South Korea
Republic of Korea
People: South Korean
South Korea transformed from one of the world's poorest countries to a global technology and culture powerhouse within two generations. South Korea is located in Eastern Asia and has a population of around 51.2 million. Its capital city is Seoul, and the most widely spoken official language is Korean.
By the numbers, South Korea is the 30th most populous of the 196 countries covered on this site, home to 0.64% of the world's population. By land area it ranks 107th out of 196, with a population density of roughly 511 people per km².
Facts last checked 31 August 2026.
South Korea — key facts at a glance
| Official Name | Republic of Korea |
|---|---|
| Capital City | Seoul |
| Continent | Asia |
| Region | Eastern Asia |
| Population | 51,159,889 |
| Area | 100,210 km² |
| Currency | South Korean won (KRW) ₩ |
| Official Language | Korean |
| Dialling Code | +82 |
| Internet TLD | .kr |
| Timezone | UTC+09:00 |
| Drives on the | Right side |
| Emergency Number | 112 (police) / 119 (fire & ambulance) |
| ISO Code | KR / KOR |
| Borders | North Korea |
Travelling to South Korea?
Before you fly, run through a free packing checklist for South Korea. Pack a universal travel adapter for your devices. You can also check clothing and shoe sizes in South Korea before you shop, and look up popular foods from South Korea if you want to know what's on the menu.
Leaving your car at a UK airport? Compare off-airport parking with Airparks before you fly to South Korea. US: Want to learn a few phrases before you go? Try a 1-on-1 lesson with a real teacher on italki.
Getting to and around South Korea
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Planning a trip to South Korea?
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Frequently Asked Questions about South Korea
What is the capital and currency of South Korea?
The capital of South Korea is Seoul and the currency is the South Korean won (KRW), symbol ₩.
What is the capital of South Korea?
The capital of South Korea is Seoul.
What currency does South Korea use?
South Korea uses the South Korean won (KRW, symbol: ₩).
What language do they speak in South Korea?
The official language of South Korea is Korean.
What is the dialling code for South Korea?
The international dialling code for South Korea is +82.
What side of the road does South Korea drive on?
South Korea drives on the right-hand side of the road.
Countries bordering South Korea
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