State Council (South Korea)
Overview
The State Council is the highest policy-making body of the South Korean executive branch. It is presided over by the President and composed of the Prime Minister and ministers of each department. In accordance with the Constitution and the Government Organization Act, it deliberates on important national policies, bills, and budget proposals, and decides on important matters belonging to the President's authority. The State Council is a key body that enhances the unity and accountability of the government through collegial decision-making under the presidential system.
Main Content
Composition
The State Council is composed of the President, the Prime Minister, and the ministers of each government department. The President serves as the chairperson of the State Council, and the Prime Minister serves as the vice chairperson. According to Article 88 of the Constitution, the State Council members consist of the Prime Minister and the ministers of each administrative department, and their number is set between 15 and 30. Currently, it consists of the Prime Minister and the ministers of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the Ministry of Science and ICT, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Unification, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the Ministry of Employment and Labor, the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries. In addition, if the President deems it necessary, heads of related agencies or special envoys may attend the meeting, but only State Council members have voting rights.
Functions
The State Council deliberates and decides on important state affairs prescribed by the Constitution and laws. Its main functions include major government policies, submission and amendment of bills, the President's emergency orders and dispositions, conclusion and ratification of treaties, budget proposals and settlement of accounts, and important matters of each administrative department. Furthermore, the State Council is an essential body for unified policy decision-making and coordination within the government. It serves to check the President's arbitrariness and promote collegial decision-making. Items that have passed deliberation by the State Council are finalized with the President's approval, and some matters are submitted to the National Assembly.
Operating Procedures
The State Council is convened by the President. The President, as chairperson, presides over the meeting, and the Prime Minister, as vice chairperson, assists in the proceedings. Meetings are divided into regular sessions and extraordinary sessions. Regular sessions are held once a week, usually on Tuesdays. Extraordinary sessions may be convened by the President or the Prime Minister when necessary. Agenda items are submitted by each administrative department and the Office of the Prime Minister, and decisions are made through discussion and voting at the meeting. A decision is made by the attendance of a majority of all members and the approval of a majority of members present. However, if the votes are tied, the matter is not decided, and the chairperson exercises the right to vote. The meetings are not open to the public, but the minutes are in principle disclosed. However, matters that could significantly affect national security or diplomatic relations may not be disclosed.
Historical Background
The State Council has existed since the establishment of the South Korean government. The State Council was established around the President under the first Constitution of 1948, and its status and authority have changed through several constitutional amendments. In particular, the fifth constitutional amendment of 1962 introduced cabinet-system elements and emphasized the role of the State Council, and the State Council has been maintained even after the presidential system was firmly established by the 1987 amendment. The current State Council functions to complement collective decision-making alongside the President's strong authority.
Recent Trends
As of 2024, the Yoon Suk-yeol administration is deliberating on various key state affairs and bills through the State Council. Recently, it has handled major agenda items such as measures to stabilize people's livelihoods in response to the economic crisis, real estate policies, and strategies to address low birth rates and an aging population. In addition, as part of the government's digital transformation efforts, the State Council is expanding the online provision of meeting materials and the introduction of an electronic voting system. In 2025, there are also moves to improve the operation of the State Council to strengthen cooperation with the National Assembly and promote swift policy implementation. In particular, as the importance of the State Council directly chaired by the President is emphasized, major policies are being decided and implemented quickly.
Related Topics
- [[President of South Korea]]
- [[Prime Minister of South Korea]]
- [[Government Organization Act]]
- [[Functions of the State Council]]