GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION ACT

Article 1(Purpose) #

The purpose of this Act is to prescribe the outline for the establishment and organization of national administrative agencies and the scope of functions thereof in order to perform national administrative affairs systematically and efficiently.

Article 2(Establishment and organization of central administrative agencies) #

(1) The establishment and scope of functions of a central administrative agency shall be prescribed by statutes.

(2) The central administrative agency shall consist of the Ministry, Administration, and Agency or Office or Service established pursuant to this Act and administrative agencies in the following subparagraphs, and the central administrative agency shall not be established without following this Act and the statutes in the following subparagraphs: <Amended on Jun. 9, 2020; Aug. 11, 2020; Dec. 29, 2020; Jan. 26, 2024; Oct. 1, 2025>

1. The Korea Media Communications Commission provided for in Article 3 of the Act on the Establishment and Operation of Korea Media Communications Commission;

2. The Fair Trade Commission provided for in Article 54 of the Monopoly Regulation and Fair Trade Act;

3. The Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission provided for in Article 11 of the Act on the Prevention of Corruption and the Establishment and Management of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission;

4. The Financial Services Commission Article 3 of the Act on the Establishment of Financial Services Commission;

5. The Personal Information Protection Commission provided for in Article 7 of the Personal Information Protection Act;

6. The Nuclear Safety and Security Commission established under Article 3 of the Act on the Establishment and Operation of the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission;

7. The Space and Aeronautics Administration established under Article 6 of the Special Act on Establishment and Operation of the Space and Aeronautics Administration;

8. The National Agency for Administration City Construction established under Article 38 of the Special Act on the Construction of Administrative City in Yeongi-Gongju Area for Follow-Up Measures for New Administrative Capital;

9. The Saemangeum Development and Investment Agency established under Article 34 of the Special Act on Promotion and Support for Saemangeum Project.

(3) Except as otherwise provided in this Act or other statutues, the subsidiary bodies of central administrative agencies shall consist of Vice Ministers, Vice Commissioners, Deputy Ministers, Directors General, and Directors; provided, that the titles of Deputy Ministers, Directors General, and Directors may be otherwise designated as Deputy Ministers, Directors General, heads of teams, or the like, as prescribed by Presidential Decree, and such subsidiary bodies with alternate titles shall be deemed Deputy Ministers, Directors General, and Directors, respectively, for the purposes of applying this Act.

(4) Except as provided by statutes, the establishment and assignment of duties of the subsidiary bodies under paragraph (3) shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree; provided, the establishment and assignment of duties of divisions may be prescribed by Prime Ministerial Decree or Ministerial Decree.

(5) Each Ministry may have an assistant deputy minister, who shall directly assist the Minister and Vice Minister (including the heads of offices in the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy under Articles 37(3) and 41(2)) in specified duties prescribed by Presidential Decree; each central administrative agency may have assisting bodies under the head of the agency, Vice Minister (including the heads of offices in the Ministry of Science and ICT, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, and the Ministry of Employment and Labor under Articles 31(2), 37(3), 41(2), and 44(2)), and the deputy heads, directors, and director general to assist them in formulating policies, drafting plans, conducting research, surveys, examinations, evaluations, public relations activities, etc., as prescribed by Presidential Decree; provided, an assisting agency corresponding to a division may be prescribed by Prime Ministerial Decree or Ministerial Decree. <Amended on Jul. 26, 2017; Jun. 9, 2020; Mar. 4, 2023; Oct. 1, 2025>

(6) The posts of subsidiary bodies and assisting bodies of the central administrative agencies shall be assumed by public officials in general service, public officials in special service (only limited to police officials and educational officials), or public officials in extraordinary civil service, unless otherwise provided for in this Act or other statutes; posts of subsidiary bodies and assisting bodies of the central administrative agencies referred to in each of the following subparagraphs may be assumed by public officials in special service in the categories of following subparagarphs, as prescribed by Presidential Decree; provided, each central administrative agency shall not have more than one Director General who is a public official in special service: <Amended on Jun. 9, 2020; Mar. 4, 2023>

1. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Overseas Koreans Administration: Foreign service officials;

2. The Ministry of Justice: Prosecutors;

3. The Ministry of National Defense, the Military Manpower Administration, and the Defense Acquisition Program Administration: Active servicemen;

4. Positions in charge of safety and disaster affairs in the Ministry of the Interior and Safety: Firefighting officials;

5. The National Fire Agency: Firefighting officials.

(7) Where a person is appointed to a subsidiary or assisting body of a central administrative agency under paragraph (6), the positions of Deputy Minister, Director General, and assisting bodies equivalent thereto shall be filled by public officials belonging to the Senior Executive Service or by equivalent public officials in a specified service; and the rank of Directors and assisting bodies equivalent thereto shall be as prescribed by Presidential Decree. <Amended on Jun. 9, 2020>

(8) Among positions filled by public officials in general or special service pursuant to paragraphs (6) and (7), where expertise is deemed especially necessary in consideration of the nature of duties, positions up to 20/100 prescribed by Presidential Decree for each central administrative agency may be filled by public officials appointed with a fixed period of service. <Amended on Dec. 24, 2013>

(9) In the case of public officials appointed to subsidiary or assisting bodies of administrative agencies other than central administrative agencies, or to seconded positions (referring to positions filled by seconded public officials), the positions of Deputy Minister, Director General, and assisting bodies equivalent thereto shall be filled by public officials belonging to the Senior Executive Service or by equivalent public officials in a specified service, and the rank of Directors and assisting bodies equivalent thereto shall be as prescribed by Presidential Decree. <Amended on Jun. 9, 2020>

(10) Appropriate job classes or classes of duty shall be allocated to the Deputy Ministers, subsidiary bodies and assisting bodies of central administrative agencies and of non-central administrative agencies. <Amended on Jun. 9, 2020>

Article 3(Establishment of special local administrative agencies) #

(1) If the performance of duties so requires, each central administrative agency may have local administrative agencies under its jurisdiction as prescribed by Presidential Decree, unless otherwise prescribed by statutes.

(2) Where a local administrative agency under paragraph (1) deems that performance of duties after consolidating its duties with those of a central administrative agency is efficient in view of the relevance of duties or regional characteristics, it may perform combined duties, as prescribed by Presidential Decree.

Article 4(Establishment of affiliated bodies) #

Pursuant to Presidential Decree, administrative agencies may establish test and research institutes, education and training institutes, cultural institutes, medical institutes, factories, consultative bodies, etc. if necessary for duties.

Article 5(Establishment of representative administrative agencies) #

Where needs arise to perform part of duties independently, an administrative agency may establish a representative administrative agency, such as administrative committee, etc., as prescribed by statutes.

Article 6(Delegation or entrustment of authority) #

(1) Administrative agencies may delegate some duties to subsidiary bodies or subordinate administrative agencies, or entrust or delegate them to other administrative agencies, local governments, or subsidiary bodies or subordinate administrative agencies thereof, as prescribed by statutes. In such cases, if particularly necessary, agencies or bodies delegated or entrusted with part of such duties may re-delegate part of delegated or entrusted duties to their subsidiary bodies or subordinate administrative agencies, as prescribed by statutes.

(2) With respect to duties delegated pursuant to paragraph (1), a subsidiary body shall implement duties in the capacity of administrative agency within the scope of delegation.

(3) An administrative agency may entrust its duties not directly public rights and obligations of the people, such as surveys, inspections, authentication, management, etc., to a juristic person or organization that is not a local government, an organ thereof or private person, as prescribed by statutes.

Article 7(Statutory authority of heads of administrative agencies) #

(1) The head of each administrative agency shall take overall charge of relevant duties, and direct and supervise public officials associated with his or her administrative agency.

(2) A Vice Minister (including Deputy Ministers of the Ministry of Science and ICT, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, and Ministry of Employment and Labor under Articles 31(2), 37(3), 41(2), and 44(2); hereafter in this Article the same shall apply) or a Vice Commissioner (including the Vice Commissioner of the Office for Government Policy Coordination; hereafter in this Article the same shall apply) shall assist the head of the agency in handling affairs under their jurisdiction, direct and supervise subordinate public officials, and, where the head of the agency is unable to perform their duties due to an accident, act on their behalf; provided, where there are 2 or more Vice Ministers or Vice Commissioners, they shall act on behalf of the head in the order prescribed by Presidential Decree. <Amended on Nov. 19, 2014; Jul. 26, 2017; Mar. 4, 2023; Oct. 1, 2025>

(3) The subsidiary bodies of each administrative agency shall assist the head, Vice Minister, or Vice Administrator of the agency, administer relevant duties and direct and supervise subordinate public officials.

(4) In cases falling under paragraphs (1) and (2), he or she may directly direct the head of subordinate agency associated with his or her agency in formulating important policies.

(5) The head of a Ministry may request the Prime Minister to coordinate the duties of other administrative agencies related to his or her duties if necessary for the efficient fulfillment of his or her duties.

Article 8(Prescribed number of public officials) #

(1) The kinds and prescribed number of public officials to be assigned to each administrative agency, positions to be filled by public officials in the Senior Executive Service, prescribed number of public officials in the Senior Executive Service, standards and procedures for assigning public officials, and other necessary matters shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree; provided, the case of assigning public officials in political service to each administrative agency (excluding public officials in political service assigned to the Office of the President and the National Security Office) shall be prescribed by statutes.

(2) In cases falling under paragraph (1), if managing the prescribed number of public officials by combining those of two or more administrative agencies is deemed efficient in consideration of the nature of duties, consolidated management may be allowed.

Article 9(Taking actions in parallel with budgetary measures) #

If an administrative agency or affiliated agency is to be established or the prescribed number of public officials is to be increased, budgetary measures shall be taken in accordingly.

Article 10(Government delegates) #

The Minister and Vice Ministers of the Office for Government Policy Coordination, and the Ministers, Vice Ministers, Administrators, Vice Administrators, Deputy Ministers, Director Generals and Assistant Ministers of the Ministry, Administration, and Agency or Office or Services, and the Heads of Headquarters Offices assigned to the Ministry of Science and ICT, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources, and the Ministry of Employment and Labor under Articles 31 (2), 37 (3), 41 (2), and 44 (2) shall be government delegates. <Amended on Nov. 19, 2014; Jul. 26, 2017; Mar. 4, 2023; Oct. 1, 2025>

Article 11(President's administrative supervisory authority) #

(1) The President as the head of the Government shall direct and supervise the heads of all central administrative agencies, as prescribed by statutes.

(2) If the President deems any order or disposition issued by the Prime Minister or the head of a central administrative agency unlawful or unjust, he or she may suspend or cancel it.

Article 12(The State Council) #

(1) The President as the Chairperson of the State Council shall call and chair the meetings of the State Council.

(2) Where the Chairperson is unable to perform any of his or her official duties due to any extenuating circumstance, the Prime Minister, who is the Vice Chairperson, shall perform such duties on behalf of the Chairperson; where both the Chairperson and the Vice Chairperson are unable to perform the official duties of the Chairperson due to any extenuating circumstance, the Deputy Prime Minister who concurrently holds the office of the Minister of Finance and Economy, the Deputy Prime Minister who concurrently holds office as the Minister of Science and ICT and a member of the State Council according to the order of precedence prescribed in Article 29(1) shall perform such duties on behalf of the Chairperson. <Amended on Nov. 19, 2014; Oct. 1, 2025>

(3) The members of the State Council shall be public officials in political service, and may submit items for deliberation and discussion to the Chairperson and request the Chairperson to call a meeting of the State Council.

(4) Matters necessary for the operation of the State Council shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.

Article 13(Right to attend meetings of State Council and present items for deliberation and discussion) #

(1) The Minister of the Office for Government Policy Coordination, the Minister of Personnel Management, the Minister of Government Legislation, the Minister of Food and Drug Safety, Ministry of Data and Statistics, Ministry of Intellectual Property, and other public officials prescribed by statutes may attend the State Council and express their opinions, if necessary. <Amended on Nov. 19, 2014; Jul. 26, 2017; Mar. 4, 2023; Oct. 1, 2025>

(2) Public officials prescribed in paragraph (1) may propose that the Prime Minister submit items for deliberation and discussion related to their duties to the State Council.

Article 14(Office of the President) #

(1) Office of the President shall be established to assist the President in performing his or her official duties.

(2) The Office of the President shall have a Chief of Staff who is a public official in political service.

Article 15(National Security Office) #

(1) The National Security Office shall be established to assist the President in performing his or her official duties concerning national security.

(2) The National Security Office shall have one Chief who is a public official in political service.

Article 16(Presidential Security Service) #

(1) The Presidential Security Service shall be established to take charge of the security of the President. <Amended on Jul. 26, 2017>

(2) The Presidential Security Service shall be headed by a public official in political service. <Amended on Jul. 26, 2017>

(3) The organization and scope of functions of the Presidential Security Service and other necessary matters shall be prescribed by separate statutes. <Amended on Jul. 26, 2017>

[Title Amended on Jul. 26, 2017]

Article 17(National Intelligence Service) #

(1) The National Intelligence Service shall be established under the President to take charge of information and security duties related to national security. <Amended on Dec. 15, 2020>

(2) The organization and scope of functions of the National Intelligence Service and other necessary matters shall be prescribed by separate statutes.

Article 18(Prime Minister's administrative supervisory authority) #

(1) The Prime Minister shall direct and supervise the heads of central administrative agencies under orders from the President.

(2) Where an order or disposition issued by the head of a central administrative agency is deemed unlawful or unjust, the Prime Minister may suspend or revoke such order or disposition with the approval of the President.

Article 19(Deputy Prime Minister) #

(1) Two Deputy Prime Ministers shall be appointed to perform duties specifically commissioned by the Prime Minister. <Amended on Nov. 19, 2014>

(2) Deputy Prime Ministers shall be the members of the State Council.

(3) The Minister of Economy and Finance and the Minister of Science and ICT shall concurrently hold office as Deputy Prime Ministers. <Amended on Nov. 19, 2014; Oct. 1, 2025>

(4) The Minister of Finance and Economy shall exercise overall control over and coordinate economic policies of relevant central administrative agencies under the direction of the Prime Minister. <Added on Nov. 19, 2014; Oct. 1, 2025>

(5) The Minister of Science and ICT shall exercise overall control over and coordinate policies on science and technology and artificial intelligence under the direction of the Prime Minister. <Added on Nov. 19, 2014; Oct. 1, 2025>

Article 20(Office for Government Policy Coordination) #

(1) Office for Government Policy Coordination shall be established under the Prime Minister to assist him or her in administrative direction and supervision, coordination of policies, management of social risks and conflicts, evaluation of governmental duties, and regulatory reform.

(2) The Office for Government Policy Coordination shall have a Deputy Minister, who is a public official in political service.

(3) The Office for Government Policy Coordination shall have 2 Vice Ministers, who are public officials in political service.

Article 21(Prime Minister’s Secretariat) #

(1) The Prime Minister’s Secretariat shall be established to assist the Prime Minister in performing his or her official duties.

(2) The Prime Minister’s Secretariat shall have one Chief of Staff, who is a public official in political service.

Article 22(Vicarious performance of duties of Prime Minister) #

If the Prime Minister is unable to perform any of his or her official duties due to any extenuating circumstance, the Minister of Finance and Economy who concurrently holds the office of the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Science and ICT who concurrently holds office as the Deputy Prime Minister shall perform such duties on behalf of the Prime Minister in the order of precedence; where the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Ministers are unable to perform such duties, if the President designate a member of the State Council, the designated member of shall act on behalf of the Prime Minister, or if the President has not designated anyone, a member of the State Council in the order of precedence prescribed in Article 29 (1) shall act on behalf of the Prime Minister. <Amended on Nov. 19, 2014; Oct. 1, 2025>

Article 22-2 #

Deleted. <Mar. 4, 2023>

Article 23(Ministry of Planning and Budget) #

(1) The Ministry of Planning and Budget shall be established under the Prime Minister to administer duties concerning the establishment of mid- and long-term national development strategies, formulation of financial policies, organization, execution, and performance management of budgets and funds, private investment, and national debts.

(2) The Ministry of Planning and Budget shall have one Minister and one Vice Minister; the Minister shall be appointed as a member of the State Council, and the Vice Minister shall be a public official in political service.

[This Article Added on Oct. 1, 2025]

[Previous Article 23 moved to Article 25 <Oct. 1, 2025>]

Article 24(Ministry of Personnel Management) #

(1) The Ministry of Personnel Management shall be established under the jurisdiction of the Prime Minister to take charge of affairs concerning personnel, ethics, services and pensions of public officials.

(2) The Minister of Personnel Management shall have one Minister and one Vice Minister; the Minister shall be a public official in political service and the Vice Minister shall be appointed from among members in general service of the Senior Executive Service.

[This Article Added on Nov. 19, 2014]

[Moved from Article 22-3 <Oct. 1, 2025>]

Article 25(Ministry of Government Legislation) #

(1) In order to expertly administer the review of Bills, draft statutes, draft treaties, draft Prime Ministerial Decree, and draft Ministerial Decrees to be submitted to the State Council and other duties concerning legislation, Ministry of Government Legislation shall be established under the Prime Minister.

(2) The Ministry of Government Legislation shall have 1 Minister and 1 Vice Minister; the Minister shall be a political appointee, and the Vice Minister shall be filled by a public official in general service who is a member of the Senior Executive Service. <Amended on Dec. 24, 2013>

[Moved from Article 23; previous Article 25 moved to Article 26 <Oct. 1, 2025>]

Article 26(Ministry of Food and Drug Safety) #

(1) In order to administer duties concerning the safety of foods and drugs, Ministry of Food and Drug Safety shall be established under the Prime Minister.

(2) The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety shall have 1 Minister and 1 Vice Minister; the Minister shall be a public official in political service and the Vice Minister shall be appointed from among members in general service of the Senior Executive Service. <Amended on Dec. 24, 2013>

[Moved from Article 23; Previous Article 25 moved to Article 26 <Oct. 1, 2025>]

Article 27(Ministry of Data and Statistics) #

(1) The Ministry of Data and Statistics shall be established under the Prime Minister to administer duties concerning the establishment of statistical standards, censuses, the supervision and coordination of statistics and data, and various statistics.

(2) The Ministry of Data and Statistics shall have one Minister and one Vice Minister; the Minister shall be a public official in political service and the Vice Minister shall be appointed from among members in general service of the Senior Executive Service.

[This Article Added on Oct. 1, 2025]

[Previous Article 27 moved to Article 30 <Oct. 1, 2025>]

Article 28(Ministry of Intellectual Property) #

(1) The Ministry of Intellectual Property shall be established under the jurisdiction of the Prime Minister to administer affairs related to intellectual property and the examination and adjudication thereof.

(2) The Ministry of Intellectual Property shall have one Minister and one Vice Minister; the Minister shall be a public official in political service and the Vice Minister shall be appointed from among members in general service of the Senior Executive Service.

[This Article Added on Oct. 1, 2025]

[Previous Article 28 moved to Article 32 <Oct. 1, 2025>]

Article 29(Executive Ministries) #

(1) The following executive Ministries shall be established under the control of the President: <Amended on Nov. 19, 2014; Jul. 26, 2017; Mar. 4, 2023; Oct. 1, 2025>

1. Ministry of Finance and Economy;

2. The Ministry of Science and ICT;

3. The Ministry of Education;

4. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs;

5. The Ministry of Unification;

6. The Ministry of Justice;

7. The Ministry of National Defense;

8. The Ministry of the Interior and Safety;

9. The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs;

10. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism;

11. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs;

12. The Ministry of Trade,Industry and Resources;

13. The Ministry of Health and Welfare;

14. Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment;

15. The Ministry of Employment and Labor;

16. The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family;

17. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport;

18. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries;

19. The Ministry of SMEs and Startups.

(2) Each Ministry shall have one Minister and one Vice Minister; the Ministers shall be appointed as a member of the State Council, and the Vice Ministers shall be public officials in political service; provided, the Ministry of Finance and Economy, the Ministry of Science and ICT, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and the Ministry of SMEs and Startups shall each have two Vice Ministers. <Amended on Nov. 19, 2014; Jul. 26, 2017; Aug. 11, 2020; Jul. 8, 2021; Oct. 1, 2025>

(3) The Ministers shall direct and control the heads of local administrative agencies concerning relevant duties.

[Moved from Article 26; Previous Article 29 moved to Article 31 <Oct. 1, 2025>]

Article 30(Ministry of Finance and Economy) #

(1) The Minister of Finance and Economy shall administer duties concerning the formulation, overall control and coordination of economic policies, currency, foreign exchange, National Treasury, government accounting, internal tax system, customs, international finance, management of public institutions, economic cooperation and State property. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(2) The Ministry of Finance and Economy may have one Deputy Minister. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(3) The National Tax Service shall be established under the Minister of Finance and Economy to manage duties concerning the imposition, reduction and collection of internal taxes and exemption therefrom. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(4) The National Tax Service shall have one Commissioner and one Vice Commissioner; the Commissioner shall be a public official in political service and the Vice Commissioner shall be appointed from among members in general service of the Senior Executive Service. <Amended on Dec. 24, 2013>

(5) The Korea Customs Service shall be established under the Minister of Finance and Economy to manage duties concerning the imposition, reduction and collection of customs duties and exemption therefrom, inspection of imports and exports, and regulation of smuggling.

(6) The Korea Customs Service shall have one Commissioner and one Deputy Commissioner; the Commissioner shall be a public official in political service and the Deputy Commissioner shall be appointed from among members in general service of the Senior Executive Service. <Amended on Dec. 24, 2013>

(7) In order to administer duties concerning the procurement, supply, and management of goods (excluding military supplies) conducted by the Government, and contracts for the construction of important facilities of the Government, Public Procurement Service shall be established under the Minister of Finance and Economy. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(8) The Public Procurement Service shall have one Administrator and one Vice Administrator; the Administrator shall be a public official in political service and the Vice Administrator shall be appointed from among members in general service of the Senior Executive Service. <Amended on Dec. 24, 2013>

(9) Deleted. <Oct. 1, 2025>

(10) Deleted. <Oct. 1, 2025>

[Title Amended on Oct. 1, 2025]

[Moved from Article 27; Previous Article 30 moved to Article 33 <Oct. 1, 2025>]

Article 31(Ministry of Science and ICT) #

(1) The Minister of Science and ICT shall take charge of affairs concerning the formulation, overall control, coordination, and evaluation of policies on science and technology, research and development, cooperation in and promotion of science and technology, training of scientific and technical personnel, research, development, production and utilization of nuclear energy, artificial intelligence policies, planning of national informatization, protection of information, information culture, convergence of broadcasting and communications, promotion of communications and regulation of radio airwaves, information and communications industries, postal service, postal money orders and postal transfers. <Amended on Jul. 26, 2017; Oct. 1, 2025>

(2) The Ministry of Science and ICT shall have 1 Deputy Minister in charge of affairs concerning scientific and technological advancements; the Deputy Minister shall be a public official in political service. <Added on Jul. 26, 2017>

[Title Amended on Jul. 26, 2017]

[Moved from Article 29; Previous Article 31 moved to Article 34 <Oct. 1, 2025>]

Article 32(Ministry of Education) #

(1) The Minister of Education shall take charge of affairs concerning policies on the development of human resources, childcare and education for infants and young children, school education, lifelong education, and academic affairs. <Amended on Dec. 26, 2023>

(2) The Ministry of Education may have one Assistant Minister.

[Moved from Article 28; Previous Article 32 moved to Article 35 <Oct. 1, 2025>]

Article 33(Ministry of Foreign Affairs) #

(1) The Minister of Foreign Affairs shall administer duties concerning diplomacy, economic diplomacy, diplomacy for international economic cooperation, coordination of duties regarding international relations, treaties and other international agreements, protection of and support for Korean nationals abroad, and research and analysis of international circumstances. <Amended on Mar. 4, 2023>

(2) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs may have one Deputy Minister.

(3) In order to administer duties concerning overseas Koreans, the Overseas Koreans Administration shall be established under the Minister of Foreign Affairs. <Added on Mar. 4, 2023>

(4) The Overseas Koreans Administration shall have one Administrator and one Vice Administrator; the Administrator shall be a public official in political service and the Vice Administrator shall be appointed from among members in general service of the Senior Executive Service. <Added on Mar. 4, 2023>

[Moved from Article 30; Previous Article 33 moved to Article 36 <Oct. 1, 2025>]

Article 34(Ministry of Unification) #

The Minister of Unification shall administer policies on unification, and dialogue, exchanges and cooperation between the South and North, education on unification, and other duties on unification.

[Moved from Article 31; Previous Article 34 moved to Article 37 <Oct. 1, 2025>]

Article 35(Ministry of Justice) #

(1) The Minister of Justice shall administer duties concerning prosecution, enforcement of sentences, protection of human rights, immigration control, and other legal matters. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(2) An indictment office shall be established under the Minister of Justice to administer duties concerning public prosecutors. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(3) The organization and the scope of duties of the indictment office, and other necessary matters shall be otherwise prescribed by separate statutes. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

[Moved from Article 32; Previous Article 35 moved to Article 38 <Oct. 1, 2025>]

Article 36(Ministry of National Defense) #

(1) The Minister of National Defense shall administer military administration, military command and other military duties.

(2) The Ministry of National Defense may have one Deputy Minister.

(3) In order to administer duties concerning enlistment, mobilization, and other duties of military administration, Military Manpower Administration shall be established under the Minister of National Defense.

(4) The Military Manpower Administration shall have one Administrator and one Deputy Administrator; the Administrator shall be a public official in political service and the Vice Administrator shall be appointed from among members in general service of the Senior Executive Service. <Amended on Dec. 24, 2013>

(5) In order to administer duties concerning defense improvement projects, procurement of military supplies, and promotion of defense industry, Defense Acquisition Program Administration shall be established under the Minister of National Defense.

(6) The Defense Acquisition Program Administration shall have one Administrator and one Vice Administrator; the Administrator shall be a public official in political service and the Deputy Administrator shall be appointed from among members in general service of the Senior Executive Service <Amended on Dec. 24, 2013>

[Moved from Article 33; Previous Article 36 moved to Article 39. <Oct. 1, 2025>]

Article 37(Ministry of the Interior and Safety) #

(1) The Minister of the Interior and Safety shall take charge of affairs concerning general affairs of the State Council, promulgation of statutes and treaties, government organization and prescribed numbers of public officials, awards and decorations, government reformation, administrative efficiency, electronic government, maintenance of government buildings, local government systems, support for business, finance and taxation of local governments, support for underdeveloped regions, mediation of disputes among local governments, support for elections and referendums, establishment, management and coordination of security and disaster relief policies, emergency preparedness, civil defense, and disaster prevention. <Amended on Nov. 19, 2014; Jul. 26, 2017; Feb. 4, 2020>

(2) The Minister of the Interior and Safety shall deal with administrative affairs of the Government which do not fall under the jurisdiction of other central administrative agencies. <Amended on Nov. 19, 2014; Jul. 26, 2017>

(3) The Ministry of the Interior and Safety shall have Deputy Minister in charge of affairs concerning disaster and safety management; the Deputy Minister shall be a public official in political service. <Added on Jul. 26, 2017>

(4) The Ministry of the Interior and Safety may have one Assistant Minister. <Amended on Nov. 19, 2014; Jul. 26, 2017>

(5) In order to take charge of affairs concerning public order and security, the National Police Agency shall be established under the jurisdiction of the Minister of the Interior and Safety. <Amended on Nov. 19, 2014; Jul. 26, 2017>

(6) The organization and the scope of duties of the National Police Agency, and other necessary matters shall be otherwise prescribed by separate statutes. <Amended on Jul. 26, 2017>

(7) In order to take charge of affairs concerning fire service, the National Fire Agency shall be established under the jurisdiction of the Minister of the Interior and Safety. <Added on Jul. 26, 2017>

(8) The National Fire Service shall have one Commissioner and one Vice Commissioner; the Commissioner and the Vice Commissioner shall be appointed from among fire officers. <Added on Jul. 26, 2017>

(9) The Serious Crimes Investigation Agency shall be established under the Minister of Justice to administer duties concerning public prosecutors. <Added on Oct. 1, 2025>

(10) The organization and the scope of duties of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency, and other necessary matters shall be otherwise prescribed by separate statutes. <Added on Oct. 1, 2025>

[Title Amended on Jul. 26, 2017]

[Moved from Article 34; previous Article 37 moved to Article 40 <Oct. 1, 2025>]

Article 38(Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs) #

The Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs shall administer duties concerning merit rewards to persons of distinguished service to the State and their bereaved family members, compensation and protection of veterans, and commemoration thereof.

[This Article Added on Mar. 4, 2023]

[Moved from Article 35; previous Article 38 moved to Article 41 <Oct. 1, 2025>]

Article 39(Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism) #

(1) The Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism shall administer duties concerning culture, arts, video, advertisement, publishing, publications, sports, tourism, publicity of State affairs and Government announcements.

(2) The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism may have a Deputy Minister.

(3) The Korea Heritage Service shall be established under the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism to administer duties concerning the Korean heritage. <Amended on Feb. 13, 2025>

(4) The Korea Heritage Service shall have one Administrator and one Vice Administrator; the Administrator shall be a public official in political service and the Vice Administrator shall be appointed from among members in general service of the Senior Executive Service. <Amended on Dec. 24, 2013; Jul. 26, 2017; Feb. 13, 2024>

[Moved from Article 36; previous Article 39 moved to Article 42 <Oct. 1, 2025>]

Article 40(Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs) #

(1) The Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs shall administer duties concerning agriculture, livestock farming, foods, farmland, irrigation, promotion of food industry, development of farming villages and distribution of agricultural products.

(2) The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs may have a Deputy Minister.

(3) In order to administer duties concerning the development of farming villages, Rural Development Administration shall be established under the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

(4) The Rural Development Administration shall have one Administrator and one Vice Administrator; the Administrator shall be a public official in political service and the Vice Administrator shall be appointed from among members in general service of the Senior Executive Service. <Amended on Dec. 24, 2013>

(5) In order to administer duties concerning forestry, the Korea Forest Service shall be established under the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

(6) The Korea Forest Service shall have one Administrator and one Vice Administrator; the Administrator shall be a public official in political service, and the Vice Administrator shall be appointed from among members in general service of the Senior Executive Service. <Amended on Dec. 24, 2013>

[Moved from Article 37; previous Article 40 moved to Article 43 <Oct. 1, 2025>]

Article 41(Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources) #

(1) The Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources shall administer duties concerning commerce, trade, industry, trade relations, trade negotiations, overall management and coordination of trade negotiations, foreign investment, companies of medium standing, policies on the research and development of industrial technology, export of nuclear development, and resources industries. <Amended on Jul. 26, 2017; Oct. 1, 2025>

(2) One Deputy Minister in charge of trade negotiations shall be appointed in the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources, and the Deputy Minister shall be a political appointee. <Amended on Jul. 26 2017; Oct. 1, 2025>

(3) The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources may have one Assistant Minister. <Amended on Nov. 19, 2014; Jul. 26, 2017; Oct. 1, 2025>

(4) Deleted. <Oct. 1, 2025>

(5) Deleted. <Oct. 1, 2025>

[Title Amended on Oct. 1, 2025]

[Moved from Article 38; previous Article 41 moved to Article 44 <Oct. 1, 2025>]

Article 42(Ministry of Health and Welfare) #

(1) The Minister of Health and Welfare shall take charge of affairs concerning the protection of livelihood, support for self-sufficiency, social security, social security, children (excluding childcare for infants and young children), senior citizens, persons with disabilities, public health and hygiene, health and hygiene, medical administration, and pharmaceutical affairs. <Amended on Dec. 26, 2023>

(2) In order to administer duties concerning infectious diseases such as prevention and quarantine and duties concerning investigation, test, and research of various diseases, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency shall be established under the Minister of Health and Welfare.

(3) The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency shall have 1 Commissioner and 1 Vice Commissioner; the Commissioner shall be a public official in political service and the Vice Commissioner shall be appointed from among members in general service of the Senior Executive Service.

[This Article Wholly Amended on Aug. 11, 2020]

[Moved from Article 39; previous Article 42 moved to Article 45 <Oct. 1, 2025>]

Article 43(Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment) #

(1) The Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources shall administer duties concerning the response to climate change, the conservation of natural and living environments, the prevention of environmental pollution, the conservation, utilization and development of water resources, rivers, energy. <Amended on Jun. 8, 2018; Dec. 31, 2020; Oct. 1, 2025>

(2) Korea Meteorological Administration shall be established under the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment to administer duties concerning meteorology.<Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(3) The Korea Meteorological Administration shall have one Administrator and one Vice Administrator; the Administrator shall be a public official in political service, and the Vice Administrator shall be appointed from among members in general service of the Senior Executive Service. <Amended on Dec. 24, 2013>

[Title Amended on Oct. 1, 2025]

[Moved from Article 40; previous Article 43 moved to Article 46 <Oct. 1, 2025>]

Article 44(Ministry of Employment and Labor) #

(1) The Minister of Employment and Labor shall administer duties concerning overall employment policies, employment insurance, development and training of occupational capability, standards for working conditions, workers' welfare, coordination of labor-management relations, industrial safety and health, industrial accident compensation insurance, and other duties concerning employment and labor. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(2) 1 Deputy Minister in charge of affairs on industrial safety and health shall be appointed in the Ministry of Employment and Labor, and the Deputy Minister shall be a political appointee. <Amended on Jul. 26 2017; Oct. 1, 2025>

[Moved from Article 41; previous Article 44 moved to Article 47 <Oct. 1, 2025>]

Article 45(Ministry of Gender Equality and Family) #

The Minister of Gender Equality and Family shall administer duties concerning the planning and consolidation of policies on gender equality, improvement of women's status, such as promotion of women's rights and interests, juveniles and families (including duties concerning multi-cultural families and children for healthy family projects). <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

[Title Amended on Oct. 1, 2025]

[Moved from Article 42; Previous Article 45 moved to Article 48 <Oct. 1, 2025>]

Article 46(Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport) #

(1) The Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport shall administer duties concerning the formulation and coordination of comprehensive plans for national land; the conservation, utilization, and development of national land; the construction of cities, roads, and houses; coasts and reclamation; and overland transportation, railroads, and aviation. <Amended on Jun. 8, 2018; Dec. 31, 2020>

(2) The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport may have one Deputy Minister.

[Moved from Article 43 <Oct. 1, 2025>]

Article 47(Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries) #

(1) The Minister of Oceans and Fisheries shall administer duties concerning maritime policies, fisheries, development of fishing villages, distribution of marine products, maritime transportation, harbors, marine environment, ocean surveys, development of marine fishery resources, research and development of marine science and technology, and adjudication on cases of maritime safety. <Amended on Apr. 18, 2017>

(2) In order to take charge of affairs concerning coast guard and maritime pollution control, the Korea Coast Guard shall be established under the jurisdiction of the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries. <Added on Jul. 26, 2017>

(3) The Korea Coast Guard shall have one Commissioner and one Vice Commissioner; the Commissioner and the Vice Commissioner shall be appointed from among police officers. <Added on Jul. 26, 2017>

[Moved from Article 44 <Oct. 1, 2025>]

Article 48(Ministry of SMEs and Startups) #

The Minister of SMEs and Startups shall administer duties concerning the planning and consolidation of SME policies, protection and fosterage of SMEs, support for startups, cooperation between large and small businesses, and protection of and support for small commercial and industrial businessmen.

[This Article Added on Jul. 26, 2017]

[Moved from Article 45 <Oct. 1, 2025>]