20 Interesting Facts About South Korea

South Korea, officially known as the Republic of Korea, is a vibrant and technologically advanced nation located in East Asia on the southern part of the Korean Peninsula. Renowned for its dynamic economy and impressive growth, it boasts a rich cultural heritage that blends traditional Korean practices with modern influences. Seoul, the capital, is a bustling metropolis that seamlessly integrates cutting-edge technology with historic sites. South Korea is also famous for its significant contributions to global pop culture, particularly through K-pop, cinema, and cuisine, making it a fascinating and influential player on the world stage.

1. The country is bounded by North Korea to the north, the East China Sea to the south, the Yellow Sea to the west, and the East Sea (Sea of Japan) to the east. The Korea Strait separates it from the Japanese island of Tsushima in the southeast.
2. South Korea has the world’s most unusual age calculating system as when a baby is born in South Korea, he/she becomes one and gets an additional year tacked on the day when the calendar hits January One.
3. The legal drinking age in South Korea is 20. While the legal age for voting is 18, which is now lowered from 19.
4. South Korea is the plastic surgery capital of the world, and every year, it sees an average of 10000 patients, half of which are international.
5. Hibiscus syriacus is the national flower of South Korea. While Korean red pine is the national tree.
6. The male citizens over the age of 18 need to perform compulsory military service for at least two years. Whereas women are not required to perform military service but may volunteer as a warrant officer, non-commissioned officer, or as officers.
7. South Korea has the 10th most high average internet speed on the globe, with an average broadband speed of 212.57 MB/sec. The first spot takes Monaco.
8. Everland Resort theme park of South Korea is the biggest amusement park in the country and third-largest on the globe.
9. South Korea is one of the countries which is known as the paradise for techies and has an overall ranking of 2 on the planet. Japan takes the first spot.
10. Writing names in red ink is considered bad in South Korea as it is related to failure and death.
11. Number 4 is also thought to be as bad luck in the country. In the elevators of the country, F indicates the 4th floor. This is because number 4 sounds similar to the word ‘死,’ which means death in Chinese characters. In China and Japan, this no is also considered associated with death and misfortune.
12. There is one another superstition that Korean believes is shaking of the legs. According to them, if someone shakes their legs, they can lose their good luck.
13. According to a law passed in the 90’s the south Koreans must use internet explorer as their browser for doing online banking or shopping on the web.
14. South Korea is home to the world’s first astronomical lab known as Cheomseongdae Observatory, which was built in the mid 600s. It is also the oldest surviving astronomical observatory in Asia.
15. There are 14 UNESCO world heritage sites in the country, out of which 13 are cultural, and one is natural.
16. San-nakji is a variety of raw dish that is quite popular in South Korea; it is made with the long arms of a live octopus.
17. The Siberian tiger is the national animal of the country and is an important symbol of their culture. Whereas the Korean magpie is the national bird of South Korea.
18. South Korea is the 5th most complex economy on the planet.
19. South Korea’s top imports include crude petroleum ($89.1 billion), integrated circuits ($56.4 billion), petroleum gas ($46.9 billion), coal briquettes ($26.8 billion), and refined petroleum ($26.1 billion), with the majority coming from China ($150 billion), the United States ($73.6 billion), Japan ($50.8 billion), Australia ($41 billion), and Saudi Arabia ($36 billion).
20. South Korea’s top exports are integrated circuits ($121 billion), refined petroleum ($61.4 billion), cars ($52.1 billion), broadcasting equipment ($24.2 billion), and motor vehicles; parts and accessories (8701 to 8705) ($20 billion), with the majority exported to China ($150 billion), the United States ($112 billion), Vietnam ($60.7 billion), Japan ($30.5 billion), and Hong Kong ($28.9 billion).