Overview

Songan is a vast land, encompassing mostly plains with rice fields and mountainous forests. To the North it is bordered by Kogure.

The capital is Namkei. The largest city is Haisai

Demographics

The total population is 116 million. Median age is 42.

History

Songan has a history of 4000 years. Throughout history, numerous kingdoms have appeared which have ruled over vast lands, with Songan appearing in 12th century CE.

In 1889, Songan was forced into unequal treaties by the imperial powers seeking to expand export markets, and Haisai was reorganized as a concession city. In response, the Songan Royal Court has launched a self strengthening movement aiming to modernize the country with modern military and modern industry. Westernization of the society has progressed, and the industry has developed. A modern civil service, education, and military were established.

In 1907, a Constition was adopted which established a constitional monarchy. The King was made the head of state, the Cabinet as the executive, the bicameral Parliament composed of the House of Lords and House of Representatives as the legislature, and a Supreme Court

In 1937, due to the growing national crisis and social upheaval, General Sun Wi Tak was appointed as the Prime Minister. General Sun as the head of the Cabinet has conducted currency reform, grain procurement reform, and fought corruption. At the same time the "National Protection Act" was passed which outlawed labor activism and implemented crackdowns.

On June 24th, 1949, after the Communist rule was established in neighbouring Kogure, General Sun government decided to conduct an armed operation in order to defeat the communist threat and protect naitonal security. However, due to logistical failures the war has resulted in complications, and after negotiations, the peace treaty was signed on August 30th, 1951.

In 1952, General Sun has resigned and a parliamentary government headed by Prime Minister Tsoe Won Ho of the right-wing Democratic Party. The country began economic development but at the same time the influence of the military continued and the "National Protection Act" remained in place. In 1959, the "National Protection Act" was amended to limit power of the police, and the Ideological Police was abolished, but abuses of power continued through practices such as arrests without charges.

The economy grew primarily by expanding light and export oriented manufacturing, but various scandals resulted in the loss of trust in the government. Since 1968, a protest movement has emerged which continued to protest against successive governments of the Democratic Party and arguing full democracy was not implemented.

In 1985, after a massive protest early elections were triggered, where the Democratic Party lost the majority. However, due to lack of unity among the opposition, a coalition agreement was made that saw election of Prime Minister Ho Jo Li of the Democratic Party. Prime Minister Ho has repealed the "National Protection Act", and deceased the power of the military. A powerful National Security Council was abolished, through which the military intervened in politics. The Democratic Party was renamed into the Liberal Party

In 2003, due to a financial crisis and government mismanagement, the Socialist Party government has lost power in elections and the Liberal Party's Prime Minister Sun Yi Gou assumed power. Prime Minsiter Sun promoted economic structural reform and supply-side policy. Nevertheless, after various corruption scandals, Sun resigned.

In 2008, the "Citizen Alliance" coalition of the Socialist Party, Citizen Party, and New Politics Party formed the government. However, due to strong clashes between civil service and the Cabinet the government was subject to harsh criticism, and in 2010 it resigned.

Economy

Songan is an upper middle income economy based around services and consumption. There is a dynamic private sector, and it is led by finance, real estate, logistics, and rerail. After the 2003 structural reforms manufscturing has declined, but various stabilization policies have retained automobile production and electronics industry.

One of the key problems is low investment due to overpresence of small firms. Another problem is weak enforcement of labor laws and high irregularity of employment. There is also problem of rural poverty and urban overcrowdness due to underinvestment in infrastructure.

Politics

Songan is a constitutional and parliamentary monarchy. The executive power is exercised by the Cabinet headed by the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister is elected by the Parliament composed of the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors. The main parties are Liberal Party, Socialist Party, and Life Party.

The military continues to play a role in politics, and many generals after retirement enter politics, business, and civil service position.

Ministry of Finance is the center of government. It is responsible for the fiscal policy and tax collection.

Other important ministries include Ministry of Civil Affairs, which oversees police, Minsitry of Trade and Industry, which houses the Small and Medium Enterprise Agency, the Ministry of Culture and Education which oversees schools, and the Minsitry of Legal Affairs, which houses the Prosecution Office.

Culture

Songan operates a 12 year education. 9 year education is provide for freez while high school is fee based (however price caps and fee waivers exist in schools). Private schooling is widespread and often related to religious organizations.

Higher education is provided by a network of public and private universities. Admission is based on competitive exams. Namkei University's Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Engineering, and Faculty of Law and Economics are most competitive in the country.

There is a widespread supplementary education industry which supports education fever. Alongside it, a well developed industry of study materials, distance teaching, and self guides also exists.

Buddhism is the largest religion. Catholic Christianity is second largest with 18% of population identifying as Catholics.

Prostitution is a major social feature in Songan despite formal prohibition and practiced openly. Several traditional red light districts exist throughout the country, which often act as entertainment centers and house theatres, malls, and restaurants