Profile Information - South Korea

Country Name: South Korea
Full Title: Republic of Korea; 대한민국
Human Name: Im Yong Soo; 임 용소오
Birthday: August 15, 1945
Distinguishing features: Well, he's Asian. XD He's very tall and a bit muscular. He's got one hair that sticks up, the rest a bit messy and out of his face. He usually wears hanbok, but when he doesn't, he dresses fashionably.
Quote: "I created that, you know!"
Personality: ...I like copypasting...and can't word it any better than this XD
Korea is an energetic, "going-my-way" sort of person, rejecting what others maybe telling him to go along with what he thinks, or knows, is right, or better for him in the long run. He's loud, but he's respectful to older people and puts his family first. He likes insisting he's created everything, even if the claim is completely ridiculous. He likes the internet and games. He is convinced he created all of Japan's inventions, even though he says he hates Japan. He also seems to like claiming his brother's breasts a lot. He's generally serious about what he says, even though the claims and things are usually quite ridiculous. He's young at heart, so he may behave a bit childishly sometimes, but he is still a young nation, much younger than many of the other nations, especially his siblings. He is caring and possibly a bit frugal, due to having been a very poor country until very recently.

He's affectionate to the nations he knows well, those mainly being his siblings. He's touchy and doesn't hesitate to hold hands, or hug, or get close to the nations he likes...not in public, though. He's got a bit of modesty when it comes to being in public.
Likes:
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Dislikes:
Relationships:
[blockquote]China - He wants China's approval more than anything, but doesn't seem to realize China finds him annoying.
Japan - Hates him..but only 70%. The other 30%, he does like him, really! But he doesn't like when people credit Japan with the stuff he makes. Or when Japan takes his ideas...
America - America makes him nervous, but he does think they're friends and often times does agree with him.[/blockquote]
Bio: (I guess this stuff is what you want XD)
Occupation and World War II

Korea was taken under Japanese rule in 1910, when in reality, Japan had been attempting since the 1870's, and for periods of time even before then. Interest had been acknowledged by the United States (in return for acknowledgment that the US was interested in the Philippines) and Korea was finally annexed on August 22, 1910. The Koreans, outraged, held anti-Japanese rallies, which lead to the curbing of freedoms held by Korea. A provisional government was made as well, which even today Korea insists was the actual government.

Shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the provisional government began to help Chinese with the Korean Liberation Army. (Of course, there were many war crimes done against Korea as well as China.) After the war, Japan was forced to give up Korea.

An interesting note about this period, though; Seoul was the first city in East Asia with electricity, trolley cars, water, telephone and telegraph systems all at the same time.

Division and Korean War
Even though Korea was originally intended to be one county, it was split by the US and Soviet Union, each with their own ideals on how the country should be run, with South Korea and North Korea being established in 1948. On June 25, 1950, North Korea invaded South Korea which started the Korean War. The North was backed by the Soviet Union and China, the South backed by the UN. An armistice was called in 1953, but a treaty was never made so the two countries remain at war even to this day.

Modern Day
After the war, South Korea rapidly grew to their current standing. Of course, that isn't to say it's been completely peachy-keen. When South Korea held the Olympics in 1988, North Korea had called a boycott of it (which was mostly ignored ) and there have been a few coup d'états by generals. But outreaches to other countries have been made, such as the Sunshine Policy taken with North Korean and co-hosting the 2002 World Cup with Japan (even if this was spoiled by the debate over Dokdo).

Culture

Manners
It's perfectly fine to be late, as long as it's not more than 30 minutes, you don't write a name in red, you don't point your chopsticks, it's inconsiderate to give someone something expensive...there are a lot of things that are notable, compiled in lists here and here.

Youth Culture and Urban Legends
Korea's a young character, so this is important! Video games are very popular. Particularly StarCraft. And Koreans are GOOD. One of the highest-paid professional gamers is a Korean by the name of Im Yo Hwan or SlayerS_`BoxeR. Dating is more common, with popular places being movies, game rooms, singing rooms, PC rooms, or video rooms. Public displays of affection are perfectly fine between friends and two people of the same gender - but between a boy and girl? Most likely, no. Dramas are VERY popular, too.

As far as urban legends go, there's fan death to terrify you when it gets hot.

Food
Kimchi, that is all.

As for other food, it's heavily spiced and not wasteful. For example, kimchi that's going bad can be made into soup. Leftovers are made into something new to eat.

Religion
Today, almost half of Koreans have no religious affiliation, but this is followed by Buddhism, then various sects of Christianity.