Prime Minister of South Korea

Prime Minister of South Korea
Post	Prime Minister
Native name	국무총리
Insigniacaption	Emblem of the Government
Flagcaption	Flag of South Korea
Incumbent	Han Duck-soo
Incumbentsince	20 May 2022
Department	Government of South Korea
Style	Mr. Prime Minister, His Excellency
Member of	State Council, National Security Council
Reports to	President of South Korea
Residence	Chongri Gonggwan
Seat	Seoul
Nominator	President of South Korea
Appointer	President of South Korea
Appointer qualified	with National Assembly approval
Termlength	At the President's pleasure
Formation	31 July 1948
First	Lee Beom-seok
Salary	₩ 187,200,000 annually

Prime Minister of South Korea. The Prime Minister is the principal executive assistant to the President of South Korea, a position established by the Constitution of South Korea. The officeholder, appointed by the President, oversees the administrative ministries and can act for the President in their absence. While the role is largely administrative, certain prime ministers, such as Kim Jong-pil and Lee Hoi-chang, have wielded significant political influence.

Role and responsibilities

The Prime Minister's primary duty is to assist the President of South Korea and oversee the Cabinet, known as the State Council. They supervise the Ministry of Economy and Finance and the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, coordinating government policies. In the event of presidential incapacity, the Prime Minister assumes the President's duties, a provision tested during the assassination of Park Chung-hee. The officeholder also represents the government at major events like the G20 and advises the President on appointments to bodies like the Board of Audit and Inspection of Korea.

Appointment and removal

The Prime Minister is appointed by the President of South Korea after a confirmation hearing in the National Assembly. This process, mandated by the Constitutional Court of Korea, requires a simple majority vote in the legislature. The President can dismiss the Prime Minister at will, though such actions often carry political consequences, as seen during the Roh Moo-hyun administration. The appointment of Han Myeong-sook marked a significant moment as the first female holder of the office. A Prime Minister can also be removed through a no-confidence vote by the National Assembly, a rare but constitutionally defined mechanism.

History and development

The office was first held by Lee Beom-seok under the First Republic of Korea and its powers have fluctuated with each constitutional revision. During the Third and Fourth Republics under Park Chung-hee and Chun Doo-hwan, the role was often sidelined, with power concentrated in the Blue House. The Fifth Republic saw a brief strengthening of the position under Kim Sang-hyup. The democratic Sixth Republic, established after the June Democratic Struggle, restored the Prime Minister's advisory role, with figures like Lee Hong-koo and Goh Kun playing pivotal parts during the 1997 Asian financial crisis and the Impeachment of Roh Moo-hyun.

List of prime ministers

Notable prime ministers include the inaugural Lee Beom-seok, a general in the Korean Independence Army, and Chang Myon, who later became the Second Republic's president. Kim Jong-pil, founder of the Korean Central Intelligence Agency, served twice under presidents Park Chung-hee and Kim Dae-jung. During the 2008 US beef protests, Han Seung-soo managed a significant political crisis. More recent appointees include Chung Sye-kyun, who coordinated the national response to the COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea, and the current incumbent, Han Duck-soo.

Relationship with the president

The relationship is defined by the Constitution of South Korea, with the Prime Minister serving at the pleasure of the President of South Korea. Presidents like Kim Young-sam and Lee Myung-bak maintained stable partnerships with their premiers, while others, such as Roh Tae-woo, experienced frequent turnover. The Prime Minister often manages domestic affairs, allowing the President to focus on foreign policy with nations like the United States, China, and Japan. During administrations like that of Moon Jae-in, the Prime Minister was crucial in implementing key domestic agendas and liaising with the Democratic Party of Korea-led National Assembly.

Office and support staff

The Prime Minister's official office is located within the Seoul Government Complex in Gwanghwamun. The role is supported by the Prime Minister's Office (South Korea), which includes several Vice Ministers and aides. Key affiliated agencies include the Fair Trade Commission and the Financial Services Commission. The office also oversees the Korean National Police Agency and coordinates with independent bodies like the National Intelligence Service. The official residence is the Chongri Gonggwan in Jongno District, Seoul.

Category:Prime Ministers of South Korea Category:Government of South Korea