Digraph: KS
Type: republic
Capital: Seoul
Administrative divisions: 9 provinces (do, singular and plural) and 6
special cities* (jikhalsi, singular and plural); Cheju-do,
Cholla-bukto, Cholla-namdo, Ch'ungch'ong-bukto, Ch'ungch'ong-namdo,
Inch'on-jikhalsi*, Kangwon-do, Kwangju-jikhalsi*, Kyonggi-do,
Kyongsang-bukto, Kyongsang-namdo, Pusan-jikhalsi*, Soul-t'ukpyolsi*,
Taegu-jikhalsi*, Taejon-jikhalsi*
Independence: 15 August 1948
National holiday: Independence Day, 15 August (1948)
Constitution: 25 February 1988
Legal system: combines elements of continental European civil law systems, Anglo-American law, and Chinese classical thought
Suffrage: 20 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President KIM Yong-sam (since 25 February 1993);
election last held on 18 December 1992 (next to be held NA December
1997); results - KIM Yong-sam (DLP) 41.9%, KIM Tae-chung (DP) 33.8%,
CHONG Chu-yong (UPP) 16.3%, other 8%
head of government: Prime Minister YI Hong-ku (since 17 December
1994); Deputy Prime Minister HONG Chae-yong (since 4 October 1994) and
Deputy Prime Minister KIM Tok (since 23 December 1994)
cabinet: State Council; appointed by the president on the prime
minister's recommendation