LOGO

Korea“The Land of the Morning Calm”

In August 1945, Korea was divided across the 38th Parallel, separating the nation into two occupation zones:  (1948) Korean Workers Party

North Korea known as the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. In the south, the Republic of Korea emerged as a republic form of government under a constitution first adopted in August 1948.

SOUTH KOREA

Located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula.

Area: 98,480 sq. km. Terrain: Partially forested mountain ranges

separated by deep, narrow valleys; cultivated plains along the coasts, particularly in the

west and south. Climate: Temperate, with rainfall heavier in

summer than winter.

Geography

Borders

NORTH: Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (NORTH KOREA)

WEST: Across Yellow sea- China SOUTHEAST: Japan

Capital: Seoul

Other major cities--Busan , Daegu, Incheon, Gwangju, Daejeon, Ulsan.

Basic Profile

Official Name: The republic of korea. Origin: Korean=koryo, dynastic name, meaning high

serenity. National holiday: August 15, 1945. (Independence from Japan) Monetary Unit: South Korea won Provinces and Cities: 8 provinces, 1 special

autonomous province, six metropolitan cities and 1 capital metropolitan cities.

National FlagTaegeukgi (hangul:태극기 )National AnthemAegukga (hangul:애국가 )National FlowerHibiscus syriacus (hangul: 무궁화 )

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People

Nationality: Korean. Population: 48,754,657. Ethnic groups: Korean; small Chinese minority

(about 20,000). Religions: Christianity, Buddhism, Shamanism,

Confucianism, Chondogyo. Language: Korean; English widely taught in

junior high and high school.

Korea traces its founding to 2333 BC by the legendary Dangun. Since the establishment of the modern republic in 1948, South Korea struggled with the aftermath of Japanese occupation (1910-1945), the Korean War (1950-1953), and decades of authoritarian governments, undergoing five major constitutional changes.

While the government officially embraced Western-styledemocracy from its founding, presidential elections suffered from rampant irregularities.

It was not until 1987 that direct and fair presidential elections were held, largely prompted by popular demonstrations. South Korea has been a vibrant multi-party democracy for two decades.

Brief History

South Korean Peninsula Country Profile

GOVERNMENT POLITICS South Korea

Government

Type: Republic with powers shared between the president, the legislature, and the courts.

State is sometimes

referred as The Sixth Republic

of South Korea.

Has a framework of a presidential

representative democratic

republic

Constitution

First in 1948 and is based on the Weimar system

Amended or rewritten many times; (Amended 9 times, and almost fully rewritten 5 times.)

current constitution approved 29 October 1987

Consisting of a preamble, 130 articles, and supplementary provisions. 1st article expresses the country as a

democratic one.its territory consisting of "the Korean Peninsula and its adjacent islands,“Also, it is stated in their constitution that their territory includes the Korean peninsula and adjacent lands.

Cont.

The most recent constitution (1988)- massive pro-democratic protests 1987 -to the Sixth and latest Republic.

However, of all the constitutions that have been in effect, this constitution has over 93 percent of the popular vote of the South Korean people by National Referendum on October 28, 1988.

Establishment

National Foundation Day- October 3, 2333 BCE  Independence declared - March 1, 1919   Provisional Government - April 13, 1919   Liberation - August 15, 1945   Constitution - July 17, 1948 Government proclaimed - August 15, 1948 

Branches

President (chief of state) Prime Minister

(head of government)

unicameral National Assembly

Supreme Court and appellate courts;

Constitutional Court

Executive Legislative Judiciary

Executive

President is elected to a single five-year term by popular vote.

The Prime Minister is appointed by the president with the consent of the National Assembly.

Deputy Prime Ministers are appointed by the president on recommendation of the Prime Minister.

The president also appoints the 15 to 30 members of the South Korean Cabinet (State Council), each of whom heads a government department.

Blue House or Big house

Official residence of the South Korean head of state, the President of the Republic of Korea.

Principal Government Officials

President--Lee Myung-bak Prime Minister--Kim Hwang-sik

Legislative

South Korea's National Assembly- Kukhoe,• unicameral legislature • 299 members are elected to four-year terms by

popular vote (single-member constituencies)• however, 56 are elected through proportional

representation. • serve for 4 year. If member failed to complete his

term a by-election is held.• The Assembly forms 17 standing committees to

deliberate matters of detailed policy.•   Currently, five (5) political parties are

represented in the National Assembly.

National Assembly Office

Elections for the National Assembly were held under UN supervision on 10 May 1948. The First Republic of South Korea was established when the constitution of the First Republic was established by the Assembly. The Assembly also had the job of electing the President before.

Judicial

South Korea's highest court, the Supreme Court consists:

* Chief justice appointed by the president.

* Up to 13 other justices appointed by the president on recommendation of the chief justice with the approval of the National Assembly.

* Each justice serves a six-year term. South Korea also has a Constitution Court that rules on such

questions as the constitutionality of laws. Other courts include appeals courts, district courts, and a family court.

Constitutional Courts

Supreme Court

Specialized Courts

Supreme Court

Appellate court

District courts

Branch and Municipal courts

14 Justices, including 1 Chief Justice

stationed in five of the country's major cities. typically consist of a

panel of three judges.

stationed in five of the country's major cities. typically consist of a

panel of three judges.

positioned all over the country and limited to small

claims and petty offenses

Supreme Court

Chief Justice Lee Yong-Hoon

the highest court in South Korea. It is located in Seoul.

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Subdivisions

Ulsan

Seoul Busan

Daegu

Gwangju

Local Government

Administrative Division:Provincial Level

Nine provinces, seven administratively separate cities:

Incheon

Daejeon

Political Parties

PartyNational Assembly

2008Leaders Add Title

Grand National Party 172 Chung Mong-joon major

Democratic Party 87 Son Hak-gyu major

Liberty Forward Party

16 Lee Hoi-chang minor

New Progressive Party

1 Hoe-chan minor

Future hope Alliance 8 Park Geun-hye minor

Others:Creative korea, Democratic Labor party, Pro-park Alliance and People first Union.

Grand National Party- Right wing

The Grand National Party is a conservative political party. Its Korean name is Hannara founded in 1997 as a merger of various conservative parties. Its

earliest ancestor was the Democratic Republican Party.

Policy:

* supports free trade and entrepreneurship,

* also favors maintaining strong ties with the United States and Japan while distancing South Korea from China and Russia and advocates a stricter stance on North Korea

* The party's conservative, pro-American stance often makes it the target of criticism by North Korea's state-controlled media.

Current Status:

The GNP's candidate Lee Myung-bak won the presidential election, however, the GNP suffered a setback in the 2010 local elections, losing a total of 775 local seats throughout the counties.

Democratic Party- centre left to centre

The Democratic Party is a liberal political party in South Korea.

 originally formed as the Uri Party when loyalists to president Roh Moo-hyun in the Millennium Democratic Party chose to break ranks from other party members.

Policy:* focus on income redistribution, anti-monopolism, and the rights of labor unions, the Democratic Party is considered "liberal", or "left of center" on the political spectrum.

* the party has a strong focus on nationalism and unification, leading to anti-American and pro-North Korean sentiments among its members.

Current Status:* 87 out of 299 seats in the National Assembly

* 1,484 out of 3893 seats in local government

Political Interest Groups

• Federation of Korean Industries• Federation of Korean Trade Unions

• Korean Confederation of Trade Unions• Korean National Council of Churches;

• Korean Traders Association• Korean Veterans' Association

• National Council of Labor Unions;• National Democratic Alliance of Korea;

• National Federation of Farmers' Associations; • National Federation of Student Associations

Foreign Relations

South Korea maintains diplomatic relations with more than 188 countries. The country has also been a member of the United Nations since 1991, when it became a member state at the same time as North Korea.

Inter Korean relations-Sunshine Policy the policy resulted in greater political contact

between the two nations and some historical moments for the Korean peninsula

economic ties between the two countries have increased, humanitarian aid has been sent to North Korea, and some divided families have been briefly reunited.

R.O.K.- Russia

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, South Korea and Russia established diplomatic ties in 1991.

Aerospace activities are assisted by the Russians.

Since the 1990s there has been greater trade and cooperation between the two nations.

R.O.K.-USA

Since the late 1980s, the country has instead sought to establish an American partnership, the relations between the two have greatly strengthened under the Lee Myung-bak administration. 

In 1967, South Korea obliged the mutual defense treaty.

"one of America's closest allies and greatest friends.”

- Barack Obama

R.O.K.- Republic of China

Active South Korean-Chinese people-to-people contacts have been encouraged. 

South Korea had long been an ally of the Republic of China. 

Trade between the two countries continued to increase. China and South Korea recently agreed to boost their current strategic and cooperative partnership

South Korea and China are considering starting negotiations for a free trade agreement to increase the export of goods and services between the two countries

South Korea and Philippines

South Korea is one of the Philippines' largest trading partners. The two nations were especially close as the Armed Forces of the Philippines, under the United Nations command of Douglas MacArthur, were pledged to fight for South Korea and its allies in the Korean War.

Recently, Philippine's Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo met South Korean Foreign Minister Kim Sung-hwan to discuss how to expand trade and bilateral ties.

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EU-South Korea Relations

South Korea is a key, like-minded partner for the EU in an increasingly important part of the world. The EU-Korea relationship has evolved over the past few years, based on shared values, common issues of global concern and the increasing role of both partners at world stage. This is demonstrated by the signing of two agreements during 2010. The new Framework Agreement (FA) and Free Trade Agreement (FTA) create a broad and comprehensive relationship. They will boost trade and investment relations, underpin political dialogue, step up coordination and dialogue on global issues and stimulate sector cooperation.

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Embassies

South Korea Embassy, Washington DC, United States

South Korea Embassy, London, United Kingdom

South Korea Embassy, Ottawa, Canada

South Korea Embassy, Canberra, Australia

South Korea Embassy, Pretoria, South Africa

South Korea Embassy, Dublin, Ireland

South Korea Embassy, Wellington, New Zealand

United States Embassy, Seoul British Embassy, Seoul Canadian Embassy, Seoul Australian Embassy, Seoul South African Embassy, Seoul Irish Embassy, Seoul New Zealand Embassy, Seoul

 

Membership

United Nations

WTO

OECD

ASEAN Plus Three

G-20 major economies.

It is also a founding member of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and the East Asia Summit

South Korea Today

Has become an important player on the world stage today, especially in the economic realm.

Know in the entertainment and fashion industries.

Still has transnational issues especially with North Korea.

Korea is the United States' seventh-largest trading partner and there are significant flows of manufactured goods, agricultural products, services and technology between the two countries.

Quick Facts about SOUTH KOREA

The eldest in the house is considered the most wise, and therefore makes most of the important decisions.

When you enter a South Korean home, the first thing you do is remove your shoes.

When the first night of the new year comes everybody hides their shoes. This is because there is a belief that a ghost will come down and try on everyone’s shoes. If the ghost finds a pair it likes it will take it. It is thought that the owner of the shoes will then have bad luck for the whole year.

Korean architecture is influenced by China. The martial art 'Tae kwon do' originated in Korea.

LOGO

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LOGONorth Korea

Geography

Area:

122,762 sq. km. (47,918 sq. mi.)

Cities: 

Capital--Pyongyang. 

Other cities—

Hamhung, Chongjin, Wonsan, Nampo, Sinjuiju, and Kaesong.

.

Located on the Northern portion of the Korean Peninsula.

Physical Map

Terrain: About 80% of land area is moderately high mountains separated by deep, narrow valleys and small, cultivated plains. The remainder is lowland plains covering small, scattered areas.

Climate: Long, cold, dry winters; short, hot, humid, summers

Borders

North: China, Russia

South: Republic of Korea

West: Yellow SeaEast: Japan,

across sea of Japan

North Korea

Basic Profile

Nationality: Noun and adjective--Korean(s).Population: 25.5 million.Annual population growth rate: About +0.42%.Ethnic groups: Korean; small ethnic Chinese and Japanese populations.Religions: Buddhism, Confucianism, Shamanism, Chongdogyo, and Christianity existed previously and have influenced the country.Language: Korean

Official Name: Democratic Republic of North Korea

Monetary Unit: North Korean won

Establishment :-Independence declared March 1,

1919  - Liberation August 15, 1945  - Formal declaration September 9,

1948 

Brief History

The history of North Korea formally begins with the establishment of the Democratic People's Republic in 1948 after  the Soviet Army established a Soviet Civil Authority to rule the northern portion of the Korean Peninsula.

After the Soviet forces' departure, in 1949, a military intervention into South Korea was considered by Kim Il-sung, but failed to receive support from the Soviet Union, which had played a key role in the establishment of the country.

The withdrawal of most United States forces encouraged Kim Il-sung to rethink an invasion plan against the South. 

After Korea was divided by the UN, the two Korean powers both tried to control the whole Korea under their respective governments. This led to escalating border conflicts on the 38th parallel and attempts to negotiate elections for the whole of Korea

Facts

 is one of the most talked-about yet least understood nations on Earth.

Isolated by ideological differences and the paranoia of its top leadership

North Korea has the fourth largest military in the world

‘The Complex of Goguryeo Tombs’ was the first site in North Korea to be included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites

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Government and Politics

North Korea

Government

North Korea is a self-described Juche (self-reliant) state.

A Totalitarian-dictatorship type of government. A communist state

a centralized government under

the rigid control of the communist

Korean Workers' Party .

Dynastic Handover of North Korea

For nearly four decades, the first leader, and current Eternal President, Kim Il Sung, ruled the DPRK with absolute power. Installed by the Soviet Union in 1946, his path to power was not without problems or evolution. Like his son, Kim Jong Il, his life is filled with mystery.

In 1994, Kim Il Sung would die of a heart attack, and Kim Jong Il would officially take the helm of a country his father ran for decades. 

described by some observers as a "hereditary dictatorship" with a pronounced cult of personality 

organized around Kim Il-sung.

Worker’s Party of Korea

is the ruling Communist party of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea 

The Workers' Party of North Korea was formed on 29 August, 1946 from a merger between the Communist Party of North Korea and the New Democratic Party of Korea.

Kim Il sung pursued an independent policy and initiated his juche program of national self-reliance in order to diminish the influence of the USSR and China over domestic North Korean affairs.

A party congress has not been held since the sixth party congress in 1980. According to the Party Rules, a party congress is supposed to be held every five years.

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Constitution

The Socialist Constitution of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea is the constitution of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea

Previous constitutions were adopted in 1948, 1972, 1992,and 1998.The constitution currently in force dates from April 2009.

lays out the framework of the national government and the functions of the ruling state party.

establishes North Korea's official name and its status as a socialist state

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Branches of Government

Supreme People's Assembly

Central Court; provincial, city, county, and

military courts.

Executive Legislative Judiciary

PresidentChief of State;

Chairman of the NDC

Executive

Although the office of the President is ceremonially held by the deceased Kim Il-sung, the de facto head of state is Kim Jong-il, who is Chairman of the National Defence Commission of North Korea and General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea.

Legislative

The legislature of North Korea is the Supreme People's Assembly, currently led by Chairman Kim Yong-

nam. is the unicameral parliament of North Korea. It consists

of one deputy from each of 687 constituencies, elected to five-year terms.

North Korea is a single-party state; all candidates for the Supreme People's Assembly are picked by the Democratic Front for the Reunification of the Fatherland under Kim Jong-il. The body in turn is dominated by the Workers' Party of Korea.

Supreme People’s Assembly

Although the Supreme People's Assembly is North Korea's primary legislative body, it ordinarily delegates authority to the smaller and more powerful Presidium, chosen from among its members.

Presidium

The Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly is the highest organ of power in North Korea.

The Presidium consists of the President, Vice-Presidents, secretaries and other members. FUNCTIONS:

Convene sessions of the Supreme People's Assembly Examining and approving new State legislation when the SPA is

in recess Interpretation and enactment of the Constitution and legislation Forming or dissolving State ministries Supervise laws of State organs Organisation of elections to the Supreme People's Assembly Ratification of treaties with foreign countries Appointment, transferring or removal of officials and judges

when the SPA is not in session Granting special pardons or amnesties.

Judicial

the Central Court is the highest court, with its judges appointed by the Supreme People's Assembly. According to the Constitution of North Korea, the Central Court is accountable to the Supreme People's Assembly, and the Criminal Code subjects judges to criminal liability for handing down "unjust judgments."

Subordinate to the Central Court are provincial courts at the intermediate level, and "people's courts" at the lowest level.

Judges are elected for three-year terms by the Supreme People's Assembly. There are also a number of provincial and people's courts whose members are elected by local people's assemblies.

Administrative division

ProvincesCities, counties,

wards, and districts.

towns, neighbourhoods, villages, and workers'

districts.

Political Parties

Democratic Front for the Reunification of the Fatherland formed on 22 July 1946, is a North Korean united front led by

the Workers' Party of Korea. It was initially called the North Korean Fatherland United Democratic Front. It is also known as the Fatherland Front.

Korean Social Democratic Party Chondoist Chongu Party. Worker’s Party of Korea

Foreign Relations

North Korea has long maintained close relations with the People's Republic of China and Russia. 

Nuclear program and Territorial disputes North Korea is one of the few countries in which the

giving of presents still plays a significant role in diplomatic protocol.

SIX PARTY TALKS China Japan South Korea Russia United States

South and North Korea relations

Korean WarEconomic status- South “Asian Tiger”Territorial DisputesRelations between North and

South deteriorated to their worst point in many years, North Korea took steps in the 1990s toward warmer relations with South Korea

European Union

Has diplomatic affairs with all EU members except Franceand Estonia.

- has not led to increased EU influence on politics and security in North Korea.

- From 1995 until 2005, the EU has provided North Korea with humanitarian aid worth roughly Euro 370 million even if the EU’s most recent notable provision of food aid for North Korea dates back to November 2006.

Japan and North Korea relations

A legacy of bitterness exists in Japan's relations with North Korea, stemming from Japanese colonial rule over Korea from 1910 to 1945.

Bilaterally and through the Six-Party Talks, North Korea and Japan continue to discuss issues surrounding the fate of Japanese citizens abducted by North Korea in the 1970s and 1980s.

USA and North Korea relations

North Korea – United States relations developed primarily during the Korean War, but in recent years have been largely defined by the United States' suspicions regarding North Korea's nuclear programs and North Korea's desire to normalize relations with the United States.

 Korea closed its borders to Western trade. Followed by a series of attacks.

Russia and North Korea relations

Russia-North Korea relations are determined by Russia’s strategic interests in Korea and the goal of preserving peace and stability in the Korean peninsula. Russia’s official position, and by extension its stance on settlement of the North Korean nuclear crisis, is that it stands firmly behind a peaceful resolution of the crisis, achieved through diplomacy and negotiation.

Philippine and North Korea relations

In 2000, the Philippines and North Korea finally established diplomatic relations after more than 20 years of negotiations,

In 2007, the agreement was boosted further and was signed by Philippine Foreign Secretary Alberto Romulo and North Korean Foreign Minister Pak Ui Chun during the Association of South-east Asian Nations (ASEAN) meeting in Manila.

Philippines has a representation in Pyongyang, thru embassy in Beijing; and North Korea has a representation thru its embassy in Bangkok.

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EU-North Korea Relations

bilateral relations between the European Union (EU) and North Korea

early 2000s: the EU was involved in negotiations on bringing down the nuclear program of North Korea

first political dialogue: December 2nd, 1998 In two Council Conclusions of October 9th and November

20th, 1999, a more coordinated approach towards the Korean peninsula was decided upon. This included the expansion of the EU's assistance efforts in a measured way, linked to North Korea's response to international concerns in regard to progress in inter-Korean reconciliation, non proliferation issues, respect for human rights and economic structural reform in the DPRK.

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EU-North Korea Relations

Economic relations Export items: agricultural machinery, cars,

steel, electronics and electric supplies, measuring instruments, medical supplies and rough diamonds

Import items: clothes, electronic and electric products, jewelry, machinery, plastic products and salt

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EU-North Korea Relations

Of much more and direct significance for the latter's current and future development are the events after the 1994 Agreed Framework and especially the diplomatic normalization that started with a political dialogue meeting in December 1998.

The EU provides humanitarian support to the DPRK since the floods in 1995 and the subsequent North Korean appeal for international aid. By 2000, 38 million Euros had been provided mainly on medicines, water, sanitation, winter clothes and hygiene. Food aid began in 1997, initially centered on delivering food but increasingly becoming oriented towards agricultural rehabilitation and production. Assistance has been provided bilaterally (106.7 million Euro), via the WFP (50 million Euro) and via European NGOs.

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