The area is 99,327 sq.kms (approximately 12% larger than West Bengal).

Mountains cover 70% of the Korean land mass, making it one of the most mountainous regions in the world. The highest peak is Hallasan which is 1950 metres. Along the southern and western coasts the mountains descend gradually towards broad coastal plains. Most of the rivers have their tributaries on the north and east sides and flow into the Yellow and South Seas. Concentrated for the most part off the southern coast are more than 3,000 islands of various sizes that provide breathtaking scenery.

RoK comprises seven metropolitan cities and nine provinces.

The seven metropolitancities – Seoul, Busan, Daegu, Incheon, Gwangju, Daejeon and Ulsan– are accorded the same status as that of the larger and more populous provinces. The metropolitan cities are divided into ‘gu’ (ward) and these are further sub-divided into “dong” (neighbourhood), the lowest administative unit.

The nine provinces are Gyeonggi-do, Gangwon-do, North Chungchong-do, South Chungchong-do, North Jeolla-do, South Jeolla-do, North Gyeongsang-do, South Gyeongsang-do and Jeju-do.

The Korean flag is called TAEGUKKI. The white part represents the land. The circle in the centre of the flag is divided into two equal parts. The upper red section represents the positive cosmic forces. Conversely, the lower blue section represents the negative cosmic forces. The two forces together embody the concepts of continual movement, balance and harmony that characterize the sphere of infinity. The circle is surrounded by four trigrams, one in each corner. Each trigram symbolizes one of the four universal elements: heaven, earth, fire and water.

According to Korea Statistical Information Service, ROK’s population in 2011 was estimated at 49.8 million approx. RoK saw its population grow by an annual rate of 3 percent during the 1960s, but growth slowed to 2 percent over the following decade. It is expected to further decline to 0.01 percent by 2020. A notable trend in Korea's demographics is that it is growing older with each passing year. Statistics show that 7.2 percent of the total population of Korea was 65 years or older in 2000; this figure was 11 % in 2010.

Korea is very homogenous, inhabited by people speaking one language and belonging to the same ethnicity. Linguistic and anthropological studies as well as legendary sources clearly distinguish them from the Chinese and the Japanese. Korean people are tough, energetic and ambitious. In the seventh century A.D., Koreans were politically united for the first time by the Shilla Kingdom (57 B.C. – A.D. 935) and subsequently achieved a great cultural flowering. Koreans struggled successfully for millennia to maintain their cultural and political identity despite the influence of neighboring China and Japan. They are a proud people with one of the longest national histories in the world.

Of the 300 or so registered religions, Buddhism and Confucianism were dominant in the past and have shaped both the way of life and the attitudes of Koreans for over three dynasties (Goryo, Shilla and Joseon from 2333 B.C. to 1910 A.D.). Christianity has developed a vast following since its introduction in the late 18th century and its influence is now being felt throughout the society. Freedom of religion is guaranteed under the Constitution. 53.1 % of Koreans follow a specific religious faith. 22.8 % of the Korean population is Buddhist, 18.3% Protestant Christian, 10.9% Catholic and 1% belong to other religions.

Korea is a democratic republic with a Presidential form of government. President is elected by a direct popular vote for a single five-year term and cannot be re-elected. President appoints the Prime Minister and the Cabinet, and both are required to be ratified by the National Assembly of ROK. The last presidential election was held on December 19, 2007, in which the conservative GNP’s (Grand National Party – since renamed Saenuri) nominee Mr. Lee Myung-bak won a landslide victory over his nearest rival Mr. Chung Dong-young of the liberal United New Democratic Party. Mr. Lee was sworn in as the 17th President of the ROK in February 2008. GNP suffered un unexpected setback in the local elections held in June 2010 but recovered some ground in the by- elections subsequently. The scandal-hit Cabinet was reshuffled in August 2010. GNP suffered more losses during by-elections in May 2011. In the local elections in October 2011 it again rebounded but lost the prestigious Seoul Mayoral election, which was won by an independent candidate supported by opposition parties. The next parliamentary elections are due in April and presidential elections in December 2012.

After the end of the Korean War in 1953, ROK achieved rapid economic growth, a phenomenon sometimes referred to as the “Miracle on the Han River”. The areas of strongest development included: shipbuilding, Iron & Steel, semiconductors, consumer electronics, and the automobile industry. Three decades ago, GDP per capita was comparable with levels in the poorer countries of Africa and Asia; today it is at the levels of the economies of the European Union. It also joined trillion dollar trade club in December 2011, becoming the 9th country to do so. A trillion dollar economy, RoK has emerged a donor country from being a recipient of ODA, and its prosperity can be seen in a per capita income of about $ 23,000. This success was achieved through close government to business ties, including directed credit, import restrictions, sponsorship of specific industries, and a strong labour effort.

The government promoted the import of raw materials and technology at the expense of consumer goods and encouraged savings and investment over consumption. The Asian financial crisis of 1997-99 exposed certain structural weaknesses in South Korea’s development model such as high debt-equity ratios, massive foreign borrowing, and an unregulated financial sector. By 1999 GDP had recovered to record consistent positive growths. An OECD nation, ROK has been playing an active role in G20. Its successful hosting of the G20 summit in November 2010 enhanced its standing as a global player. Seoul is also hosting the Nuclear Security Summit on 26-27 March 2012.