North and South Korea -- Page 11

Government of North Korea

North Korea is a Communist state in which political power rests with the leadership of the Korean Workers' party. According to the constitution of 1972, top policy-making power rests with the Central People's Committee. Legislative power nominally belongs to the Supreme People's Assembly, whose members are directly elected; this body, however, only ratifies decisions of the Central People's Committee. Executive power rests with the president and the State Administrative Council, headed by a premier named by the president. Kim Il Sung served as premier from 1948 to 1972, when the post of president was established, and as president since that time. The North Korean regime on Apr. 15, 1992, celebrated Kim's 80th birthday, noting that he had become the longest-ruling head of state in the world. His son, Kim Jong Il has now succeeded his father in July 1994. (Also known as Kim Chong-il)

Government of South Korea

According to the constitution of 1987, the sixth since 1948, legislative power is vested in the mostly popularly elected National Assembly and executive power in the president. The latter is elected to a single 5-year term. The president appoints the cabinet, headed by a prime minister. Roh Tae Woo was elected president in 1987 under the new constitution, which curtailed presidential powers, strengthened the legislature, and pledged military neutrality in politics. Roh Tae Woo was succeeded as president in February 1993 by Kim Young Sam, who became the first nonmilitary president of South Korea in more than three decades.