Republic of Korea 1948 Constitution (reviewed 1987)

CHAPTER I. GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1

1. The Republic of Korea shall be a democratic republic.
2. The sovereignty of the Republic of Korea shall reside in the people, and all state authority shall emanate from the people.

Article 2

1. Nationality in the Republic of Korea shall be prescribed by law.
2. It shall be the duty of the State to protect citizens residing abroad as prescribed by law.

Article 3

The territory of the Republic of Korea shall consist of the Korean peninsula and its adjacent islands.

Article 4

The Republic of Korea shall seek unification and shall formulate and carry out a policy of peaceful unification based on the free democratic basic order.

Article 5

1. The Republic of Korea shall endeavor to maintain international peace and shall renounce all aggressive wars.
2. The Armed Forces shall be charged with the sacred mission of national security and the defense of the land and their political neutrality shall be maintained.

Article 6

1. Treaties duly concluded and promulgated in accordance with the Constitution and the generally recognized rules of international law shall have the same effect as the domestic laws of the Republic of Korea.
2. The status of aliens shall be guaranteed as prescribed by international law and treaties.

Article 7

1. All public officials shall be servants of the entire people and shall be responsible to the people.
2. The status and political impartiality of public officials shall be guaranteed as prescribed by law.

Article 8

1. The establishment of political parties shall be free, and the plural party system shall be guaranteed.
2. Political parties shall be democratic in their objectives, organization and activities, and shall have the necessary organizational arrangements for the people to participate in the formation of the political will.
3. Political parties shall enjoy the protection of the State and may be provided with operational funds by the State as prescribed by law.
4. If the purposes or activities of a political party are contrary to the democratic basic order, the Government may bring action against it in the Constitution Court for its dissolution, and, the political party shall be dissolved in accordance with the decision of the Constitution Court.

Article 9

The State shall strive to sustain and develop the cultural heritage and to enhance national culture.