South Korea Country Handbook This handbook provides basic reference information on South Korea, including its geography, history, government, military forces, and communications and transportation networks. This information is intended to familiarize military per­ sonnel with local customs and area knowledge to assist them during their as­ signment to South Korea. The Marine Corps Intel ligence Activity is the community coordinator for the Country Hand book Program. This product reflects the coordinated U.S. Defense Intelligence Community position on South Korea. Dissemination and use of this publication is restricted to official military and gov­ ernment personnel from the United States of America, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, NATO member countries, and other countries as required and desig­ nated for support of coalition operations. The photos and text reproduced herein have been extracted solely for research, comment, and information reporting, and are intended for fair use by designated personnel in their official duties, including local reproduction for training. Further dissemination of copyrighted material contained in this document, to include ex­ cerpts and graphics, is strictly prohibited under Title 17, U.S. Code. CONTENTS KEY FACTS .................................................................... 1 U.S. MISSION ................................................................ 2 U.S. Embassy ......................................................... 2 Safety and Security ................................................ 2 Demilitarized Zone ................................................ 5 Entry Requirements ............................................... 5 Customs Restrictions ............................................. 7 GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE .................................... 7 Geography ................................................................... 7 Statistics ................................................................. 8 Boundaries ............................................................. 8 Disputes ................................................................. 9 Topography and Drainage ...................................... 9 Land Use ................................................................ 11 Environment ................................................................ 11 Climate ................................................................... 12 TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNICATION ......... 14 Transportation ............................................................. 14 Roads ..................................................................... 14 Rail ......................................................................... 19 Air .......................................................................... 20 Maritime ................................................................ 21 Communication ........................................................... 21 Radio and Television .............................................. 21 Telecommunication ................................................ 22 Newspapers and Magazines ................................... 23 iii Contents (Continued) CULTURE ...................................................................... 23 Population ................................................................... 23 Society ........................................................................ 24 Social Status ........................................................... 24 The Group and the Individual ............................... 26 Family ........................................................................ 27 Women .................................................................. 27 Education and Literacy ............................................... 28 Language ..................................................................... 28 Philosophies and Religion .......................................... 29 Social Customs and Courtesies ................................... 32 Greetings ................................................................ 32 Etiquette ................................................................. 33 Food ....................................................................... 34 Clothing ................................................................. 37 Rites of Passage ..................................................... 37 Recreation .............................................................. 38 Festivals and Holidays .......................................... 39 Gestures ................................................................. 39 MEDICAL ASSESSMENT ............................................ 40 Disease Risk to Deployed Personnel .......................... 40 Medical Capabilities ................................................... 43 Primary Medical Facilities ..................................... 44 HISTORY ........................................................................ 47 Chronology of Historical Events ................................ 50 GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS ................................. 53 Government ................................................................. 53 National Level ........................................................ 53 Local Level ............................................................ 57 iv Contents (Continued) Politics ........................................................................ 57 Elections ............................................................... 57 Parties ..................................................................... 57 Foreign Relations ................................................... 59 ECONOMY .................................................................... 66 Statistics ..................................................................... 66 North-South Economic Ties ........................................ 69 THREAT ......................................................................... 70 Crime .......................................................................... 70 Travel Security ............................................................ 71 Terrorism ..................................................................... 71 Intelligence Services .................................................. 72 ARMED FORCES .......................................................... 73 Mission ........................................................................ 75 Organization and Capabilities ..................................... 75 Personnel ..................................................................... 77 Capabilities ................................................................. 79 Force Modernization ................................................... 79 Army ........................................................................... 79 Organization ........................................................... 79 Equipment ............................................................. 81 Air Force ..................................................................... 84 Organization ........................................................... 84 Personnel ................................................................ 84 Equipment ............................................................. 85 Deployment ............................................................ 87 Navy ............................................................................ 87 Organization ........................................................... 89 Personnel ................................................................ 89 Naval Procurement ................................................. 90 v Contents (Continued) Equipment .............................................................. 90 Deployment ............................................................ 92 Marine Corps .............................................................. 92 Organization ........................................................... 92 Personnel ............................................................... 92 South Korea Marine Police .................................... 95 APPENDICES Equipment Recognition ................................................... A-1 International Time Zones ................................................. B-1 Conversion Charts ............................................................ C-1 Holidays ........................................................................... D-1 Language .......................................................................... E-1 International Road Signs .................................................. F-1 Deployed Personnel’s Guide to Health Maintenance ...... G-1 Individual Protective Measures ........................................ H-1 Dangerous Plants and Animals ........................................ I-1 International Telephone Codes ......................................... J-1 ILLUSTRATIONS South Korea ...................................................................... ix National Flag .................................................................... 1 Seoul ................................................................................ 3 Pusan ................................................................................ 4 Greater Seoul Metropolitan Area ..................................... 6 Smog over Seoul .............................................................. 7 Asia .................................................................................