South Korea

The three branches

Head of state — President

Directly elected for a single five-year term with no re-election.

Executive — State Council, led by the Prime Minister

The Prime Minister requires National Assembly consent to appointment.

Legislative — National Assembly

Unicameral, 300 members: 254 in single-member districts and 46 by proportional representation.

Judicial — Supreme Court and lower courts

The Chief Justice is appointed by the President with Assembly consent for a single six-year term.

Constitutional — Constitutional Court

Three justices each nominated by the President, the Assembly and the Chief Justice.

How legislation is made

Bills may be introduced by the government or by ten or more members of the Assembly. They go to a standing committee, then to the Legislation and Judiciary Committee for legal scrutiny, then to plenary. The President may veto a bill within fifteen days, and the Assembly may override with two-thirds of members present and a majority of those on the roll. A 2012 amendment to the National Assembly Act — the so-called Assembly Advancement Act — requires a three-fifths supermajority to bring most contested bills to a vote, which materially raises the threshold for legislating.

Enforcement institutions

Korean National Police Agency

Gained primary investigative authority over most crime in the 2020-21 reforms that curtailed prosecutorial control.

Prosecution Service

Historically dominant; its direct investigation powers were narrowed to specified categories of serious crime.

Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials

Established 2021 to investigate senior officials, including prosecutors and judges.

National Human Rights Commission of Korea

Investigates discrimination and rights violations and may recommend remedies.

Personal Information Protection Commission

Enforces the Personal Information Protection Act, one of Asia's strictest data regimes.