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) was
elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 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 Su-song (since 15 December
1995) was appointed by the president with the consent of the
National Assembly; Deputy Prime Ministers NA Ung-pae (since 20
December 1995) and KWON O-ki (since 20 December 1995) were appointed
by the president on the prime minister's recommendation
cabinet: State Council was appointed by the president on the prime
minister's recommendation
Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (Kukhoe): members elected for four-year terms; elections last held 11 April 1996 (next to be held NA 2000); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (299 total) NKP 139, NCNP 79, ULD 50, DP 15, independents 16
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, justices are appointed by the president subject to the consent of the National Assembly
Political parties and leaders:
majority party: New Korea Party (NKP), KIM Yong-sam, president
opposition: United Liberal Democratic Party (ULD), KIM Chong-p'il,
president; Democratic Party (DP), KIM Won-ki, co-chairman and CHANG
Ul-pyong, co-chairman; National Congress for New Politics (NCNP),
KIM Tae-chung, president
Other political or pressure groups: Korean National Council of
Churches; National Democratic Alliance of Korea; National Federation
of Student Associations; National Federation of Farmers'
Associations; National Council of Labor Unions; Federation of Korean
Trade Unions; Korean Veterans' Association; Federation of Korean
Industries; Korean Traders Association