Liberation Day Recently Celebrated in South Korea

People all across SOUTH KOREA celebrated their country's Liberation Day on Saturday, August 15th. South Korea achieved independence from Japan in 1945 after World War II. Happy belated Independence Day!

South Korea Exports

According to National Geographic MapMaker (mapmaker.nationalgeographic.org), the following items are major exports of SOUTH KOREA: automobiles, barley, coal, computers and electronics, graphite, molybdenum, petrochemicals, rice, root crops, semiconductors, ships, steel, tungsten, wireless telecommunications equipment, and various fruit and vegetables. According to the International Monetary Fund (data.imf.org), countries and territories buying and importing most of those exports (February 2017 statistics) include China (top importer), the United States, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan, India, Malaysia, Mexico, Singapore, the Philippines, Indonesia, Australia, Germany, Russia, Thailand, Marshall Islands, Turkey, Brazil, and the United Kingdom.

South Korea Endangered Species

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ for SOUTH KOREA in East Asia lists 1 extinct species (Japanese Sea Lion), 7 critically endangered species, and 27 endangered species. Critically endangered species in South Korea are the Baer’s Pochard, Chinese Pufferfish, Chinese Sturgeon, Crested Shelduck, Libellula angelina dragonfly, Snow Crane, and Spoonbill Sandpiper. Endangered species include the Asiatic Wild Dog, Black-Faced Spoonbill, Chinese Merganser duck, Chinese Pond Turtle, Crested Ibis, Hong Kong Grouper fish, Japanese Eel, Japanese Ladyslipper, Japanese Night heron, Japanese Spiky Sea Cucumber, Suweon Treefrog, and Threadfin Porgy fish.

South Korea Extinct and Endangered Species

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ for SOUTH KOREA in East Asia lists 1 extinct species (and other possible extinct species) since the beginning of IUCN recordkeeping, 5 critically endangered species, and 25 endangered species. The Japanese Sea Lion is South Korea's sole extinct species, estimated to have been globally extinct starting in the 1950s as my North Korea post also mentions.

Similar to North Korea's list of critically endangered species, South Korea's C.E. species include the Bekko Tombo dragonfly, Chinese Pufferfish, Chinese Sturgeon (could be extinct), Crested Shelduck, and Spoon-billed Sandpiper. Endangered species include the Korean Fir tree, Korean Ladyslipper flower, Oriental Stork, Scaly-sided Merganser duck, and Suweon (Suwon) Treefrog.

Naksan-sa Temple, South Korea

Found west of the Sea of Japan (also known as the East Sea) on the coast, Naksan-sa is a Buddhist temple in the town of Jeojin-ri, which is located in extreme northern SOUTH KOREA. Naksan-sa is also located south of the contentious Demilitarized Zone border between North Korea and South Korea. The historic temple dates back over 1,300 years ago! A tall statue of Haesugwaneumsang (as shown in this Panoramio photograph) stands less than 150 meters from the Sea of Japan's coastline and adds a sense of power and heftiness over the serene temple complex. Below is a satellite image of Naksan-sa from Google Maps.

Jeju Island

Also known as Cheju, Jeju is SOUTH KOREA's largest island. It is an oval-shaped island situated about 50 miles south of South Korea in the Pacific Ocean and north of the East China Sea. The highest point is Halla-san, which towers at 6,398 feet (1950 meters). The largest city, located on the northern shore, is Jeju.

South Korea

Click here to enlarge the map from Eric Olason in a new window.

SOUTH KOREA is a democratic country on the southern part of the Korean Peninsula. The only bordering country is North Korea. Unlike North Korea, South Korea has a vital and prosperous economy thanks in part by the aftermath of the Korean War and American influence. Between North and South Korea is the infamous heavily-guarded Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). The capital of South Korea is Seoul, also spelled Sŏul. The currency is the South Korean Won (₩), and its ISO 4217 currency code is KRW.