I. Preface: Country Profile
1. Geography
The Korean peninsula is located on the far northeast of the Asian continent. The size of the Korean peninsula and its surrounding 3,200 islands is approximately 220,000 ㎢, of which South Korea occupies 99,313 ㎢, 45 percent of the total area. More than 65 percent of the land is mountainous. The main mountain range is skewed towards the east, forming steep eastward slopes and gentle westward slopes. Most of the agricultural land has been supplied by the eroded plains. The population of the Republic of Korea as of June 2007 was estimated to have reached 48,445,236.
2. Economic Background
Once known to be one of the world’s poorest agrarian societies, the Republic of Korea has undertaken economic development in earnest since 1962. In less than four decades, it achieved what has become known as the “Miracle of the Han River” – an incredible process that dramatically transformed the Korean economy while making a turning point in Korea’s history. Korea has gone through the financial crisis that began in late 1997, but the Government’s strong will to pull out from the crisis has helped to overcome problems rooted in the past and enabled the creation of an economic structure suitable for an advanced economy.
During 2006, the Republic of Korea (ROK) reported a real GDP growth of 5.0%, while the country’s GDP was reported at USD 887 billion. Korea’s GNI per capita was recorded at USD13,372 for the same year. In terms of industrial structure, the service industry accounted for about 57.2% of total GDP, the manufacturing industry about 27.8%, and the construction industry about 9.1% in 2006. Korea’s main products are semiconductors, automobiles, ships, mobile telecommunications equipment, consumer electronics, steel and chemicals.
3. Political Background
Pursuant to a United Nations resolution, general elections were held on May 10, 1948, in the southern half of the peninsula. A constituent national assembly was formed through the elections and the constitution was framed based on democratic principles. Currently, the Government is led by President Roh Moo-hyun, who has been elected by direct general election in 2002. The National Assembly was assembled by general election in 2004.
The President of the Republic of Korea is the head of state and represents the state in international affairs. He is also the head of the executive branch, and the commander-in-chief of the armed forces. Under Korea's presidential system, the President performs his executive functions through the State Council made up of 15 to 30 members and presided over by the President. The Prime Minister is appointed by the President and approved by the National Assembly. As the principal executive assistant to the President, the Prime Minister supervises the administrative ministries and manages the Office for Government Policy Coordination under the direction of the President.
Members of the State Council are appointed by the President upon recommendation by the Prime Minister. They have the right to lead and supervise their administrative ministries, deliberate major state affairs, act on behalf of the President and appear at the National Assembly and express their opinions. Members of the State Council are collectively and individually responsible to the President only.
Additionally, there are several public agencies to formulate and carry out national policies including the Board of Audit and Inspection, the Civil Service Commission, the Fair Trade Commission, the Financial Supervisory Service, and so on. The heads of these organizations are appointed by the President, but the presidential appointment of the Chairman of the Board of Audit and Inspection is subject to the approval of the National Assembly.
Legislative power is vested in the National Assembly, a unicameral legislature. The Assembly is composed of 299 members serving four-year terms. Out of 299 members, 243 are elected by popular vote from local constituencies, while the remaining 56 members obtain their seats through a proportional representation system. The system is aimed at reflecting the voices of people from different walks of life while enhancing the expertise of the Assembly.
The National Assembly is vested with a number of functions under the Constitution, the foremost of which is making laws. Other functions of the Assembly include approval of the national budget, matters related to foreign policy, declaration of war, and the stationing of Korean troops abroad or of foreign forces within the country, inspecting or investigating specific matters of state affairs and impeachment.
