Geographical situation

The Republic of Korea (99.391 km2) occupies the south of the Korean peninsula.

Population: 50 millions of inhabitants (2007).

Capital: Seoul (11 millions of inhabitants and 22, 8 millions of inhabitants including Incheon). It’s the third biggest city in the world in population.

Language: Korean.

Religion: Christian (49 % of believers, with 36 % of Protestants and 13 % of Catholics) and Buddhism (47 % of believers) are the two main religions in South Korea. The society is strongly impregnated of Confucianism values and beliefs.

Politic

Political regime: Republic. The president is elected by vote for a five years nonrenewable mandate. He is assisted by a Council of State. The French National Assembly is made up of members elected for four years. The current president is Lee Myung-bak (since February 25, 2008).

Army: 683.000 men.

Foreign forces: 32.000 men (USA)