This position contributes on the higher tensions that divide the peninsula, and both of those states declare to be the only real genuine government of Korea. South Korea is often a regional energy in addition to a produced country, with its financial system ranked as the earth's fourteenth-biggest by GDP (PPP). Its armed forces are among the list of globe's strongest militaries, with the earth's second-most significant standing army by navy and paramilitary personnel. South Korea has become renowned for its globally influential 파라곤 popular culture, specifically in new music (K-pop) and cinema, a phenomenon called the Korean Wave.

South Korea has two volcanic islandsJeju, off the peninsulas southern idea, and Ulleung, about 85 miles (a hundred and forty km) east in the mainland during the East Seaand a small-scale lava plateau in Gangwon province.