Constitution of South Korea

The Constitution of the Republic of Korea () is the supreme law of South Korea. It was promulgated on July 17, 1948, and last revised on October 29, 1987. The preamble of the Constitution of South Korea states that the document was established in the spirit of "upholding the cause of the Provisional Republic of Korea Government", the Korean government exiled after the imposition of Japanese colonial rule of Korea. As such, the founding document of the provisional government—The Provisional Charter of Korea—serves as the basis for the current constitution. Promulgated in 1919, the charter first gave the country the "Republic of Korea" name and laid out the ideas forming the backbone of later South Korean constitutions. These ten articles are: The Republic of Korea is a democratic republic. The Provisional Government governs the Republic of Korea under resolutions of the Provisional Assembly. All citizens of the Republic of Korea are equal without regard for gender, wealth and stratum. All citizens of the Republic of Korea have freedom of religion, press, publication, association, assembly, petition and personal property. Qualifying citizens of the Republic of Korea have a right to vote and to be elected. Citizens of the Republic of Korea have duties of education, taxation and military service. The Republic of Korea will join the League of Nations in order to exert its founding spirit in the world and to contribute to human culture and peace by the will of God. The Republic of Korea will extend benevolent treatment to the former imperial family. Capital punishment, corporal punishment and licensed prostitution are forbidden. The Provisional Government will convene the National Assembly within 10 years after restoration of territory. South Korea's first 1948 Constitution, drafted by Dr. Chin-O Yu (Hangul: 유진오; Hanja 兪鎭午), framed a presidential system mixed with a parliamentary system. It gave the president to act as the head of state, be elected indirectly by the National Assembly, and share executive power with the cabinet.