Korea

Korea 한국/韓國 (S. Korean) 조선/朝鮮 (N. Korean)
Flag
Capitals and largest cities	Seoul (largest overall) Pyongyang
Language(s)	Korean
Demonym	Korean
Sovereign states	North Korea  South Korea
Leaders
• President of the ROK	Hwang Kyo-ahn (acting)
• Supreme Leader of the DPRK	Kim Jong-un
Area
• Total	219,155 km2 (84,616 sq mi)
• Water (%)	2.8
Population
• 2015 estimate	76,497,881
• Density	349.06/km2 (904.1/sq mi)
Currency	North Korean won (₩) South Korean won (₩)
Time zone	KST (UTC+9 (South Korea)) PYT (UTC+8:30 (North Korea))
ISO 3166 code	KR/KP

Korea is a historical state in East Asia, since 1945 divided into two distinct sovereign states: North Korea (officially the "Democratic People's Republic of Korea") and South Korea (officially the "Republic of Korea"). Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by China to the northwest and Russia to the northeast. It is separated from Japan to the east by the Korea Strait and the East Sea.

Korea emerged as a singular political entity after centuries of conflict among the Three Kingdoms of Korea, which were unified as Later Silla to the south and Balhae to the north. Later Silla divided into three separate states during the Later Three Kingdoms period. Goryeo, which had succeeded Goguryeo, defeated the two other states and united the Korean Peninsula. Around the same time, Balhae collapsed and its last crown prince fled south to Goryeo. Goryeo (also spelled as Koryŏ), whose name developed into the modern exonym "Korea", was a highly cultured state that created the world's first metal movable type in 1234. However, multiple invasions by the Mongol Yuan Dynasty during the 13th century greatly weakened the nation, which eventually agreed to become a vassal state after decades of fighting. Following the Yuan Dynasty's collapse, severe political strife followed, and Goryeo eventually fell to a coup led by General Yi Seong-gye, who established Joseon in 1388.