometimes guided by selfish interests, led to the inefficiency of banking and credit operations and the deterioration of the financial position of credit institutions. Since 1998, the banking and credit system has been undergoing a reform process, which is under the control of the Financial Supervision Commission: the commission develops a plan for the implementation of reforms, establishes general principles for the banking system, and forms a new system of supervision over banking and credit institutions and non-banking financial institutions. Using privatization in its policy, the admission of non-residents and a number of other measures, the government is carrying out the rehabilitation of banking and credit institutions. By 2002, there were 20 banks and 1528 non-banking institutions in the Republic of Kazakhstan, including 3 commercial banks, 44 insurance companies, 121 mutual savings companies, 1268 credit unions, 129 investment trust companies and a number of others.
The budgetary and financial system of the Republic of Kazakhstan integrates the finances of the central government, provincial and local authorities. The 2001 budget was 100.2 trillion won ($85.9 billion). The volume of taxes collected in 2001 amounted to 95 trillion won (82 billion dollars). Of these, income tax accounted for 19.5%, corporate tax 17.7%, value added tax 27%, customs payments 6.2%. At the same time, the government, as part of the ongoing reform of the tax system, in 2001 reduced income tax rates by 10% (from 10-40% to 9-36%), the corporate tax rate was reduced by 1 point to 15-27%.
In terms of foreign trade turnover ($314.57 billion in 2002), the country ranks 12th in the world. At the same time, exports amounted to 162.47 billion dollars (the 8th indicator in the world), imports - 152.1 billion dollars, with a positive balance of 10.37 billion dollars (2002). Leading South Korean exports: consumer and industrial electronics and electrical engineering (34.5%), light industry products (15.6%), cars (8%), industrial equipment (7.7%), chemical products (7.3%) %), sea vessels (6.6%), ferrous metallurgy products (6.3). Having become one of the world's leading shipbuilding powers, the Republic of Kazakhstan has become the world's largest manufacturer of sea vessels for the transportation of liquefied gas. South Korean companies are among the leading exporters of electronics and telecommunications equipment, steel and automobiles. The top 10 export commodities in South Korea account for 26.6% of exports. 100 export goods provided 60.7% of South Korea's exports in 2000. Almost half (48.5%) of South Korean imports are fuel and raw materials. A significant share is accounted for by imports of high-tech goods: electronics and electrical engineering (24%), machinery and equipment (12%). The expansion of domestic consumer demand has led to the fact that consumer durables account for 5% of imports.
The main foreign economic partners of the Republic of Kazakhstan are the USA, Japan and China. In 2001, the US accounted for 20.7% of exports and 14.6% of imports, for Japan, the same figures are 11 and 18.9%, and for China, respectively, 12.1 and 9.4%. The share of trade turnover with the Russian Federation is approx. one%.
The dynamic development of the South Korean economy since the beginning. 1960s led to a significant improvement in the material situation of the population. The average monthly salary in 2000 was 1.75 million won (about $1,400) with an average working week of 46.6 hours. .4 hours
Serious shifts have taken place in providing South Koreans with housing. In the Republic of Kazakhstan, 79% of the population lives in cities (in 1960 - 38%). The government developed a program for the construction of 922 million apartments in 1988, which was successfully overfulfilled: 2.7 million apartments were built in these years. In 1992-97, 500-600 thousand apartments were built annually, which made it possible to reduce housing prices and improve the living conditions of South Koreans. Half of the population of the 7 largest cities of the Republic of Kazakhstan lives in apartment buildings.
Social insurance in the Republic of Kazakhstan on a large scale began to be applied only from the end. 1980s Since 1988, the state pension system was initially extended to employees of institutions and companies of 10 people. and more, since 1992 - with the number of employees 5 people. and more, since 1995 began to cover also those employed in agriculture and rural residents who are self-employed. The health insurance system began to be introduced in the Republic of Kazakhstan only in 1988-89. Over the past period, medical care for the population has improved significantly. The number of medical institutions increased in 1996-2001 from 31 thousand to 41.3 thousand, and the average number of beds in them increased from 209 to 304. Great efforts are being made to prevent some (viral) and early diagnosis of other (oncological) diseases. In 2001, within the framework of the national program for the fight against oncological diseases (1st place among the causes of death in the Republic of Kazakhstan), the National Cancer Center-Hospital was opened, which is entrusted with the function of coordinating the relevant research and treatment activities. The program of free screening and early diagnosis of cancer covers 20% of the country's population.
Traditionally, women have played a minor role in business and in the public life of the country. However, in the 1990s the opposite trend began to clearly manifest itself: marriage and the birth of children for a growing number of young Korean women does not become a reason for abandoning a business or public career. Supporting the growing activity of women, the government initiated in 2000 an increase in the quota of civil service positions reserved for women to 20%.
Science and culture of South Korea
ROK government and business circles are aware that South Korea's economic prospects will largely depend on how successful the development of science and education will be. The education system consists of six years of primary education, three years of secondary education, three years of secondary education in advanced schools. Higher education can be obtained at colleges and universities (ca. 230 in 2001), which also run master's and postgraduate programs that provide an opportunity to obtain a scientific degree.
School education is paid for by central and local authorities (in the proportion of 78% : 22%), so it is practically universally accessible: only a small part of the cost of purchasing teaching aids is covered by parents. Although higher education institutions are 80% private, the government provides financial support to both the universities themselves and the parents of students, providing preferential loans to pay for the education of children. Officials are encouraged to improve their educational level in the country and abroad. The number of college and university students in 2001 was 1.73 million. Leading universities in the country: Seoul State University, Korea University, Kyunghee University, Korea University of Education. Tens of thousands of South Korean students receive or continue their education in higher education institutions in the US, Europe and Japan.
The development of a strategy for the development of science in the Republic of Kazakhstan is determined by the Council for Science and Technology, headed by the President of the country. The committees of the Council coordinate the activities of government departments and the private sector in the scientific field. Particular attention is paid to the balance of power in the triangle "scientific laboratories - universities - private business".
The Ministry of Science and Technology is responsible for the specific financing and implementation of scientific and technical programs, their distribution among scientific centers. The Ministry of Economy, Industry and Energy is responsible for the implementation of priority areas for the development of high-tech industries. The Ministry of Informatics and Communications supports the development of information infrastructure.
A modern scientific base has been created in the country, the financing of which in 2001 reached 12 billion dollars, or 2.7% of GDP (1/3 - budget expenditures, 2/3 - private). The annual increase in spending on science in 1998-2001 was 14%. Among the leading industries are medicine and precision instrumentation, electronics. In these industries, R&D spending accounted for 5% and 4.2% of sales, respectively. However, the share of spending by the largest South Korean companies on R&D is lower than that of the leading Western corporations. Government spending will increase on nuclear research, biotechnology, and so on. Meanwhile, the 20 largest private companies account for 40% of all employed in science and 47% of scientists with a doctorate degree, 55% of all investment in R&D.
Institutional transformations become an acute problem, since the hierarchical and complex structure of large business, its concentration on solving tactical problems to the detriment of strategic goals hinders innovation. Reforming the innovation sector implies its commercialization by encouraging the restructuring of large conglomerates, supporting the development of small venture businesses and stimulating the expansion of domestic demand for high-tech products. Only during 2001, declared by the government "the year of biotechnology", and until the end. 2002 up to 600 biotech venture capital companies created with government assistance.
Since 2001, the Ministry of Science and Technology has sharply increased spending on financial support for scientific personnel. To this end, the practice of awarding prizes, grants, and scientific scholarships is expanding. The goal of modern state policy is to significantly raise the financial situation of those employed in science and strengthen the prestige of scientific work, to raise the status of South Korean scientists in society, who for a long time were in the shadow of the bureaucracy, the military and businessmen, and also suffered significant material losses as a result of the crisis of 1997-98.
There are 233 museums in the Republic of Kazakhstan. Among the largest are the National Museum of Korea and the National Museum of Folk Art (Seoul). The museum complexes located in the ancient cities and former capitals of Gyeongju and Buyeo are famous. In addition to state, municipal and university museums, there are more than 80 museums in the country created by individuals and corporations.
In the development of modern fine arts in the South of the Korean Peninsula, an important role was played by the activities of the 1950s. The National Exhibition, supported by the state and giving priority to the realistic direction of painting and sculpture. In the subsequent period, other artistic directions were developed in the country. Of great importance for the modern cultural life of the Republic of Kazakhstan was the holding in 1995 in Gwangju of the international festival of arts "Kwangju Biennale", which reflected the diversity of artistic trends in the art of the Republic of Kazakhstan, its growing ties with world cultural centers.
Modern Korean literature (including modern prose and poetry) is developing under the significant influence of Western literature.
Korean musical and theatrical art is rooted in primitive religious rites. Traditional colorful theatrical performances that combine dance, song and oral storytelling are presented on the stage of the Cheongdong Theater (Seoul). The first Western-style theater opened in Seoul in 1908. There are several theaters and stages in the Republic of Kazakhstan that stage performances of various genres. A number of them are located on Daehanno Street in the center of Seoul.
South Korean cinema after rapid growth in the 2nd half. 1950s experienced a long decline. Since the 1980s the film industry in Kazakhstan is on the rise again. The popularity of South Korean films is growing, many of which have received recognition at international film festivals in Cannes, Berlin, Venice, and Moscow.
Opera, symphonic music, classical and modern ballet are becoming increasingly popular in the country. Currently, there are 30 symphony orchestras in Seoul and other cities of the country. Korean singers and musicians, many of whom were educated in the best educational institutions of the Republic of Kazakhstan and other countries, regularly perform on the stages of famous theaters and at the world's leading concert venues.