 Government & Policies |
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 Government Agencies |
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| Last updated on Dec. 14, 2009 |
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The Republic of Korea government was established on August 15, 1948. The President is the head of state and represents the state in international affairs. In case of the President’s absence, the Prime Minister will temporarily act as acting President. The Prime Minister is the principal executive assistant to the President.
The executive branch, headed by the President, consists of the Prime Minister, the Cabinet, 15 executive ministries, and 16 independent agencies including the Jeju Special Self-Governing Province.
The President performs his executive functions through the Cabinet made up of 15 to 30 members. The Cabinet is presided over by the President, who is solely responsible for deciding all important government policies.
In addition to the Cabinet, the President has several agencies under his direct control to formulate and carry out national policies: the Board of Audit and Inspection of Korea, the National Intelligence Service, and the Broadcasting and Communications Commission.
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. |
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Government offices organization chart
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| Cheong Wa Dae |
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Cheong Wa Dae, or the Blue House, is the executive office and official residence of the Korean head of state, the President of the Republic of Korea. The name refers to the building's blue-green roof. Cheong Wa Dae is a complex of buildings, built largely in the traditional Korean style with some modern elements.
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| Board of Audit and Inspection |
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Board of Audit and Inspection examines the final accounts of revenues and expenditures of the government offices, audits their accounts and such organizations as prescribed by the laws, and inspects works performed by government agencies and the duties of their staff. BAI may initiate the review process on its own authority if it finds its decisions inappropriate or unjust, as long as such a finding has been made within two years after the decision.
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| National Intelligence Service |
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National Intelligence Service collects and distributes information on the nation's strategy and security, maintains documents, files, materials, and facilities related to the nation's classified information and investigates crimes affecting national security. NIS was created in 1961 as the Korea Central Intelligence Agency (KCIA) and changed its name to Agency for National Security Planning (NSP) in 1961 and to the current NIS in 1999.
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| Korea Communications Commission |
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Embracing the core function of the former Korean Broadcasting Commission and the Ministry of Information & Communication, Korea Communications Commission promotes the convergence process between broadcasting and telecommunications. The commission is devoted to such tasks as advancement of broadcasting service market, investment expansion in communications services, support for overseas market development and spread of "green IT."
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| Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs |
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Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs honors and secures well-being of independence fighters, soldiers and police officers, who devoted and sacrificed their lives for the nation and its people, and preserves and descends their noble patriotic spirit as a paragon of patriotism. By doing so, the ministry promotes patriotic spirit among people and lays the spiritual groundwork for national development.
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| Fair Trade Commission |
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Fair Trade Commission formulates and administers national competition policies, and deliberates, decides, and handles antitrust cases without any intervention from outside organizations. The commission is committed to four main mandates: promoting competition, strengthening consumer rights, creating a competitive environment for SMEs and restraining concentration of economic power. To that end, it enforces nine laws including the Monopoly Regulation and Fair Trade Act.
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| Financial Services Commission |
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Financial Services Commission deliberates and resolves important financial issues concerning the advancement of financial industry, the stability of financial markets, the promotion of a sound credit system and fair trading practices. The commission focuses on devising sophisticated financial policies to make sure Korea's financial markets remain safe and sound as they advance into vibrant and globally competitive marketplaces.
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| Anti-corruption and Civil Rights Commission |
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Anti-corruption and Civil Rights Commission builds a sound society by preventing and deterring corruption in the public sector and protects people's rights from illegal and unfair administrative practices through the administrative appeals system. The commission was launched in early 2008 by integrating the Ombudsman of Korea, the Korea Independent Commission against Corruption and the Administrative Appeals Commission.
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Ministry of Strategy and Finance |
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Ministry of Strategy and Finance plans and coordinates the mid- to long-term socio-economic development goals and sets economic policy direction on an annual basis; distributes resources effectively and assesses the effectiveness of budget execution; and plans and reforms Korea's taxation policy and system. The Ministry is at the core of the government efforts to combat against 2008 global financial setback
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| Ministry of Education, Science and Technology |
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Ministry of Education, Science and Technology nurtures basic learning capacity in pre-school children, provides appropriate education for primary and secondary students and strengthen higher education in order for nationwide universities to gain international competitiveness. It endeavors to double the satisfaction of public education while reducing the cost of private education.
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Ministry of Foreign
Affairs and Trade |
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Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade establishes, conducts, generates and regulates foreign policies on trade, negotiations and external economic affairs; protects and supports overseas Korean nationals; conducts analysis of the international environment; and provides consular services. The Ministry is heavily charged with the mission of concluding free trade agreements with global counterparts, including the U.S., Japan and China.
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| Ministry of Unification |
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Ministry of Unification establishes North Korea policy, coordinates inter-Koran dialogue, pursues inter-Korean humanitarian cooperation and provides education programs on unification. The Korea Institute for National Unification, a major think tank of the ministry, plays the central role in researching on North Korea and unification.
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| Ministry of Justice |
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Ministry of Justice serves the people of the Republic of Korea by guarding and enforcing the Constitution and laws of the republic and renders legal advice to the President, the Prime Minister, and other Cabinet members. It is also in charge of correctional and rehabilitative administration and immigration.
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| Ministry of National Defense |
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Ministry of National Defense provides military security for the people of the Republic of Korea, supports the establishment of a peace regime on the Korean peninsula and contributes to regional security and world peace.
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| Ministry of Public Administration and Security |
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Ministry of Public Administration and Security makes efforts to meet public demands by serving the people and transforming the Korean government into a more capable and efficient organization, based on the principle of harmony between the central and local governments.
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| Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism |
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Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism develops and implements a wide range of policies to promote culture, arts, sports, tourism and religion so as to provide cultural opportunities to the public. Korean Culture and Information Service belongs to the ministry.
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| Ministry for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries |
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Ministry for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries aims to upgrade agriculture from primary production-based industry to advanced industry, which encompasses processing and marketing so that domestic agriculture and fisheries can compete in the global arena.
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| Ministry of Knowledge Economy |
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Ministry of Knowledge Economy is responsible for fostering traditional industrial structures and developing new growth engines which are crucial for industrial innovation.
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| Ministry for Health, Welfare and Family Affairs |
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Ministry for Health, Welfare and Family Affairs protects the public from social risks, promotes social integration, invests in human resources and provides quality social services. Korea Food and Drug Administration under the Health Ministry promotes the public health by ensuring the safety and efficacy of foods and pharmaceuticals.
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| Ministry of Environment |
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Ministry of Environment protects the nation from the threat of pollution and improves the quality of life so that people can enjoy clean water and clear skies. It also aims to contribute to global efforts to protect the Earth.
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| Ministry of Labor |
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Ministry of Labor is responsible for labor standards, occupational safety and health, employee welfare, employment policies, equal employment and other labor affairs.
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| Ministry of Gender Equality |
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Ministry of Gender Equality develops and implements policies to nurture women in the labor force and improve women's rights, provides relevant education programs and conducts research on gender equality.
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| Ministry of Land Transport and Maritime Affairs |
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Ministry of Land Transport and Maritime Affairs focuses on constructing transportation and logistics networks that reach out to the 5 oceans and 6 continents so as to make the country fully equipped with strong linkages.
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The Constitution of the Republic of Korea states in Article 117 that "Local governments deal with matters pertaining to the welfare of local residents, manage properties and may, within the limit of laws, enact provisions relating to local autonomy regulations."
Local government heads manage and supervise administrative affairs except as otherwise provided by law. The local executive functions include those delegated by the central government such as the management of public properties and facilities and assessment and collection of local taxes and fees for various services. Higher-level local governments have boards of education, which carry out matters related to education and culture in each community.
Higher-level local governments basically serve as intermediaries between the central and lower-level local governments. Lower-level local governments deliver services to the residents through an administrative district (eup, myeon, and dong) system. Each lower-level local government has several districts which serve as field offices for handling the needs of their residents. Eup, myeon, and dong offices are engaged mainly in routine administrative and social service functions. |
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□ Local Governments Directory |
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| 1. Metropolitan Seoul |
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· Office Location: Euljiro
· Population: 10.1 million
· Area: 606 km2
· www.seoul.go.kr |
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| 2. Metropolitan Busan |
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· Office Location: Jungangro
· Population: 3.5 million
· Area: 764 km2
· www.busan.go.kr |
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| 3. Metropolitan Incheon |
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· Office Location: Guwol-dong
· Population: 2.6 million
· Area: 997 km2
· www.incheon.go.kr |
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| 4. Metropolitan Daegu |
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· Office Location: Gongpyeongro
· Population: 2.5 million
· Area: 884 km2
· www.daegu.go.kr |
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| 6. Metropolitan Gwangju |
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· Office Location: Chipyung-dong
· Population: 1.4 million
· Area: 501 km2
· www.gwangju.go.kr |
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| 7. Metropolitan Ulsan |
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· Office Location: Shinjung 1-dong
· Population: 1.1 million
· Area: 1,057 km2
· www.ulsan.go.kr |
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| 8. Gyeonggi-do |
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· Office Location: Suwon
· Population: 11.0 million
· Area: 10,182 km2
· www.gg.go.kr |
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9. Gyeongsangnam-do
(South Gyeongsang Province) |
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· Office Location: Changwon
· Population: 3.1 million
· Area: 10,521 km2
· www.gsnd.net |
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10. Gyeongsangbuk-do
(North Gyeongsang Province) |
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11. Chungcheongnam-do
(South Chungcheong Province) |
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· Office Location: Daejeon
· Population: 1.9 million
· Area: 8,600 km2
· www.chungnam.net |
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12. Jeollanam-do
(South Jeolla Province) |
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· Office Location: Muan-gun
· Population: 1.8 million
· Area: 12,074 km2
· www.jeonnam.go.kr |
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13. Jeollabuk-do
(North Jeolla Province) |
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· Office Location: Jeonju
· Population: 1.8 million
· Area: 8,052 km2
· www.jeonbuk.go.kr |
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15. Chungcheongbuk-do
(South Chungcheong Province) |
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· Office Location: Cheongju
· Population: 1.5 million
· Area: 7,432 km2
· www.cb21.net |
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16. Jeju Special Self-Governing
Province |
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· Office Location: Jeju City
· Population: 0.5 million
· Area: 1,848 km2
· www.jeju.go.kr |
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Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism
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The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism develops and implements a wide range of policies to promote culture, arts, sports, tourism and religion so as to provide cultural opportunities to the public. A total of 30 information officers are dispatched from the ministry to 26 Korean Cultural Centers in 21 different countries. Korea.net, the government’s official multilingual website, is run by the ministry’s major subsidiary the Korean Culture and Information Service (KOIS). |
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▣ Korean Culture and Information Service (KOIS)
Korean Culture and Information Service is dedicated to providing the world with accurate and up-to-date information about Korea. It draws up a master plan to promote the country abroad, assists events that introduce Korean culture at home and abroad, produces foreign language publications on Korea and operates the government’s official multilingual website Korea.net. Korea.net, a gateway of information about Korea, aims to provide accurate and timely information about the country and offers a convenient and user-friendly access to a wide variety of data on the country.
 15, Hyojaro, Jongno-gu, Seoul Korea 110-040 |
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 +82-2-398-1800 |
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▣ Cultural Heritage Administration
The Cultural Heritage Administration seeks to preserve and maintain cultural heritage in its original condition, and cultivate tourism resources through promoting the value of cultural properties.
| 139, Seonsa-ro, Dunsan-dong, Seo-gu, Daejon, Korea |
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| +82-42-481-4650 |
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▣ National Center for Korean Traditional Performing Arts
It aims to continue to creatively pass down and cultivate traditional performing art forms which are filled with the philosophy of Korean tradition.
| 2364, Nambusunhwa-ro, Seocho-gu, Seoul, Korea 137-073 |
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| +82-2-580-3333 |
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▣ National Institute of the Korean Language
The Institute collects and conducts scientific research on linguistic and cultural data, publishes research findings, and provides guidelines on orthography, Standard Korean, and other matters which promote the proper use of the Korean language.
| 148, Geumnanghwa-gil, Banghwa 3(sam)-dong, Gangseo-gu, Seoul, Korea 157-857 |
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| +82-2-2669-9775 |
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▣ National Museum of Korea
It endeavors to preserve, to exhibit, and to interpret Korea's cultural heritage in a manner that befits the museum's international scale. It also strives through international cultural exchanges to become a world-class institution that serves the Korean people.
| 135, Seobinggo-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Korea 140-026 |
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| 82-2-2077-9000 |
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▣ National Palace Museum of Korea
In 1992, Cultural Heritage Administration instituted the Royal Museum in the Stone Hall of Deoksu Palace. The Royal Museum strove for social education on the cultural heritages of Joseon's royal court as well as holding permanent and special exhibitions every year. After more than a decade of such efforts, the Royal Museum has moved to significantly larger premises and re-opened as the National Palace Museum of Korea.
| 34, Sajing-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Korea 110-820 |
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| +82-2-3701-7500 |
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▣ National Folk Museum of Korea
The museum is Korea's leading institution dedicated to preserving the legacy of traditional Korean life, attracting more than two million visitors annually. It provides visitors with opportunities to experience first-hand how Koreans lived in traditional times.
| 35, Samcheongdong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Korea 110-820 |
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| +82-2-3704-3114 |
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▣ National Theater of Korea
Established in 1950, the National Theater of Korea has been a leading performance hall, promoting the nation's performing arts. It strives to globalize Korean traditional arts and recreate it with a modern interpretation.
| 158, Jangchungdan-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul, Korea 100-857 |
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| +82-2-2280-4414 |
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▣ National Museum of Contemporary Art
The museum shows which direction Korean art and culture is moving. It has been making efforts to hold rich and high-level exhibitions and to become a composite cultural space for a variety of scholastic and cultural events.
| 209, Gwangmyeong-gil, Gwacheon-si, Gyeonggi-do, Korea 427-701 |
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| +82-2-2188-6000
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▣ Korea National University of Arts
Since its establishment by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism in 1992, the Korea National University of Arts continually strives to create an academic environment in which the artistically gifted are challenged and inspired to do their best possible work.
| 120-3, Yesul-gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, Korea 136-716 |
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| +82-2-746-9042
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▣ Korea Media Rating Board
The Korea Media Ratings Board is responsible for screening films, videos, and commercials in order to ensure the ethics and public spirit of the mass media. It also tries to protect the youth from unhealthy media contents.
| 1602, 4-5F, DMC, Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, Korea 121-270 |
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| +82-2-3153-4300
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▣ Korean Film Council
Korean Film Council is a government-supported, self-administered body with its primary goal in stimulating the growth and development of Korean films through funding, research, policy development, education and professional training.
| 206-46, Cheongnyangni-dong, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, Korea 130-010 |
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| +82-2-958-7581
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▣ Korea Press Foundation
Korea Press Foundation offers a wide range of seminars and sponsors diverse assistance programs in order to enhance the development of professional journalism.
| 33, Taepyeong-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul, Korea |
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| +82-2-2001-7114
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▣ Korea Tourism Organization
KTO is a government-funded organization acting as the central force in developing Korea's tourism industry. Its primary goal is to improve Korea's tourism environment and attract more foreign tourists to make Korea a world-leading travel destination.
| 40, Cheonggyecheon-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul, Korea 100-180 |
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| 82-2-729-9600
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| ▣ Arirang TV
Arirang TV is a public service broadcaster that spreads the uniqueness of Korea to the world through cutting-edge broadcasting mediums. Arirang TV's objective is to burnish Korea's image in international communities and to improve relationships with foreign countries through close cooperation with broadcasting companies overseas.
| Arirang Tower, 1467-80, Seocho-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul, 137-868 |
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| +82-2-3475-5000 |
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| Korean Cultural Centers works to broaden understanding of Korea through cultural and academic activities. The centers sponsor and host many different types of activities, including art exhibits, film screenings, traditional Korean music and dance events, Korean food festivals, lectures, youth activities, and sporting events. |
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▣ Japan (Tokyo)
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| 1-2-5 Minami Azabu, Minato-Ku,Tokyo, Japan |
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| 81-3-5476-3206 |
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▣ China (Beijing)
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| No.20 DongfangdongLu Chaoyang District, Beijing, China |
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| 86-10-8531-0750/0751 |
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▣ Thailand (Bangkok)
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| 23 Thiam-Ruammit Road, Ratchadapiesk, Huay-Kwang, Bangkok 10320,
Thailand |
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| 66-2-247-7536 |
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▣ India (New Delhi)
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| 9 Chandragupta Marg. Chanakyapuri Extension, New Delhi-110021, India |
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| 91-11-4200-7033 |
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Indonesia (Jakarta)
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| 57 Jalan Gatot Subroto, South Jakarta, Indonesia |
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| 62-21-520-1915 |
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Singapore (Singapore)
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| 47 Scotts Road #08-00 Goldbell Tower, Singapore |
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| 65-6836-2821 |
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▣ Australia (Sydney)
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| 8th Floor, 32-36 Martin Place, Sydney 2000 Australia |
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| 61-2-9210-0215 |
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▣ U.S.A. (Washington, D.C.)
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| Korean Information Center 2370 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 2008, U.S.A |
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| 1-202-939-5684 |
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▣ U.S.A. (New York)
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| 335 East 45th St. New York, N.Y. 10017, U.S.A |
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| 1-646-674-6032 |
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▣ Canada (Ottawa)
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| 150 Boteler Street Ottawa, Ontario KIN 5A6 Canada |
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| 1-613-244-5015 |
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▣ Mexico (Mexico City)
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| Lope Diaz de Armendariz No. 110 Col. Lomasde Chapultepec C.P. 11000
Mexico D.F |
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| 52-55-5202-0100 |
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▣ Brazil (Brasilia)
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| SEN-Avenida Das Nacoes Lote 14, 70436-900, Brasilia-DF, Brasil |
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| 5-61-3321-2500 |
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▣ Russia(Moscow)
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| Pereulog Mayakovskogo D.15-13, Moscow, Russia |
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| 7-495-783-2769 |
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▣ France (Paris)
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| 125 rue de Grenelle, 75007 Paris, France |
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| 33-1-4753-6961 |
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▣ Germany (Berlin)
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| Lutzowufer 26, 10787 Berlin, Germany |
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| 49-30-260-65402 |
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▣ United Kingdom (London)
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| 60 Buckingham Gate, London SW1E 6AJ, UK |
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| 44-207-227-5517 |
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▣ Spain (Madrid)
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| C/Gonzalez Amigo 15, 28033 Madrid, Spain |
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| 34-91-353-2000 |
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▣ Italy(Rome)
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| Via Barnaba Oriani 30, 00197 Rome, Italy |
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| 39-06-8024-6207 |
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▣ Belgium (Brussels)
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| Chaussee de la Hulpe 173-175, 1170 Brussels, Belgium |
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| 32-2-661-0045 |
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▣ Republic of South Africa (Pretoria)
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| Greenpark Estates Bldg #3, 27George Storrar Drive, Groenkloof, Pretoria,
South Africa |
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| 27-12-460-8066 |
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▣ Egypt (Cairo)
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| 3 Boulos Hanna St., Dokki, Cairo, A.R.E |
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| 20-2-3761-1234 to 1237 |
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▣ Iran (Tehran)
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| No.18, West Daneshvar st. Shaikhbahai ave. Sheikhbahai sq. Tehran, Iran. |
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| 98-21-8861-3205 |
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▣ Nigeria (Abuja)
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| No9 Ovia Crescent Off Pope John Paul II Street Maitama, POBox 6870,
Abuja, Federal Republic of Nigeria |
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| 234-9-461-2701 |
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▣ Poland (Warsaw)
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| ul. Szwolezerow 6, 00-464 Warsaw, Poland |
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| 4822-559-2979 |
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▣ Turkey (Ankara)
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| Alacam Sok No.5, Chinnah Caddesi, Cankaya. Ankara06690, Turkey |
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| 90-312-468-4821 |
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▣ Kazakhstan (Astana)
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| Kazakhstan, Astana, 010000, Office No.91,92,93 Kaskad Business Center,
Kabanbai Batyr Av.6/1 |
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| 7-7172-925-591 to 593 |
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