The highest point in Korea is Halla-san (1950 m) on the island of Cheju (Jeju).

Korea has around fifty percent of the world's dolmens (prehistoric tombs).

The prehistoric cemeteries at Gochang, Hwasun, and Ganghwa are among the world's largest dolman sites and were added to UNESCO's World Heritage List in 2000.

The first dynasty in Korea was named Gojoseon (Ko Chosun) founded by the legendary Dangun in 2333.

Buddhism was introduced to Korea in the fourth century.

Confucianism, which teaches respect for ancestors and the family, has been a significant influence on Korean culture.

The Western name "Korea" is derived from the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392).

Mongol invasions of Korea took place in the first half of the thirteenth century.

In 1446 King Sejong commissioned the development of the Korean written alphabet known as Han-geul.

Metal typeface was developed in Korea before the development of the Gutenberg printing press in Germany.

Catholicism was introduced to Korea at the end of the eighteenth century. Protestant missionaries arrived in the country in 1884.

Following the Second World War (1939-1945), the Democratic People's Republic of Korea was set up in North Korea and the Republic of Korea was established in South Korea.

Members of the British Commonwealth Forces served in Korea during the Korean War (1950-53).

In the year 2000 President Kim Dae-jung won the Noble Peace Prize for his efforts to reconcile past differences between South Korea and its neighbours, North Korea and Japan.

At the beginning of the twenty-first century South Korea led the world in the use of high-speed broadband Internet access.

In October 2007 the leaders of North and South Korea signed a joint declaration to seek a treaty to formally end the Korean War.

In November 2009 and January 2010 South and North Korean warships exchanged fire over a disputed sea border.

Kim Jong-un was the first North Korean leader to enter the South when he met President Moon Jae-in in April 2018.

In November 2023 the South Korean President, Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife arrived in London on a formal three-day state visit to the UK.