Government of the Republic of Korea

“ 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 ”

“ All persons who are arrested or detained shall have the right to prompt assistance of counsel. When a criminal defendant is unable to secure a counsel by his own efforts, the State shall assign the same for the defendant as provided by law. Article 11 No citizen shall be prosecuted for an act which does not constitute a crime under the law effective at the time it was committed, nor shall he be placed in double jeopardy. No restrictions shall be imposed upon the political rights of any citizen, nor shall any person be deprived of property rights by means of retroactive legislation. ”

“ Citizens who are not on active service or employees of the military forces shall not be tried in a military tribunal within the territory of the Republic of Korea except in cases of espionage relating to military affairs and in cases of crimes in regard to sentinels, sentry-posts, supplying harmful food, and prisoners of war as defined by law, and except when they are under an extraordinary state of martial law. All citizens shall have the right to a speedy trial. ”

“ No state religion shall exist. Religion shall be severed from politics. Article 13 All citizens shall not be subjected to any restrictions on the freedom of speech, press, assembly and association. The political parties shall enjoy the protection of the State in accordance with the provisions of law. However, if the purposes or activities of a political party are contrary to the basic democratic rules of the Constitution, the Executive shall impeach it with approval of the President, and the Constitutional Court shall decide on the dissolution of such political party. ”