Korea.net : The official website of the Republic of Korea

The Republic of Korea government was established on August 15, 1948. The President is the head of state and represents the state in international affairs. In case of the President's absence, the Prime Minister will temporarily act as acting President. The Prime Minister is the principal executive assistant to the President. The executive branch, headed by the President, consists of the Prime Minister, the Cabinet, 15 executive ministries, and 16 independent agencies including the Jeju Special Self-Governing Province.

This menu is designed to show you Korea's economic potential as it strives to become a business hub in East Asia, by introducing the country's leading industries, business environment, investment and free trade initiatives.

Korea showed remarkable recovery after the 1997 Asian financial crisis by successfully undertaking economic reforms. Korea's leading industries -- automobiles, semiconductors, digital electronics, construction and shipbuilding -- have also acted as growth engines of the country's economy, which emerged as a success story in the world.

The Korean government is committed to promoting exports and easing regulations to help attract foreign direct investment. It eased visa rules for foreign investors and underwent reforms to improve the business environment and to help foreign businesses take root in the country.

The government has also established special zones in selected areas to make its environment more attractive to overseas trade and foreign investment, in a bid to become a Northeast Asian business hub. To become a world-leading trade country, Korea has been doing its utmost to seal free trade agreements (FTAs) with its trading partners.

This section will provide a full picture of Korean culture and sports, both past and present through various aspects of the country.

First, Han style will look into Korea's unique lifestyle through its food, clothes, music, architecture and art. Hallyu, meaning "Korean Wave," will offer the latest of Korean entertainment that includes movies and dramas, pop music, animation and the like.

Deeper thoughts on Korea will be revealed through an introduction to the world of Korean literature, from classic to modern, together with traditional ballads and songs that have been passed down for thousands of years.

Traditional rituals and folk pastimes will help understand the virtue and spirit of ancient Koreans while watercolor paintings, calligraphy, pottery, sculpture, embroidery and other kinds of crafts bear witness to the hidden aesthetics of Korea. A modern art section will be a guide to Korea's budding talent in contemporary arts, with new ideas in not only painting and sculpture, but also fashion and design.

Meanwhile, Korea's impressive economic advancement of recent years has allowed its people to take a strong interest in sports. More Koreans than ever are exercising or competing in organized sports events and more athletes are shining at international sports events with winning performances.

Living in a foreign country can lead to unfamiliar situations and other circumstances that can sometimes be downright confusing. In an effort to help expatriates in Korea, this "Life" section is dedicated to dealing with the issues and happenings of expats' daily lives.

Here, you will learn the ins and outs of Korean life and get tips on how to make the most out of your time in Korea. You will find information about legal issues pertaining to your stay, such as labor disputes and international marriage; information on money and health matters; how to find the right place to live; what English broadcasting is available and so on.

A guide to dining and nightlife in Seoul is also available here. This is a one-stop guide that will make your life here more comfortable and enjoyable.

This section provides a general guide to those who wish to study in Korea. The first section begins with learning the language, Korea's own writing system, Hangeul and related language proficiency tests: the Test of Proficiency in Korean (TOPIK) and Korean Language Proficiency Test (KLPT). For overseas students who wish to take part in either undergraduate or graduate course, there will be guides for admission procedures, students' lodgings and introduction to popular subjects. In addition, this section will also provide a list of major foreign and international schools in Korea. Finally, for those who wish to acquire an in-depth knowledge about the Korean Peninsula, the page will offer websites for related bodies specializing in Korean Studies, addressing historical, political and economical issues of the wider Northeast Asia region.

Tourism in Korea is an area that is just starting to hit its stride now. The tourism industry has been growing by leaps and bounds in recent years. The increasing popularity of Korea as a tourist attraction is in part thanks to the growing popularity of Korean culture (particularly popular culture) abroad.

Korea has many places to visit, as it boasts scenic natural landscapes and the world's finest cultural places and items recorded on UNESCO's World Heritage List. Also, the country offers some of the world's best cuisine and entertainment.

Taking a trip to these fascinating destinations may be hard if you don't have any basic information about traveling in Korea, such as how to get around, where to find accommodation and so on.

So if you are planning a trip to Korea or if you are already living here and are looking for touring info, you can find all the essential information here.

You can start by learning about the ABCs of Korea: basic info on geography, climate, how to enter the country and then move on to checking out up-to-date information on tourist attractions, accommodation, shopping and much more.

In addition, Korea holds hundreds of festivals each year and you can find information about some of the best ones here.

Come and discover the treasures of Korea with us.