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South Korea flagPolitics & Government Guide

Political system, governance structure, stability indicators, and democratic institutions in South Korea

South Korea transitioned to a new presidential administration under Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party following the 2025 snap election after Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment over a failed martial law declaration. The Democratic Party holds a majority in the National Assembly, shaping policy amid ongoing political polarization. The country maintains its status as a full democracy with strong institutional checks.

Corruption Index

Moderate

Democracy Index

Good

Government Type

Presidential republic

Legal System

Civil law system

Head of State

President Lee Jae-myung(since 2025)

Head of Government

Prime Minister Kim Min-seok(Democratic Party of Korea)since 2025

Political Indicators

Corruption Index
63Rank #32

Scale: 0-100

Transparency International (2024)

Press Freedom
63.17Rank #62

Scale: 0-100

Reporters Without Borders (2024)

Democracy Index
8.03Rank #23

Scale: 0-10

Full Democracy

Economist Intelligence Unit (2024)

Legislature

Type:unicameral
Lower House:National Assembly (300 seats)

Major Political Parties

Democratic Party of Korea(DPK)

Centre-left

175 seats
People Power Party(PPP)

Centre-right

108 seats

Voting Rights

Citizens aged 18 and above have full voting rights in national and local elections.

Recent Developments

  • President Yoon Suk Yeol impeached on December 14, 2024, following martial law declaration on December 3, 2024
  • Constitutional Court upheld impeachment and removed Yoon from office on April 4, 2025
  • Snap presidential election held on June 3, 2025, won by Lee Jae-myung who took office on June 4, 2025
  • National Assembly elections in April 2024 resulted in opposition landslide victory
Voting Age18
SuffrageUniversal
Constitution1987
Provinces and metropolitan cities17

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