South Korea
2026 population
51.1M
Rank #31 globally
Area
100k km² (39k sq mi)
Metros tracked
18
98% of population in metros
Composite score
194.8
Rank #16 globally
At a glance
- Official languages
- Korean, Korean Sign Language
- Currency
- Korean mun
- Government
- Presidential system
- Legislature
- National Assembly
- Demonym
- South Korean
- Time zones
- Korea Standard Time, UTC+09:00
- Driving side
- Right
- Calling code
- +82
- Internet TLD
- .kr, .한국
- ISO 3166
- KR
- Established
- 1948
- Highest point
- Hallasan (1,947 m (6,388 ft))
- National anthem
- Aegukga
Facts via Wikidata.
Economy and developmentHigh income
Human Dev. Index
#19 / 1920.937
World Bank · 2023
GDP
#13 / 194$1.87T
World Bank · 2025
GDP per capita
#33 / 194$36.2k
World Bank · 2025
GDP/capita (PPP)
#30 / 191$61.1k
World Bank · 2024
GNI/capita (Atlas)
#30 / 193$37.9k
World Bank · 2025
Life expectancy
#11 / 19583.6 yrs
World Bank · 2024
Median age
44.5 yrs
World Bank · 2023
Urban population
#40 / 19581%
World Bank · 2025
Pop. growth
-0.1%
World Bank · 2025
Pop. density
#16 / 194530/km²
World Bank · 2023
Foreign-born
#109 / 1943.5%
World Bank · 2024
Rule of law
#31 / 1750.92
World Bank · 2025
Gini index
#57 / 16732.9
World Bank · 2021
Internet users
#13 / 19498%
World Bank · 2024
Inflation
#62 / 1862.1%
World Bank · 2025
Ranks are among sovereign countries with data; ★ marks a top-5% finish. Sources: World Bank Open Data and Our World in Data (UNDP, UN, V-Dem; CC BY 4.0). Each figure is the most recent year available.
Alliances & Organisations4 full memberships
Full memberDashed border = Candidate / ApplicantItalic = Dialogue / Observer
Leadership History17 leaders · click to expand
Lee Jae Myung✦ Current
2025–PresentPresident
Tenure: in office
Lee Jae-myung
2025–2025President
Tenure: 0y 0m 0dDP
Yoon Suk-yeol
2022–2025President
Tenure: 2y 11m 10dPPP
Moon Jae-in
2017–2022President
Tenure: 5y 26dDP
⚠️ Park Geun-hye
2013–2017President
Tenure: 4y 4dSaenuri
⚠️ Lee Myung-bak
2008–2013President
Tenure: 5y 27dGNP/Saenuri
Roh Moo-hyun
2003–2008President
Tenure: 5y 26dUri Party
Kim Dae-jung
1998–2003President
Tenure: 5y 26dMDP
Kim Young-sam
1993–1998President
Tenure: 5y 26dNKP
⚠️ Roh Tae-woo
1988–1993President
Tenure: 5y 27dDJP
⚠️ Chun Doo-hwan
1980–1988President
Tenure: 7y 6m 8dMilitary
Choi Kyu-hah
1979–1980President
Tenure: 9m 25dCaretaker
⚠️ Park Chung-hee
1963–1979President
Tenure: 15y 10m 6dMilitary/DRP
⚠️ Park Chung-hee
1961–1963Chairman (Supreme Council for National Reconstruction)
Tenure: 2y 7m
Yun Po-sun
1960–1962President
Tenure: 2y 4m 12dDemocratic
Heo Jeong
1960–1960Acting President
Tenure: 4m
Syngman Rhee
1948–1960President
Tenure: 11y 9m 8dLiberal
| Name | Role | Years |
|---|---|---|
| Lee Jae Myung✦ Current | President | 2025–Present |
| Lee Jae-myung | President | 2025–2025 |
| Yoon Suk-yeol | President | 2022–2025 |
| Moon Jae-in | President | 2017–2022 |
| ⚠️ Park Geun-hye | President | 2013–2017 |
| ⚠️ Lee Myung-bak | President | 2008–2013 |
| Roh Moo-hyun | President | 2003–2008 |
| Kim Dae-jung | President | 1998–2003 |
| Kim Young-sam | President | 1993–1998 |
| ⚠️ Roh Tae-woo | President | 1988–1993 |
| ⚠️ Chun Doo-hwan | President | 1980–1988 |
| Choi Kyu-hah | President | 1979–1980 |
| ⚠️ Park Chung-hee | President | 1963–1979 |
| ⚠️ Park Chung-hee | Chairman (Supreme Council for National Reconstruction) | 1961–1963 |
| Yun Po-sun | President | 1960–1962 |
| Heo Jeong | Acting President | 1960–1960 |
| Syngman Rhee | President | 1948–1960 |
Power over timeThe Power Atlas →
Today
Regional#15 · 1.6%
Latent vs recognised
Under-recognised — more mass than standing
Power (headline share)Latent (material mass)Recognised (standing)
South Korea · share of world power, 1949–2026
The powerline is the headline share of world power, running from the state’s first ranked year (benchmark estimates with wide error bars before 1816). Latent power is material mass a state could mobilise (population, manpower, heavy industry). Recognised power is what the system actually treats it as (military spending, productive economy, reach, and status such as a Security Council seat or nuclear arsenal). When latent runs above recognised, a power is rising or under-rated; when recognised runs higher, it is punching above its weight or coasting on prestige. Material sub-indices run 1816 through 2016.
Conflicts since 19453 interstate wars · click to expand
Vietnam War●1965–1973
North Vietnam,FNL,Khmer Rouge,Khmer Issarak,Pathet Lao,China,North Korea,Soviet Union
Combat deaths: 1,326,494–3,447,494
| Conflict | Years | Against | Combat deaths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Korean DMZ Conflict | 1966–1969 | North Korea | 739+ |
| Vietnam War● | 1965–1973 | North Vietnam,FNL,Khmer Rouge,Khmer Issarak,Pathet Lao,China,North Korea,Soviet Union | 1,326,494–3,447,494 |
| Korean War [ 9 ]● | 1950–1953 | North Korea,China,Soviet Union | 2,568,927–4,096,927 |
Bold = principal belligerent. Source: Wikipedia, “List of interstate wars since 1945.”
Billionaires44 · $174.7B combined · click to expand
#91Jay Y. Lee(inherited)$27.1B
TechnologySamsung
TechnologySamsung
TechnologySamsung
TechnologySamsung
Finance & InvestmentsFinance
TechnologySemiconductors
AutomotiveHyundai
#465Seo Jung-jin$7.9B
HealthcareBiotech
AutomotiveHyundai
#818Park Hyeon-joo$5.2B
Finance & Investmentsmutual funds
DiversifiedDiversified
TechnologyOil, semiconductor
#1137Park Dong-suk$3.8B
ManufacturingElectrical equipment
#1152Kim Beom-su$3.7B
TechnologyOnline services
#1236Byunghoon Kim$3.5B
Fashion & RetailBeauty devices
ManufacturingShipbuilding, industrial machines
#1330Kwon Hyuk-bin$3.2B
Media & EntertainmentOnline games
#1433Kim Jun-ki$2.9B
DiversifiedDiversified
TechnologyElectronics
#1610Park Soon-jae$2.6B
HealthcareBiopharmaceuticals
Fashion & RetailRetail
#1661Chung Yong-ji$2.5B
HealthcareBiotech
#1665Lee Dong-chae$2.5B
ManufacturingChemicals
#1750Yoo Jung-hyun$2.4B
Media & EntertainmentOnline games
#1762Song Chi-hyung$2.4B
Finance & InvestmentsFintech
TechnologySemiconductors
Finance & InvestmentsKorea Investment Holdings
DiversifiedLG
TechnologySemiconductors
TechnologyLG
Diversifiedfood products, entertainment
Technologycomputer services, telecom
Media & EntertainmentOnline gaming
Media & EntertainmentOnline gaming
#2714Lee Hae-jin$1.4B
TechnologyInternet
Fashion & RetailCosmetics
#2958Kim Taek-jin$1.3B
Media & EntertainmentOnline games
#3031Kim Hyoung-nyon$1.2B
Finance & InvestmentsFintech
DiversifiedDiversified
Fashion & RetailRetail
Fashion & RetailConvenience stores
Finance & InvestmentsInsurance
#3303Lee Su-jin$1.1B
TechnologyHospitality
Food & BeverageConfectionery
| # | Name | Net worth | Industry |
|---|---|---|---|
| 91 | Jay Y. Lee(inherited) | $27.1B | Technology |
| 335 | Lee Boo-jin(inherited) | $10.0B | Technology |
| 356 | Lee Seo-hyun(inherited) | $9.5B | Technology |
| 383 | Hong Ra-hee(inherited) | $9.2B | Technology |
| 457 | Cho Jung-ho(inherited) | $7.9B | Finance & Investments |
| 458 | Kwak Dong Shin(inherited) | $7.9B | Technology |
| 464 | Mong-Koo Chung(inherited) | $7.9B | Automotive |
| 465 | Seo Jung-jin | $7.9B | Healthcare |
| 626 | Euisun Chung(inherited) | $6.6B | Automotive |
| 818 | Park Hyeon-joo | $5.2B | Finance & Investments |
| 977 | Cho Hyun-joon(inherited) | $4.4B | Diversified |
| 1074 | Chey Tae-won(inherited) | $4.0B | Technology |
| 1137 | Park Dong-suk | $3.8B | Manufacturing |
| 1152 | Kim Beom-su | $3.7B | Technology |
| 1236 | Byunghoon Kim | $3.5B | Fashion & Retail |
| 1282 | Chung Mong-joon(inherited) | $3.4B | Manufacturing |
| 1330 | Kwon Hyuk-bin | $3.2B | Media & Entertainment |
| 1433 | Kim Jun-ki | $2.9B | Diversified |
| 1589 | Koo Bon-neung(inherited) | $2.6B | Technology |
| 1610 | Park Soon-jae | $2.6B | Healthcare |
| 1645 | Chung Yong-jin(inherited) | $2.5B | Fashion & Retail |
| 1661 | Chung Yong-ji | $2.5B | Healthcare |
| 1665 | Lee Dong-chae | $2.5B | Manufacturing |
| 1750 | Yoo Jung-hyun | $2.4B | Media & Entertainment |
| 1762 | Song Chi-hyung | $2.4B | Finance & Investments |
| 1918 | Lee Chae-yoon(inherited) | $2.2B | Technology |
| 1926 | Kim Nam-goo(inherited) | $2.2B | Finance & Investments |
| 1969 | Koo Kwang-mo(inherited) | $2.1B | Diversified |
| 2130 | Kim Sang-beom(inherited) | $2.0B | Technology |
| 2173 | Koo Bon-sik(inherited) | $1.9B | Technology |
| 2178 | Lee Jay-hyun(inherited) | $1.9B | Diversified |
| 2449 | Chey Ki-won(inherited) | $1.7B | Technology |
| 2616 | Kim Jung-youn(inherited) | $1.5B | Media & Entertainment |
| 2617 | Kim Jung-min(inherited) | $1.5B | Media & Entertainment |
| 2714 | Lee Hae-jin | $1.4B | Technology |
| 2757 | Suh Kyung-bae(inherited) | $1.4B | Fashion & Retail |
| 2958 | Kim Taek-jin | $1.3B | Media & Entertainment |
| 3031 | Kim Hyoung-nyon | $1.2B | Finance & Investments |
| 3077 | Lee Ho-jin(inherited) | $1.2B | Diversified |
| 3143 | Shin Dong-joo(inherited) | $1.2B | Fashion & Retail |
| 3251 | Hong Seok-joh(inherited) | $1.1B | Fashion & Retail |
| 3300 | Shin Chang-jae(inherited) | $1.1B | Finance & Investments |
| 3303 | Lee Su-jin | $1.1B | Technology |
| 3334 | Lee Hwa-kyung(inherited) | $1.0B | Food & Beverage |
Source: Forbes real-time billionaires (via the rtb-api project). Net worth as of the latest monthly snapshot.
National Teams
South Korea on the international stage. Click a card for the full record.
Olympics
South Korea
Games 28
Medals 409
All-time #17
Best #4
145 golds
Men's FootballAFC
South Korea
FIFA #32
ELO #40
WC apps 12
Major trophies 2
No World Cups
Baseball
South Korea
WBSC #4
WBC apps 6
Record 19-12
Best Runners-up
No WBC titles
Women's Football
South Korea
FIFA #19
WWC apps 4
Best Round of 16
No World Cups
Handball
South Korea
All-time #13
Oly medals 1
Worlds medals 0
World #29
No Olympic golds
Basketball
South Korea
FIBA #57
Oly medals 0
WC apps 8
No Olympic golds
CricketAssociate
South Korea
Matches 23
National Teams Champions
Every major championship won by South Korea's national teams, newest first. 2 in total.
| Year | Date | Champion | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 1960-10-23 | South Korea | AFC Asian Cup |
| 1956 | 1956-09-15 | South Korea | AFC Asian Cup |
Administrative subdivisions
17 entries listed under South Korea across 3 types. Click any to see its metros and footprint.
Provinces (9)
Special Self-Governing Cities (1)
South Korea metro footprint
18 metrosLoading map…
18 polygons
Polygons shaded by composite tier. Hover for rank, click to open the metro page. Boundaries derived from Overture Maps administrative divisions; metros without source coverage are omitted.
18 tracked metros
| Rank | Metro | State | Population | Score | Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #7 | Seoul▲ Largest | Seoul | 26.0M | 108.8 | Global Capital |
| #80 | Busan-Ulsan | Busan | 8.1M | 33.8 | Major Metro |
| #198 | Daejeon★ Capital | Chungcheongnam | 4.0M | 14.4 | Regional Hub |
| #227 | Daegu | Daegu | 3.5M | 12.1 | Regional Hub |
| #304 | Pohang | Gyeongsangbuk | 501K | 8.5 | Established Metro |
| #387 | Gwangju | Gwangju | 1.5M | 6.4 | Established Metro |
| #473 | Jeju City | Jeju | 671K | 5.0 | Established Metro |
| #1006 | Jeonju | Jeollabuk | 1.8M | 1.6 | Emerging Metro |
| #1124 | Gangneung | Gangwon | 217K | 1.3 | Emerging Metro |
| #1298 | Gimcheon | Gyeongsangbuk | 139K | 1.0 | Emerging Metro |
| #1429 | Gwangyang | Jeollanam | 726K | 0.9 | Local Metro |
| #1743 | Cheongju | Chungcheongbuk | 1.6M | 0.6 | Local Metro |
| #2039 | Wonju | Gangwon | 397K | 0.4 | Local Metro |
| #2063 | Mokpo | Jeollanam | 366K | 0.4 | Local Metro |
| #2922 | Pyeongchang | Gangwon | 39K | 0.2 | Local Metro |
| #3113 | Chuncheon | Gangwon | 285K | 0.1 | Local Metro |
| #3652 | Sangju | Gyeongsangbuk | 95K | 0.0 | Local Metro |
| #3691 | Donghae | Gangwon | 88K | 0.0 | Local Metro |