At the end of World War II, Korea is once again occupied: to the north by the USSR; and to the south by the USA, creating a border on the 38th parallel. In 1948 South Korea declared itself an independent republic under the leadership of Syngman Rhee and in the same year the North proclaimed itself as Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, governed by Kim Il Sung. In 1950 a war broke out between the two Koreas, resulting from serious internal tensions, with the participation of the USA and China. The Treaty of Panmunjon, celebrated in 1953, ended this war, without either party winning.
South Korea developed until 1985, the year of legislative elections, an authoritarian and repressive political system, shaken by coups d’état and popular demonstrations. Currently, it is in a phase of liberalization, economic growth and expansion, with its image reinforced by the organization of the Football World Cup in 2002, with good performances from its national team and attempts to approach North Korea. In the North, Kim Il Sung remains in power until 1980, when his son, Kim Jong Il, succeeds him; his son, Kim Jong Un, is announced in 2010 as the successor to the post, taking power at the end of the following year. For South Korea democracy and rights, please check homeagerly.
- Countryaah.com: Offers a full list of airports in the country of South Korea, sorted by city location and acronyms.
- Abbreviationfinder.org: Provides most commonly used abbreviations and initials containing the country name of South Korea. Listed by popularity.
1UpTravel.com – Maps of South Korea
Presents the historical, regional, political, and shaded relief maps of this Korean Peninsula bordering the Sea of Japan and the Yellow Sea. View a map of Seoul.
Website: http://www.1uptravel.com/worldmaps/southkorea.html
North Korea – University of Texas Library
Explore North and South Korea with maps displaying political borders, demilitarized zones, and tactical pilotage charts of Pyongyang and Seoul.
Website: http://www.lib.utexas.edu/Libs/PCL/Map_collection/korea.html
South Korea – East Asia Online Map
Interactive map provides a tour of the four regions of Kyonggi, Kyongsang, Cholla and Cheju Island.
Website: http://www.usc.edu/dept/LAS/EASC/eaol/korea/index.htm
South Korea – Korean War Project Maps
Browse general, regional and military maps of South and North Korea during the Korean War. Provides purchasing info and contact details.
Website: http://www.koreanwar.org/html/maps.html
South Korea – Maps.com
Clear, easy-to-read map shows the major population centers in both North and South Korea, plus the country’s neighboring states.
Website: http://media.maps.com/magellan/Images/KORNS-W1.gif
South Korea – Merriam-Webster Atlas
Detailed color map of this Asian country also includes country facts, illustration of the nation’s flag, and a historical summary.
Website: http://www.m-w.com/maps/korea_south.html
South Korea – National Geographic
Satellite imaging and political map-making create a zoomable map of this Asian country, with cities, rivers and topography.
Website: http://plasma.nationalgeographic.com/mapmachine/index.html?i
South Korea – Official Sensitive Map
Click on a city or town listed on this interactive map of South Korea to browse a list of area-related Web sites. Includes links to schools.
Website: http://firefox.postech.ac.kr/map/korea_map.html
South Korea – Small Map
Offers a small color map in gif format of this north Asian nation.
Website: http://www.theodora.com/maps/new/south_korea.gif