CHAPTER I GENERAL PROVISIONS
The purpose of this Act is to prescribe matters necessary to ensure that the Government of the Republic of Korea and citizens actively participate in the activities of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organizations and to support the activities thereof in order to realize the noble spirit pursued by the United Nations Charter, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organizations Charter, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The term "UNESCO activities" in this Act means the following activities conducted to realize the objectives of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (hereinafter referred to as "UNESCO"):
| 1. | Promotion of international cooperation in related fields, such as education, science, and culture, and exchange of information and human resources; |
| 2. | Support for research and projects in related fields, such as education, science, and culture; |
| 3. | Other activities for realizing UNESCO's objectives. |
CHAPTER II UNESCO ACTIVITIES
| Article 3 (Objectives of UNESCO Activities) |
UNESCO activities in the Republic of Korea aim to contribute to the establishment of world peace and the promotion of the welfare of human beings by promoting mutual understanding and friendship between nations and cultures, and by widely disseminating new and diverse cultures and knowledge by promoting international exchanges and cooperation in related fields, such as education, science, and culture, thereby contributing to the establishment of world peace and the promotion of human beings' welfare.
| Article 4 (International Cooperation for UNESCO Activities) |
UNESCO activities in the Republic of Korea shall be performed through cooperation with the following international organizations, foreign governments, institutions, and organizations:
| 2. | The United Nations and specialized organizations of the United Nations; |
| 3. | Governments of Member States of UNESCO (hereinafter referred to as "Member States") and National Committees established by Member States of UNESCO pursuant to Article 7 of the Charter of UNESCO; |
| 4. | Institutions and organizations established under the Agreement between the Republic of Korea and UNESCO; |
| 5. | Other international agencies and organizations related to UNESCO activities and institutions and organizations of Member States related to UNESCO activities. |
| Article 5 (UNESCO Activities of State and Local Governments) |
In order to achieve the objectives of UNESCO activities under Article 3, the State and local governments shall conduct UNESCO activities on their own or actively support cooperative projects with international organizations, etc. under each subparagraph of Article 4. In such cases, the State and local governments shall closely cooperate with the Korean National Commission of UNESCO under Article 7.
| Article 6 (UNESCO Activities of Citizens) |
| (1) | In order to realize the ideology and objectives of UNESCO, citizens may participate in UNESCO activities by themselves or actively promote UNESCO activities. In such cases, they shall closely cooperate with the Korea National Commission of UNESCO under Article 7. |
| (2) | The State and local governments shall provide financial support within budgetary limits, if deemed necessary for UNESCO activities of citizens. |
CHAPTER III KOREAN NATIONAL COMMISSION OF UNESCO
| Article 7 (Establishment of Korea National Commission of UNESCO) |
| (1) | The Korean National Commission for UNESCO (hereinafter referred to as the "Commission") shall be established to promote UNESCO activities in the Republic of Korea pursuant to Article 7 of the UNESCO Charter and to facilitate the connection and cooperation between UNESCO and the Government of the Republic of Korea, and specialized institutions and organizations in related fields, such as education, science, and culture. |
| (2) | The Minister of Education shall be in charge of affairs concerning the establishment and operation of the Commission. <Amended on Feb. 29, 2008; Mar. 23, 2013> |
| Article 8 (Functions and Roles) |
The Commission shall perform the following functions:
| 1. | Boosting participation of State and local governments, institutions and organizations in fields related to UNESCO activities and individuals in UNESCO activities; |
| 2. | Research and deliberation on and deliberation on matters necessary for formulating government policies and concluding international conventions related to UNESCO activities and suggestions and consultation to heads of relevant central administrative agencies; |
| 3. | After deliberation on the preparation of agenda items to be submitted to the General Assembly of UNESCO, the selection of representatives to be dispatched to the General Assembly of UNESCO, etc., recommendations to the heads of the relevant central administrative agencies; |
| 4. | Deliberation on matters concerning the domestic implementation of matters determined at international conferences related to UNESCO activities, such as General Assembly of UNESCO, etc., and recommendations to the heads of relevant central administrative agencies regarding measures to implement such matters; |
| 5. | Cooperation with domestic and foreign institutions and organizations related to UNESCO activities, performance of projects and activities related to UNESCO and coordination thereof; |
| 6. | Management and operation of UNESCO center and other projects to raise financial resources necessary for UNESCO activities; |
| 7. | Other projects necessary for facilitating UNESCO activities. |
| Article 9 (Consultation on Affairs Related to Foreign Policy) |
The Commission shall consult with the Minister of Foreign Affairs if its affairs are related to the foreign affairs policy of the Government, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs shall provide the Commission with necessary information, opinions, and convenience in connection with the handling of external affairs of the Commission. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>
| Article 10 (Composition of Commission) |
| (1) | The Commission shall be comprised of not more than 60 members, including one chairperson, five vice-chairpersons, and one secretary-general. |
| (2) | The Minister of Education shall serve as the chairperson of the Commission (hereinafter referred to as the "chairperson"), and the following persons shall serve as the vice chairpersons: <Amended on Feb. 29, 2008; Mar. 23, 2013; Nov. 19, 2014; Jul. 26, 2017> |
| 1. | The Vice Minister of Education; |
| 2. | The Vice Minister of Science and ICT; |
| 3. | One Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs designated by the Minister of Foreign Affairs; |
| 4. | The Vice Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism; |
| 5. | One person elected from among the members of the Commission (hereinafter referred to as "members") at a general meeting under Article 15 (hereinafter referred to as "general meeting"). |
| (3) | Members who are neither the chairperson nor the vice-chairperson nor the secretary general under paragraph (2) 1 through 4 shall be commissioned by the Minister of Education from among the following persons who are recommended by the Commission after deliberation by the Executive Committee under Article 18 (hereinafter referred to as the "Executive Committee"): Provided, That persons falling under subparagraph 3 shall not be subject to deliberation by the Executive Committee and recommendation by the Commission: <Amended on Feb. 29, 2008; Mar. 23, 2013> |
| 1. | Not more than 20 representatives appointed by an institution or organization related to UNESCO activities; |
| 2. | Not more than 20 experts related to UNESCO activities; |
| 3. | Not more than six National Assembly members designated by the Speaker of the National Assembly; |
| 4. | Four public officials recommended by the heads of relevant central administrative agencies in connection with UNESCO activities, from among public officials recommended by the heads of relevant central administrative agencies; |
| 5. | Four public officials recommended by the heads of local governments in connection with UNESCO activities. |
| (4) | Matters necessary for the commissioning of members under paragraph (3) shall be prescribed by the operating rules of the Commission under Article 24 (hereinafter referred to as "operating rules"). |
| (5) | Members, except for the secretary general, shall be non-standing. |
| Article 11 (Duties of Chairperson) |
| (1) | The Chairperson shall exercise overall control over the affairs of the Commission and represent the Commission. |
| (2) | The vice-chairperson of the Commission (hereinafter referred to as the "vice-chairperson") shall assist the chairperson, and if the chairperson is unable to perform his or her duties due to unavoidable circumstances, the vice-chairperson designated by the chairperson shall act on behalf of the chairperson. |
| Article 12 (Term of Office of Members) |
| (1) | The term of office of members commissioned pursuant to Article 10 (3) shall be three years, and they may be reappointed only once. |
| (2) | Where a member commissioned pursuant to Article 10 (3) resigns from office during his or her term of office or is dismissed pursuant to Article 13, the Minister of Education shall, without delay, reappoint a succeeding member. In such cases, the term of office of a newly commissioned member shall be the remaining period of his or her predecessor. <Amended on Feb. 29, 2008; Mar. 23, 2013> |
| Article 13 (Grounds for Disqualification of Members) |
| (2) | Where a member falls under paragraph (1) during his or her term of office or a member referred to in Article 10 (3) 1, 3 through 5 resigns from his or her post during his or her term of office, he or she shall be deemed dismissed as a matter of course. |
| (3) | The Minister of Education may dismiss a member from office after deliberation by the Executive Committee if he or she falls under any of the following subparagraphs: <Amended on Feb. 29, 2008; Mar. 23, 2013> |
| 1. | Where he or she becomes unable to perform his or her duties due to a mental or physical illness; |
| 2. | When he or she commits an unlawful act in connection with his or her duties or seriously damages the dignity of a member. |
| Article 14 (Audit and Inspection) |
| (1) | Two auditors shall be assigned to the Commission to audit the affairs and accounting of the Committee. |
| (2) | No auditor shall not concurrently hold office as a member. |
| (3) | The auditor shall be appointed at a general meeting after deliberation by the Executive Committee. |
| (4) | The term of office of an auditor shall be two years, and he or she may be reappointed. |
| (6) | When an auditor falls under any subparagraph of Article 13 (3), the General Assembly may dismiss him or her after deliberation by the Executive Committee. |
| (7) | When an auditor is dismissed pursuant to paragraphs (5) and (6), the General Assembly shall appoint an auditor within three months pursuant to paragraph (3). In such cases, the term of office of the auditor shall be the remaining period of his or her predecessor. |
| (8) | Auditors shall be non-standing. |
| (9) | The auditor shall annually submit an audit report on the affairs and accounting of the Commission to the General Assembly. |
| (10) | Matters necessary for the methods, timing, procedures, etc. for audit and inspection shall be prescribed by the operating rules. |
| Article 15 (General Assembly) |
| (1) | The General Assembly shall be established under the Committee to deliberate and decide on important matters of the Commission. |
| (2) | The General Assembly shall be comprised of all members of the Commission. |
| (3) | General Assembly meetings shall be divided into regular general meetings and extraordinary general meetings, and regular general meetings shall be convened by the chairperson once a year, as prescribed by the operating rules, and extraordinary general meetings shall be convened by the chairperson when the chairperson deems it necessary or at the request of at least 10 members. |
| Article 16 (Functions of General Meeting) |
The General Assembly shall deliberate and resolve on the following matters:
| 1. | Budget bill and business plan of the Commission; |
| 2. | The settlement of accounts and business performance of the Commission; |
| 3. | Election of the vice chairperson under Article 10 (2) 5 and members of the Executive Committee under Article 18 (2) 2; |
| 4. | Appointment and dismissal of auditors; |
| 5. | Matters concerning operating rules; |
| 6. | Matters referred to a general meeting by the chairperson, general meeting, or the Executive Committee for deliberation and resolution; |
| 7. | Other matters prescribed by this Act as the authority of the General Assembly. |
| Article 17 (Operation of General Meetings) |
| (1) | The chairperson shall be the Speaker of the General Assembly, and where the chairperson is unable to perform his or her duties due to any unavoidable cause, the vice-chairperson designated by the chairperson shall act on behalf of the chairperson. |
| (2) | The General Assembly shall pass resolutions with the attendance of a majority of all incumbent members and the consent of a majority of the members present. |
| (3) | Other matters necessary for the operation of the General Assembly shall be prescribed by the operating rules. |
| Article 18 (Executive Committee) |
| (1) | The Executive Committee shall be established under the Commission to help deliberate on matters delegated by the General Assembly, and to deliberate and decide on matters concerning the execution, etc. of matters delegated by the General Assembly and matters resolved at the General Assembly. |
| (2) | The Executive Committee shall be comprised of the following members (hereinafter referred to as "Executive Committee members"): |
| 1. | Chairperson, vice chairperson, and secretary general; |
| 2. | Ten members elected by the General Assembly from among the members commissioned pursuant to Article 10 (3) 1 and 2; |
| 3. | Two members designated by the chairperson from among members commissioned pursuant to Article 10 (3) 4. |
| (3) | When a member referred to in paragraph (2) 2 is dismissed pursuant to Article 13, the General Assembly shall elect a succeeding executive member within three months. |
| (4) | The chairperson and vice chairperson shall be the chairperson and vice chairperson of the Executive Committee, respectively. |
| (5) | Meetings of the Executive Committee shall be held by dividing them into regular meetings and extraordinary meetings, and regular meetings shall be convened once every three months, and extraordinary meetings shall be convened by the chairperson of the Executive Committee when the chairperson of the Executive Committee deems it necessary or at the request of at least five members of the Executive Committee. |
| (6) | Article 17 shall apply mutatis mutandis to the operation, etc. of the Executive Committee. In such cases, "general meeting" shall be construed as "Executive Committee". |
| Article 19 (Functions of Executive Committee) |
The Executive Committee shall deliberate on the following matters:
| 1. | Preparation of proposals to be referred to general meetings; |
| 2. | Formulation of execution plans for matters resolved at general assembly meetings and supervision over execution thereof; |
| 3. | Matters delegated by the General Assembly; |
| 4. | Matters concerning appointment and dismissal of auditors; |
| 5. | Matters concerning commissioning and dismissal of members; |
| 6. | Matters concerning recommendation of the secretary general; |
| 7. | Other matters that fall within the authority under this Act. |
| Article 20 (Subcommittees) |
| (1) | In order to efficiently perform the activities of the Commission, the Commission may establish a subcommittee comprised of members and a specialized committee comprised of experts, subject to resolution by a general meeting. |
| (2) | Matters necessary for the establishment, composition, operation, etc. of subcommittees and expert committees under paragraph (1) shall be prescribed by the operating rules. |
| Article 21 (Payment of Actual Expenses) |
Actual expenses, such as expenses incurred in performing duties, may be paid to members, auditors, and members of the specialized committees under Article 20 within budgetary limits, as prescribed by the operating rules.
| (1) | The Secretariat shall be established in the Committee to handle the affairs of the Commission. |
| (2) | The Secretariat shall have one secretary general and necessary staff members. |
| (3) | The secretary general shall be appointed by the chairperson upon the recommendation of the Executive Committee, and matters necessary for the appointment shall be prescribed by the operating rules. |
| (4) | The secretary general shall exercise overall control over the affairs of the secretariat under the direction and supervision of the chairperson. |
| (5) | The term of office of the secretary general shall be four years, and may be reappointed only once. |
| (6) | Necessary matters concerning the appointment, dismissal, remuneration, etc. of staff of the secretariat shall be prescribed by the operating rules. |
The secretary general shall report the following matters to the Minister of Education: <Amended on Feb. 29, 2008; Mar. 23, 2013>
| 1. | Budget and settlement of accounts of the Commission; |
| 2. | Results of audit and inspection related to Article 14 (9). |
| Article 24 (Operating Rules) |
The chairperson of the Commission may prescribe matters necessary for the operation of the Commission by the operating rules through a resolution of the General Assembly.
CHAPTER IV UNITED NATIONS EDUCATIONAL, SCIENTIFIC AND CULTURAL ORGANIZATION ASIA-PACIFIC CENTER OF EDUCATION FOR INTERNATIONAL UNDERSTANDING
| Article 25 (Establishment of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Asia-Pacific Center of Education for International Understanding) |
| (1) | The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Asia-Pacific Center of Education for International Understanding (hereinafter referred to as the "UNESCO APCEIU") shall be established in order to promote international understanding education in the Asia-Pacific region. |
| (2) | The UNESCO APCEIU shall be a corporation. |
| (3) | The UNESCO APCEIU shall be established by completing the registration of its establishment at the seat of its principal office. |
| (4) | The UNESCO APCEIU shall perform the following projects: |
| 1. | Projects for strengthening national and regional capacity necessary to provide international education on understanding; |
| 2. | Projects to facilitate international exchange and cooperation between Asia-Pacific regions and other regions in international education for education for international understanding; |
| 3. | Research and development projects for international educational curriculum for education for international education on understanding; |
| 4. | Operation projects of workshops and seminars for international education and training of education on understanding and education; |
| 5. | Projects for production and dissemination of educational materials for international education on understanding and other publications; |
| 6. | Other projects necessary to promote international education for education on international understanding in Asia-Pacific regions. |
| (5) | The UNESCO APCEIU shall have executive officers and employees, as prescribed by the articles of association. |
| (6) | The Asia Pacific Education Center may amend its articles of association with permission from the Minister of Education. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013> |
[This Article Newly Inserted on Jan. 26, 2012]
| Article 26 (Subsidization of Expenses) |
The State may subsidize expenses incurred in the operation and projects of the UNESCO APCEIU, within budgetary limits.
[This Article Newly Inserted on Jan. 26, 2012]
| Article 27 (Application Mutatis Mutandis of the Civil Act) |
Except as otherwise expressly provided for in this Act, the provisions of the Civil Act governing incorporated foundations shall apply mutatis mutandis to the UNESCO APCEIU. [This Article Newly Inserted on Jan. 26, 2012]
ADDENDA <Act No. 8332, Apr. 6, 2007>
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)
This Act shall enter into force three months after the date of its promulgation.
Article 2 (Transitional Measures concerning Members)
| (1) | The vice-chairperson, executive members, and persons commissioned as members of the Commission and subcommittees elected at a general meeting pursuant to the previous provisions as at the time this Act enters into force shall be deemed to have been elected or commissioned pursuant to this Act. In such cases, the term of office of members in such cases shall be governed by the previous provisions, and the term of office of members shall be governed by the previous provisions, but the number of times of reappointment under the amended provisions of Article 12 (1) shall be included in the number of times of reappointment under the previous provisions. |
| (2) | The resolutions made by the General Assembly and the Executive Committee pursuant to the previous provisions as at the time this Act enters into force shall be deemed resolutions passed by the General Assembly and the Executive Committee pursuant to this Act, respectively. |
| (3) | The secretary general appointed pursuant to the previous provisions as at the time this Act enters into force shall be deemed appointed pursuant to this Act. In such cases, the term of office of the secretary general shall be governed by the previous provisions, but the term of office of the secretary general shall be governed by the previous provisions, but the number of times of reappointment under the amended provisions of Article 22 (5) shall be included in the number of times of reappointment under the previous provisions. |
| (4) | The former operating rules as at the time this Act enters into force shall be deemed operating rules under this Act. |
Article 3 (Relationship to Other Statutes)
Where the Commission, the General Assembly, the Executive Committee, and subcommittees are cited by other Acts in accordance with the previous provisions as at the time this Act enters into force, the Commission, the General Assembly, the Executive Committee, and subcommittees under this Act shall be deemed cited respectively.
ADDENDA <Act No. 8852, Feb. 29, 2008>
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)
This Act shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation: Provided, That...(Omitted)...the amended parts among the statutes amended under Addenda 6 that were promulgated before the enforcement of this Act but their enforcement dates have yet to arrive shall enter into force on their respective enforcement dates of the relevant statute.
Articles 2 through 7 Omitted.
ADDENDA <Act No. 11217, Jan. 26, 2012>
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)
This Act shall enter into force three months after the date of its promulgation.
Article 2 (Transitional Measures)
| (1) | The UNESCO APCEIU established under the Agreement on Establishment of the Asia-Pacific International Enterprise Education Center between the Government of the Republic of Korea and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization as at the time this Act enters into force (hereinafter referred to as the "former UNESCO APCEIU") shall prepare the articles of association and obtain permission from the Minister of Education, Science and Technology before this Act enters into force. |
| (2) | The former UNESCO APCEIU, which has obtained permission pursuant to paragraph (1), shall file for registration of its establishment pursuant to the amended provisions of Article 25 (3). |
| (3) | The UNESCO APCEIU under this Act shall succeed to the rights, obligations, and property of the former UNESCO APCEIU. |
| (4) | The executive officers and employees of the former UNESCO APCEIU as at the time this Act enters into force shall be deemed the executive officers and employees of the UNESCO APCEIU under this Act, and the term of office of executive officers shall be reckoned from the date of previous appointment. |
ADDENDA <Act No. 11690, Mar. 23, 2013>
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)
| (1) | This Act shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation. |
Articles 2 through 7 Omitted.
ADDENDA <Act No. 12844, Nov. 19, 2014>
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)
This Act shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation: Provided, That among the Acts amended under Article 6 of the Addenda, amendments to an Act, which was promulgated before this Act enters into force but the date on which it enters into force has yet to arrive, shall enter into force on the enforcement date of the relevant Act. Articles 2 through 7 Omitted.
ADDENDA <Act No. 14839, Jul. 26, 2017>
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)
| (1) | This Act shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation: Provided, That the amendments to the Acts that were already promulgated before this Act enters into force but have yet to enter into force, among the Acts amended pursuant to Article 5 of the Addenda, shall enter into force on the date the respective Act enters into force. |
Articles 2 through 6 Omitted.