Four decades ago, Republic of Korea’s GDP per capita was comparable with levels in the poorer countries of Africa and Asia. In 2004, South Korea joined the trillion dollar tier of world economies. Today its GDP per capita is equal to the lesser economies of the EU. This success was achieved by a system of close government-business ties, including directed credit, import restrictions, sponsorship of specific industries, and a strong labor effort.

The available land area for cultivation in the Republic of Korea is only 30%. Approximately 70% of the land comprises of mountains and waterways, leaving a small amount of land resources. The national land utilization plan in place balances land development into four zones, of which cultivated land area accounts for 48.4% (2005). Another issue is the aging rural population. New generations of Koreans are leaving the farm to go to the city. Since the early 1990s, the government has worked to distribute advanced farming machinery to combat this problem. Use of the power tiller, which had been the most commonly used machine in the 1990s has been now replaced by farm tractors due to convenience. As of 2003, the total number of tractors and power tillers is 1,233,000, accounting for 95 for every 100 farms.

Government support has additionally aided the effort to promote food safety in South Korea. Funds in the areas of sanitary and safe livestock production and the stabilization of the livestock business have made an impact on food safety. The government has exceedingly worked to improve international competitiveness in livestock production through investment in full-time professional livestock production. Progress has been made to create a modern livestock production and distribution system.

Area:
total: 98,480 sq km
land: 98,190 sq km
water: 290 sq km

Climate:
temperate, with rainfall heavier in summer than winter

Terrain:
mostly hills and mountains; wide coastal plains in west and south

Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Sea of Japan 0 m
highest point: Halla-san 1,950 m

Natural resources:
coal, tungsten, graphite, molybdenum, lead, hydropower potential

Land use:
arable land: 16.58%
permanent crops: 2.01%
other: 81.41% (2005)

Irrigated land:
8,780 sq km (2003)

Natural hazards:
occasional typhoons bring high winds and floods; low-level seismic activity common in southwest

Current environmental issues:
air pollution in large cities; acid rain; water pollution from the discharge of sewage and industrial effluents; drift net fishing.