Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Geun-hye (daughter of the assassinated General Park). Park is also a conservative, but has
pledged to build a more caring, inclusive society, and while some attribute her victory to
nostalgia for her father, it's a further sign that a democratic political culture is now firmly
entrenched.
South Korea is a constitutional democracy, but as pundits have frequently commented, it
is a democracy with Korean characteristics. Traces of the traditional Confucian view that
a nation's leader wields the “mandate of heaven” and is not to be questioned endure, par-
ticularly within the political establishment, meaning presidents tend to be “strongmen” and
political parties relatively weak, divided, and constantly shifting. Although great strides
have been made in the battle against corruption, political patronage remains common, and
the ties between politicians and big businesses are still robust. The country's massive civil
service is a largely closed shop that women and the disadvantaged still struggle to find their
way into.
Thankfully, arrayed against this is a fairly cynical and demanding public that has a long
history of protesting against—and ousting—governments seen as indifferent, bullying, or
crooked. The citizenry's readiness to organize and take to the streets, and the fact that elec-
tions are a genuine test, tend to keep politicians' more excessive instincts in check.
The South Korean government is outlined by the country's constitution, revised several
times since 1948, and divided into executive, legislative, and judicial branches. Political
power is largely concentrated in the executive branch, headed by the president, who is dir-
ectly elected for a single five-year term with no possibility of reelection. The president is
the commander in chief of the armed forces and has an impressive list of powers, including
appointing a prime minister who serves as the president's chief adviser and takes control of
the country if the president is unable to govern. The president can also pick the heads of
all major ministries, declare war or martial law, grant amnesties, and overrule some of the
decisions of the National Assembly.
A state council comprising the president, prime minister, and chiefs of major ministries
such as foreign affairs and trade, economy, and unification is charged with drafting core
policies and approving important budgetary or military proposals. The council and min-
