The Constitutional Court was established in September 1988 as a key part of the constitutional system. The Constitution of the Sixth Republic, based on the Korean people's deep enthusiasm for democracy, adopted a new judicial review system - the Constitutional Court - to safeguard the Constitution and to protect the people's basic rights, by establishing special constitutional adjudication procedures for the adjudication of constitutional issues.

The Court is empowered by the Constitution of the Republic of Korea to interpret the Constitution and to review the constitutionality of all statutes, to make judicial decisions on impeachment or on dissolution of a political party, and to pass judgment in competence disputes and constitutional complaints.

The Court is composed of nine Justices. The term of office for Justices is six years and is renewable. The courthouse is a five-story domed building in Seoul which has won the Korean Architectural Award.

As of December 31, 2005, the Court has examined 12,240 cases (including 526 cases involving the constitutionality of statutes) and handed down decisions in 11,501 cases, with 739 cases pending.

This high volume of cases shows the Court's present and future significance in implementing its goals - safeguarding the constitution and protecting basic rights.