South Korea

South Korean citizens have the right to visa-free entry to 198 countries, including most European countries, which makes the Korean passport one of the most influential in the world. South Korea is an active member of many international organizations, including the United Nations, the World Health Organization, the World Trade Organization, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, and the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Climatic conditions

South Korea is characterized by a monsoon climate with cold, dry winters and hot, humid summers. Winters are usually colder in the northern part of the country, and milder in the southern part. The average temperature in winter can drop to -5°C, while in summer it often exceeds +30°C. High humidity in summer contributes to seasonal monsoons and typhoons.

Climate is influenced by two main factors: geographical location and the impact of monsoons. The country is located in a temperate monsoon climate zone, but the southern and eastern regions are influenced by the subtropical monsoon.

In total, about 80% of the country's territory is covered by a moderately monsoon climate, and the remaining 20% is subtropical.

Two monsoons play a major role in climate formation. The Asian monsoon brings cold air masses in winter and warm ones in summer. The Pacific monsoon is active in summer from June to September, bringing warm and humid air from the tropics. This is especially noticeable on the southern and southeastern coasts, where a subtropical monsoon climate prevails.

Demographics

According to the latest data, the population of South Korea is about 51 million people. Ethnically, the country is homogeneous – more than 96% of the population are ethnic Koreans. The remaining part is represented by small groups of Chinese, Vietnamese and other peoples, mainly migrants.

The average life expectancy in South Korea is 83.7 years. At the same time, women live longer – 86.8 years, and men – 80.4 years. South Korea holds high positions in the ratings for life expectancy, which is associated with access to quality medicine and a high standard of living.

The official language of the country is Korean, which has several dialects. The most common is Seoul. The country also uses hancha, a system of Chinese characters used to write some words. English literacy has become widespread, so English is taught in most schools as a compulsory subject.

Religion in South Korea is diverse, but the majority of the population identifies as non-religious (56%). Christians predominate among believers, who make up about 29.3% of the population (mainly Protestants – 17.8% and Catholics – 10.9%), as well as Buddhists, whose share is about 22.9%.

Economy

The economy of South Korea occupies one of the leading places in the world due to the development of technology, automotive and shipbuilding. South Korea is known for its large corporations such as Samsung, Hyundai, LG and many others, which play an important role in the global export of electronics and automobiles. The export of technology and cultural products, including K-pop and films, contributes to economic growth and competitiveness.

In 2024, the country ranks 27th in GDP per capita in terms of real purchasing power, which is $46.452. GDP in 2024 is estimated at $1.89 trillion. with an annual growth of 2%. In recent years, inflation has remained at a relatively low level – about 3%.

The main sectors of the economy are the technology sector, automotive and shipbuilding. Industry accounts for about 30% of GDP, and the service sector accounts for more than 60%. South Korea is actively developing semiconductor exports, and continues to attract international investment.

According to the World Bank, the poverty rate in the country is decreasing, and unemployment in 2024 remains at 3.2%. South Korea ranks 20th in the world in terms of economic freedom and is in 19th place on the human development index.

Freedom of movement (visa-free countries)

South Korean passport holders have high global mobility. In 2024, South Korean citizens can visit 198 countries without visas, which makes the passport one of the most "powerful" in the world. The passport of the Republic ranks 6th in the world ranking. South Korea shares this position with Singapore, the Czech Republic and New Zealand.

Visa requirements vary depending on the host country. 124 countries can be entered without a visa at all, 50 countries issue a visa on arrival, and 24 countries require an electronic permit. The period of free stay ranges from 30 to 90 days.