South Korea Passport

【 Country Name 】 Republic of Korea.

【 Area 】 103290 square kilometers.

The population is approximately 51 million. As a single ethnic group, Korean is commonly spoken, and about 50% of the population believes in religions such as Buddhism, Christianity, Catholicism, etc.

Seoul, the capital, has a population of approximately 9.38 million, an area of 605 square kilometers, and an average annual temperature of 11.6 ℃.

President Yoon Suk Yeol was elected in March 2022 and assumed office in May 2022.

[Important Festival] Spring Festival: the first day of the first lunar month; New Year's Day: January 1st; Independence Day: March 1st; Buddha's birthday: the eighth day of the fourth lunar month; Loyalty Day: June 6th; Constitutional Day: July 17th; Liberation Day: August 15th, commemorating the liberation from Japanese colonial rule (1945) and the establishment of the government of the Republic of Korea (1948); Mid-Autumn Festival: the 15th day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar; Kaitian Festival: October 3rd, the legendary founding day of ancient Korea; Korean Language Festival: Established on October 9th to commemorate the promulgation of the "Correct Pronunciation of the People"; Christmas: December 25th.

【 Overview 】 Located in the southern half of the Korean Peninsula in the northeast of the Asian continent. Surrounded by the sea on three sides: east, south, and west. It belongs to temperate monsoon climate, with an average annual temperature of 13 ℃ -14 ℃ and an average annual precipitation of about 1300 mm -1500 mm.

From 1910 to 1945, the Korean Peninsula became a colony of Japan. In August 1945, Japan surrendered and the US and Soviet armies respectively stationed in the north and south of the peninsula. On August 15, 1948, the Republic of Korea was established in the southern half of the peninsula, and Lee Seung man was appointed as the first president. In 1960, Li Chengwan stepped down and in August of the same year, Yoon Eun sun became the president. In 1961, Park Chung hee launched a military coup and subsequently held power for a long time. In 1979, Park Chung hee was assassinated, and Choi Kyu ha became president. In the same year, Chun Doo hwan launched a coup and became president in 1980. In 1987, South Korea amended its constitution and implemented direct presidential elections. That same year, Roh Tae woo was elected as the 13th president. Since then, Kim Yong San, Kim Dae jung, Roh Moo hyun, Lee Myung bak, Park Geun hye, Moon Jae-in and Yin Xiyue have been elected as the 14th to 20th presidents.

The current constitution was passed by a national referendum in October 1987 and came into effect on February 25, 1988. The Constitution stipulates that the President has the power to serve as the Head of State, Head of Government, and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, with a term of 5 years and cannot be re elected.

The parliament, the legislative body. The main functions include: reviewing various bills; Deliberate the national budget and final accounts; Supervise government work; Approve foreign treaties, agree to declare war or make peace, impeach the President and key government officials, veto emergency orders from the President, etc. Implement a unicameral system with a total of 300 seats, with members serving for a term of 4 years. The 22nd National Assembly will be elected in April 2024. The National Assembly has one Speaker and two Vice Speakers, elected by members through voting. The current Speaker is Yu Yuanzhi, and Vice Speakers are Li Xueyong and Zhu Haoying.

The government has 19 ministries, 5 departments, and 20 departments, with the President serving as the head of government and the Prime Minister assisting the President in his work. The current Prime Minister Han Dezhu will take office in May 2022. The main members of the current cabinet include: Vice Premier of Economy and Minister of Planning and Finance, Choi Sang mu; Vice Premier of Society and Minister of Education, Lee Joo ho; Minister of Science, Technology, Information and Communication, Lee Chong ho; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Zhao Dailie; Minister of Unification, Kim Hyong ho; Minister of Justice, Park Seong jae; Minister of National Defense, Shin Yuen shih; Minister of Administration and Security, Lee Sang min; Minister of National Merit, Jang Jeong ae; Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Liu Rencun; Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, Livestock and Food, Soong Mei ling; Minister of Industry, Trade and Resources, Andegen; Minister of Health and Welfare, Ha Kyu hong; Minister of Environment, Kim Eun seok; Minister of Employment and Labor, Kim Man soo; and Women. Vacancy of Family Minister (former female Family Minister Kim Hyun sook resigned on February 20, 2024), Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Park Sang yu, Minister of Marine and Fisheries Kang Tu heng Wu Sishu, Director of the Small and Medium Risk Enterprise Department.

[Main URL] Presidential Office: http://www.president.go.kr  

Ministry of Foreign Affairs: http://www.mofa.go.kr  

【 Administrative divisions 】 The country is divided into one special city: Seoul Special City; Two special autonomous cities (roads): Shizong Special Autonomous City, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province; 8 provinces: Gyeonggi Province, Gangwon Province, Chungcheongbuk Province, Chungcheongnam Province, Jeollanam Province, Jeollanam Province, Gyeongsangbuk Province, Gyeongsangnam Province; 6 Metropolitan Cities: Busan, Daegu, Incheon, Gwangju, Daegu, Ulsan.

The judicial organs include the Grand Court, High Court, District Court, and Family Court. The Grand Court is the highest judicial institution, with its president appointed by the president and subject to the approval of the parliament. The term of office is 6 years and cannot be re elected. The current president is Cao Xida. There is also a Constitutional Court, but the current director is vacant.

The procuratorial organs include the Grand Prosecutors' Office, the Higher Prosecutors' Office, and the Local Prosecutors' Office, which are under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Justice. The Grand Prosecutor's Office is the highest prosecuting authority, and the Attorney General is appointed by the President without the need for congressional approval. The current Prosecutor General, Yan Yuting.

The National Power Party, formerly known as the Democratic Liberal Party established in 1990, was renamed the New Korea Party in 1995. In 1997, the New Korea Party merged with the Democratic Party of Korea and was renamed the Grand National Party. In February 2012, it was renamed the New National Party. In December 2016, some members of the party withdrew from the party. In February 2017, it was renamed the Free Korea Party. In February 2020, it was renamed the Future United Party. In September of the same year, it was renamed the National Power Party. In March 2022, the party's candidate Yin Xiyue won the general election.

The Common Democratic Party: formerly known as the New Political National Assembly led by Kim Dae jung. In 1997, Kim Dae jung was elected president and the party became the ruling party. In 2003, it split into the Open Nationalist Party and the Democratic Party. In February 2008, it merged into the United Democratic Party and was renamed the Democratic Party in July. In December 2011, the Democratic Party merged with the Citizens' United Party and the Korea Federation of Labor Unions to form the Democratic United Party. In May 2013, it was renamed as the Democratic Party. In March 2014, a new political democratic coalition party was formed with political forces represented by Ahn Cheol soo. In December 2015, it was renamed as the Common Democratic Party.

[Important Person] Yin Xiyue: President. Born in 1960, graduated from the Law Department of Seoul National University, has been working in the prosecution system for a long time. He was appointed as the Prosecutor General in 2019 and resigned from his position in 2021. In June, he announced his candidacy for the presidency, joined the National Power Party in July, and was elected as the party's presidential candidate in November. On March 10, 2022, he was elected as the 20th President of South Korea. Appointed on May 10th, with a term of 5 years and cannot be re elected.

In the 1960s, the South Korean economy began to take off. Since the 1970s, there has been sustained high-speed growth, with per capita gross domestic product increasing from 87 US dollars in 1962 to 10548 US dollars in 1996, creating the 'Miracle of the Han River'. In 1996, it joined the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and became one of the founding members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in the same year. After the 1997 Asian financial crisis, the South Korean economy entered a period of moderate growth.

The industry is mainly composed of manufacturing and service industries, and the output of industries such as shipbuilding, automobiles, electronics, steel, and textiles has entered the top 10 in the world. Large enterprise groups play a very important role in the South Korean economy, with major players including Samsung, Hyundai, SK, LG, and others.

In 2008, due to the impact of the international financial crisis, the South Korean economy experienced a significant decline. The South Korean government quickly adopted a series of policies, including large-scale fiscal stimulus, which led to a comprehensive recovery of the financial market and a stabilization and recovery of the real economy. The confidence of enterprises and consumers continued to strengthen, making it the first member country of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development to emerge from the bottom.

The main economic data for 2023 are as follows:

Gross Domestic Product: 1.87 trillion US dollars.

Gross Domestic Product Growth Rate: 1.4%.

Per capita Gross Domestic Product: 33200 US dollars.

Currency name: Korean won.

Exchange rate: 1 US dollar is approximately 1379 Korean won (using a floating exchange rate system).

There are relatively few mineral resources, with over 280 discovered minerals, including more than 50 with economic value. Minerals with mining and utilization value include iron, anthracite, lead, zinc, tungsten, etc., but the reserves are not large. Natural resources are scarce, and the main industrial raw materials rely on imports.

The output value of industrial and mining industries accounts for 28.1% of GDP.

The current cultivated land area is 1.528 million hectares, mainly distributed in the western and southern plains and hilly areas. The agricultural population accounts for approximately 4.2% of the total population. The agricultural output value (including fisheries and forestry) accounts for 1.8% of GDP.

The tourism industry in South Korea is relatively developed. In recent years, the South Korean government has identified tourism as a strategic industry and actively encouraged and developed it. By promoting the "Korean Wave" culture to the outside world, simplifying entry procedures for popular tourist areas, improving the domestic tourism market, enhancing domestic tourism hardware facilities, and improving related service levels, it has attracted foreign tourists. According to South Korean statistics, there were over 17 million foreign tourists visiting South Korea in 2019, setting a historical high. In 2023, there will be over 11 million foreign tourists visiting South Korea.

Land, sea, and air transportation are all relatively developed. The national railway and highway networks have been built.

Railway: The total length of the railway is about 4200 kilometers. In March 2004, the Seoul Busan high-speed railway was opened, with a total length of 412 kilometers and a top speed of 300 kilometers per hour.

Highway: The total length of the highway is about 114300 kilometers, including about 4500 kilometers of expressways. There are over 25 million registered cars.

Water transportation: mainly by sea. The main ports include Busan, Pohang, Incheon, Gunsan, Mokpo, Jeju, and Lishui.

Air freight: There are currently 8 international airports: Incheon, Gimpo, Jeju, Gimhae, Cheongju, Daegu, Xiangyang, and Wu'an.

In 2023, South Korea's fiscal revenue and expenditure will be approximately 573.9 trillion Korean won, with fiscal expenditures of approximately 610.7 trillion Korean won. As of the end of June 2024, South Korea's foreign exchange reserves amounted to approximately 419.97 billion US dollars.

In 2023, the total foreign trade volume was 1.27 trillion US dollars, with a trade deficit of 9.97 billion US dollars. Among them, exports amounted to 632.69 billion US dollars, a decrease of 7.4% compared to the previous year; Imports amounted to 642.67 billion US dollars, a decrease of 12.1% compared to the previous year. We have economic and trade relations with over 180 countries and regions around the world, with China, the United States, and Vietnam being the top three trading partners of South Korea.

The main imported products include crude oil, semiconductors, natural gas, petroleum products, semiconductor components, steel plates, coal, communication equipment, cables, etc. The main export products include automobiles and components, semiconductors, wired and wireless communication equipment, ships, petroleum products, flat panel LCD displays, personal computers, film and television equipment, etc.

The Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) was officially established in July 1948. It is the largest private economic organization in South Korea, with 55000 official member companies and 71 branch offices in the country. The main function is to investigate and understand the situation of enterprises, and provide policy opinions and suggestions to the government. As a non-governmental organization, conduct statistical surveys on domestic production, prices, etc; Organize and lead technician training and technical exchange activities for member enterprises; Responsible for communication and cooperation with foreign economic organizations; Responsible for issuing certificates of origin, etc. The Korea China Folk Economic Agreement was established in August 1992, with a representative office in Beijing. President Cui Taiyuan.

Korea Trade Association (KITA): Established in 1946. There are 86000 member companies. The main function is to study South Korea's trade policy and provide opinions and suggestions to the government; Provide various trade consulting and information services to member enterprises, promote trade cooperation with countries around the world, and train trade professionals on behalf of them. Assisted the Chinese side in holding trade exhibitions in Korea multiple times, organized Korean enterprises to visit China for inspection, organized procurement teams, and established an international affairs branch in Beijing. President Yin Zhenzhi.

National Federation of Economic Professionals (FKI): Established in 1961. Composed of 67 organizations from various industries such as manufacturing, trade, finance, and construction, 431 representative large enterprises from South Korea, and 4 honorary members. The main function is to represent large enterprises in proposing policy opinions and suggestions to the government; Assist member companies in strengthening their connections with international economic organizations and foreign enterprises; Research and exchange business theories and methods; Conduct research on domestic and international economic trends; Strengthen connections with various sectors of society and organize member enterprises to carry out various public welfare undertakings. There is a China Committee and the All China Economic Forum was established in May 2003. President Liu Jin.

Central Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (KBIZ): Established in 1962. Composed of the Small and Medium sized Enterprise Industry Association, it adopted its current name in 2006 and has over 500 registered member companies. The main function is to safeguard the interests of small and medium-sized enterprises, and to represent them in proposing policy recommendations to the government; Guide the development of small and medium-sized enterprises through subordinate industry organizations, conduct research on the operation of small and medium-sized enterprises, and provide various information and consultation to member enterprises; Manage foreign labor affairs in Korea. President Jin Jiwen.

Implement compulsory military service system in the military. The service period for the Army and Marine Corps is 18 months, for the Air Force it is 21 months, and for the Navy it is 20 months. The President is the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces. The total number of troops is 555000, including 420000 for the army, 70000 for the navy, and 65000 for the air force. Reserve of 3.1 million. The defense budget for 2024 is approximately KRW 59.6 trillion, an increase of 4.5% compared to the previous year.

Since 1953, a six-year compulsory primary education system has been implemented, and from 1993, a three-year compulsory junior high school education has been popularized. 80% of higher education institutions are private. The education budget for 2024 is approximately KRW 95.6 trillion, a decrease of 6.2% compared to the previous year.

There are over 20000 schools of various types (public and private) across the country. Famous universities include Seoul National University, Yonsei University, and Goryeo University.

The news publishing industry is well-developed. There are over 230 news organizations with more than 40000 employees. There are over 120 newspapers and a wide variety of magazines. Chosun Ilbo (founded in March 1920), JoongAng Ilbo (founded in September 1965), and Dongya Ilbo (founded in April 1920) are the three major national daily newspapers.

News Agency: United News Agency, formed by the merger of Contract News Agency and Toyo News Agency in 1980, and merged with domestic and foreign news agencies in 1999. The news agency has branches in Beijing, Washington, New York, Los Angeles, Tokyo, Paris, London, Bangkok, Moscow and other places, and has signed news exchange agreements or cooperation agreements with more than 40 foreign news agencies.

The main broadcasting companies are:

Korean Broadcasting System (KBS): began trial broadcasting in 1927 and began broadcasting to the public in 1953. The government controlled broadcasting company owns a nationwide broadcasting network and currently broadcasts in 11 languages including Korean, English, Chinese, French, and Japanese. The television station was established in December 1961. Since July 1996, multi-channel satellite television programs have been launched, mainly broadcasting in digital signals.

MBC: Established in December 1961, it has a nationwide broadcasting network. The television station was established in August 1969 and has satellite relay stations in major cities.

Seoul Broadcasting System (SBS): Launched in December 1991.

After the ceasefire of the Korean War, the Korean Peninsula remained in a state of political confrontation, military confrontation, and economic isolation for a long time. From September 1990 to December 1991, South and North Korea held five prime ministerial talks, signed the "Agreement on North South Reconciliation, Non Aggression, and Exchange Cooperation", and issued the "Joint Declaration on the Denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula", which improved the relationship between South and North Korea. Subsequently, influenced by the death of Kim Il sung and the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula, the relationship between South and North Korea cooled down.

From 1998 to 2008, the governments of Kim Dae jung and Roh Moo hyun in South Korea respectively pursued the "Sunshine Policy" and "Peace and Prosperity Policy" towards North Korea, promoting North South reconciliation and cooperation. In June 2000 and October 2007, Kim Dae jung and Roh Moo hyun visited North Korea respectively, held summit meetings with Kim Jong il, and issued the "North South Joint Declaration" and the "Declaration on the Development of North South Relations and Peace and Prosperity". During this period, South and North Korea held multiple official talks and a series of people to people exchanges, signing multiple cooperation agreements.

During the presidency of Lee Myung bak and Park Geun hye from 2008 to 2016, there were ups and downs in North South relations. In February 2014, the two sides held high-level talks and meetings with separated relatives. In August and October 2015, both sides held high-level consultations and meetings with separated relatives. In February 2016, the South Korean side closed the Kaesong Industrial Park.

Positive progress has been made in inter Korean relations in 2018. In January, both sides restarted the Panmunjom hotline and the Xihai military hotline and held high-level talks. In February, North Korea sent a high-level delegation to South Korea to attend the opening and closing ceremonies of the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics. Special Envoy of President Moon Jae-in visited the DPRK and Chairman Kim Jong un met. In April, President Moon Jae-in and Chairman Kim Jong un held their first meeting in Panmunjom and issued the Panmunjom Declaration. The two sides will meet again in May. In September, President Moon Jae-in visited the DPRK and the two sides met for the third time, signing the Pyongyang Joint Declaration in September.

In June 2019, President Moon Jae-in accompanied US President Trump to visit the Korean Korean demilitarized zone and met with Chairman Kim Jong un again in Panmunjom. In August, President Moon Jae-in delivered a speech on the "Recovery Day", calling for the promotion of North South dialogue, reconciliation and cooperation. In November, President Moon Jae-in invited Chairman Kim Jong un to attend the South Korea ASEAN Special Summit, but the DPRK refused.

In March 2020, President Moon Jae-in and Chairman Kim Jong un exchanged letters on combating the COVID-19.

In May 2020, a group of "North Korean defectors" in South Korea sent a large number of leaflets to North Korea near the military demarcation line, which caused a strong reaction from North Korea. In June, Chairman Kim Jong un presided over a meeting of the Central Military Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and decided to shelve the military action plan against South Korea, easing tensions between the two countries.

In September 2020, President Moon Jae-in and Chairman Kim Jong un exchanged letters and telegrams of condolences on disasters such as epidemics, typhoons and storms. In October, Chairman Kim Jong un stated in his speech at the 75th anniversary parade of the founding of the North Korean Communist Party that he looks forward to the early handshake between North and South Korea once again.

In January 2021, Chairman Kim Jong un delivered a speech at the 8th National Congress of the ruling party, stating that the improvement of North South relations depends on the attitude of the South. President Moon Jae-in said at the New Year press conference that he would like to meet with Chairman Kim Jong un at any time. In July, both North and South Korea announced the resumption of all communication lines from today onwards.

In April 2022, when President Moon Jae-in is about to leave office, the leaders of the DPRK and the ROK will send personal letters to each other. In May, President Yoon Suk yeol delivered his inauguration speech, stating that he would open the door to dialogue for a peaceful resolution of the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula. In August, President Yoon Suk yeol attended the 77th anniversary commemoration ceremony of the Liberation Day and delivered a speech, proposing a "bold vision" for the policy roadmap towards North Korea. Kim Yo jung, Deputy Minister of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, issued a statement refuting it. Subsequently, tensions between South and North Korea continued to escalate.

In December 2023, Chairman Kim Jong un stated at the expanded meeting of the 9th Plenary Session of the 8th Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea that the North South relationship is no longer a kinship relationship, but has solidified into a relationship between two hostile countries and two warring states in a state of war.

After World War II, South Korea has long focused on diplomacy with the United States. The open-door policy began to be implemented in the early 1970s. After the Lu Taiyu government came to power in 1988, it vigorously promoted "northern diplomacy" and developed relations with socialist countries. Subsequent governments have pursued an active foreign policy, and in recent years, a multi-level and all-round diplomatic pattern has been basically formed, with the South Korea US alliance as the axis, strengthening the diplomacy of the four major powers of the United States, China, Japan, and Russia, and actively participating in regional and international affairs.

South Korea has established diplomatic relations with 193 countries and has 171 diplomatic missions abroad.

South Korea and the United States established diplomatic relations in January 1949. In October 1953, South Korea and the United States signed the Korea US Mutual Defense Treaty, establishing a military alliance. At present, the United States has 28500 troops stationed in South Korea, holding the command of the South Korean military during wartime and having security and defense obligations towards South Korea. In June 2017, President Moon Jae-in visited the United States. In November, President Trump visited South Korea. In February 2018, US Vice President Pence attended the opening ceremony of the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, and US Presidential Advisor Ivanka Trump attended the closing ceremony of the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics. In May and September 2018, President Moon Jae-in visited the United States twice. In November, President Moon Jae-in met with Vice President Burns during the APEC Informal Leaders' Meeting. In April 2019, President Moon Jae-in visited the United States. In June, President Trump visited South Korea. In September, President Moon Jae-in went to the United States to attend the 74th session of the General Assembly and met with President Trump. In January 2021, President Moon Jae-in sent a message to congratulate Biden on his inauguration as President of the United States. In February 2021, President Moon Jae-in talked with President Biden on the phone. In May, President Moon Jae-in visited the United States for talks with President Biden.

In March 2022, Yoon Seok yeol was elected president and had a phone call with President Biden. In May, President Biden visited South Korea. In June, President Yoon Suk yeol attended the NATO Leaders' Summit and held a bilateral meeting with President Biden, while the heads of state of South Korea, the United States, and Japan held talks. In August, Speaker of the United States House of Representatives Pelosi visited South Korea. In September, President Yin Xiyue went to the United States to attend the United Nations General Assembly, during which she had a brief conversation with President Biden. In the same month, Vice President Harris visited South Korea. In November, President Yoon Suk yeol attended a series of East Asian summits, held bilateral meetings with President Biden, and held talks with the heads of state of South Korea, the United States, and Japan.

In April 2023, President Yoon Suk yeol will pay a state visit to the United States. In August 2023, the heads of state of South Korea, the United States, and Japan held talks at Camp David. In November, President Yoon Suk yeol attended the 30th APEC Leaders' Informal Meeting and held a trilateral meeting with leaders from the United States and Japan.

In March 2024, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited South Korea and attended the third "Leading the People Summit".

In July 2024, President Yoon Suk yeol attended the NATO summit held in the United States.

In 2023, South Korea's imports from the United States amounted to 71.3 billion US dollars, exports to the United States amounted to 115.7 billion US dollars, and the South Korean side had a surplus of 44.4 billion US dollars.

South Korea and Japan established diplomatic relations in 1965. The two countries have extensive exchanges and cooperation in various fields, but historical issues remain factors that interfere with their relationship. In May 2017, President Moon Jae-in's special envoy visited Japan. In July, President Moon Jae-in met with Abe in Hamburg, Germany. In February 2018, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe went to the Republic of Korea to attend the opening ceremony of the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, and President Moon Jae-in met with him. In May, President Moon Jae-in met with Prime Minister Abe Jin during his visit to Japan to attend the 7th China Japan ROK Leaders' Meeting. In July 2019, Japan strengthened export controls on three types of semiconductor core materials to South Korea. In August, Japan decided to remove South Korea from the "white list" of countries that enjoy preferential export management treatment. In October, South Korean Prime Minister Lee Luoyuan went to Japan to attend the celebration of the new emperor's accession and met with the three ministers of Tong'an and Baekjen. In November, President Moon Jae-in met with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during a series of East Asia summits. In December, President Moon Jae-in met with Prime Minister Abe Jin during his visit to China to attend the 8th China Japan ROK Leaders' Meeting. In September 2020, President Moon Jae-in and Japan's new Prime Minister Kan Yiwei exchanged phone calls and letters.

In March 2022, Yoon Suk yeol was elected president and had a phone call with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. In July, South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin visited Japan and held a meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Lim Fangzheng to pay a visit to Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. In September, Prime Minister Han Dezhu led a delegation to visit Japan, attended the state funeral of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, and met with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. In October, President Yoon Suk yeol had a phone call with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. In November, President Yoon Suk yeol attended a series of East Asian summits and held a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

In March 2023, South Korean Foreign Minister Park Geun hye announced a plan for South Korea to address the issue of compensation for victims of forced labor. In March, President Yoon Suk yeol visited Japan and held talks with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. In May, President Yoon Suk yeol received visiting Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. In July, the two sides met again during the NATO summit. In November, President Yoon Suk yeol attended the 30th APEC Leaders' Informal Meeting and held a trilateral meeting with leaders from the United States and Japan.

In May 2024, President Yoon Suk yeol met with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who was attending the 9th China Japan Korea Leaders' Meeting in South Korea.

In September 2024, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida visited South Korea.

From January to August 2024, South Korea's imports from Japan amounted to 30.9 billion US dollars, while its exports to Japan amounted to 19.5 billion US dollars, resulting in a trade deficit of 11.4 billion US dollars.

South Korea established diplomatic relations with the former Soviet Union in September 1990. After the dissolution of the former Soviet Union, South Korea continued to maintain diplomatic relations with Russia. In July 2017, President Moon Jae-in and President Putin met in Hamburg, Germany. In September, President Moon Jae-in visited Russia and met with President Putin. In June 2018, President Moon Jae-in visited Russia and met with President Putin. In November, President Moon Jae-in met with President Putin during the APEC Informal Leaders' Meeting. In June 2019, South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung hwa held talks with Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov in Moscow. In September 2020, President Moon Jae-in and President Putin exchanged telephone calls and congratulatory messages on the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between South Korea and Russia. In July August 2022, South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin and Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov met during the G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting and the East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers' Meeting. In March 2023, South Korea was listed as an unfriendly country by Russia due to following the US and Europe's sanctions against Russia. In July 2023, President Yoon Suk yeol visited Ukraine after attending the NATO summit, and in the same month, the foreign ministers of South Korea and Russia met during a series of East Asian cooperation foreign ministers' meetings in Indonesia.

In 2023, South Korea's imports from Russia amounted to 8.89 billion US dollars, exports to Russia amounted to 6.13 billion US dollars, and the South Korean side had a deficit of 2.76 billion US dollars.