Korean politics

IUU

2016

Korean politics

Amartaivan Myagmar

2

Contents

Systems of governance 3

Government of South Korea 6

History of South Korea 10

List of presidents 22

Elections in South Korea 28

Constitution of the ROK 32

Executive brance 34

Legislative precedures 37

Organization chart of NA 38

Organization chart of SC 40

Types of Elections 41

Main parties 42

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Systems of governance

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_system_of_government

4

What Are the Different Types of Governments?

Absolute monarchy - a form of government where the monarch rules unhindered, i.e., without

any laws, constitution or legally organized opposition.

Anarchy - a condition of lawlessness or political disorder brought about by the absence of

governmental authority.

Authoritarian - a form of government in which state authority is imposed onto many aspects

of citizens' lives.

Commonwealth - a nation, state or other political entity founded on law and united by a

compact of the people for the common good.

Communist - a system of government in which the state plans and controls the economy and a

single -- often authoritarian -- party holds power; state controls are imposed with the

elimination of private ownership of property or capital while claiming to make progress

toward a higher social order in which all goods are equally shared by the people (i.e., a

classless society).

Confederacy (Confederation) - a union by compact or treaty between states, provinces or

territories that creates a central government with limited powers; the constituent

entities retain supreme authority over all matters except those delegated to the central

government.

Constitutional - a government by or operating under an authoritative document

(constitution) that sets forth the system of fundamental laws and principles that

determines the nature, functions and limits of that government.

Constitutional democracy - a form of government in which the sovereign power of the people

is spelled out in a governing constitution.

Constitutional monarchy - a system of government in which a monarch is guided by a

constitution whereby his/her rights, duties, and responsibilities are spelled out in

written law or by custom.

Democracy - a form of government in which the supreme power is retained by the people, but

which is usually exercised indirectly through a system of representation and delegated

authority periodically renewed.

Democratic republic - a state in which the supreme power rests in the body of citizens

entitled to vote for officers and representatives responsible to them.

Dictatorship - a form of government in which a ruler or small clique wield absolute power

(not restricted by a constitution or laws).

Ecclesiastical - a government administrated by a church.

Emirate - similar to a monarchy or sultanate, a government in which the supreme power is

in the hands of an emir (the ruler of a Muslim state); the emir may be an absolute

overlord or a sovereign with constitutionally limited authority.

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Federal (Federation) - a form of government in which sovereign power is formally divided -

- usually by means of a constitution -- between a central authority and a number of

constituent regions (states, colonies or provinces) so that each region retains some

management of its internal affairs; differs from a confederacy in that the central

government exerts influence directly upon both individuals as well as upon the regional

units.

Federal republic - a state in which the powers of the central government are restricted

and in which the component parts (states, colonies, or provinces) retain a degree of self-

government; ultimate sovereign power rests with the voters who chose their governmental

representatives.

Islamic republic - a particular form of government adopted by some Muslim states; although

such a state is, in theory, a theocracy, it remains a republic, but its laws are required

to be compatible with the laws of Islam.

Maoism - the theory and practice of Marxism-Leninism developed in China by Mao Zedong (Mao

Tse-tung), which states that a continuous revolution is necessary if the leaders of a

communist state are to keep in touch with the people.

Marxism - the political, economic and social principles espoused by 19th century economist

Karl Marx; he viewed the struggle of workers as a progression of historical forces that

would proceed from a class struggle of the proletariat (workers) exploited by capitalists

(business owners), to a socialist "dictatorship of the proletariat," to, finally, a

classless society -- Communism.

Marxism-Leninism - an expanded form of communism developed by Vladimir Lenin from

doctrines of Karl Marx; Lenin saw imperialism as the final stage of capitalism and shifted

the focus of workers' struggle from developed to underdeveloped countries.

Monarchy - a government in which the supreme power is lodged in the hands of a monarch who

reigns over a state or territory, usually for life and by hereditary right; the monarch

may be either a sole absolute ruler or a sovereign - such as a king, queen or prince -

with constitutionally limited authority.

Oligarchy - a government in which control is exercised by a small group of individuals

whose authority generally is based on wealth or power.

Parliamentary democracy - a political system in which the legislature (parliament) selects

the government - a prime minister, premier or chancellor along with the cabinet ministers

- according to party strength as expressed in elections; by this system, the government

acquires a dual responsibility: to the people as well as to the parliament.

Parliamentary government (Cabinet-Parliamentary government) - a government in which members

of an executive branch (the cabinet and its leader - a prime minister, premier or

chancellor) are nominated to their positions by a legislature or parliament, and are

directly responsible to it; this type of government can be dissolved at will by the

parliament (legislature) by means of a no-confidence vote or the leader of the cabinet may

dissolve the parliament if it can no longer function.

Parliamentary monarchy - a state headed by a monarch who is not actively involved in

policy formation or implementation (i.e., the exercise of sovereign powers by a monarch in

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a ceremonial capacity); true governmental leadership is carried out by a cabinet and its

head - a prime minister, premier or chancellor - who are drawn from a legislature

(parliament).

Presidential - a system of government where the executive branch exists separately from a

legislature (to which it is generally not accountable).

Republic - a representative democracy in which the people's elected deputies

(representatives), not the people themselves, vote on legislation.

Socialism - a government in which the means of planning, producing and distributing goods

is controlled by a central government that theoretically seeks a more just and equitable

distribution of property and labor; in actuality, most socialist governments have ended up

being no more than dictatorships over workers by a ruling elite.

Sultanate - similar to a monarchy, a government in which the supreme power is in the hands

of a sultan (the head of a Muslim state); the sultan may be an absolute ruler or a

sovereign with constitutionally limited authority.

Theocracy - a form of government in which a Deity is recognized as the supreme civil ruler,

the Deity's laws are interpreted by ecclesiastical authorities (bishops, mullahs, etc.); a

government subject to religious authority.

Totalitarian - a government that seeks to subordinate the individual to the state by

controlling not only all political and economic matters, but also the attitudes, values

and beliefs of its population.

http://www.livescience.com/33027-what-are-the-different-types-of-governments.html

Government :Korea, South

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Korea

conventional short form: South Korea

local long form: Taehan-min'guk

local short form: Han'guk

abbreviation: ROK

Government type:

republic

Capital:

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name: Seoul

geographic coordinates: 37 33 N, 126 59 E

time difference: UTC+9 (14 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Administrative divisions:

9 provinces (do, singular and plural) and 7 metropolitan cities (gwangyoksi, singular and

plural)

provinces: Cheju-do, Cholla-bukto (North Cholla), Cholla-namdo (South Cholla),

Ch'ungch'ong-bukto (North Ch'ungch'ong), Ch'ungch'ong-namdo (South Ch'ungch'ong),

Kangwon-do, Kyonggi-do, Kyongsang-bukto (North Kyongsang), Kyongsang-namdo (South

Kyongsang)

metropolitan cities: Inch'on-gwangyoksi, Kwangju-gwangyoksi, Pusan-gwangyoksi, Soul-

t'ukpyolsi (Seoul), Taegu-gwangyoksi, Taejon-gwangyoksi, Ulsan-gwangyoksi

Independence:

15 August 1945 (from Japan)

National holiday:

Liberation Day, 15 August (1945)

Constitution:

17 July 1948; note - amended or rewritten many times; current constitution approved on 29

October 1987

Legal system:

combines elements of continental European civil law systems, Anglo-American law, and

Chinese classical thought; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:

19 years of age; universal

Flag description:

white with a red (top) and blue yin-yang symbol in the center; there is a different black

trigram from the ancient I Ching (Book of Changes) in each corner of the white field; the

Korean national flag is called Taegukki; white is a traditional Korean color and represents

peace and purity; the blue section represents the negative cosmic forces of the yin, while the

red symbolizes the opposite positive forces of the yang; each trigram (kwae) denotes one of

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the four universal elements, which together express the principle of movement and harmony

National anthem:

name: "Aegukga" (Patriotic Song)

lyrics/music: YUN Ch'i-Ho or AN Ch'ang-Ho/AHN Eaktay

note: adopted 1948, well known by 1910; both North Korea and South Korea's anthems

share the same name and have a vaguely similar melody but have different lyrics

http://www.asianinfo.org/asianinfo/korea/politics.htm

Government of South Korea From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Government of the Republic of Korea

Emblem of Republic of Korea

Formation 1948

Jurisdiction South Korea

Legislative branch

Legislature National Assembly

Meeting place National Assembly Building

Executive branch

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Leader President of South Korea

Appointer Direct popular vote

Headquarters The Blue House

Main organ State Council

Departments 17

Judicial branch

Court Supreme Court

Seat Seoul

Government of South Korea

Hangul

대한민국정부

Hanja

大韓民國政府

Revised Romanization Daehanminguk Jeongbu

McCune–Reischauer Taehanmin’guk Chŏngbu

※

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History of South Korea USAMGIK 1945–48

First Republic 1948–60

: Korean War 1950–53

: Syngman Rhee Administration 1948–60

: April Revolution 1960

: Heo Jeong Caretaker Government 1960

Second Republic 1960–61

: Jang Myeon Cabinet 1960–61

: May 16 coup 1961

Constitutional Vacuum 1961–63

: Yoon Bo-seon Administration 1961–62

: First Junta 1961–63

Third Republic 1963–72

: Park Chung-hee Administration 1963–72

: Self-coup of Park Chung-hee 1972

Fourth Republic 1972–81

: Assassination of Park Chung-hee 1979

: Coup d'état of December Twelfth 1979

: Coup d'état of May Seventeenth 1980

: Gwangju Uprising 1980

: Second Junta 1980–81

Fifth Republic 1981–87

: Chun Doo-hwan Administration 1981–87

: June Democratic Uprising 1987

: Grand Labor Struggle 1987

Sixth Republic 1987–present

: Roh Tae-woo Administration 1987–93

: Kim Young-sam Administration 1993–98

: National Moratorium 1997–2001

: Kim Dae-jung Administration 1998–2003

: Roh Moo-hyun Administration 2003–2008

: Lee Myung-bak Administration 2008–2013

: Park Geun-hye Administration 2013–present

The history of South Korea formally begins with its establishment on 15 August 1948, although Syngman Rhee had officially declared independence two days prior.

In the aftermath of the Japanese occupation of Korea which ended with Japan's defeat in World War II in 1945, Korea wasdivided at the 38th parallel north in accordance with a United Nations arrangement, to be administered by the Soviet Union in the north and the United States in the south. The Soviets and Americans were unable to agree on the implementation of Joint Trusteeship over Korea. This led in 1948 to the establishment of two separate governments, each claiming to be the legitimate government of all of Korea. Eventually, following the Korean War, the two separate governments stabilized into the existing political entities of North and South Korea.

South Korea's subsequent history is marked by alternating periods of democratic and autocratic rule. Civilian governments are conventionally numbered from the First Republic of Syngman Rhee to the contemporary Sixth Republic. The First Republic, arguably democratic at its inception, became increasingly autocratic until its collapse in 1960. The Second Republic was strongly democratic, but was overthrown in less than a year and replaced by an autocratic military regime. The Third, Fourth, and Fifth Republics were nominally democratic, but are widely regarded[by whom?] as the continuation of military rule[not verified in body]. With the Sixth Republic, the country has gradually stabilized into a liberal democracy.

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Since its inception, South Korea has seen substantial development in education, economy, and culture. Since the 1960s, the country has developed from one of Asia's poorest to one of the world's wealthiest nations. Education, particularly at thetertiary level, has expanded dramatically. It is said to be one of the "Four Tigers" of rising Asian states along with Singapore,Taiwan and Hong Kong.[1][2]

Contents

1U.S. Military administration 1945–1948

2First Republic 1948–1960

3Second Republic 1960–1961

4Military rule 1961–1963

5Third Republic 1963–1972

6Fourth Republic 1972–1979

7Fifth Republic 1979–1987

8Sixth Republic 1987–present

o 8.1Roh Tae-woo, 1988–1993

o 8.2Kim Young-sam, 1993–1998

o 8.3Kim Dae-jung 1998–2003

o 8.4Roh Moo-hyun, 2003–2008

o 8.5Lee Myung-bak, 2008–2013

o 8.6Park Geun-hye, 2013–current

U.S. Military administration 1945–1948 Main article: United States Army Military Government in Korea

Yeo Woon-Hyung (far right) at the US-Soviet Joint Commission in 1947

Emperor Hirohito announced the surrender of the Empire of Japan to the Allied Powers on 15 August 1945. General Order No. 1 for the surrender of Japan (prepared by the Joint Chiefs of Staff of U.S. military forces and approved on 17 August 1945) prescribed separate surrender procedures for Japanese forces in Korea north and south of the 38th parallel. AfterJapan's surrender to the Allies (formalised on 2 September 1945), division at the 38th parallelmarked the beginning of Soviet and U.S. trusteeship over the North and South, respectively. This division was meant to be temporary and was first intended[by whom?] to return a unified Korea back to its people until the United States, United Kingdom, Soviet Union, and Republic of China could arrange a trusteeship administration. In February 1945 the Yalta Conferencediscussed the issue of trusteeship for Korea.[3][4][5] U.S. forces landed at Incheon on September 8, 1945 and established a military government shortly thereafter.[6] Lt. GeneralJohn R. Hodge, their commander, took charge of the government.[7] Faced with mounting popular discontent, in October 1945 Hodge established the Korean Advisory Council. A year later, an interim legislature and interim government were established, headed by Kim Kyu-shik and Syngman Rhee respectively. However, these interim bodies lacked any independent authority or de jure sovereignty, which was still held by the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea based in China, but U.S. leaders chose to ignore its legitimacy, partly because of it

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communist alignment.[8][9] Political and economic chaos - arising from a variety of causes - plagued the country in this period. The after-effects of the Japanese exploitation remained in the South, as in the North.[10] In addition, the U.S. military was largely unprepared for the challenge of administering the country, arriving with no knowledge of the language, culture or political situation.[8] Thus many of their policies had unintended destabilizing effects. Waves of refugees from North Korea and returnees from abroad also helped to keep the country in turmoil.[11]

In December 1945 a conference convened in Moscow to discuss the future of Korea.[12] A 5-year trusteeship was discussed, and a US-Soviet joint commission was established. The commission met intermittently in Seoul but deadlocked over the issue of establishing a national government. In September 1947, with no solution in sight, the United States submitted the Korean question to the UN General Assembly.[3][4]

The resolution from the UN General Assembly called for a UN-supervised general election in Korea, but after the North rejected this proposition, a general election for a Constitutional Assembly took place in the South only, in May 1948. A constitution was adopted, setting forth a presidential form of government and specifying a four-year term for the presidency. According to the provisions of the Constitution, an indirect presidential election took place in July. Syngman Rhee, as head of the new assembly, assumed the presidency and proclaimed the Republic of Korea (South Korea) on August 15, 1948.[13][14][15]

First Republic 1948–1960 Main article: First Republic of South Korea

General Douglas MacArthur andSyngman Rhee, Korea's first President, warmly greet one another upon

the General's arrival at Gimpo Air Force Base

On August 15, 1948, the Republic of Korea was formally established, with Syngman Rhee as the first president. With the establishment of Rhee's government, de jure sovereignty also passed into the new government. On September 9, 1948, a communist regime, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), was proclaimed under Kim Il-sung.[13][14][15] However, on December 12, 1948, by its resolution 195 in the Third General Assembly, the United Nations recognized the Republic of Korea as the sole legal government of Korea.[16]

In 1946, the North implemented land reforms by confiscating private property, Japanese and pro-Japanese owned facilities and factories, and placed them under state ownership.[13] Demand for land reform in the South grew strong, and it was eventually enacted in June 1949. Koreans with large landholdings were obliged to divest most of their land. Approximately 40 percent of total farm households became small landowners.[17] However, because preemptive rights were given to people who had ties with landowners before liberation, many pro-Japanese groups obtained or retained properties.[13]

The country now divided, the relationship between the two Koreas turned more antagonistic as time passed. The Soviet forces having withdrawn in 1948, North Korea pressured the South to expel the United States forces, but Rhee sought to align his government strongly with America, and against both North Korea and Japan.[18] Although talks towards normalization of relations with

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Japan took place, they achieved little.[19] Meanwhile, the government took in vast sums of American aid, in amounts sometimes near the total size of the national budget.[20] The nationalist government also continued many of the practices of the U.S. military government. In 1948, the Rhee government repressed military uprisings in Jeju, Suncheon and Yeosu.[14][21]

The main policy of the First Republic of South Korea was anti-communism and "unification by expanding northward". The South's military was neither sufficiently equipped nor prepared, but the Rhee administration was determined to reunify Korea by military force with aid from the United States. However, in the second parliamentary elections held on May 30, 1950, the majority of seats went to independents who did not endorse this position, confirming the lack of support and the fragile state of the nation.[14][22][23]

On June 25, 1950, North Korean forces invaded South Korea. Led by the U.S., a 16-member coalition undertook the first collective action under the United Nations Command(UNC) in defense of South Korea.[24][25][26] Oscillating battle lines inflicted a high number of civilian casualties and wrought immense destruction. With the People's Republic of China's entry on behalf of North Korea in late 1950, the fighting came to a stalemate close to the original line of demarcation. Armistice negotiations, initiated in July 1951, finally concluded on July 27, 1953[27] at Panmunjeom, now in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). Following the armistice, the South Korean government returned to Seoul on the symbolic date of August 15, 1953.[24][28]

After the armistice, South Korea experienced political turmoil under years of autocratic leadership of Syngman Rhee, which was ended by student revolt in 1960. Throughout his rule, Rhee sought to take additional steps to cement his control of government. These began in 1952, when the government was still based in Busan due to the ongoing war. In May of that year, Rhee pushed through constitutional amendments which made the presidency a directly-elected position. To do this, he declared martial law, arrested opposing members of parliament, demonstrators, and anti-government groups. Rhee was subsequently elected by a wide margin.[29][30][31]

Rhee regained control of parliament in the 1954 elections, and thereupon pushed through an amendment to exempt himself from the eight-year term limit, and was once again re-elected in 1956.[32] Soon after, Rhee's administration arrested members of the opposing party and executed the leader after accusing him of being a North Korean spy.[31][33]

The administration became increasingly repressive while dominating the political arena, and in 1958, it sought to amend the National Security Law to tighten government control over all levels of administration, including the local units.[30] These measures caused much outrage among the people, but despite public outcry, Rhee's administration rigged theMarch 15, 1960 presidential elections and won by a landslide.[34]

On that election day, protests by students and citizens against the irregularities of the election burst out in the city of Masan. Initially these protests were quelled with force by local police, but when the body of a student was found floating in the harbor of Masan, the whole country was enraged and protests spread nationwide.[34][35] On April 19, students from various universities and schools rallied and marched in protest in the Seoul streets, in what would be called the April Revolution. The government declared martial law, called in the army, and suppressed the crowds with open fire.[34][36][37] Subsequent protests throughout the country shook the government, and after an escalated protest with university professors taking to the streets on April 25, Rhee submitted his official resignation on April 26 and fled into exile.[34][36]

Second Republic 1960–1961 Main article: Second Republic of South Korea

After the student revolution, power was briefly held by an interim administration under the foreign minister Heo Jeong.[38] A new parliamentary election was held on July 29, 1960. The Democratic Party, which had been in the opposition during the First Republic, easily gained power and the Second Republic was established. The revised constitution dictated the Second Republic to take the form of a parliamentary cabinet system where the President took only a nominal role. This was the first and the only instance South Korea turned to a parliamentary cabinet system instead

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of a presidential system.[39] The assembly elected Yun Bo-seon as President and Chang Myon as the prime minister and head of government in August, 1960.[34][36][40][41]

The Second Republic saw the proliferation of political activity which had been repressed under the Rhee regime. Much of this activity was from leftist and student groups, which had been instrumental in the overthrow of the First Republic. Union membership and activity grew rapidly during the later months of 1960, including the Teachers' Union, Journalists' Union, and the Federation of Korean Trade Union.[34][36][42] Around 2,000 demonstrations were held during the eight months of the Second Republic.[43]

Under pressure from the left, the Chang government carried out a series of purges of military and police officials who had been involved in anti-democratic activities or corruption. A Special Law to this effect was passed on October 31, 1960.[44][45] 40,000 people were placed under investigation; of these, more than 2,200 government officials and 4,000 police officers were purged.[44] In addition, the government considered reducing the size of the army by 100,000, although this plan was shelved.[46]

In economic terms as well, the government was faced with mounting instability. The government formulated a five-year economic development plan, although it was unable to act on it prior to being overthrown.[36][47] The Second Republic saw the hwan lose half of its value against the dollar between fall 1960 and spring 1961.[48]

Although the government had been established with support of the people, it had failed to implement effective reforms which brought about endless social unrest, political turmoil and ultimately, the 16 May coup d'état.

Military rule 1961–1963

May 16 coup, Major General Park Chung-hee (right)

Main article: Supreme Council for National Reconstruction

The May 16 coup, led by Major General Park Chung-hee on May 16, 1961, put an effective end to the Second Republic. Park was one of a group of military leaders who had been pushing for the de-politicization of the military. Dissatisfied with the cleanup measures undertaken by the Second Republic and convinced that the current disoriented state would collapse into communism, they chose to take matters into their own hands.[49][50][51]

The National Assembly was dissolved and military officers replaced the civilian officials. In May 1961, the junta declared "Pledges of the Revolution": anticommunism was to be the nation's main policy; friendly relations would be strengthened with allies of the free world, notably the United States; all corruption and government misdeed would be disposed and "fresh and clean morality" would be introduced; the reconstruction of a self-reliant economy would be priority; the nation's ability would be nurtured to fight against communism and achieve reunification; and that government would be returned to a democratic civilian government within two years.[49][50][51][52]

As a means to check the opposition, the military authority created the Korean Central Intelligence Agency (KCIA) in June 1961, with Kim Jong-pil, a relative of Park, as its first director.[50][52][53] In December 1962, a referendum was held on returning to a presidential system of rule, which was

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allegedly passed with a 78% majority.[54] Park and the other military leaders pledged not to run for office in the next elections. However, Park became presidential candidate of the new Democratic Republican Party (DRP), which consisted of mainly KCIA officials, ran for president and won the election of 1963 by a narrow margin.[49][51][52][54]

Third Republic 1963–1972

South Korean citizens perform a card stunt for President Park Chung-hee on South Korean Army day, 1

October 1973.

Main article: Third Republic of South Korea

Park's administration started the Third Republic by announcing the Five Year Economic development Plan, an export-oriented industrialization policy. Top priority was placed on the growth of a self-reliant economy and modernization; "Development First, Unification Later" became the slogan of the times and the economy grew rapidly with vast improvement in industrial structure, especially in the basic and heavy chemical industries.[55][56] Capital was needed for such development, so the Park regime used the influx of foreign aid from Japan and the United States to provide loans to export businesses, with preferential treatment in obtaining low-interest bank loans and tax benefits. Cooperating with the government, these businesses would later become the chaebol.[50][55][57]

Relations with Japan were normalized by the Korea-Japan treaty ratified in June 1965.[58][59] This treaty brought Japanese funds in the form of loans and compensation for the damages suffered during the colonial era without an official apology from the Japanese government, sparking much protest across the nation.[50][55]

Korean involvement in the Vietnam War, a controversial issue of the Third Republic.

The government also kept close ties with the United States, and continued to receive large amounts of aid. A status of forces agreementwas concluded in 1966, clarifying the legal situation of the US forces stationed there.[60][61] Soon thereafter, Korea joined the Vietnam War, eventually sending a total of 300,000 soldiers from 1964 to 1973 to fight alongside US troops and South Vietnamese Armed Forces.[50][56][62]

Economic and technological growth during this period improved the standard for living, which expanded opportunities for education. Workers with higher education were absorbed by the rapidly growing industrial and commercial sectors, and urban population surged.[63]Construction of the Gyeongbu Expressway was completed and linked Seoul to the nation's southeastern

16

region and the port cities ofIncheon and Busan. Despite the immense economic growth, however, the standard of living for city laborers and farmers was still low. Laborers were working with low wages to increase the price competitiveness for the export-oriented economy plan, and farmers were in near poverty as the government controlled prices.[55][64] As the rural economy steadily lost ground and caused dissent among the farmers, however, the government decided to implement measures to increase farm productivity and income by instituting the Saemauel Movement ("New Village Movement") in 1971. The movement's goal was to improve the quality of rural life, modernize both rural and urban societies and narrow the income gap between them.[63][65]

Park ran again in the election of 1967, taking 51.4% of the vote.[54] At the time the presidency was constitutionally limited to two terms, but a constitutional amendment was forced through the National Assembly in 1969 to allow him to seek a third term.[55][66][67] Major protests and demonstrations against the constitutional amendment broke out, with large support gaining for the opposition leader Kim Dae-jung, but Park was again re-elected in the 1971 presidential election.[68]

Parliamentary elections followed shortly after the presidential election where the opposition party garnered most of the seats, giving them the power to pass constitutional amendments. Park, feeling threatened, declared a state of national emergency on December 6, 1971.[55] In the midst of this domestic insecurity, the Nixon Doctrine had eased tensions among the world superpowers on the international scene, which caused a dilemma for Park, who had justified his regime based on the state policy of anti-communism.[55] In a sudden gesture, the government proclaimed a joint communiqué for reunification with North Korea on July 4, 1972, and held Red Cross talks in Seoul andPyongyang. However, there was no change in government policy regarding reunification, and on October 17, 1972, Park declared martial law, dissolving the National Assembly and suspending the constitution.[65][69]

Fourth Republic 1972–1979 Main article: Fourth Republic of South Korea

The Fourth Republic began with the adoption of the Yushin Constitution on November 21, 1972. This new constitution gave Park effective control over the parliament and the possibility of permanent presidency. The president would be elected through indirect election by an elected body, and the term of presidency was extended to six years with no restrictions on reappointment. The legislature and judiciary were controlled by the government, and educational guidelines were under direct surveillance as well. Textbooks supporting the ideology of the military government were authorized by the government, diminishing the responsibilities of the Ministry of Education.[65]

Despite social and political unrest, the economy continued to flourish under the authoritarian rule with the export-based industrialization policy. The first two five-year economic development plans were successful, and the 3rd and 4th five-year plans focused on expanding the heavy and chemical industries, raising the capability for steel production and oil refining. However, large conglomerate chaebols continuously received preferential treatment and came to dominate the domestic market. As most of the development had come from foreign capital, most of the profit went back to repaying the loans and interest.[57][65]

Students and activists for democracy continued their demonstrations and protests for the abolition of the Yushin system and in the face of continuing popular unrest, Park's administration promulgated emergency decrees in 1974 and 1975, which led to the jailing of hundreds of dissidents. The protests grew larger and stronger, with politicians, intellectuals, religious leaders, laborers and farmers all joining in the movement for democracy. In 1978, Park was elected to another term by indirect election, which was met with more demonstrations and protests. The government retaliated by removing the opposition leader Kim Young-sam from the assembly and suppressing the activists with violent means. In 1979, mass anti-government demonstrations occurred nationwide, in the midst of this political turmoil, Park Chung-hee was assassinated by the director of the KCIA,Kim Jae-gyu, thus bringing the 18-year rule of military regime to an end.[65][69][70]

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Fifth Republic 1979–1987 Main article: Fifth Republic of South Korea

Mangwol-dong cemetery, burial grounds of the victims of the Gwangju Democratization Movement

Seoul Arts Center at night

After the assassination of Park Chung-hee, prime minister Choi Kyu-hah took the president's role only to be usurped 6 days later by Major General Chun Doo-hwan's 1979 Coup d'état of December Twelfth.[65] In May of the following year, a vocal civil society composed primarily of university students and labor unions led strong protests against authoritarian rule all over the country. Chun Doo-hwan declared martial law on May 17, 1980, and protests escalated. Political opponents Kim Dae-jung and Kim Jong-pil were arrested, and Kim Young-sam was confined to house arrest.[71]

On May 18, 1980, a confrontation broke out in the city of Gwangju between protesting students of Chonnam National University and the armed forces dispatched by the Martial Law Command. The incident turned into a citywide protest that lasted nine days until May 27 and resulted in the Gwangju massacre. Immediate estimates of the civilian death toll ranged from a few dozen to 2000, with a later full investigation by the civilian government finding nearly 200 deaths and 850 injured.[72][73][74] In June 1980, Chun ordered the National Assembly to be dissolved. He subsequently created the National Defense Emergency Policy Committee, and installed himself as a member. On 17 July, he resigned his position of KCIA Director, and then held only the position of committee member. In September 1980, President Choi Kyu-ha was forced to resign from president to give way to the new military leader, Chun

In September of that year, Chun was elected president by indirect election and inaugurated in March of the following year, officially starting the 5th Republic. A new Constitution was established with notable changes; maintaining the presidential system but limiting it to a single 7-year term, strengthening the authority of the National Assembly, and conferring the responsibilities of appointing judiciary to the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. However, the system of indirect election of the president stayed and many military persons were appointed to highly ranked government positions, keeping the remnants of the Yushin era.[74][75]

The government promised a new era of economic growth and democratic justice. Tight monetary laws and low interest rates contributed to price stability and helped the economy boom with

18

notable growth in the electronics, semi-conductor, and automobile industries. The country opened up to foreign investments and GDP rose as Korean exports increased. This rapid economic growth, however, widened the gap between the rich and the poor, the urban and rural regions, and also exacerbated inter-regional conflicts. These dissensions, added to the hard-line measures taken against opposition to the government, fed intense rural and student movements, which had continued since the beginning of the republic.[71][75]

In foreign policy, ties with Japan were strengthened by state visits by Chun to Japan and Japanese Prime Minister Nakasone Yasuhiro to Korea. U.S. President Ronald Reaganalso paid a visit, and relations with the Soviet Union and China improved.[76] The relationship with North Korea was strained when in 1983 a terrorist bomb attack in Burma killed 17 high-ranking officials attending memorial ceremonies and North Korea was alleged to be behind the attacks. However, in 1980 North Korea had submitted a "one nation, two system" reunification proposal which was met with a suggestion from the South to meet and prepare a unification constitution and government through a referendum. The humanitarian issue of reuniting separated families was dealt with first, and in September 1985, families from both sides of the border made cross visits to Seoul and Pyongyang in an historic event.[71][75]

The government made many efforts for cultural development: the National Museum of Korea, Seoul Arts Center, and National Museum of Contemporary Art were all constructed during this time. The 1986 Asian Games were held successfully, and the bid for the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul was successful as well.[71]

Despite economic growth and success in diplomatic relations, the government that gained power by coup d'etat was essentially a military regime and the public's support and trust in it was low when the promises for democratic reform never materialized.[75] In the 1985 National Assembly elections, opposition parties won more votes than the government party, clearly indicating that the public wanted a change.[77] Many started to sympathize with the protesting students. The Gwangju Massacre was never forgotten and in January 1987, when a protesting Seoul National University student died under police interrogation, public fury was immense. In April 1987, President Chun made a declaration that measures would be taken to protect the current constitution, instead of reforming it to allow for the direct election of the president. This announcement consolidated and strengthened the opposition; in June 1987, more than a million students and citizens participated in the nationwide anti-government protests of the June Democracy Movement.[75][78][79]

On June 29, 1987, the government's presidential nominee Roh Tae-woo gave in to the demands and announced the Declaration of Political Reforms which called for the holding of direct presidential elections and restoration of civil rights. In October 1987 a revised Constitution was approved by a national referendum and direct elections for a new president were held in December, bringing the 5th Republic to a close.[78][80]

Sixth Republic 1987–present

Olympic Park – Seoul, South Korea.

19

Korean peninsula at night in 2000.

President George W. Bush and Laura Bush welcome South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and his wife,

Kim Yoon-ok to the Presidential retreat at Camp David, Maryland in 2008.

The Sixth Republic was established in 1987 and remains the current republic of South Korea.[81]

Roh Tae-woo, 1988–1993

Roh Tae-woo became president for the 13th presidential term in the first direct presidential election in 16 years. Although Roh was from a military background and one of the leaders of Chun's coup d'etat, the inability of the opposition leaders Kim Dae Jung and Kim Young Sam to agree on a unified candidacy led to his being elected.[82][83]

Roh was officially inaugurated in February 1988. The government set out to eliminate past vestiges of authoritarian rule, by revising laws and decrees to fit democratic provisions. Freedom of the press was expanded, university autonomy recognised, and restrictions on overseas travels were lifted.[84] However, the growth of the economy had slowed down compared to the 80s, with strong labor unions and higher wages reducing the competitiveness of Korean products on the international market, resulting in stagnant exports, while commodity prices kept on rising.[citation needed]

Shortly after Roh's inauguration, the Seoul Olympics took place, raising South Korea's international recognition and also greatly influencing foreign policy. Roh's government announced the official unification plan, Nordpolitik, and established diplomatic ties with the Soviet Union, China, and countries in East Europe.[82]

An historic event was held in 1990 when North Korea accepted the proposal for exchange between the two Koreas, resulting in high-level talks, and cultural and sports exchanges. In 1991, a joint communiqué on denuclearization was agreed upon, and the two Koreas simultaneously became members of the UN .[82][85]

20

Kim Young-sam, 1993–1998

Kim Young-sam was elected president in the 1992 elections after Roh's tenure. He was the country's first civilian president in 30 years and promised to build a "New Korea".[86] The government set out to correct the mistakes of the previous administrations. Local government elections were held in 1995, and parliamentary elections in 1996. In a response to popular demand, former presidents Chun and Roh were both indicted on charges linked to bribery, illegal funds, and in the case of Chun, responsibility for the incident in Gwangju. They were tried and sentenced to prison in December, 1996.[86][87]

Relations with the North improved and a summit meeting was planned, but postponed indefinitely with the death of Kim Il-sung. Tensions varied between the two Koreas thereafter, with cycles of small military skirmishes and apologies. The government also carried out substantial financial and economical reforms, joining the OECD in 1996, but encountered difficulties with political and financial scandals. The country also faced a variety of catastrophes: a train collision and a ship sinking in 1993, and the Seongsu Bridge and Sampoong Department Store collapses in 1994 and 1995. These incidents, which claimed many lives, were a blow to the civilian government.[86]

In 1997, the nation suffered a severe financial crisis, and the government approached the International Monetary Fund for relief funds. This was the limit to what the nation could bear and led to the opposition leader Kim Dae-jung winning the presidency in the same year.[86]

Kim Dae-jung 1998–2003

In February 1998, Kim Dae-jung was officially inaugurated. South Korea had maintained its commitment to democratize its political processes and this was the first transfer of the government between parties by peaceful means. Kim's government faced the daunting task of overcoming the economic crisis, but with the joint efforts of the government's aggressive pursuit of foreign investment, cooperation from the industrial sector, and the citizen's gold-collecting campaign, the country was able to come out of the crisis in a relatively short period of time.[88][89][90]

Industrial reconstruction of the big conglomerate chaebols was pursued, a national pension system was established in 1998, educational reforms were carried out, government support for the IT field was increased, and notable cultural properties were registered as UNESCO Cultural Heritage sites.[90] The 2002 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted with Japan, was a major cultural event where millions of supporters gather to cheer in public places.[91]

In diplomacy, Kim Dae-jung pursued the "Sunshine Policy", a series of efforts to reconcile with North Korea.[92] This culminated in reunions of the separated families of the Korean War and a summit talk with North Korean leader Kim Jong-il. For these efforts, Kim Dae-jung was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2000.[93] However, between a lack of peaceful cooperation from North Korea and the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001, changing the view of the U.S. on North Korea, the efficacy of the Sunshine Policy was brought into question. With added allegations of corruption, support waned in the later years of the administration.[89][90][94]

Roh Moo-hyun, 2003–2008

Roh Moo-hyun was elected to the presidency in December 2002 by direct election. His victory came with much support from the younger generation and civic groups who had hopes of a participatory democracy, and Roh's administration consequently launched with the motto of "participation government". Unlike the previous governments, the administration decided to take a long-term view and execute market-based reforms at a gradual pace.[95] This approach did not please the public, however, and by the end of 2003, approval ratings were falling.[96]

The Roh administration succeeded in overcoming regionalism in South Korean politics, diluting the collusive ties between politics and business, empowering the civil society, settling the Korea-United States FTA issue, continuing summit talks with North Korea, and launching the high-speed train system, KTX. But despite a boom in the stock market, youth unemployment rates were high, real estate prices skyrocketed and the economy lagged.[97]

21

In March 2004, the National Assembly voted to impeach Roh on charges of breach of election laws and corruption. This motion rallied his supporters and affected the outcome of the parliamentary election held in April, with the ruling party becoming the majority. Roh was reinstated in May by the Constitutional Court, who had overturned the verdict. However, the ruling party then lost its majority in by-elections in 2005, as discontinued reform plans, continual labor unrest, Roh's personal feuds with the media, and diplomatic friction with the United States and Japan caused criticism of the government's competence on political and socioeconomic issues and on foreign affairs.[96][98][99]

In April 2009, Roh Moo-hyun and his family members were investigated for bribery and corruption, Roh denied the charges.

On 23 May 2009, Roh committed suicide by jumping into a ravine.[98][100][101]

Lee Myung-bak, 2008–2013

Roh's successor, Lee Myung-bak, was inaugurated in February 2008. Stating "creative pragmatism" as a guiding principle, Lee's administration set out to revitalize the flagging economy, re-energize diplomatic ties, stabilize social welfare, and meet the challenges of globalization.[102][103] In April 2008, the ruling party secured a majority in the National Assembly elections.[104] Also that month, summit talks with the United States addressed the Korea-US Freed Trade Agreement and helped ease tensions between the two countries caused by the previous administrations. Lee agreed to lift the ban on US beef imports, which caused massive protests and demonstrations in the months that followed, as paranoia of potential mad cow disease gripped the country.[105]

Many issues plagued the government in the beginning of the administration: controversies regarding the appointment of high-ranking government officials, rampant political conflicts, accusations of oppression of media and strained diplomatic relationships with North Korea and Japan.[106] The economy was affected by the global recession as the worst economic crisis since 1997 hit the country.[107] The Lee administration tackled these issues by actively issuing statements, reshuffling the cabinet, and implementing administrative and industrial reforms.[108]

After regulatory and economic reforms, the economy bounced back, with the country's economy marking growth and apparently recovering from the global recession.[109][110][111][112] The administration also pursued improved diplomatic relations by holding summit talks with the United States, China and Japan, and participating in the ASEAN-ROK Commemorative Summit to strengthen ties with other Asian countries.[113] The 2010 G20 summit was held in Seoul, where issues regarding the global economic crisis were discussed.[114]

Park Geun-hye, 2013–current

Park Geun-hye was inaugurated in February 2013. She is the eleventh and current President of South Korea. She is the first woman to be elected as the South Korean president and is serving the 18th presidential term. She also is the first woman head of state in the modern history of Northeast Asia.[115]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_South_Korea

22

List of Presidents of South Korea From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Since the South Korea's founding in 1948, eleven people have served eighteen terms

as President of South Korea. Under the Constitution of South Korea, the President is the

country's head of state as well as its head of government. The president is also

the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces.

The presidential term has been set at five years since 1988. It was previously set at four

years from 1948 to 1972, six years from 1972 to 1981, and seven years from 1981 to 1988.

Since 1981, the president has been barred from reelection. The President must be a South

Korean citizen, at least 40 years old, who has lived in South Korea for 5 years.

List of presidents

Conservative (current: Saenuri Party) Liberal (current: Together Democratic

Party) Military Independent

No Picture Name Term Tenure Presidential

mandate Affiliation

President of the First Republic

1

Rhee

Syng-

man

I

Seungman

이승만

李承晩

(1875–

1965)

1 24 July

1948

14 August

1952

1948 —

91.8%

NARRKI [ko] (1948–

1951)

Liberal Party (1951–

1960)

2 15 August

1952

14 August

1956

1952 —

74.6%

3 15 August

1956

27 April

1960

1956 —

70.0%

1960 —

97.0%

The only President of the First Republic of Korea. The Korean War from 1950 to 1953.

23

Forced to resign in the April Revolution of 1960.

During this interval, Prime Minister Heo Jeong (허정 / 許政) was Acting President.

President of the Second Republic

2

Yun

Bo-

seon

Yun

Boseon

윤보선

尹潽善

(1897–

1990)

4 12 August

1960

24 March

1962

1960 —

82.2%

Democratic

Party (1960–1962)

New Democratic

Party (1962)

The only President of the Second Republic of Korea. Park Chung-hee took de facto control

over the country by leading Coup d'état of May Sixteenth in 1961.

Chairman of the Supreme Council for National Reconstruction

—

Park

Chung-

hee

Bak

Jeonghui

박정희

朴正熙

(1917–

1979)

— 24 March

1962

17 December

1963

Acting

President Military

Park Chung-hee was de facto leader of the country since leading Coup d'état of May

Sixteenth in 1961, which effectively overthrew the Second Republic of Korea. Park also

became Acting President after Yun Bo-seon's resignation in 1962.

President of the Third Republic

3

Park

Chung-

hee

5

17

December

1963

30 June

1967

1963 —

46.6%

Democratic

Republican Party

24

Bak

Jeonghui

박정희

朴正熙

(1917–

1979)

6 1 July

1967

30 June

1971

1967 —

51.4%

7 1 July

1971

26 December

1972

1971 —

53.2%

The only President of the Third Republic of Korea. Successfully industrialized South Korea

and improved economy significantly. He also proposed enormous varied policies,

movements, and pacts that helped to build up current South Korea.

Presidents of the Fourth Republic

(3)

Park

Chung-

hee

Bak

Jeonghui

박정희

朴正熙

(1917–

1979)

8

27

December

1972

26 December

1978

1972 —

99.9%

Democratic

Republican Party

9

27

December

1978

26 October

1979

1978 —

99.9%

The first President of the Fourth Republic of Korea. Assassinated by Kim Jae-kyu, the

director of Korean Central Intelligence Agency (KCIA).

During this interval, Prime Minister Choi Kyu-hah (최규하 / 崔圭夏), was Acting President.

4

Choi

Kyu-

hah

Choe

Gyuha

최규하

崔圭夏

(1919–

10

6

December

1979

16 August

1980

1979 —

96.7% Independent

The second President of the Fourth Republic of Korea. Chun Doo-hwan took de facto control

over the country by leading Coup d'état of December Twelfth in 1979. Gwangju

Democratization Movement in 1980.

25

2006)

During this interval, Prime Minister Pak Choong-hoon (박충훈 / 朴忠勋), was Acting President.

5

Chun

Doo-

hwan

Jeon

Duhwan

전두환

全斗煥

(1931–)

11

1

September

1980

25 February

1981

1980 —

99.9%

Democratic Justice

Party

The third President of the Fourth Republic of Korea.

President of the Fifth Republic

(5)

Chun

Doo-

hwan

Jeon

Duhwan

전두환

全斗煥

(1931–)

12

25

February

1981

24 February

1988

1981 —

90.2%

Democratic Justice

Party

The only President of the Fifth Republic of Korea.

Presidents of the Sixth Republic

6

Roh

Tae-

woo

No Taeu

노태우

盧泰愚

(1932–)

13

25

February

1988

24 February

1993

1987 —

36.6%

8,282,738

Democratic Justice

Party

The first President of the Sixth Republic of South Korea and the first president after the

introduction of direct free and fair elections. Roh remained committed to democratic reforms

also hosted the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul. Formerly served as a ROK Army general

an ally and friend of the previous President of the Fifth Republic Chun Doo-hwan.

26

7

Kim

Young-

sam

Gim

Yeongsam

김영삼

金泳三

(1927–

2015)

14

25

February

1993

24 February

1998

1992 —

42.0%

9,977,332

Democratic Liberal

Party (1993–1995)

New Korea

Party (1995–1997)

The second President of the Sixth Republic of South Korea. The first democratic activist to

be elected president. Kim further attempted to reform the government and economy. He had

former President Chun Doo-hwan and Roh Tae-woo arrested on charges of corruption and

treason, winning convictions against both, later pardoned with the advice of then President-

elect Kim Dae-jung. Kim also granted amnesty to thousands of political prisoners, and

removed the criminal convictions of pro-democracy protesters who had been arrested during

the Gwangju massacre in the aftermath of the Coup d'état of December Twelfth. Led an anti-

corruption campaign, requiring government and military officials to publish their financial

records, precipitating the resignation of several high-ranking officers and cabinet members.

8

Kim

Dae-

jung

Gim

Daejung

김대중

金大中

(1925–

2009)

15

25

February

1998

24 February

2003

1997 —

40.3%

10,326,275

National Congress

for New

Politics (1998–

2000)

New Millennium

Democratic

Party (2000–2002)

The third President of the Sixth Republic of South Korea. The first Liberal/Centrist President

of the Sixth Republic. Kim formulated and implemented the Sunshine Policy an engagement

with North Korea and the first South Korean President to visit North Korea in 2000 met up

with the North Korean leader Kim Jong-il in Pyongyang. Nobel Peace Prize recipient in 2000

"for his work for democracy and human rights in South Korea and in East Asia in general,

and for peace and reconciliation with North Korea in particular."[1] Co-hosted

the 2002 FIFA World Cup with neighboring country of Japan.

9

Roh

Moo-

hyun

16

25

February

2003

12 March

2004

2002 —

48.91%

12,014,277

New Millennium

Democratic

Party (2003)

27

No

Muhyeon

노무현

盧武鉉

(1946–

2009)

During this interval, Prime Minister Goh Kun (고건 /

高建) was Acting President.

14 May

2004

24 February

2008

Fail

impeachment

reinstated

Open Uri Party [Our

Open Party] (2004–

2007)

The fourth President of the Sixth Republic of South Korea. The second Liberal/Centrist

President of the Sixth Republic. Roh maintained the continuance of the existing Sunshine

Policy of engagement towards North Korea. The first President of the Sixth Republic tried

for impeachment. Roh's planned to the create an administrative capital, but he was set back

by the Supreme Court's ruling that the relocation of the capital was unconstitutional. Instead

Roh opted for an administrative center. Served as Member of the National

Assembly for Dong District, Busan (1988–1992).

10

Lee

Myung-

bak

I

Myeongbak

이명박

李明博

(1941–)

17

25

February

2008

24 February

2013

2007 —

48.7%

11,492,389

Grand National

Party (2008–2012)

Saenuri Party (New

Frontier Party) (2012–

2013)

The fifth President of the Sixth Republic of South Korea. Lee implemented a tougher policy

with regard to North Korea, through the MB Doctrine. Reversed the U.S. beef import

arrangement in 2008 along with series of anti-U.S. beef import protests. Attempted to scale

down the development of Sejong into a hub of education, science and business instead of

national administrative center with the support and backing of the former Prime

Minister Chung Un-chan. Growing conflicts with North Korea resulted in the ROKS Cheonan

sinking and Bombardment of Yeonpyeong. Lee also became the first South Korean

president to visit Dokdo which further escalated tensions with Japan in 2012 before the end

of his term. Served as Member of the National Assembly for Jongno District (1996–

1998), Mayor of Seoul (2002–2006).

11

Park

Geun-

hye

18

25

February

2013

Incumbent

2012 —

51.6%

15,773,128

Saenuri Party (New

Frontier Party)

28

Bak

Geunhye

박근혜

朴槿惠

(1952–)

The sixth President of the Sixth Republic of South Korea. Park is a daughter of former

President Park Chung-hee, and she is the first female President of South Korea. Served as

Member of the National Assembly for Dalseong County (1998–2012), for Proportional

Representation (2012).

Elections in South Korea From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Elections in South Korea are held on national level to select the President and the National Assembly.

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, 246 in single-seat constituencies and 54 members by proportional representation. Each individual party willing to represent its policies in the National Assembly is qualified on the legislative (general) election if: i) the national party-vote reaches over 3.00% on proportional contest or ii) more than 5 members of the party are elected from each of their first-past-the-post election constituencies.[1]

South Korea has a multi-party system, with two dominant parties and numerous third parties.

Summary of the 19 December 2012 South Korean presidential election results

Candidate Party Votes %

Park Geun-hye Saenuri Party 15,773,128 51.55

Moon Jae-in Democratic United Party 14,692,632 48.02

Kang Ji-won Independent 53,303 0.17

Kim Soon-ja Independent 46,017 0.15

Kim So-yeon Independent 16,687 0.05

Park Jong-sun Independent 12,854 0.04

29

Invalid/blank votes 126,838 –

Total 30,721,459 100

Registered voters/turnout 40,507,842 75.84

Source: National Election Commission

2012 legislative elections

Main article: South Korean legislative election, 2012

e • d Summary of the 11 April 2012 South Korean National Assembly election results[2][3][4][5][6]

Turnout 54.3%

Parties

Local

seats

±

Block

seats

± Constituen

cy votes %

PR block votes

%

Total

seats

±

Saenuri

Party (새누리당) (NFP) 1

127 -10 25 -5 9,324,911 43.3% 9,130,65

1 42.8% 152 -15

Democratic United

Party (민주통합

당) (DUP)

106 +4

0 21

+6

8,156,045 37.9% 7,777,12

3 36.5% 127

+46

Unified Progressive

Party (통합진보

당) (UPP)

7 +5 6 +3

1,291,306 6.0% 2,198,40

5 10.3% 13 +8

Liberty Forward

Party (자유선진

당) (LFP)

3 -11 2 -2 474,001 2.2% 690,754 3.2% 5 -13

30

New Progressive

Party (진보신당) (NPP)

0 ±0 0 ±0

101,614 0.5% 243,065 1.1% 0 ±0

Korea Vision

Party (국민생각) (KVP)

0 ±0 0 ±0

44,379 0.2% 156,241 0.7% 0 ±0

Creative Korea

Party (창조한국

당) (CKP)

0 -1 0 -2 3,624 0.0% 91,935 0.4% 0 -3

Other parties 0 ±0 0 ±0

132,709 0.6% 1,043,88

7 5.0% 0 ±0

Independents 3 -22 — — 2,016,737 9.4% — — 3 -22

Total 246

54

21,545,326 100.0

% 21,332,0

61 100.0

% 300

Ideology

Conservative (NFP, LFP, KVP)

130 -21 27 -7 9,843,291 45.7% 9,977,64

6 46.7% 157 -28

Liberal (DUP, CKP)

106 +3

9 21

+4

8,159,669 37.9% 7,869,05

8 36.9% 127

+43

Progressive (UPP, NPP)

7 +5 6 +3

1,392,920 6.5% 2,441,47

0 11.4% 13 +8

Total 246

54

19,395,880 90.1% 20,288,1

74 95.0% 300

31

Election results

districts won by

■ – Park Geun-hye

■ – Moon Jae-in

e • d Summary of the 19 December 2012 South Korean presidential election results

Candidate Party Votes %

Park Geun-hye Saenuri Party 15,773,128 51.55

Moon Jae-in Democratic United Party 14,692,632 48.02

Kang Ji-won Independent 53,303 0.17

Kim Soon-ja Independent 46,017 0.15

32

Kim So-yeon Independent 16,687 0.05

Park Jong-sun Independent 12,854 0.04

Invalid/blank votes 126,838 –

Total 30,721,459 100

Registered voters/turnout 40,507,842 75.84

Source: National Election Commission

Constitution of the Republic of Korea

Year of Version: 1988

Date of Last Amendment: February 25, 1988

Date of Entry into Force: July 17, 1948

Date of Text (Adopted): July 17, 1948

Type of Text: Constitution / Basic Law

Subject Matter: Other

Notes: The Constitution of the Republic of Korea was adopted on

July 17, 1948. It has been amended 9 times and revised 5

times, most recently in 1987. The reformed Constitution of

1987 was approved on October 29, 1987 and entered into

force on February 26, 1988, making it the Constitution of the

Sixth Republic.

http://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/details.jsp?id=7145

33

https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Republic_of_Korea_1987.pdf

34

http://english1.president.go.kr/government/executive-branch.php

35

36

37

https://elaw.klri.re.kr/eng_service/struct.do

KOREA LEGISLATION RESEARCH INSTITUTE

38

39

Organization chart

http://korea.assembly.go.kr/int/org_01.jsp

> INTRODUCTION > Organization > Members

Election

Anyone aged 19 or older has the right to vote in an election of the National Assembly, and anyone aged 25 or

older is eligible to stand for election

All members serve a four-year term

The Assembly is composed of 300 members, 246 elected by a plurality of votes from electoral districts and 54

through proportional representation system where seats are distributed to parties based on the percentage of

total votes they garnered.

Privileges

Privilege of Exemption from Apprehension

Except in case of flagrante delicto, an assemblyman shall not be apprehended or detained without the consent of

the National Assembly when the National Assembly is in session.

Privilege of Exemption from Liability for One’s Speech in the National Aseembly

An assemblyman is exempt from liability for speeches or votes related to his/her duties in the National Assembly.

Duties

Duties prescribed in the Constitution

An assemblyman may not concurrently hold any other office prescribed by law; shall have duty of integrity; shall

give priority to national interests, and shall not abuse his or her office.

Duties prescribed in the National Assembly Act

An assemblyman shall maintain proper dignity as an assemblyman; shall attend the Plenary Session and

committee meetings; and shall comply with legislation and regulations regarding the proceedings.

40

41

http://eng.scourt.go.kr/eng/judiciary/org_chart.jsp

Types of Elections and Basic Principles of Election Elections for Public Office

o Types of Elections

The Election Commission is in charge of the management of the elections prescribed in the

Public Official Election Act, that is, the presidential election, the election for the National

Assembly members, the local elections for heads of local governments and members of local

councils o Basic Principles of Elections

Universal Ballot In principle, every citizen reaching a specific age has the right to vote without discrimination on the

social status, race, religion, gender, education, property, etc.

Equal Ballot Every person is entitled to one vote. No one is allowed plural.

Direct Ballot Eligible voters can participate in the voting process directly and personally.

Secret Ballot

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The principle of voting that ensures no one will know which political party or candidate the voter has

chosen so that a voter can exercise the right to vote in a free and fair way without (being placed under)

external interferences like bribery, intimidation, nepotism, etc.

Free Election The Election Law obliges voters to faithfully participate in elections and exercise their right, but there is

no penalty against non-participation

http://www.nec.go.kr/engvote_2013/02_elections/01_01.jsp

Main Parties

As of January 2016, there are three political parties present in the 19th National Assembly:

Party

Number of Seats in

the National

Assembly

Party Leader

Floor Leader

Position Comments Status

Saenuri Party (SP)

새누리당 /

새누리黨

Saenuridang

157 Kim Mu-sung

Won Yoo-chul

Centre-right [5][6][7][8][9]

see: Conservatism in South Korea

Conservative; formerly called the Grand National Party.

Ruling party

Minjoo Party of Korea (MPK)

더불어민주당 /

더불어民主黨

Deobureo Minjudang

109 Moon Jae-in

Lee Jong-

kul

Centre toCentre-left

[10][11]

see: Liberalism in South Korea Liberal; merged from the Democratic Party (11) and the minor New Political Vision Party.

Opposition

Justice Party (JP)

정의당 /

正義黨

Jeonguidang

5 Sim

Sang-jung

Jung Jin-hoo

Centre-left

See: Progressivism in South Korea Progressive; splintered from the Unified Progressive Party.

Notes:

1. All data are current as of s of 07 January 2016 the total number of representatives is 293.

2. As of 07 January 2016 14 representatives are independents.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_political_parties_in_South_Korea

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주요사이트 주소

대통령 http://www.president.go.kr

국회 http://www.assembly.go.kr

대법원 http://www.scourt.go.kr

중앙선거관리위원회 http://www.nec.go.kr

국가법령정보센터 http://www.law.go.kr/

Main websites

http://english.president.go.kr/

http://korea.assembly.go.kr/

http://eng.scourt.go.kr/index.jsp

http://www.nec.go.kr/engvote_2013/main/main.jsp

http://elaw.klri.re.kr/kor_service/main.do

http://www.law.go.kr/engLsSc.do?menuId=0&subMenu=5&query=