1.
Government of South Korea
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The executive and legislative branches operate primarily at the national level, although various ministries in the executive branch also carry out local functions. Local governments are semi-autonomous, and contain executive and legislative bodies of their own, the judicial branch operates at both the national and local levels. The South Korean governments structure is determined by the Constitution of the Republic of Korea and this document has been revised several times since its first promulgation in 1948. As with most stable three-branch systems, a system of checks. For instance, the judges of the Constitutional Court are partially appointed by the executive, likewise, when a resolution of impeachment is passed by the legislature, it is sent to the judiciary for a final decision. At the national level, the legislative branch consists of the National Assembly of South Korea and 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, 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, after passage, bills are sent to the president for approval, they must be approved within 15 days. Each year, the 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 year. The Assembly is also responsible for auditing accounts of past expenditures, sessions of the Assembly may be either regular or extraordinary. 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, four parties are represented in the National Assembly. The executive branch is headed by the president, the president is elected directly by the people, and is the only elected member of the national executive. The president serves for one term, additional terms are not permitted
2.
Sejong City
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Sejong, officially Sejong Special Self-Governing City and formerly known as Yeongi County is South Koreas de facto administrative capital city. The new capital opened on 2 July 2012, with 36 government agencies slated to move there by 2015, Sejong was named in honor of the Joseon Dynasty King Sejong the Great, the father of Koreas national alphabet. The city was originally called Yeongi County, the goal was to reduce the influence and dominance of Seoul on national governance and economics, whilst promoting the regional development of other areas of the country. The revised plan was approved by the parliament in March 2005, challenges to the new plan were rejected by the Constitutional Court in November 2005. Plans were made to make Sejong an industrial, science and education hub instead and this plan was opposed by many, including Roh’s allies and some members of the ruling Grand National Party, including Lee’s archrival and eventual successor Park Geun-hye. Defeat in the local elections forced Lee to present the proposal to the National Assembly. As of 2014,36 central government offices, including nine ministries, however, the national assembly and many important government bodies are still in Seoul. In July 2012 Sejong was created incorporating all of Yeongi County, in April 2013 the government of Putrajaya, Malaysia signed a letter of intent with the government of Sejong City to mark cooperation between the two cities. Sejong is located between three other major Korean cities, Daejeon, Cheonan and Cheongju and it is about 121 kilometres from Seoul. As of 2012 much of the city was under construction, the residential area, by 2012, had several high-rises built for transferees. At that time the area was cordoned off from much of the under-development governmental area and had some restaurants, six schools. Hansol-dong and Jochiwon-eup is the city main urban center, Sejong is divided into 4 haengjeong-dong,1 eup and 9 myeon. Notes There are no Hanja for Hansol, Dodam, and Areum, the city aims to have a population of 200,000 at the end of 2012,300,000 by 2020 and 500,000 by 2030. The South Korean government plans to move 36 government ministries and agencies to Sejong City, the Sejong Government Complex is located in Sejong City. The complex, on a 213, 000-square-metre plot of land, has seven stories, Construction began in November 2011 in what was South Chungcheong Province, and the complex was completed on November 16,2013. The ceremony to mark the movement of government agencies to the complex occurred on December 23,2013. The Ministry of Health and Welfare is also located in Sejong City, Sejong is centrally located on Gyeongbu Line operated by Korail. Its a 90 minute journey on the Mugunghwa-ho to Seoul and trains run approximately every 30 minutes, also just outside Jochiwon-eup limits in Osong, Cheongwon has a new KTX station Osong Station which is a KTX bullet train that frequently travels 300 km/h
3.
South Korea
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South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea, is a sovereign state in East Asia, constituting the southern part of the Korean Peninsula. The earliest Korean pottery dates to 8000 BC, with three kingdoms flourishing in the 1st century BC and its rich and vibrant culture left 19 UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritages of Humanity, the third largest in the world, along with 12 World Heritage Sites. Annexed into Imperial Japan in 1910, Korea was divided after its surrender in 1945, peace has since mostly continued with the two agreeing to work peacefully for reunification and the South solidifying peace as a regional power with the worlds 10th largest defence budget. South Koreas tiger economy soared at an average of 10% for over 30 years in a period of rapid transformation called the Miracle on the Han River. A long legacy of openness and focus on innovation made it successful, today, it is the worlds fifth largest exporter with the G20s largest budget surplus and highest credit rating of any country in East Asia. It has free trade agreements with 75% of the economy and is the only G20 nation trading freely with China, the US. Since 1988, its constitution guarantees a liberal democracy with high government transparency, high personal freedoms led to the rise of a globally influential pop culture such as K-pop and K-drama, a phenomenon called the Korean Wave, known for its distinctive fashionable and trendy style. Home of the UN Green Climate Fund and GGGI, South Korea is a leader in low carbon growth, committed to helping developing countries as a major DAC. It is the third least ignorant country in the Index of Ignorance, ranking eighth highest for peaceful tolerance. It is the worlds largest spender on R&D per GDP, leading the OECD in graduates in science, the name Korea derives from the name Goryeo. The name Goryeo itself was first used by the ancient kingdom of Goguryeo in the 5th century as a form of its name. The 10th-century kingdom of Goryeo succeeded Goguryeo, and thus inherited its name, the modern spelling of Korea first appeared in the late 17th century in the travel writings of the Dutch East India Companys Hendrick Hamel. After Goryeo was replaced by Joseon in 1392, Joseon became the name for the entire territory. The new official name has its origin in the ancient country of Gojoseon, in 1897, the Joseon dynasty changed the official name of the country from Joseon to Daehan Jeguk. The name Daehan, which means great Han literally, derives from Samhan, however, the name Joseon was still widely used by Koreans to refer to their country, though it was no longer the official name. Under Japanese rule, the two names Han and Joseon coexisted, there were several groups who fought for independence, the most notable being the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea. Following the surrender of Japan, in 1945, the Republic of Korea was adopted as the name for the new country. Since the government only controlled the part of the Korean Peninsula
4.
Politics of the Republic of Korea
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Politics of the Republic of Korea takes place in the framework of a presidential representative democratic republic, whereby the President is the head of state, and of a multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the government, legislative power is vested in both the government and the National Assembly. The Judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature and comprises a Supreme Court, appellate courts, since 1948, the constitution has undergone five major revisions, each signifying a new republic. The current Sixth Republic began with the last major revision in 1987. The head of state is the president, who is elected by popular vote for a single five-year term. The president is Commander-in-Chief of the force of South Korea. The president appoints the prime minister with approval of the National Assembly, on 12 March 2004 the executive power of then president Roh Moo-hyun was suspended when the Assembly voted to impeach him and Prime Minister Goh Kun became an Acting President. On 14 May 2004 the Constitutional Court overturned the impeachment decision made by the Assembly, on 10 March 2017, Park Geun-hye became the first president to be removed by the Constitutional Court after impeachment by the National Assembly. Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn is temporarily serving as a president since the suspension of Park since 9 December 2016 until the next presidential election. The National Assembly has 300 members, elected for a term,244 members in single-seat constituencies and 56 members by proportional representation. The South Korean judiciary is independent of the two branches. The highest judiciary body is the Supreme Court, whose justices are appointed by the president with the consent of the National Assembly, in addition, the Constitutional Court oversees questions of constitutionality. South Korea has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, South Korea elects on national level a head of state – the president – and a legislature. The president is elected for a term by the people. The National Assembly has 300 members, elected for a term,246 members in single-seat constituencies and 54 members by proportional representation. The main political parties in South Korea are the Saenuri Party, the Democratic Party of Korea, the centrist Peoples Party, the conservative Saenuri Party and the more liberal Democratic Party are the dominant forces of South Korean politics
5.
Constitution of South Korea
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The Constitution of the Republic of Korea is its basic law. It was promulgated on July 17,1948, and was last revised on October 29,1987, south Koreas first 1948 Constitution, drafted by Dr. Chin-O Yu, provided for central control under the President. It was originally based on the Weimar system and it has been amended nine times and almost fully rewritten five times. In 1919, the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea promulgated a constitution of Korea, the 1949 Constitution was first amended in 1952 ahead of Syngman Rhees re-election, providing for direct presidential elections and a bicameral legislature. It was passed with procedural irregularities after fierce debate, in 1954, Rhee again forced an amendment, removing term limits for himself and emphasizing a capitalistic economic model. It also provided for elections for supreme court justices and provincial governors, after Park was assassinated in 1979, the Fifth Republic began with the 1980 Constitution under President Chun Doo-hwan. The presidents powers were curbed somewhat, and he was barred from reelection after his seven-year term and it also provided for a unicameral legislature and a cabinet system. With the pro-democratic protests of 1987, the 1988 Constitution of the Sixth Republic was passed, the President is elected by a First Past the Post vote, and limited to a single five-year term. The Prime Minister is appointed by the President with the consent of the National Assembly, although not required by the Constitution, the President also appoints members of the cabinet. President Kim Dae-jung changed to the cabinet system, the National Assembly consists of at least 200 members elected to four-year terms. The President serves a six-year term, there are disputes over what freedom and democracy means in Korea, but the direct translation of the Korean word used in the constitution would be liberal democracy. South Korean Bill of Rights is Constitution CHAPTER2, RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF CITIZENS Individuals may not be punished, placed under preventive restrictions, or subjected to involuntary labor except as provided by law. Those detained or arrested must be informed of the reason and of their right to an attorney, warrants must be issued by a judge through due procedures, and accused persons may sue for wrongful arrest in certain cases. However, individual rights are qualified by other provisions and pre-existing laws, including the National Security Act. In Article 119, stable and balanced growth rates, proper distribution of income, Article 125 designates foreign trade as a strategic area to be fostered, regulated and coordinated by the government. The Constitution affirms both the right and the duty to work, requiring regulation of wages and working conditions. Workers have the right to independent association, collective bargaining, following the 1987 revision, the Constitutional Court was established in September 1988. Earlier constitutions provided for various forms of review, but the judiciary did not exercise actual independence
6.
President of South Korea
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The president is directly elected to a five-year term with no possibility of re-election. While in office, the chief executive lives in Cheong Wa Dae, on February 25,2013, Park Geun-hye became the 18th President of South Korea. She was also the first woman to assume this post and she has since been impeached on corruption charges, which was confirmed by the Constitutional Court of Korea on March 10,2017, removing her from office. Prime minister Hwang Kyo-ahn has been Acting President since 9 December 2016, chapter 3 of the Constitution of the Republic of Korea states the duties and the powers of the president. The president may refer important policy matters to a referendum, declare war, conclude peace and other treaties, appoint senior public officials. Emergency measures may be taken only when the National Assembly is not in session, the measures are limited to the minimum necessary. The 1987 Constitution removed the 1980 Constitutions explicit provisions that empowered the government to suspend the freedoms. However, the president is permitted to take measures that could amend or abolish existing laws for the duration of a crisis. It is unclear whether such emergency measures could temporarily suspend portions of the Constitution itself, emergency measures must be referred to the National Assembly for concurrence. If not endorsed by the assembly, the measures can be revoked. In a change from the 1980 Constitution, the 1987 Constitution stated that the president is not permitted to dissolve the National Assembly, the official residence of the president is Cheong Wa Dae. It means the House of the Blue Roof Tiles, so it is called the Blue House in English. The president is assisted by the staff of the Presidential Secretariat, apart from the State Council, or cabinet, the chief executive relies on several constitutional organs. These constitutional organs included the National Security Council, which provided advice concerning the foreign, military, another important body is the National Unification Advisory Council, inaugurated in June 1981 under the chairpersonship of the president. The president also was assisted in 1990 by the Audit and Inspection Board, in addition to auditing the accounts of all public institutions, the board scrutinized the administrative performance of government agencies and public officials. Its findings were reported to the president and the National Assembly, Board members were appointed by the president. One controversial constitutional organ was the Advisory Council of Elder Statesmen, the government announced plans to reduce the size and functions of this body immediately after Rohs inauguration. Article 68 of the Constitution requires the president to hold new elections within 60 days
7.
Moon Jae-in
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Moon Jae-in is a South Korean politician who served as the opposition leader of the Minjoo Party of Korea from 2015 to 2016. He was formerly a lawyer and the chief of staff to late President Roh Moo-hyun. In the 19th legislative election on 11 April 2012, Moon won a seat in the Sasang District of Busan, born in Geoje, South Korea, Moon Jae-in was the first son of father Moon Yong-hyung and mother Kang Han-ok among five children. His father was a peasant refugee from South Hamgyeong Province who fled his native city of Hamhung during the Hamhung Retreat and his father settled in Geoje as a laborer for the Geoje POW Camp. His family eventually settled in Busan and Moon attended Kyungnam High School and he enrolled in Kyunghee University where he majored in law. He was arrested and expelled from the university when he organized a student protest against the Yushin Constitution, later, he was forcibly conscripted to the military and recruited to the Special Forces, where he participated in a military mission during the Axe murder incident. After his discharge, he passed the Bar Exam and was admitted to the Judicial Research and he stepped down from the Minjoo Political Party in 2016. After becoming a lawyer, he partnered and worked with Roh Moo Hyun and they remained friends up until Rohs death in 2009. Along with Roh, he took cases involving human rights and civil rights issues and he was a member of Minbyun and the Chairman of Human Rights at Busan Bar. He was a member of the progressive South Korean newspaper, The Hankyoreh. Due to Rohs insistence, Moon became Rohs campaign manager during his presidential bid, after Rohs victory, Moon became Rohs chief of staff and close aide. When prosecutors began investigating Rohs corruption charges, Moon was the counsel to Roh. After Roh committed suicide, Moon was in charge of the funeral, despite his earlier indifference to politics, he began to get involved in the politics. He published a memoir called Moon Jae-in, The Destiny which became a bestseller and his popularity had been rising steady against the likely opponent in the presidential race, Park Geun-hye. For instance, in a February 2012 poll, Moon managed to gain parity with Park in popularity, in early 2012, Moon entered a bid for a seat at the National Assembly and has been campaigning in western Busan. He ran for the 2012 presidential election and was defeated by Park Geun-hye, Moon was elected as the leader of New Politics Alliance for Democracy in February 2,2015. After his recruitment, Moon resigned his position for another scouted advisor Kim Chong-in and he also promised to abolish the domestic wing of NIS in order to maintain their political neutrality, transferring domestic affairs to the police force. Moon also promised transparency on his presidency, moving the president residence from palatial, Moon is currently favored to win Koreas next election as of January 2017
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