Government
Seoul is one of the seven metropolitan cities (kwangyoksi) of South Korea. It has its own local elected government. “The [local] government consists of the Seoul Metropolitan Government, which is the executive branch, and the Seoul Metropolitan Council, the legislative body” (Seoul). Each providence is divided into three governing tiers: si (city), gu (district), dong (neighborhood or literally “village”) (Seoul). The mayor is the executive power in the local governments and is elected to four-year terms. There are also vice mayors and directors of bureaus, offices, and divisions serving under the mayor (Seoul). “The Judicial branch consists of the Supreme Court, three appellate courts (High Courts), district courts, a family court, a patent court, and administrative and local courts. The Supreme Court is empowered to interpret the constitution and all other state laws and to review the legality of government regulations and activities” (South Korea). Included with Executive and Judicial power (just as in the United States), is Legislative power. “Legislative authority rests with the unicameral National Assembly. Its 300 members are chosen … by a combination of direct and indirect election to four-year terms” (South Korea). The National Assembly works almost as Congress would in the U.S. They are in charge of deliberating and passing laws.
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