REPUBLIC OF KOREA
The Republic of Korea (Korea) is governed by a directly elected president and a unicameral legislature. In December 2002, President Roh Moo-hyun was elected in free and fair elections to a single 5-year term of office. A free and fair National Assembly election was held in 2000, with another scheduled in 2004. The judiciary is independent under the Constitution, and is becoming increasingly so in practice.
Responsibility for maintaining internal security lies with the National Intelligence Service (NIS), the National Police Administration (NPA), and the Defense Security Command (DSC). The NIS and the DSC are legally barred from involvement in domestic politics, although the NIS is authorized to investigate organizations believed to support the Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). Some members of the police were responsible for occasional human rights abuses.
During the year, the country's economy grew by 3.0 percent. Unemployment remained under 3.4 percent. However, the country's economic growth was dependent on key export products, and weakness in the financial system left the economy susceptible to unpredictable external conditions. The country's population was 48,289,037.
The Government generally respected the human rights of its citizens; however, problems persisted in some areas. The police and prison personnel at times physically and verbally abused detainees, although human rights groups reported that the number of such cases continued to decline. The National Security Law (NSL) curtailed free speech and press, peaceful assembly and association, and free travel. Domestic violence, rape, and child abuse remained serious problems. Women and minorities continued to face legal and societal discrimination. Many public sector employees did not enjoy the right of association. The Republic of Korea continued to be a significant country of origin, transit, and destination for trafficking in persons, particularly women and children for the sex trade and domestic servitude.