Aegukga, President And Prime minister, Republic of Korea, 1948-2025

South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea (ROK), is a country in East Asia occupying the southern half of the Korean Peninsula. It borders North Korea and has a population of about 52 million people, with Seoul as its capital and largest metropolitan area. The Korean Peninsula has been inhabited since prehistoric times. Ancient kingdoms such as Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla emerged, and Silla unified most of the peninsula in the 7th century. The Goryeo dynasty established the foundation of Korean identity, followed by the Joseon dynasty, which brought major cultural and scientific achievements. In 1910, Korea was annexed by Japan and remained under Japanese rule until the end of World War II. After the war, the peninsula was divided into Soviet-occupied and American-occupied zones. In 1948, South Korea and North Korea were established as separate states. The Korean War (1950–1953) caused massive destruction and ended with an armistice rather than a peace treaty. South Korea later experienced periods of authoritarian rule before transitioning to democracy in 1987. Today, South Korea is a highly developed democratic country with one of the world's largest economies. It is known for its advanced technology, strong military, high standard of living, and global cultural influence through K-pop, television dramas, and cinema, a phenomenon known as the Korean Wave. South Korea is also a member of major international organizations, including the G20 and the OECD. Aegukga" (Korean: 애국가; Hanja: 愛國歌), often translated as "Patriotic Song", is the national anthem of South Korea. Its lyrics originated in the late 19th century, while its current melody was composed by Ahn Eak-tai in 1935. The anthem was officially adopted in 1948, following the establishment of the Republic of Korea. Before the current melody, the lyrics were sung to the tune of the Scottish song "Auld Lang Syne".