Location: Eastern Asia, southern half of the Korean Peninsula bordering the Sea of Japan and the Yellow Sea

Area: 98,480 sq km

Land boundaries: 238 km

Border country: DPRK 238 km

Coastline: 2,413 km

Climate: temperate, with rainfall heavier in summer than winter

Terrain: mostly hills and mountains; wide coastal plains in west and south

Natural resources: coal, tungsten*, graphite*, molybdenum*, lead*

Natural hazards: occasional typhoons bring high winds and floods; low-level seismic* activity common in southwest

South Korea’s prime minister stepped down on March 7, saying she would think about running for the nation’s top job.

Han Myung-sook’s resignation* has been all but official since late last month when she offered to quit and President Roh Moo-hyun agreed. She had planned to formally step down after the then-ongoing session* of the National Assembly closed. The parliamentary* session ended on March 6.

“I will ponder* it from now on,” Han told reporters, when asked if she would run for president. The presidential election is set for December.