Government of South Korea

National Assembly building, Seoul (seen from distance)

National Assembly building, Seoul

Main chamber of National Assembly

At the national level, the legislative branch consists of the National Assembly of South Korea. This is a unicameral legislature; it consists of a single large assembly. Most of its 300 members are elected from single-member constituencies; however, 56 are elected through proportional representation. The members of the National Assembly serve for four years; in the event that a member is unable to complete his or her term, a by-election is held. The National Assembly is charged with deliberating and passing legislation, auditing the budget and administrative procedures, ratifying treaties, and approving state appointments. In addition, it has the power to impeach or recommend the removal of high officials.

The Assembly forms 17 standing committees to deliberate matters of detailed policy. For the most part, these coincide with the ministries of the executive branch.

Bills pass through these committees before they reach the floor. However, before they reach committee, they must already have gained the support of at least 20 members, unless they have been introduced by the president. To secure final passage, a bill must be approved by a majority of those present; a tie vote is not sufficient. After passage, bills are sent to the president for approval; they must be approved within 15 days.

Each year, the budget bill is submitted to the National Assembly by the executive. By law, it must be submitted at least 90 days before the start of the fiscal year, and the final version must be approved at least 30 days before the start of the fiscal year. The Assembly is also responsible for auditing accounts of past expenditures, which must be submitted at least 120 days before the start of the fiscal year.

Sessions of the Assembly may be either regular (once a year, for no more than 100 days) or extraordinary (by request of the president or a caucus, no more than 30 days). These sessions are open-door by default but can be closed to the public by majority vote or by decree of the Speaker. In order for laws to be passed in any session, a quorum of half the members must be present.

Currently, seven political parties are represented in the National Assembly.

Main buildings of Cheongwadae (official residence of South Korea's President), Seoul

The executive branch is headed by the president.[2] The president is elected directly by the people, and is the only elected member of the national executive.[3] The president serves for one five-year term; additional terms are not permitted.[4] The president is head of state, head of government and commander in chief of the South Korean armed forces.[5][6] The president is vested with the power to declare war, and can also propose legislation to the National Assembly.[7][8] He or she can also declare a state of emergency or martial law, subject to the Assembly's subsequent approval.[9] The President can veto bills, subject to a two-thirds majority veto override by the National Assembly.[10] However, the president does not have the power to dissolve the National Assembly. This safeguard reflects the experience of authoritarian governments under the First, Third, and Fourth Republics.

The president is assisted in his or her duties by the Prime Minister of South Korea as well as the Presidential Secretariat (대통령비서실, 大統領祕書室).[11] The Prime Minister is appointed by the president upon the approval of the National Assembly, and has the power to recommend the appointment or dismissal of the Cabinet ministers.[12] The officeholder is not required to be a member of the National Assembly. The Prime Minister is assisted in his/her duties by the Prime Minister's Office which houses both the Office for Government Policy Coordination (국무조정실, 國務調整室) and the Prime Minister’s Secretariat (국무총리비서실, 國務總理祕書室), the former of which is headed by a cabinet-level minister and the latter by a vice minister-level chief of staff.[13] In the event that the president is unable to fulfill his duties, the Prime Minister assumes the president's powers and takes control of the state until the President can once again fulfill his/her duties or until a new president is elected.[14]

In the event that they are suspected of serious wrongdoing, the president and cabinet-level officials are subject to impeachment by the National Assembly.[15] Once the National Assembly votes in favor of the impeachment the Constitutional Court should either confirm or reject the impeachment resolution, once again reflecting the system of checks and balances between the three branches of the government.[16]

The State Council (국무회의, 國務會議, gungmuhoeui) is the highest body and national cabinet for policy deliberation and resolution in the executive branch of the Republic of Korea. The Constitution of the Republic of Korea mandates that the Cabinet be composed of between 15 and 30 members including the Chairperson, and currently the Cabinet includes the President, the Prime Minister, the Vice Prime Minister (the Minister of Strategy and Finance), and the cabinet-level ministers of the 17 ministries.[17] The Constitution designates the President as the chairperson of the Cabinet and the Prime Minister as the vice chairperson.[18] Nevertheless, the Prime Minister frequently holds the meetings without the presence of the President as the meeting can be lawfully held as long as the majority of the Cabinet members are present at the meeting. Also, as many government agencies have recently been moved out of Seoul into other parts of the country the need to hold Cabinet meetings without having to convene in one place at the same time has been growing, and therefore the law has been amended to allow Cabinet meetings in a visual teleconference format.[19] Although not the official members of the Cabinet, the chief presidential secretary (대통령비서실장, 大統領祕書室長), the Minister of the Office for Government Policy Coordination (국무조정실장, 國務調整室長), the Minister of Government Legislation (법제처장, 法制處長), the Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs (국가보훈처장, 國家報勳處長), the Minister of Food and Drug Safety (식품의약품안전처장, 食品醫藥品安全處長), the Chairperson of Korea Fair Trade Commission (공정거래위원장, 公正去來委員長), the Chairperson of Financial Services Commission (금융위원장, 金融委員長), the Mayor of Seoul Special City (서울특별시장, 서울特別市長), and other officials designated by law or deemed necessary by the Chairperson of the Cabinet can also attend the Cabinet meetings and speak in front of the Cabinet without the right to vote on the matters discussed in the meetings [20] The Mayor of Seoul, although being the head of a local autonomous region in South Korea and not directly related to the central executive branch, has been allowed to attend the Cabinet meeting considering the special status of Seoul (Special City) and its mayor (the only cabinet-level mayor in Korea).

It has to be noted that the Cabinet of the Republic of Korea performs somewhat different roles than those of many other nations with similar forms. As the Korean political system is basically a presidential system yet with certain aspects of parliamentary cabinet system combined, the Cabinet of the Republic of Korea also is a combination of both systems. More specifically, the Korean Cabinet performs policy resolutions as well as policy consultations to the President. Reflecting that the Republic of Korea is basically a presidential republic the Cabinet resolutions cannot bind the president's decision, and in this regard, the Korean Cabinet is similar to those advisory counsels in strict presidential republics. At the same time, however, the Constitution of the Republic of Korea specifies in details 17 categories including budgetary and military matters, which necessitates the resolution of the Cabinet in addition to the President's approval, and in this regard the Korean Cabinet is similar to those cabinets in strict parliamentary cabinet systems.[21]

The official residence and office of the President of the Republic of Korea is Cheongwadae (청와대, 靑瓦臺), located in Jongno-gu, Seoul. The name "Cheongwadae" literally means "the house with blue-tiled roof" and is named as such due to its appearance. In addition to the Office of the President, Cheongwadae (청와대, 靑瓦臺) also houses the Office of National Security (국가안보실, 國家安保室) and the Presidential Security Service (대통령경호실, 大統領警護室) to assist the President.[22]

Ministries

Government Complex Sejong (Northern portion)

Government Complex Seoul (Main Building)

Government Complex Gwacheon (the brown buildings in the top left side of the photo)

Government Complex Daejeon

Currently, 18 ministries exist in the South Korean government.[23] The 18 ministers are appointed by the President and report to the Prime Minister. Also, some ministries have affiliated agencies (listed below), which report both to the Prime Minister and to the minister of the affiliated ministry. Each affiliated agency is headed by a vice-minister-level commissioner except Prosecution Service which is led by a minister-level Prosecutor General.

The Minister of Strategy and Finance and the Minister of Education, by law, automatically assume the positions of Deputy Prime Ministers of the Republic of Korea.

The respective ministers of the below ministries assume the President's position in the below order, in the event that the President cannot perform his/her duty and the Prime Minister cannot assume the President's position. Also note that the Constitution and the affiliated laws of the Republic of Korea stipulates only so far as the Prime Minister and the 17 ministers as those who can assume the President's position.[14] Moreover, in the event that the Prime Minister cannot perform his/her duty the Vice Prime Minister will assume the Prime Minister's position, and if both the Prime Minister and the Vice Prime Minister cannot perform the Prime Minister's role the President can either pick one of the 17 ministers to assume the Prime Minister's position or let the 17 ministers assume the position according to the below order.[24]

The commissioner of National Tax Service, a vice-minister-level official by law, is customarily considered to be a minister-level official due to the importance of National Tax Service. For example, the vice-commissioner of the agency will attend meetings where other agencies would send their commissioners, and the commissioner of the agency will attend meetings where minister-level officials convene.

• Ministry of Economy and Finance (기획재정부, 企劃財政部)
  • National Tax Service (국세청, 國稅廳)
  • Korea Customs Service (관세청, 關稅廳)
  • Public Procurement Service (조달청, 調達廳)
  • Statistics Korea (통계청, 統計廳)
• Ministry of Education (교육부, 敎育部)
• Ministry of Science and ICT (과학기술정보통신부, 科學技術情報通信部)
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs (외교부, 外交部)
• Ministry of Unification (통일부, 統一部)
• Ministry of Justice (법무부, 法務部)
  • Supreme Prosecutors' Office (검찰청, 檢察廳)
• Ministry of National Defense (국방부, 國防部)
  • Military Manpower Administration (병무청, 兵務廳)
  • Defense Acquisition Program Administration (방위사업청, 防衛事業廳)
• Ministry of the Interior and Safety (행정안전부, 行政安全部)
  • National Police Agency (경찰청, 警察廳)
  • National Fire Agency (소방청, 消防廳)
• Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (문화체육관광부, 文化體育觀光部)
  • Cultural Heritage Administration (문화재청, 文化財廳)
• Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (농림축산식품부, 農林畜産食品部)
  • Rural Development Administration (농촌진흥청, 農村振興廳)
  • Korea Forest Service (산림청, 山林廳)
• Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (산업통상자원부, 産業通商資源部)
  • Korean Intellectual Property Office (특허청, 特許廳)
• Ministry of Health and Welfare (보건복지부, 保健福祉部)
  • Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (질병관리청, 疾病管理廳)
• Ministry of Environment (환경부, 環境部)
  • Korea Meteorological Administration (기상청, 氣象廳)
• Ministry of Employment and Labor (고용노동부, 雇用勞動部)
• Ministry of Gender Equality and Family (여성가족부, 女性家族部)
• Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (국토교통부, 國土交通部)
  • National Agency for Administrative City Construction (행정중심복합도시건설청, 行政中心複合都市建設廳)
  • Saemangeum Development and Investment Agency (새만금개발청, 새萬金開發廳) [25]
• Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (해양수산부, 海洋水産部)
  • Korea Coast Guard (해양경찰청, 海洋警察廳)
• Ministry of SMEs and Startups (중소벤처기업부, 中小벤처企業部)

Department	Formed	Employees	Annual budget	Location	Head
Ministry of Economy and Finance 기획재정부	February 29, 2008	1,297 (2019)	\21,062 billion (2019)	Sejong	Hong Nam-ki
Ministry of Education 교육부	March 23, 2013	7,292 (2019)	\74,916 billion (2019)	Sejong	Yoo Eun-hae
Ministry of Science and ICT 과학기술정보통신부	July 26, 2017	35,560 (2019)	\14,946 billion (2019)	Gwacheon	Choi Ki-young
Ministry of Foreign Affairs 외교부	March 23, 2013	656 (2019)	\2,450 billion (2019)	Seoul	Kang Kyung-wha
Ministry of Unification 통일부	March 1, 1969	692 (2019)	\1,326 billion (2019)	Seoul	Lee In-young
Ministry of Justice 법무부	July 17, 1948	23,135 (2019)	\3,880 billion (2019)	Gwacheon	Choo Mi-ae
Ministry of National Defense 국방부	August 15, 1948	1,095 (2019)	\33,108 billion (2019)	Seoul	Suh Wook
Ministry of the Interior and Safety 행정안전부	July 26, 2017	3,964 (2019)	\55,682 billion (2019)	Sejong	Chin Young
Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism 문화체육관광부	February 29, 2008	2,832 (2019)	\5,923 billion (2019)	Sejong	Park Yang-woo
Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs 농림축산식품부	March 23, 2013	3,706 (2019)	\14,660 billion (2019)	Sejong	Kim Hyeon-soo
Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy 산업통상자원부	February 29, 2008	1,503 (2019)	\7,693 billion (2019)	Sejong	Sung Yun-mo
Ministry of Health and Welfare 보건복지부	March 19, 2010	3,637 (2019)	\72,515 billion (2019)	Sejong	Park Neung-hoo
Ministry of Environment 환경부	December 24, 1994	2,534 (2019)	\7,850 billion (2019)	Sejong	Cho Myung-rae
Ministry of Employment and Labor 고용노동부	July 5, 2010	7,552 (2019)	\26,716 billion (2019)	Sejong	Lee Jae-gap
Ministry of Gender Equality and Family 여성가족부	March 19, 2010	323 (2019)	\1,047 billion (2019)	Seoul	Lee Jung-ok
Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport 국토교통부	March 23, 2013	4,443 (2019)	\43,219 billion (2019)	Sejong	Kim Hyun-mee
Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries 해양수산부	March 23, 2013	3,969 (2019)	\5,180 billion (2019)	Sejong	Moon Seong-hyeok
Ministry of SMEs and Startups 중소벤처기업부	July 26, 2017	1,082 (2019)	\10,266 billion (2019)	Daejeon	Park Young-sun

The judicial branch includes the Supreme Court, the Constitutional Court, regional appellate courts, and local district, branch, municipal, and specialized courts. All courts are under the jurisdiction of the national judiciary; independent local courts are not permitted. Judges throughout the system are required to have passed a rigorous training system including a two-year program and two-year apprenticeship. All judicial training is provided through the Judicial Research and Training Institute, and is limited to those who have already passed the National Judicial Examination.

The Supreme Court is the head of the judicial branch of government and the final court of appeal for all cases in South Korean law. The Supreme Court, seated in Seoul, consists of fourteen Justices, including one Chief Justice. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court has the power over all court administration, and can recommend court-related legislation to the National Assembly. The Justices must be at least 40 years old, and have at least 15 years of experience practicing law. They serve for six-year terms; the Chief Justice cannot be reappointed, but the other justices can.

Below the Supreme Court come appellate courts, stationed in five of the country's major cities. Appellate courts typically consist of a panel of three judges. Below these are district courts, which exist in most of the large cities of South Korea. Below these are branch and municipal courts, positioned all over the country and limited to small claims and petty offenses. Specialized courts also exist for family, administrative, and patent cases.

The Constitutional Court, independent from the Supreme Court, is charged purely with constitutional review and with deciding cases of impeachment. Other judicial matters are overseen by the Supreme Court. This system was newly established in the Sixth Republic, to help guard against the excesses shown by past regimes. The Constitutional Court consists of nine judges. Of these, three are recommended by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, three by the National Assembly, and three by the president; however, all must be appointed by the president. The President of the Constitutional Court is appointed by the national president, subject to the approval of the National Assembly. The members of the court serve for six-year renewable terms, and cannot be older than 65 (except for the President of the court, who may be as old as 70).

Because the Constitution of the Republic of Korea defines the territory of South Korea as "the Korean Peninsula and its adjacent islands," the courts of South Korea have allowed representatives of North Koreans to appear in South Korean courts with respect to inheritance in cases of deceased South Koreans with North Korean heirs. Assets pursuant to these claims are held in trust and dispersed only with government approval.[44]

South Korea's judiciary is notorious for being overly lenient toward criminals. For example, in the Cho Doo-soon Case, he was sentenced to only 12 years in prison. In addition, the sentence is often commuted on the grounds that the offender is reflecting on sex crimes and sexual exploitation crimes.[45] In South Korea, distrust in the judiciary is very high compared to other countries.[46] And, distrust of judiciary is very high in OECD countries, and Colombia (26 percent), Chile (19 percent), and Ukraine (12 percent) were the only countries with less trust in the judiciary than South Korea. [47]

Elections in South Korea are held on national level to select the President and the National Assembly. South Korea has a multi-party system, with two dominant parties and numerous third parties. Elections are overseen by the Electoral Branch, National Election Commission (Republic of Korea). The most recent presidential election was held on 9 May 2017.

The president is directly elected for a single five-year term by plurality vote. The National Assembly has 300 members elected for a four-year term, 253 in single-seat constituencies and 47 members by proportional representation. Each individual party intending to represent its policies in the National Assembly must be qualified through the Assembly's general election by either: i) the national party-vote reaching over 3.00% on a proportional basis or ii) more than 5 members of their party being elected in each of their first-past-the-post election constituencies.[48]

National Human Rights Commission of Korea (국가인권위원회, 國家人權委員會),[49] by law, is guaranteed an independent status regarding all human rights issues in Korea. To ensure its independent status it is legally separated from all three branches (legislative, executive, judicial) of the government of South Korea. Moreover, to further ensure its independence, 4 of the 11 commissioners are chosen by the National Assembly, another 4 by the President, and the final 3 by the Chief Justice, so that no branch can hold the majority in the commission.[50]

Local autonomy was established as a constitutional principle of South Korea beginning with the First Republic. However, for much of the 20th century this principle was not honored. From 1965 to 1995, local governments were run directly by provincial governments, which were run directly by the national government. However, since the elections of 1995, a degree of local autonomy has been restored. Local magistrates and assemblies are elected in each of the primary and secondary administrative divisions of South Korea, that is, in every province, metropolitan or special city, and district. Officials at lower levels, such as eup and dong, are appointed by the city or county government.

As noted above, local autonomy does not extend to the judicial branch. It also does not yet extend to many other areas, including fire protection and education, which are managed by independent national agencies. Local governments also have very limited policy-making authority; generally, the most that they can do is decide how national policies will be implemented. However, there is some political pressure for the scope of local autonomy to be extended.

Although the chief executive of each district is locally elected, deputy executives are still appointed by the central government. It is these deputy officials who have detailed authority over most administrative matters.

The South Korean civil service is managed by the Ministry of Personnel Management. This is large, and remains a largely closed system, although efforts at openness and reform are ongoing. In order to gain a position in civil service, it is usually necessary to pass one or more difficult examinations. Positions have traditionally been handed out based on seniority, in a complex graded system; however, this system was substantially reformed in 1998.

There are more than 800,000 civil servants in South Korea today. More than half of these are employed by the central government; only about 300,000 are employed by local governments. In addition, only a few thousand each are employed by the national legislative and judicial branches; the overwhelming majority are employed in the various ministries of the executive branch. The size of the civil service increased steadily from the 1950s to the late 1990s, but has dropped slightly since 1995.

The civil service, not including political appointees and elected officials, is composed of career civil servants and contract civil servants. Contract servants are typically paid higher wages and hired for specific jobs. Career civil servants make up the bulk of the civil service, and are arranged in a nine-tiered system in which grade 1 is occupied by assistant ministers and grade 9 by the newest and lowest-level employees. Promotions are decided by a combination of seniority, training, and performance review. Civil servants' base salary makes up less than half of their annual pay; the remainder is supplied in a complex system of bonuses. Contract civil servants are paid on the basis of the competitive rates of pay in the private sector.

• Government of North Korea
• Government
• Politics of South Korea

• Official website

• Korea Overseas Information Service (2003). Handbook of Korea, 11th ed. Seoul: Hollym. ISBN 978-1-56591-212-0.