National symbols

The official name is the Republic of Korea (Daehan Minguk). 'Hanguk' is the short form used in daily life.

• 한국의 정식 나라 이름은 무엇입니까?What is the formal country name of Korea?
• 우리나라의 국명은 무엇입니까?What is the name of our country?
• 우리나라의 공식 국호는 무엇입니까?What is the official name of our country?
• 한국의 정식 나라 이름은 무엇입니까?What is the formal country name of Korea?

In English documents and at the UN, the country is written 'Republic of Korea' (ROK).

• 한국을 영어로 공식 표기하면 무엇입니까?How is Korea written officially in English?

The flag is called Taegeukgi, named after the red-and-blue Taegeuk circle at its centre.

• 대한민국의 국기는 무엇입니까?What is the national flag of the Republic of Korea?
• 우리나라 국기의 이름은 무엇입니까?What is the name of our national flag?

Three parts: the white field, the Taegeuk circle in the centre, and one trigram in each corner.

White has long stood for purity and peace in Korea, and Koreans were once called 'the people in white'.

The four corner symbols each have a name: Geon, Gon, Gam, Ri.

• 태극기 네 모서리에 있는 괘의 이름은 무엇입니까?What are the four trigrams at the corners of the Taegeukgi called?

The four trigrams stand for sky, earth, water and fire — the elements that make up nature.

This pledge is recited facing the flag at national ceremonies. It is best to learn it by heart.

Park Yeong-hyo first used the Taegeukgi in 1882 while on a mission to Japan.

On days of mourning the flag is lowered by the width of the flag from the top of the pole.

White stands for cleanliness and peace, long worn by Koreans in everyday clothes.

The Taegeuk shows two forces that move together — yin and yang.

The red upper half is yang — light, and the positive force.

The blue lower half is yin — the calm, receiving force.

Geon is three unbroken bars — the fullest, and it sits at the top left.

Gon is three broken bars — the emptiest, facing Geon across the flag.

Gam has one unbroken bar in the middle, held between two broken ones.

Ri is the reverse of Gam — one broken bar held between two unbroken ones.

The anthem is called Aegukga, which means 'song of love for the country'.

• 국경일이나 국가 행사에서 국민의례를 할 때 부르는 노래는 무엇입니까?What song is sung during the national salute at national holidays and state events?
• 대한민국의 국가는 무엇입니까?What is the national anthem of the Republic of Korea?
• 우리나라 국가(노래)의 이름은 무엇입니까?What is the name of our national anthem?

Ahn Eak-tai composed the melody in 1935. The words were written earlier and the author is unknown.

• 애국가를 작곡한 사람은 누구입니까?Who composed the national anthem?

Only the first verse is sung at the naturalisation interview.

It means 'until the East Sea dries and Baekdu Mountain wears away'.

The refrain is the same after every verse, so learning it once carries you through.

The Mugunghwa (rose of Sharon) blooms all summer, one flower after another.

• 대한민국의 국화는 무엇입니까?What is the national flower of the Republic of Korea?
• 우리나라를 상징하는 꽃은 무엇입니까?Which flower symbolises our country?

Because it keeps blooming without giving up, it came to stand for perseverance and hope.

From July to October a single plant opens thousands of flowers, one after another — that endurance is why.

Written 無窮花 — 'the flower without end'. It blooms from July to October, one bud opening as another falls.

The writing, the martial art, the clothing and the food that Korea is known for around the world.

The Guksae is stamped on documents such as constitutional promulgations and ambassadors' credentials.

Here 'munjang' means an emblem, not a sentence — a Taegeuk wrapped in five Mugunghwa petals.

It is performed at the start of official events, in this order: salute, pledge, anthem, silent tribute.

'Aeguk' is the same word that begins the anthem's name, Aegukga.

It means 'Before the proud Taegeukgi' — the pledge is recited standing, facing the flag.