South Korea is a very small but fast-moving country where millions of people live close together in busy cities, mountain valleys and coastal areas. Even though, today, the country is full of new technology, the environment plays a huge role in how people live their everyday lives. Since the country is so rapidly evolving, taking care of the environment is the most important part of Korean society, which is one big collective effort. From limited space to changing weather, Koreans have had to find smart ways to adapt and keep their surroundings clean. With a recent history of war and mass destruction of towns and cities, generations have had to find unique ways not to only maintain nature and greenery, but also to help it come back. Understanding how people live with these challenges helps us see why Korea’s environment is so important and how it shapes everyday life for the individuals living here.
South Korea may look small on a map, but it is home to a large and very busy population. With 51.6 million people living in a country the size of Indiana, space is limited. About 70% of the land is covered in mountains, which means there is much less room for cities, roads and farms. On top of that, South Korea manages a tightly controlled border with North Korea, making it even harder to use the land.
