The political framework of South Korea

Political Outline

Current Political Leaders: President: Lee Jae-myung (since 4 June 2025)
Prime Minister: Kim Min-seok (since 3 July 2025)
Next Election Dates: Presidential: March 2027
Main Political Parties: The most influential parties in South Korea include:
- People Power Party (PPP, formerly Liberty Korea Party): right-wing, conservative, currently the second-largest party in the National Assembly but leading a minority government
- Democratic (Minjo) Party: centrist-liberal political party, advocating for human rights, improved relations with North Korea, and a "new progressivism" economic policy
- Rebuilding Korea Party (RKP): centre-left, progressive
- Progressive Party (formerly Minjung): referred to as "far-left" in South Korea because of its anti-American military presence there and North Korean sympathies
- Social Democratic Party (SDP): centre-left
- Justice Party: centre-left; organised around progressivism
- Green Party: champions ecological wisdom, social justice.
Other parties include the Basic Income Party (BIP) and the New Reform Party (NRP).
Executive Power: The President is the chief of state, head of government, and commander-in-chief of the armed forces. He or she is elected by a popular vote for a single five-year term without the possibility of re-election. The President enjoys executive powers and appoints the Prime Minister, subject to parliamentary approval, and the State Council (cabinet), with some key appointments requiring parliamentary consent. The Prime Minister is not required to be a member of parliament and primarily assists the President while supervising ministries.
Legislative Power: The legislature in South Korea is unicameral. The Parliament, called the National Assembly, has 300 seats, with 253 filled through single-member districts and 47 through proportional representation. Each member is elected to serve four-year terms. South Korea follows a presidential system, where the executive branch is independent of the National Assembly, though the Assembly can impeach the President under specific conditions.

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