Korean Politics

Outline Republic of Korea –presidential system –National Assembly –judiciary –parties and elections –external relations Democratic People’s Republic of Korea –authoritarian party-state

President of ROK Directly elected by all voters 5-year term (no 2nd term) Head of state Chief executive Commander-in-chief of the armed forces –power to declare war Office and residence: Cheong Wa Dae

Presidential Power Appoint Prime Minister, subject to approval by the National Assembly Propose legislation Appoint the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, subject to approval by the National Assembly

National Assembly Unicameral legislature with 300 members, who serve four-year terms 246 directly elected from districts 54 appointed by political parties proportional to vote share law-making approve national budget impeach President

Local Government Three levels: –central government –higher-level local governments 8 municipality governments 9 do (province) governments –lower-level local governments cities, counties, districts

Evolution of Party System 1950s: Liberal Party, Progressive Party, , Park dissolved all political parties, abolished local elections & local councils 1980, General Chun banned political activities by party members 1987, presidential election 1988, National Assembly election

Foreign Direct Investment The financial crisis of 1997 was a turning point Less than 2,000 foreign-invested companies in ,000 foreign-invested companies in 2010 US$11.5 billion inward FDI in 2009 US$16.3 billion inward FDI in 2012

D.P.R.K. Workers’ Party of Korea –General Secretary of the Central Committee Kim Jong-Il ( ) Kim Jong-Un (2011- ) –Politburo Cabinet: premier and ministers National Defense Commission Supreme People’s Assembly

The Six-Party Talks since 2003