Article 1(Purpose) #
The purpose of this Act is to provide for the appointment and authority of those who have power, for particular purposes, to negotiate with foreign governments or international organizations, to attend international conferences, or to sign or initial treaties on behalf of the Government (hereinafter referred to as "Government delegate") and of those who have power to attend important ceremonies held in foreign countries, to convey the positions and ideas of the Government to foreign governments or international organizations, to negotiate with foreign governments or international organizations, or to attend international conferences for particular purposes (hereinafter referred to as "special envoy"), and other necessary matters therefor.
[This Article Wholly Amended on May 20, 2010]
Article 2(Representation of Government) #
Except as provided for in this Act or other Acts, no person shall conduct acts specified in Article 1 on behalf of the Government.
[This Article Wholly Amended on May 20, 2010]
Article 3(Minister of Foreign Affairs) #
The Minister of Foreign Affairs shall represent the Government in negotiating with foreign governments or international organizations, attending international conferences, or signing or initialing treaties. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>
[This Article Wholly Amended on May 20, 2010]
[Title Amended on Mar. 23, 2013]
Article 4(Heads of diplomatic missions abroad) #
A head of diplomatic mission abroad of the Republic of Korea who is an ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary shall be the Government delegate in negotiations with foreign governments or international organizations which have received his or her credentials. <Amended on Mar. 31, 2020>
[This Article Wholly Amended on May 20, 2010]
Article 5(Appointment of Government Delegates) #
(1) Except as provided for in Articles 3 and 4, a Government delegate shall be appointed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs; provided, the government delegate who negotiates with foreign governments or international organizations about important matters, attends important international conferences, or signs or initials important treaties, shall be appointed by the President through the Prime Minister upon the recommendation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>
(2) A special envoy shall be appointed by the President through the Prime Minister upon the recommendation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>
(3) Full power or credentials granted to a Government delegate appointed in accordance with the main sentence of paragraph (1), shall be signed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and full power or credentials granted to a Government delegate or a special envoy appointed in accordance with the proviso to paragraph (1), or with paragraph (2), shall be signed by the President and countersigned by the Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs: Provided, That they may be signed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs according to international practices. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>
[This Article Wholly Amended on May 20, 2010]
Article 5-2(Designation of External Official Titles) #
If deemed necessary, the President may designate an external official title of ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary or of ambassador for a Government delegate or a special envoy after the deliberation by the State Council upon the recommendation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>
[This Article Wholly Amended on May 20, 2010]
Article 6(Direction and supervision by government) #
Diplomatic negotiations proceeded by a Government delegate shall be directed and supervised by the Minister of Foreign Affairs. The opinions of the Minister of Foreign Affairs shall also be heard with respect to the works in connection with economic coordination with foreign countries or international economic institutions in the Republic of Korea. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>
[This Article Wholly Amended on May 20, 2010]
Article 7(Chief Government Delegates) #
(1) Where two or more Government delegates or special envoys are appointed, the order of rank for them shall be decided, and a chief Government delegate or chief special envoy shall be nominated.
(2) A chief Government delegate or chief special envoy shall direct and supervise other delegates or special envoys and shall represent the Government delegation or special mission, respectively.
[This Article Wholly Amended on May 20, 2010]
Article 8(Execution of duties by proxy) #
When a chief Government delegate or chief special envoy is unable to conduct his or her duties due to unavoidable causes, the person next to him or her in rank shall execute the duties on his or her behalf.
[This Article Wholly Amended on May 20, 2010]
Article 9(Suite) #
If deemed necessary, the Minister of Foreign Affairs shall appoint advisors, specialists, assistants, or other suites to have them assist the Government delegates or special envoys. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>
[This Article Wholly Amended on May 20, 2010]
Article 10(Dismissal) #
(1) Except as particularly provided for in any other Acts, a Government delegate or special envoy and his or her suite shall be released from office as at the time his or her mission is complete.
(2) When a Government delegate or special envoy designated with an external official title of ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary or of ambassador in accordance with Article 5-2 is released from office pursuant to paragraph (1), the designation of the external official title of ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary or ambassador shall lose its validity.
[This Article Wholly Amended on May 20, 2010]
Article 11(Special Cases concerning Appointment of Government Delegates for Negotiation to Conclude Commercial Treaties) #
(1) Notwithstanding Article 5 (1), government delegates for the negotiation to conclude commercial treaties under subparagraph 1 of Article 2 of the Act on the Conclusion Procedure and Implementation of Commercial Treaties shall be appointed in compliance with the following conditions: <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>
1. In cases referred to in the main sentence of Article 5 (1), government delegates shall be appointed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs upon the request of the Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources;
2. In cases referred to in the proviso to Article 5 (1), government delegates shall be appointed by the President through the Prime Minister upon the request of the Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources.
(2) Notwithstanding the Article 5 (3), full power or credentials granted to Government delegates appointed pursuant to the paragraph (1) 2 shall be signed by the President and countersigned by the Prime Minister and the Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources. In such cases, they may be signed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs according to international practices. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>
(3) Notwithstanding the former part of Article 6, trade negotiations proceeded by the Government delegates appointed under paragraph (1) shall be directed and supervised by the Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources. In such cases, he or she shall notify the Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources of the details of direction and supervision for such negotiations in advance. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>
(4) Where the Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources intends to agree on the draft of a commercial treaty, or initial such a treaty, he or she shall hear opinions of the Minister of Foreign Affairs in advance. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>
[This Article Added on Mar. 23, 2013]