South Korea

Where the name comes from

Korea comes from Goryeo, the kingdom that ruled from 918 to 1392, itself named after earlier Goguryeo; “South” marks this state’s place on the peninsula.

First people

People have lived on the peninsula for many thousands of years, and the kingdoms of Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla ruled it from about the first century BC.¹

Known for

Korea is known for Hangul, the alphabet King Sejong published in 1446 to make writing easier to learn than Chinese characters; South Korea is also known for K-pop.²

Outside contact

Japan annexed Korea in 1910.³

The modern country

After Japan’s surrender in 1945, US and Soviet forces occupied the south and north, which became separate states in 1948.³