General Facts of South Korea

Population
As of 2006, the population of the Republic of Korea stood at 49,024,737. In terms of density, there are roughly 480 people per square kilometer. The number of people aged 65 and older was up 0.5 percent from 2005, numbering 4.56 million, roughly 9.3 percent of the entire population.

People
Koreans are primarily from one ethnic family and speak one language. Sharing distinct physical characteristics, they are believed to be descendants of several Mongol tribes that migrated onto the Korean Peninsula from Central Asia.

Language
Hangeul, Korea’s official language, was first invented by King Sejong during the mid-15th century. Originally called Hunminjeongeum, the language was fully conceived in 1443, and further promulgated by King Sejong of the Joseon Dynasty in 1446.

Religion
South Korea has four main religions and they are Buddhism, Protestantism & Catholicism, Confucianism and Shamanism.