Definition

1. Proper noun:
   • A sovereign state in East Asia: The Republic of Korea is the official name for the country commonly known as South Korea. It is located in the southern half of the Korean Peninsula and was founded on August 15, 1948.

Usage

• The term "Republic of Korea" is the formal, official name used in diplomatic, legal, and official contexts. It distinguishes the country from its northern neighbor, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea).
• It is used to refer to the nation's government, its institutions, and its status in international affairs.

Examples

• Proper noun:
  • The Republic of Korea is a member of the United Nations and the G20.
  • Seoul is the capital city of the Republic of Korea.
  • The president of the Republic of Korea gave a speech at the summit.

Advanced Usage

• In formal contrast: Often used in formal writing or news to explicitly contrast with "Democratic People's Republic of Korea."
  • Relations between the Republic of Korea and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea remain tense.

Variants and Related Words

• South Korea (n): The common, informal name for the Republic of Korea. This term is widely used in everyday conversation and media.
  • I traveled to South Korea last summer.
• ROK (n): A common initialism for the Republic of Korea, frequently used in military, economic, and diplomatic contexts.
  • The ROK armed forces conducted a joint exercise with the U.S.

Synonyms

• South Korea: The most frequent synonym in non-official contexts.

Notes on Meaning

• The term specifically refers to the political entity established in 1948 following the division of the Korean Peninsula. It does not refer to the entire Korean Peninsula or its historical kingdoms.

Noun

1. a republic in the southern half of the Korean Peninsula; established in 1948