SOUTH KOREA

Conventional long form: Republic of Korea

Local long form: Daehan-min’guk*

Local short form: Han’guk

Abbreviation: ROK

Population: 48,754,657 (2011 estimate)

Median age: 38.4 years

Age structure: (2011 estimates)
0–14 years: 15.7%
15–64 years: 72.9%
65 years and over: 11.4%

GDP per capita (PPP): $30,200 (2010 estimate in US dollars)

Suffrage: 19 years old; universal

Legal drinking age: 19 years old

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*South Korea recently adopted changes to its official spelling of Korean words. This is reflected in the change from Taehan-min’guk to Daehan-min’guk, as well as the change from Kam-sa-ham-nida to Gam-sa-ham-nida.

Advertising Note

Every December, Korean companies traditionally give out calendars and diaries to clients. Many are high-quality products, such as wall calendars featuring Korean artwork on heavy paper. Often, Koreans get more complimentary wall calendars, desk calendars, pocket calendars/diaries/organizers than they can use, and the extra ones get thrown out. Unless you have an amazingly unique idea for a calendar, it’s best to stay out of this overcrowded niche.