Preamble
We, the people of Korea, proud of a glorious history, a brilliant culture and a tradition of cherishing peace from time immemorial, imbued with the sublime spirit of independence as manifested in the March First Movement, upon the birth of the democratic Fifth Republic charged with the historic mission of the peaceful unification of the homeland and national renaissance, having determined to consolidate national unity with justice, humanitarianism and brotherly love; to destroy all social vices and injustice; to afford equal opportunities to every person and provide for the fullest development of the capabilities of each individual in all fields, including political, economic, civic and cultural life by further strengthening the basic free and democratic order; to help each person discharge those duties and responsibilities concomitant to freedoms and rights; and to promote the welfare of the people, strive for a lasting world peace, promote international prosperity and, thereby, to create a new era in our history ensuring security, liberty and happiness for ourselves and our descendants forever, do hereby amend, through referendum, the Constitution, ordained and established on the Twelfth Day of July in the year of Nineteen Hundred and Forty-eight A.D., and amended on the Fifteenth Day of June in the year of Nineteen Hundred and Sixty A.D., the Twenty-sixth Day of December in the year of Nineteen Hundred and Sixty two A.D., and the Twenty-seventh Day of December in the year of Nineteen Hundred and Seventy-two A.D.
October 27, 1980
The Constitution
CHAPTER I. GENERAL PROVISIONS
Article 1
The Republic of Korea is a democratic republic. The sovereignty of the Republic of Korea shall reside in the people, and all state authority shall emanate from the people. Article 2 Citizenship in the Republic of Korea shall be determined by law. Citizens residing abroad shall be protected by the State. Article 3 The territory of the Republic of Korea shall consist of the Korean peninsula and its adjacent islands. Article 4 The Republic of Korea shall endeavor to maintain international peace and shall renounce all aggressive wars. The Armed Forces shall be charged with the sacred mission of national security and the defense of the land. Article 5 Treaties duly concluded and promulgated in accordance with the Constitution and the generally recognized rules of international law shall have the same effect as the domestic laws of the Republic of Korea. The status of aliens shall be guaranteed in accordance with international law and treaties. Article 6 All public officials shall be servants of the entire people and shall be responsible to the people. The office and political impartiality of public officials shall be guaranteed in accordance with the provisions of law. Article 7 The establishment of political parties shall be free and the plural party system shall be guaranteed. Political parties shall be democratic in their organization and activities, and shall have the necessary organizational arrangements for the people to participate in the formation of the political will. Political parties shall enjoy the protection of the State and may be provided with operational funds by the State in accordance with the provisions of law. If the purposes or activities of a political party are contrary to the basic democratic order, the Government may bring action against it in the Constitution Committee for its dissolution, and the political party shall be dissolved in accordance with the decision of the Constitution Committee. Article 8 The State shall strive to sustain and develop the cultural heritage and to enhance national culture.