Research Paper Political System In South Korea And Indonesia From A Comparative Perspective.pdf

Over the past few decades, South Korea and Indonesia have undergone significant political transformations, with both countries transitioning from authoritarian regimes to democratic syst

Dinh Thi Thu Trang 2206080119

Nguyen Minh Tuan 2206080104

ABSTRACT

Political system of South Korea and North Korea from a comparative perspective has not gotten enough attention from society Following the division of the Korean peninsula into southern and northern parts at the end of WWII, the Republic of Korea (South Korea) was established in 1948 in its southern part The 1950 attack by the communist regime established in the northern part of the peninsula triggered a three-year war that completely destroyed the peninsula.The Republic of Korea was one of the poorest countries in the world when an armistice was signed in 1953 Its political system was distinguished by a staunch anti-communist stance, manifested in the strict application of the 1948 National Security Law Following the military coup of 1961, two successive presidents, Park and Chun, prioritized economic development while suppressing civil liberties and political freedoms General Suharto ruled Indonesia with an iron fist until his demise in 1998 Since then, his authoritarian 'New Order' has been transformed into the world's third largest democracy (and largest Muslim democracy) Indonesia has a presidential system in which the president is directly elected and serves as both head of state and head of government A presidential term limit of no more than two terms helps to ensure a peaceful transition of power In this paper, we will explain the main differences between the two political systems of these two divided countries The findings of the research indicate some of the effects that they may cause at the outcome of these two countries, and in other different positions that these two countries occupy in international relations.

Over the past few decades, South Korea and Indonesia have undergone significant political transformations, with both countries transitioning from authoritarian regimes to democratic systems Despite these similarities, the political systems of these two countries differ in many ways, including their structure, function and outcome One of the most significant differences between South Korea and Indonesia is their income levels.This difference in income has had a profound impact on the political systems of these two countries, influencing everything from the role of the state to the level of political participation among citizens In this comparative analysis, we will explore the political systems of South Korea and Indonesia from various perspectives, highlighting the ways in which their income levels have shaped their political landscapes By examining these two countries in this way, we hope to gain a deeper understanding of the factors that have influenced their political development, and the ways in which their political systems impact the lives of their citizens.

II

1 Structure of South Korea's Political System South Korea is a democratic country located in East Asia, with a population of over 51 million people The country has a rich history and culture, and its political system has undergone significant changes over the years In this research paper, we will explore the structure of the political system in South Korea, including three branches of government: the executive, legislative, and judicial branches

Government Bodies

Executive Branch

South Korea operates under a presidential system of government, where the President serves as both the head of state and head of government The President is elected by the people and can serve for a maximum of two five-year terms The President has the authority to appoint and remove government officials, including the Prime Minister and other members of the Cabinet (CIA.gov-2023)

The President selects the Prime Minister, who has the National Assembly's consent, to be the second-highest ranked person in the government The prime minister is in charge of directing daily government operations and carrying out legislative directives

Legislative Branch

According to CIA.gov(2023),The National Assembly is the legislative branch of the South Korean government, composed of 300 members 253 members are elected by the people, while 47 members are assigned to political parties based on their proportional representation in the election Members of the National Assembly serve for four years and have the authority to pass laws, approve the national budget, and conduct investigations into government affairs Additionally, the National Assembly has the power to impeach the President or other high-ranking officials for misconduct or violation of the law

Judicial Branch

The judiciary system in South Korea is autonomous and comprises four tiers of courts: the Supreme Court, the High Court, the District Court, and the Family Court The Supreme Court is the highest court in the country and has the authority to review and reverse decisions made by lower courts The judiciary system is accountable for interpreting and implementing the law, safeguarding the rights of citizens, and prosecuting criminal cases and resolving civil disputes.(constitution.net-2018)

Political Parties

smaller parties The major political parties in South Korea include the Democratic Party of KParty (DPK), the People Power Party (PPP) (CIA.gov-2023)

2 Function of Political System in South Korea The political system of South Korea plays a crucial role in the functioning of the country It is responsible for ensuring that the government operates effectively and efficiently, and that the needs and interests of the citizens are met In this research, we will explore the functions of the political system in South Korea, including its role in promoting democracy, maintaining stability, and addressing social and economic issues

Promoting Democracy

One of the primary functions of the political system in South Korea is to promote democracy The country has a long history of authoritarian rule, but since the democratization movement in the 1980s, it has made significant progress in establishing a democratic system of government The political system is designed to ensure that the voices of the citizens are heard and that their rights are protected This is achieved through regular elections, freedom of speech and the press, and an independent judiciary

Maintaining Stability

Another important function of the political system in South Korea is to maintain stability The country is located in a region that is prone to political and economic instability, and as such, it is important that the government is able to maintain a stable environment for its citizens This is achieved through a strong executive branch, a unicameral legislative branch, and an independent judiciary The government is also responsible for maintaining law and order, protecting national security, and promoting economic growth

Addressing Social and Economic Issues

The political system in South Korea is also responsible for addressing social and economic issues The government is tasked with ensuring that the needs and interests of the citizens are met, and that the country continues to develop and grow This is achieved through a range of policies and programs, including social welfare programs, education and healthcare initiatives, and economic development projects The government is also responsible for addressing issues such as income inequality, unemployment ,and environmental concerns The political system in South Korea plays a crucial role in the functioning of the country It is responsible for promoting democracy, maintaining stability, and addressing social and economic issues The government is tasked with ensuring that the needs and interests of the citizens are met, and that the country continues to develop and grow While there are challenges and issues that need to be addressed, the political system in South Korea has made significant progress in establishing a democratic and stable system of government

3 Outcome of Political System in South Korea South Korean democracy has officially protected the rights of political, civil, and socioeconomic citizens, however certain groups face limitations and even discrimination These at-risk groups include women, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people, and racial and ethnic minorities such as refugees and migrants

While the Republic of Korea (South Korea) broadly respects the rights of its citizens, there are some significant human rights concerns, especially regarding lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people, women, migrants, racial minorities, older people and people with disabilities Before former President Moon Jae-in left office in May, his administration failed to pass a comprehensive anti-discrimination law to provide protection for these groups, despite strong public support for the draft law

Women's rights in Korea have made significant progress in recent decades, but many challenges remain The Korean government and the feminist movement are working to address these challenges and create a more equitable society for women One of the positive changes in women's rights in this country is that the number of women holding elected positions has increased in recent years As of 2022, women hold 17.3% of seats in the National Assembly, up from 16.3% in 2020 This increase in representation has given women a stronger voice in government and led to passing more policies that benefit women Awareness of gender issues in Korea has been increasing in recent years This is partly due to the work of feminist organizations and the media Growing awareness has led to more public discussions about gender inequality and pressure on governments to take action to address the problem However, besides the positive points about women's rights in Korea, it is still very visible in this country that the gender pay gap or gap in Korea is one of the largest in the world developed countries Visible evidence for this problem is that women earn about 31% less than men when considering both genders in the same job This is due to a number of factors, including gender discrimination in hiring, promotions, and pay

The situation for LGBT people in South Korea is complex and constantly evolving While there have been some positive developments in recent years, there is still a long way to go before LGBTQ+ people in South Korea can enjoy full equality South Korea's political landscape has been historically dominated by conservative values, with Confucianism and traditional gender norms exerting a strong influence This conservative backdrop has contributed to a climate of social stigma surrounding LGBT+ identities, making it difficult for openly LGBT+ individuals to engage in the political sphere

However, South Korea's political system has had a significant positive impact on human rights in the country The establishment of a democratic system in 1987 has led to a number of important improvements South Korea's democratic system provides citizens with a number of opportunities

joining civil society organizations This has helped to empower citizens and give them a voice in the political process South Korea has made significant progress in improving its human rights record since the establishment of democracy in 1987 The country has ratified a number of international human rights treaties, and it has established a number of institutions to protect human rights For example, in 2020, South Korea was ranked 24th out of 180 countries in the World Press Freedom Index This is a significant improvement from 2005, when South Korea was ranked 73rd

III Political System in Indonesia

1 Structure of Indonesia's Political System The Indonesian political system is a republican republic, and the Indonesian Republic is a federal state in which the authorities are concentrated in the hands of the central government The Republic of Indonesia was born in 1945 after a long period of Dutch colonial rule and Japanese occupation during the Second World War The Founding Fathers established the form of a central government or a federal state to unify the Indonesian people from a diverse ethnic, religious and cultural mix distributed to thousands of islands

Indonesia is a diverse and complex country in Southeast Asia with a unique political system The structure of the political system in Indonesia can be described as a presidential republic with elements of a multiparty democracy It has undergone significant changes over the years, particularly after the fall of the authoritarian regime of President Suharto in 1998

Executive Branch:

The President of Indonesia is both the head of state and the head of government The president is elected through a direct popular vote for a maximum of two five-year terms The president has significant powers, including the authority to appoint and dismiss ministers, formulate policies, and represent the country internationally The president appoints a cabinet, which consists of ministers responsible for various government departments The cabinet assists the president in policy implementation and administration

Legislative Branch:

People's Consultative Assembly (MPR): The MPR is the highest legislative body in Indonesia and is responsible for amending the constitution and discussing major national issues It consists of two chambers:

The Regional Representative Council (DPD): Members of the DPD represent the various regions of Indonesia They do not participate in the legislative process but have the authority to discuss regional autonomy and give input on national legislation

The People's Representative Council (DPR): The DPR is the lower house, and its members are elected by the people It is responsible for making and passing legislation

Political Parties:

Indonesia has a multi-party system, with numerous political parties representing a wide range of ideologies and interests Some of the prominent parties include the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), Golkar, Gerindra, and the Democratic Party

The judicial system in Indonesia is independent and has several levels, with the Supreme Court at the top The Constitutional Court is responsible for ensuring the constitutionality of laws and regulations The judiciary plays a crucial role in upholding the rule of law

Local Government:

Indonesia is divided into provinces, regencies, and cities, each with its own local government Local governments have a degree of autonomy, and local leaders, such as governors and mayors, are elected by the people They are responsible for managing local affairs, infrastructure, and development

Elections:

Indonesia conducts regular elections, including presidential, legislative, and regional elections Presidential and legislative elections are held every five years The most recent presidential election was in 2019, and the next one should be in 2024 Regional elections, including gubernatorial and mayoral elections, are held at various times based on local schedules

Challenges:

Indonesia faces several political challenges, including issues related to corruption, religious and ethnic tensions, economic disparities, and environmental concerns The government works to address these challenges through various policies and initiatives

2 Function of Political System in Indonesia The political system of Indonesia is characterized by its dynamic and diverse nature, shaped by a complex interplay of historical, cultural, and institutional factors As the world's fourth most populous nation and the largest archipelago, Indonesia's political landscape reflects its vast ethnic, linguistic, and religious diversity The political system operates within the framework of a presidential republic, where the President serves as both the head of state and government The Constitution of Indonesia, adopted in 1945, provides the fundamental principles that guide the political structure, emphasizing the Pancasila, a set of five foundational principles including belief in one God, just and civilized humanity, the unity of Indonesia, democracy guided by consensus, and social justice

The political function of Indonesia's system is to foster stability and unity in the midst of diversity The country's history has been marked by periods of colonial rule, followed by a struggle for independence, and subsequent efforts to build a democratic nation The political system plays a crucial role in managing the challenges associated with this diversity, seeking to accommodate various ethnicities, languages, and religions The system promotes democratic governance, with