Under Korea's presidential system, the President performs his executive functions through the State Council made up of 15 to 30 members and presided over by the President, who is solely responsible for deciding all important government policies. The Prime Minister is appointed by the President and approved by the National Assembly. As the principal executive assistant to the President, the Prime Minister supervises the administrative ministries and manages the Office for Government Policy Coordination under the direction of the President. The Prime Minister also has the power to deliberate major national policies and to attend the meetings of the National Assembly.


Three Deputy Prime Ministers are assigned to carry out the particular affairs delegated by the Prime Minister. The Minister of Finance & Economy, the Minister of Education & Human Resources Development and the Minister of Science & Technology are concurrently Deputy Prime Ministers.

Members of the State Council are appointed by the President upon recommendation by the Prime Minister. They have the right to lead and supervise their administrative ministries, deliberate major state affairs, act on behalf of the President and appear at the National Assembly and express their opinions. Members of the State Council are collectively and individually responsible to the President only.

In addition to the State Council, 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, the Civil Service Commission, the Presidential Commission on Small and Medium Enterprises, the Ombudsman of Korea and the Korea Independent Commission Against Corruption. 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.

The Board of Audit and Inspection has the authority to audit the financial accounts of central and local government agencies, government corporations and related organizations. The board is also vested with the power to inspect abuses of public authority or misconduct by public officials in their official duties. The results of audit are reported to the President and the National Assembly, although the board is responsible only to the chief executive.

The National Intelligence Service is authorized to collect strategic intelligence of internal as well as external origin and information on subversive and international criminal activities. It also plans and coordinates the intelligence and security activities of the government.

The Civil Service Commission, established in 1999, is responsible for the fair and efficient personnel management of civil servants.

The Presidential Commission on Small and Medium Enterprises was established in 1998 for the purpose of promoting small and medium enterprises.

The Ombudsman of Korea, established in 1994, acts as a watchdog on improper practices and systems in the Government.

The Korea Independent Commission Against Corruption, established in 2002, has the authority to take all necessary measures to prevent corruption. It is responsible for formulating and evaluating anti-corruption policies, enhancing relevant education and public relations, inspecting reports, and protecting whistle-blowers.