Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
istries are supplemented by “independent” agencies, many of which actually report to the
ministries or the president himself. These include the anticorruption, tax, intelligence, and
science and technology bodies.
military recruits in Seoul
The legislative branch of government is represented by South Korea's National
Assembly, which is located in Seoul and has 300 members currently representing four main
political parties, along with a handful of independents. Most are elected from single-mem-
ber constituencies around the country in general elections that take place every four years.
The assembly has steadily gained strength in the last decade and now has the right to nix
some of the prime minister's appointments and to investigate alleged incidents of govern-
ment malfeasance. It is responsible for debating government budgets and new or amended
legislation.
The country's judicial branch is led by the Constitutional Court, which oversees im-
peachments or cases involving the review of the constitution, and the Supreme Court, the
final avenue of appeal in South Korean legal cases. The selection of justices is split among
the president, National Assembly, and Supreme Court chief justice, but the president has
the most say in the matter.
