by Stacey Janota, CTV News staff
For thousands of years, the Korean Peninsula has been has been a favourite target of invaders from China, Japan and North Korea. From 1910 until the end of the Second World War, the Japanese occupied Korea. Shortly after the war, in a deal between the Allied nations, Korea was divided into North and South.
After establishing independence, the North invaded the South in 1950. The U.S. defended South Korea against the attacks. The war ended in 1953. Since then, the U.S. has maintained a strong military presence in the country in the interest of regional security.
In this new millennium, the economy continues to strengthen and democracy prevails. The country sits poised for economic and political growth. Recent events threaten this growth. North Korea has admitted to developing a nuclear weapons program, and the revelation has stalled recent efforts by the South to improve diplomatic relations.
Quick Facts: Republic of Korea (South Korea)
Government Type: Republic
Capital: Seoul
Leader: President Roh Muh-Hyun
Population: 48.3 million
Geography: 98,480 square km
Economy: The South Korean economy is one of the 'Four Tigers of East Asia.' Technological growth and integration have propelled the economy as a high-tech modern world economy. Three decades ago GDP per capita was comparable with levels in the poorer countries of Africa and Asia. Today its GDP per capita is roughly 20 times North Korea's and equal to the lesser economies of the European Union. The Asian financial crisis of the late 90s hampered the country's economy. Economic growth dropped in 1998, then strongly recovered in 1999 and 2000 helped by the country's strong IT industry.
Military Expenditures in Dollars (US): 12.8 billion
Military Expenditures Percentage of GDP: 2.8%
(Source: CIA World Factbook 2002)
Leader Profiles:
Name: Roh Muh-Hyun President of the Republic of Korea
Born: 1946
Career Highlights: Roh Muh Hyun won the presidential elections in December
2002. After a brief turn as a district court judge, and most notably as
a human rights lawyer, he decided to forgo the law and enter into the
realm of politics. Roh is continuing Seoul's "Sunshine Policy"
of constructive engagement with North Korea.
Quote: "To our great regret and perplexity, North Korea has weapons
of mass destruction. In addition, North Korea has sparked a nuclear standoff
recently. Though not identified in detail, this situation undermines mutual
trust significantly, and also creates serious uncertainties concerning
security on the Korean peninsula. Therefore, it must be resolved without
fail.”
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