Government
Type: Republic with powers shared between the president and the legislature.
Liberation: August 15, 1945.
Constitution: July 17, 1948; last revised 1987.
Branches: Executive--president (chief of state). Legislative--unicameral National Assembly. Judicial--Supreme Court and appellate courts; Constitutional Court.
Subdivisions: Nine provinces, six administratively separate cities (Seoul, Pusan, Incheon, Taegu, Kwangju, Taejon).
Political parties: Millennium Democratic Party (MDP); Grand National Party (GNP); United Liberal Democrats (ULD); Democratic People's Party.
Suffrage: Universal at 20.
Central government budget (2000): Expenditures--$101 billion .
Defense (1996): $12 billion, about 2.8 of total GDP and 15.5%of government budget (prior to capital expenditures); about 650,000 troops

Government of South Korea
South Korea is a republic with powers shared between the president and the legislature. The president is chief of state and is elected for a term of 5 years. The 273 members of the unicameral National Assembly are elected to 4-year terms. South Korea's judicial system comprises a Supreme Court, appellate courts, and a Constitutional Court. The country has nine provinces and six administratively separate cities--Seoul, Pusan, Inchon, Taegu, Kwangju, and Taejon. Political parties include the Millennium Democratic Party (MDP); Grand National Party (GNP); United Liberal Democrats (ULD); and Democratic People's Party. Suffrage is universal at age 20.
source: http://www.state.gov