Basic Law of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region

Chapter I Politics
Article 1: Sinuiju Special Administrative Region is a special administrative region that Democratic People’s Republic of Korea exercises sovereignty. Sinuiju Special Administrative Region is under the direct governance of the Central Government.
Article 2: The state grants independent legislative power, executive power and judicial power to Sinuiju Special Administrative Region.
Article 3: The state ensures the legal systems of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region unchanged for 50 years.
Article 4: The state safeguards all lawful rights and interests of residents and foreigners in Sinuiju Special Administrative Region.
Article 5: The state protects the security of all lives and properties of residents and foreigners in Sinuiju Special Administrative Region.
Article 6: No ministry, committee, province, central authority or government entity of Democratic People's Republic of Korea is allowed to participate or intervene the undertakings of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region. The appointment and dismissal of any official of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region is decided by the Chief Executive of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region.
Article 7: North Korea government will station military personnel in Sinuiju Special Administrative Region if necessary. The stationed military army aims at maintaining social order and providing aids during any disasters etc.
Article 8: The foreign affair power of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region belongs to the Central Government of North Korea. Within the scope that the state permits, Sinuiju can carry out its activities with foreign countries in the name of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region and issue its own passports.
Article 9: Sinuiju Special Administrative Region uses Korean language as its official language. The official documents written in foreign languages must be attached with corresponding Korean translation.
Article 10: Sinuiju Special Administrative Region does not allow any political organization of any other country to carry out activities within Sinuiju Special Administrative Region.
Article 11: North Korea government is entitled to declare Sinuiju Special Administrative Region into state of emergency under any wars or armed rebellions. During this time, Sinuiju Special Administrative Region will implement laws and regulations then applicable to the whole state.

Chapter II Economics
Article 12: All lands and natural resources of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region belong to Democratic People's Republic of Korea. North Korea government does not allow any infringement of any natural resources or lands of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region.
Article 13: Sinuiju Special Administrative Region will develop international finance, commerce, business, and industrial activities so as to become a center of leading science, entertainment, tourism and other industries.
Article 14: The state authorizes Sinuiju Special Administrative Region to develop, use and manage the land. Overall construction planning of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region requires approval by the state. Any construction must be in accordance with approved overall construction planning.
Article 15: Land lease term of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region will expire on December 31, 2052. The state can renew the term of service upon application of corresponding enterprise after the land lease term expires. During review of the application, the corresponding enterprise still enjoys the rights to conduct lawful operations.
Article 16: The state allows for the legal title transfer, lease, sub-lease and mortgage over the right of land use, buildings and fixtures in Sinuiju Special Administrative Region.
Article 17: The state will protect all individual ownership rights and corresponding inheritance rights of all individual assets in Sinuiju Special Administrative Region. The state ensures not to nationalize any individual assets in Sinuiju Special Administrative Region. In the case when the state must nationalize certain individual assets for the sake of national security, the individuals involved will be duly compensated for their corresponding assets.
Article 18: Legal working age of residents in Sinuiju Special Administrative Region is 16 years old. The state prohibits any labor activity by minors below the specified legal working age.
Article 19: Sinuiju Special Administrative Region adopts 8-hour working system. The maximum working hours per week for any individual are 48 hours.
Article 20: Enterprises in Sinuiju Special Administrative Region will employ labor force in North Korea and can employ foreigners approved by the government of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region for necessary types of work or professions.
Article 21: Sinuiju Special Administrative Region implements minimum wage standard for the labor force in the region. This standard must be approved by the state and by Sinuiju Special Administrative Region government.
Article 22: Sinuiju Special Administrative Region implements its own labor security polices such as paid leaves and social security systems. The SAR government ensures the proper implementation of such policies.
Article 23: The state allows Sinuiju Special Administrative Region to implement its own independent policies of currency and finance. People with legal traveling documents are allowed to freely bring foreign currencies to enter or exit Sinuiju Special Administrative Region.
Article 24: Sinuiju Special Administrative Region sets up fair and preferential taxation systems and establishes tax categories and tax rates on its own.
Article 25: Sinuiju Special Administrative Region sets up preferential tariff systems and establishes tariff rates on its own.
Article 26 Sinuiju Special Administrative Region implements accurate accounting system. Rigorous auditing and verification work is necessary.
Article 27: The state allows Sinuiju Special Administrative Region to prepare and implement independent budgets of its own. The relevant legislative meetings are to be confirmed by the supreme legislative authority.
Article 28: The state allows Sinuiju Special Administrative Region to inspect and issue certificates of origin for the products produced in Sinuiju Special Administrative Region.
Article 29: The state encourages investment activities in Sinuiju Special Administrative Region, but prohibits all investments which may damage national security of the state, health of the residents, the environment and investments in certain restricted industries.
Article 30: The applications of investment projects in Sinuiju Special Administrative Region shall be reviewed and approved by the government of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region. However, investment projects involved in marine transportation or airline must be approved by North Korea government.
Article 31: The state shall provide favorable investment environment and protection for enterprises conducting economic activities in Sinuiju Special Administrative Region. Sinuiju Special Administrative Region shall provide protection and convenience for the transportation of its people and for the flow of materials, funds, information, and communication.

Chapter III Culture
Article 32: Democratic People's Republic of Korea carries out correct polices in cultural areas in Sinuiju Special Administrative Region so as to improve creativeness of residents and maintain healthy culture.
Article 33: Sinuiju Special Administrative Region shall provide high-standard 11-year free compulsory education including one-year pre-school education. Social science education in Sinuiju Special Administrative Region must be consistent with that offered in the state.
Article 34: Sinuiju Special Administrative Region shall set up nurseries and kindergartens to educate preschool children.
Article 35: Sinuiju Special Administrative Region shall introduce into top-notch scientific technologies and be proactive in developing new fields of science and technologies.
Article 36: Sinuiju Special Administrative Region shall establish modern cultural facilities and encourage the residents to participate in literary and art activities. However, any literary and art activity which may obstruct the reunification of the state or the unity of the people shall be prohibited.
Article 37: The state shall protect locations with cultural assets such as places of interests named after the revolution, natural monuments, and cultural heritages in Sinuiju Special Administrative Region. Locations in this category shall be confirmed by the related authorities of the state.
Article 38: Sinuiju Special Administrative Region shall implement medical insurance systems. If there is serious infectious disease in the SAR, the related authorities of the state shall provide assistance.
Article 39: The state encourages Sinuiju Special Administrative Region to promote sports activities and physical education to the public so as to improve health of residents and develop scientific technologies in physical education.
Article 40: Sinuiju Special Administrative Region shall enjoy independent rights of operation in the publication of newspapers, magazines, other periodicals, and in running broadcast networks. However, the use of periodicals, communication network or broadcasting system to conduct illegal activities such as poisoning social awareness of residents or disturbing social orders shall be prohibited.
Article 41: The state shall protect Sinuiju Special Administrative Region so that Sinuiju Special Administrative Region can preserve and use the natural resources in the region, implement measures against pollution of environment, and repair the hygiene conditions, living environment and labor conditions of the residents in the region.

Chapter IV Basic Rights & Obligations of Residents
Article 42: Definitions for residents of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region are listed below:
1. The original residents in Sinuiju before Sinuiju Special Administrative Region is established;
2. Other North Korean residents who migrate to the SAR in order to work for the authorities and enterprises in Sinuiju Special Administrative Region at the request of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region;
3. Foreigners who have legal employments in Sinuiju Special Administrative Region and have stayed in Sinuiju Special Administrative Region for more than 7 years;
4. Somebody who is recommended by the supreme legislative authority or by the Chief Executive.
Article 43: Residents shall enjoy equal rights and obligations in all fields of social life. All residents are equal regardless of gender, national origin, nationality, race, language, property, education, political affiliation or belief.
Article 44: Residents above 17 years old in Sinuiju Special Administrative Region shall enjoy rights to vote and be elected except for those who have been deprived of such rights.
Article 45: Residents enjoy freedom in speech, publication, assembly, demonstration, strike and setting up organization. These rights shall be protected by relevant laws and regulations of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region.
Article 46: Residents shall enjoy freedom of religious belief, but shall be prohibited from any activity which disturbs social order by the name of a religion.
Article 47: Bodies and houses of the residents shall not be violated. Private communication shall be protected. Bodies or houses of residents shall not be rummaged except for those detained or arrested legally.
Article 48: Residents shall enjoy rights to appeal and petition. Sinuiju Special Administrative Region shall review and deal with the appeals and petition from residents fairly.
Article 49: Residents shall enjoy freedom of residing, migrating and traveling. Sinuiju Special Administrative Region shall review and approve by legislation the immigration and tourism of its residents to other regions of North Korea or other countries.
Article 50: Residents shall enjoy rights to work. Residents shall choose their occupations according to their wills and abilities. They shall enjoy corresponding remunerations from their occupations.
Article 51: Residents shall enjoy rights to rest. Residents of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region shall enjoy rights to take a rest on festivals and public holidays stipulated by the government; foreigners also shall be protected by the government of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region in taking a rest according to their own national customs.
Article 52: Residents shall enjoy rights to medical care. Resident who loses the ability to work due to old age, sickness, disability, or pregnancy shall be assisted with corresponding materials by social insurance or social security system.
Article 53: Residents shall enjoy rights to education. The education policy of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region shall ensure the education rights of residents.
Article 54: Residents shall enjoy freedom of involving in scientific, literary, and art activities. Sinuiju Special Administrative Region shall protect copyrights, invention rights and chartered rights in accordance with relevant laws.
Article 55: Women shall enjoy equal social status and rights as men. Sinuiju Special Administrative Region shall ensure maternity leaves of women and protect the children and the mothers taking care of their babies.
Article 56: Residents enjoy freedom of marriage. Sinuiju Special Administrative Region shall protect legal marriages and families in accordance with relevant laws.
Article 57: Foreigners who have obtained right of residence in Sinuiju Special Administrative Region shall enjoy equal rights as those of residents in Sinuiju Special Administrative Region. Those who have not obtained right of residence shall not enjoy rights to vote or rights to be elected, nor the social welfare system provided to the residents by the budget from the government of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region.
Article 58: North Korean residents in Sinuiju Special Administrative Region must fulfill their obligations to protect the state. Matters related to enlistment in Sinuiju Administrative Region will be stipulated under corresponding regulations.
Article 59: The Basic Law is the embodiment of awareness and interests of residents of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region. It is the legal foundation for governing and administrating Sinuiju Special Administrative Region; residents in Sinuiju Special Administrative Region must comply strictly the Basic Law.

Chapter V Institutions
Section 1: Legislative Session
Article 60: Legislative Session is a legislative body of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region. It exercises legislative power.
Article 61: Legislative Session shall be made up of 15 members elected by secret ballot under the principles of general, equal and direct election by residents in Sinuiju Special Administrative Region.
Article 62: North Korean residents and foreigners who have obtained right of residence in Sinuiju Special Administrative Region can be elected to be members of the Legislative Session.
Article 63: Term for Legislative Session shall be 5 years, the same with term of its members.
Article 64: Power of Legislative Session is listed as follows:
1. Formulate, revise, complement and abolish laws and regulations;
2. Review the budget of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region and supervise its implementation;
3. Interpret laws and regulations;
4. Listen to and review work report of the government led by the Chief Executive of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region;
5. Appoint and dismiss the chief justice upon nomination from the Chief Executive;
6. Appoint and dismiss the judges upon nomination from the Chief Executive.
Article 65: Legislative Session shall be divided into regular and irregular sessions. Regular sessions shall be held quarterly. Irregular sessions shall be held during adjournment between regular sessions if more than one third of total members of the Legislative Session consider as necessary. Total session days shall not be less than 100 days annually.
Article 66: Legislative Session shall be valid with attendance of more than two thirds of total members in the session.
Article 67: Legislative Session shall have one chairman and one vice chairman whose term shall be the same as that of the session.
Article 68: The chairman and vice chairman of Legislative Session must be elected in accordance with laws. Either chairman or vice chairman needs to obtain votes from more than half of members of Legislative Session attending the session in order to be elected.
Article 69: Responsibilities of moderator in Legislative Session include the following:
1. Preside Legislative Session;
2. Decide and publish convening day of Legislative Session;
3. Exercise the duties authorized by Legislative Session.
Article 70: Vice chairman of Legislative Session shall assist chairman to exercise responsibility and fulfill chairman’s responsibility during the absence of chairman;
Article 71: Bills of Legislative Session shall be raised by members of Legislative Session, the Chief Executive, or the government.
Article 72: Legislative Session shall make decision on a bill, which shall be deemed as passed if more than half of total present members of Legislative Session approve it.
Article 73: If the Chief Executive raises an objection to a bill passed by Legislative Session, Legislative Session must review it within one month. During review, if at least two thirds of total members of Legislative Session approve this bill, then Legislative Session shall pass the reviewed resolution. In this case, the Chief Executive must sign on the passed resolution and decree.
Article 74: Resolutions passed by Legislative Session must be submitted to the supreme legislation authority for registration and filing within one week. The Supreme Legislation Authority shall be entitled to file in record or return the submitted resolution for revision. Any resolution not filed in record but returned shall not be deemed legally effective.
Article 75: Members of Legislative Session shall enjoy right of inviolability; unless such member violates the law and has been approved by Legislative Session to be arrested or detained, such member shall not be arrested or detained.

Section 2: Chief Executive
Article 76: Chief Executive is the representative of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region. Chief Executive shall be responsible for the Supreme Legislative Session.
Article 77: Chief Executive shall be served by an individual who is the resident of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region and has outstanding capability for this position as well as good reputation; Chief Executive shall be appointed and dismissed by the Supreme Legislation Authority.
Article 78: Chief Executive must take an oath of allegiance to Democratic People's Republic of Korea and to Sinuiju Special Administrative Region; an official oath ceremony must be held in the Plenary Session of Standing Committee of Supreme People’s Congress.
Article 79: Power of Chief Executive includes the following:
1. Instruct the works of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region;
2. Promulgate bills approved by Legislative Session, instructions of the government, and make orders;
3. Appoint and dismiss officials of the government of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region;
4. Appoint and dismiss the director of Procuratorate of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region;
5. Appoint and dismiss deputy directors and court prosecutors of Procuratorate of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region according to proposals from director of Procuratorate;
6. Appoint and dismiss director general of Police Station of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region;
7. Appoint and dismiss deputy directors, responsible personnel of posts and directors of regional police offices of Police Station of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region according to proposals from director general of Police Station;
8. Formulate and award prizes;
9. Exercise right of ambassador and right of envoy;
10. Deal with affairs of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region besides the above.
Article 80: For any resolution that Legislative Session has passed but the Chief Executive considers not conforming to Sinuiju Special Administrative Region, the Chief Executive is entitled to return this resolution to Legislative Session and request it for review; for the same resolution that Legislative Session has passed, the Chief Executive is entitled to return it to Legislative Session twice.

Section 3: Government
Article 81: The government is the administrative execution and management authority of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region. The ultimate chief in charge of the government shall be the Chief Executive.
Article 82: The government shall establish necessary departments. Appointed chiefs of departments and directors of police station must be residents of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region;
Article 83: The rights and obligations of the government include the following:
1. Organize and implement regulations;
2. Plane and execute budgets of the government of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region;
3. Organize and implement duties in education, science, culture, healthcare, sports and environmental protection etc;
4. Manage administrative affairs of residents;
5. Maintain social order;
6. Formulate overall construction plan;
7. Review, inspect, and approve the completed construction projects;
8. Invite investment;
9. Review, reply and approve the application of enterprises for establishing business;
10. Register the right of land use and buildings;
11. Manage taxation affairs;
12. Carry out customs inspection, hygiene and quarantine of animals and plants;
13. Manage infrastructures;
14. Manage fire control affairs;
15. Deal with foreign affairs when trusted by the state.
Article 84: The government shall release instructions.

Section 4: Procuratorate
Article 85: Procuratorate of the Sinuiju Special Administrative Region and branches of Procuratorate shall perform prosecutorial works of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region;
Article 86: The power of Procuratorate includes the following:
1. Supervise to ensure correct implementation of laws and regulations;
2. Investigate facts, prosecute criminals, and protect legal rights, life, and property of individuals and entities in accordance with laws;
Article 87: Appointed director of Procuratorate of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region must be a resident of Sinuiju Administrative Region, with a term of 5 years;
Article 88: The director of Procuratorate of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region shall appoint and dismiss the directors of Procuratorate branches upon the proposal from court prosecutors of Procuratorate branches;
Article 89: Procuratorate of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region shall exercise right to supervise prosecutorial affairs within Sinuiju Special Administrative Region. Procuratorate branches must submit to Procuratorate of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region;
Article 90: Procuratorate of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region shall be responsible to the Chief Executive;

Section 5: Court
Article 91: Regional court and court branches shall perform judicial power of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region. The judgments shall be held in the name of corresponding courts of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region of Democratic People's Republic of Korea;
Article 92: The power of the court includes the following:
1. Hold court trials on cases;
2. Protect legal rights, life, and property of legal entities and individuals;
3. Educate people to observe disciplines and laws through judgments;
4. Enforce a judgment.
Article 93: Judgment shall be held independently in accordance with the law without interference of anyone;
Article 94: Appointed director of Court of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region must be a resident of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region, with the same term as that of Legislative Session;
Article 95: Judgment shall be held jointly by one judge and two jurors or three jurors, depending on the case;
Article 96: Judgment shall be held in public. Defendants shall be protected with the right to defend themselves; judgments of special cases are allowed to be held separately without opening to the public.
Article 97: Judgment must be held in Korean language. During the process of judgment, foreigners are allowed to use their native languages;
Article 98: In Sinuiju Special Administrative Region, regional court shall be responsible for supervising judgments in the region; the regional court shall be the court of final judgment.

Chapter VI: Regional Emblem & Flag
Article 99: Besides using the national emblem and flag of Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Sinuiju Special Administrative Region shall be allowed to use its own regional emblem and flag. Regulations on the usage of its own regional emblem and flag shall be formulated by Sinuiju Special Administrative Region;
Article 100: The design of Regional Emblem of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region is as follows:
Blue fine lines are by the white belt in the shape of a circle. Two blue pentagrams are at the lower left bottom and lower right bottom respectively inside the white belt. At the top, there are blue words of “Democratic People's Republic of Korea” (written in Korean). At the center of the circle surrounded by the white belt is a blue circle. At the center of the blue circle is a white magnolia flower. The white belt and the blue circle are overlapped with decorative blue strips. At the center of the blue strips are two lines of white words of “Sinuiju Special Administrative Region” (in Korean). There is white borderline where the blue circle meets the decorative blue strips.
Article 101: There is a white magnolia flower at the center of the blue regional flag of Sinuiju Special Administrative Region. The flag has a length-to-width ratio of 1:1.5.

Supplementary articles
Article 1: The Basic Law is put into effect right after it is approved;
Article 2: The laws executed by the state in Sinuiju Special Administrative Region are restricted to the issues related to nationality, national emblem, national flag, national anthem, capital, territorial sea, territorial airspace and national security of Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Other laws of Democratic People's Republic of Korea shall not be implemented in Sinuiju Special Administrative Region.
Article 3: Other laws and regulations in Sinuiju Special Administrative Region shall strictly comply with the Basic Law;
Article 4: The right of interpretation of the Basic Law belongs to the Standing Committee of Supreme People’s Congress.