people are Buddhists.
Economy
The South Korean economy depends
on services and manufacturing. Services
include banking, education, stores, the
military, transportation, and entertainment.
Huge companies called chaebol control
much of the country’s industry. Factories
in South Korea make cellular phones,
televisions, and other electronic equipment.
They also make cars, ships,
machinery, cloth, and chemicals.
Agriculture is a smaller part of the
economy. Rice is the most important
crop. Other crops include cabbages,
onions, and fruits. Farmers also raise
large numbers of pigs, cattle, and chickens.
Fish come from the sea or from fish
farms.
History
By 10,000 BC people had settled on the
Korean peninsula. The ancient kingdom
of Choson was founded after 3000 BC. It
was located in the northwest. In 108 BC
Choson fell to the Chinese.
The Three Kingdoms
In the 1st century BC the Three Kingdoms
were founded. They were Koguryo
in the north, Paekche in the southwest,
and Silla in the southeast. By AD 400
they controlled the peninsula.
The first astronomical observatory in Asia
was built in Kyongju, South Korea, in the
600s.
Statues at a museum in South
Korea show men in traditional
Korean clothes.
BRITANNICA STUDENT ENCYCLOPEDIA Korea, South 83
The Three Kingdoms often fought each
other. In the AD 600s Silla joined forces
with China. It then conquered Paekche
in 660 and Koguryo in 668. Most of
Korea was then under Silla rule.
A period of peace followed. This time
was marked by great achievements in
such areas as medicine, sculpture, and
cloth making. Silla and China were
major trading partners.
Koryo and Choson Periods
In the 800s Silla lost control of parts of
Korea. In 936 the Koryo state united the
peninsula. Its capital was located in the
north, at what is now Kaesong, North
Korea.
Koryo was invaded several times in the
1200s. In 1392 it was overthrown by a
Korean general. He founded the Choson
Dynasty. Its capital was located in the
south, at what is now Seoul, South
Korea.
Division into North and South
Korea
Korea became a Japanese colony in
1910. Japan tried to modernize Korea.
However, it ruled harshly. Japan was
defeated in WorldWar II. Under a wartime
agreement, the United States took
over the southern part of Korea. The
Soviet Union took over the north.
South Korea became a separate, independent
country in 1948. Several weeks
afterward, North Korea also became
independent.
The KoreanWar
In 1950 North Korea invaded South
Korea. The invasion started the Korean
War. The United States and other countries
sent armies to help South Korea.
China supported North Korea.
About 1,800,000 Koreans were killed
during the war. In 1953 the war ended,
with the peninsula still divided into
North Korea and South Korea. Ever
since, armies have guarded both sides of
the border.
South Korea After theWar
South Korea changed its system of government
several times. During the 1960s
and 1970s, army leaders controlled the
government. They did not allow anyone
to challenge their power. They killed or
arrested many people who disagreed
with them.
In 1979 President Park Chung Hee was
assassinated. In 1980 many people protested
against the military government.
Finally, in 1987, the constitution was
changed to allow all the people to elect
the president.
South Korea began to develop better
relations with other countries. The 1988
Summer Olympic games took place in
Seoul. North Korea and South Korea
both joined the United Nations in 1991.
The leaders of the two countries met for
the first time in 2000. They agreed to
work together.
..More to explore
Korea, North • KoreanWar • Seoul
Facts About
SOUTH KOREA
Population
(2008 estimate)
50,187,000
Area
38,572 sq mi
(99,900 sq km)
Capital
Seoul
Form of
government
Republic
Major cities
Seoul, Pusan,
Inchon, Taegu,
Taejon
84 Korea, South BRITANNICA STUDENT ENCYCLOPEDIA
KoreanWar
North Korea and South Korea fought
the KoreanWar from June 1950 to July
1953. Other countries, notably the
United States and China, also were
involved. It was the first major battle
over Communism. Communism is a
political and economic system in which
the government owns all property. Communism
was first established in the
Soviet Union. The United States and
others were opposed to Communism.
Japan controlled Korea until the end of
WorldWar II (1939–45). After Japan
lost the war, the Soviet Union took over
in the north, while the United States
took over in the south. The 38th parallel
of latitude (38° north) was the dividing
line between the two parts. In 1948 the
country was officially divided into
North Korea and South Korea.
On June 25, 1950, the North Koreans,
supported by the Soviets, attacked
southward across the 38th parallel. This
began the KoreanWar.
The United States and 15 other countries
sent troops to help South Korea.
The North Korean army drove the
South Koreans and early U.S. forces
back to the southeast tip of the Korean
Peninsula. Then fresh U.S. troops
arrived. By October 1, 1950, the North
Koreans had retreated to the north of
the 38th parallel.
South Korea and its allies then advanced
into North Korea. This angered China, a
Communist country on North Korea’s
