Bryan McAllister’s personal reference notebook
September 11, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
A quiet encyclopedia with a personal desk
Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Civic Brief • Country

South Korea

South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea, is a country in East Asia that occupies the southern half of the Korean Peninsula.

Updated September 11, 20261 min readCited sources

South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea, is a country in East Asia occupying the southern half of the Korean Peninsula. Its capital and largest city is Seoul, and it has a population of about 51 million.

What it is

South Korea is located on the southern half of the Korean Peninsula, bordering North Korea to the north. It is a unitary multiparty republic with a president and a National Assembly.

Why it matters

South Korea is a global leader in technology, manufacturing, and popular culture, including K-pop and film. For Canadians, it is a key trade partner and a source of cultural exports, with a large Korean Canadian community.

Key details

The official language is Korean, and the currency is the South Korean won. The population is estimated at 51.1 million in 2026.

In short

  • South Korea is a major global economy and cultural exporter.
  • Seoul is the capital and largest city.
  • Korean is the official language.
  • South Korea has a population of about 51 million.
Canadian angle

South Korea is relevant to Canadian readers through trade, diplomacy, education, tourism, and the large Korean Canadian community.

Quick questions

What is the capital of South Korea?
The capital of South Korea is Seoul.
What is the population of South Korea?
South Korea's population is about 51,055,000 in a 2026 estimate.
What is South Korea known for?
South Korea is known for technology, manufacturing, and global popular culture such as K-pop, television, and film.

Sources

  1. Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/place/South-Korea
    Supports: Official name, capital, population estimate, government type, official language, currency, area, and country overview.
  2. Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/place/Seoul
    Supports: Seoul as the capital and largest city of South Korea.
  3. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Korea
    Supports: South Korea's capital, population, and general national overview.
  4. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seoul
    Supports: Seoul as capital and largest city, with approximate population.