South Korea
| Use attributes for filter ! | |
| Presidents | Moon Jae-in |
|---|---|
| Capital | Seoul |
| Dialing code | +82 |
| Population | 51. 47 |
| Currency | South Korean won |
| Date of Reg. | |
| Date of Upd. | |
| ID | 405752 |
About South Korea
South Korea, an East Asian nation on the southern half of the Korean Peninsula, shares one of the world's most heavily militarized borders with North Korea. It's equally known for its green, hilly countryside dotted with cherry trees and centuries-old Buddhist temples, plus its coastal fishing villages, sub-tropical islands and high-tech cities such as Seoul, the capital.
Why is North Korea saying it's watching the White House?
... Closer to home, Pyongyang also listed South Korean military targets and its port city of Busan...
Robert De Niro tells Gotham Awards his speech was edited without his knowledge
... The top prize for best feature went to drama Past Lives, about childhood sweethearts in South Korea who are separated when one emigrates to the US...
North Korea: Kim Jong Un celebrates 'space power' after spy satellite launch
... It claimed it was a success but South Korea said it was too soon to tell if the satellite is functioning, after two previous launches failed...
Korean true crime fan murdered stranger 'out of curiosity'
...By Frances MaoBBC NewsA South Korean court has given a life sentence to a true crime fan who told police she murdered a stranger " out of curiosity"...
Japan ordered to compensate wartime 'comfort women'
...A South Korean court has ordered Japan to compensate a group of women who were forced to work in military brothels during World War Two...
Changing of the guard switches to K-pop
... Honouring the South Korean state visit, the band surprised tourists with a rendition of Gangnam Style by the group Psy and Ddu-du, Ddu-du by Blackpink...
BTS's RM, Jimin, V and Jung Kook begin military enlistment process
... In South Korea nearly all able-bodied men are obliged to enlist, like the three older band members currently serving...
King Charles deploys K-pop at South Korea state banquet
... K-pop stars Blackpink and BTS were name-checked by the King as he welcomed South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on the first day of his state visit...
King Charles deploys K-pop at South Korea state banquet
By Sean CoughlanRoyal correspondent
King Charles used the grandeur of a Buckingham Palace state banquet to throw in some unexpected references to Korean popular culture.
K-pop stars Blackpink and BTS were name-checked by The King as he welcomed South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on The First day of his state visit.
The King 's banquet speech praised South Korean culture's " remarkable ability to captivate imaginations".
Although he admitted he hadn't much of " what might be called Gangnam Style".
But there was no repeat of President Yoon's karaoke-style skills when he visited US President Joe Biden , when The South Korean leader had sung " American Pie".
Instead The President said that in his youth he and his friends " were all fans of The Beatles , Queen and Elton John". With the assumption that This Was a reference to the pop group rather than The Monarchy .
State visits are a " soft power" mix of pageantry and practical politics and the red-carpet welcome rolled out for South Korea was A Sign of respect to an increasingly important ally and trade partner, in a region with growing tensions with China.
There was a full turn-out at The State banquet in the Buckingham Palace ballroom, with The South Korean guests greeted by The King , Queen, Prince and Princess of Wales and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak .
South Korea 's most famous son, Son Heung-min, the Spurs footballer, wasn't there, but K-pop Girl Band Blackpink were among The Guests .
Lord Cameron, returning to front-line politics as Foreign Secretary , was sitting a couple of places from Princess Anne .
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and Lib Dem leader Ed Davey were among The Guests , facing elaborate table settings with six different wine glasses and a line-up of silver-gilt cutlery.
The Menu , written in French, included poached eggs, pheasant and a mango Ice Cream bombe.
Wines included a 1989 Château Mouton-Rothschild and Camel Valley from Cornwall.
These are opulent occasions, with diplomacy fuelled by fine dining, using a 19Th Century dinner service with More Than 4,000 pieces.
The Table settings are as precise and symmetrical as the military parade that greeted The President - each guest getting a place setting of 46cms.
Earlier in The Day The South Korean delegation had been given a ceremonial welcome at Horse Guards Parade, before The President and his wife took part in a carriage procession along The Mall .
More Than 1,000 soldiers were on parade, with gun salutes in the Autumn Leaves in Green Park .
But alongside the ceremonial events, such state visits have a serious diplomatic and economic purpose.
The King 's banquet speech spoke of South Korea 's strategic role as a " bastion of democracy, Human Rights and freedom" but warned that " these values are challenged, sadly, as rarely before in our lifetimes".
The jingle of The Cavalry harnesses on The Mall is also inextricably linked to the jingle of cash tills, with trade deals to be negotiated,
A " Downing Street Accord" is to be signed at a meeting between The South Korean President and Rishi Sunak on Wednesday, which is intended to boost trade and support " global stability".
There are plans for a stronger approach to enforcing sanctions against North Korea , and preventing its " illegal weapons programme" with joint sea patrols between The South Korean navy and the Royal Navy .
" Long term, global partnerships are vital to our prosperity and security, " said Mr Sunak, who added that " Close Ties have already propelled £21bn of investment between our countries".
The Banquet , on The First day of a state visit, had guests including The Prince and Princess of Wales and PM Rishi Sunak .
Related TopicsSource of news: bbc.com
