The Republic of Korea is the official name of South Korea. It governs the southern part of the Korean Peninsula, with its capital in Seoul. It is a separate state from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to the north. The two states do not recognize each other as the rightful government of the whole peninsula.
What the Name Refers To
- The state. The government seated in Seoul.
- The territory. The southern part of the peninsula, and islands it administers.
- Not the north. The northern state uses a different official name.
The Southern State and the Northern State
| Compared | The Republic | The Northern State |
| Capital | Seoul | Pyongyang |
| Official name | Republic of Korea | A different official name |
| Recognizes the other as the sole government | No | No |