Info
Electoral Systems
ES001
Head of State
Question: How is the Head of State selected?
Answer(s):
b . Directly elected in general elections (simple majority)
Comments: The President is the Head of State and represents the State vis-a-vis foreign states.
The President is elected by universal, equal, direct and secret suffrage.
In case two or more candidates get the same number of votes in a presidential election, the candidate who wins the greatest number in an open session of the National Assembly is the elected one. If and when there is only one presidential candidate, he/she cannot be elected President unless he/she wins at least one third of votes of the total eligible voters.
Source: Constitution of the Republic of Korea, Article 66, 67: https://elaw.klri.re.kr/eng_service/lawView.do?lang=ENG&hseq=1
Verified: 2024/08/28
ES002
Head of Government
Question: How is the Head of Government selected?
Answer:
c . Indirectly elected by legislature/chosen by parliament
Comments: The Prime Minister shall be appointed by the President with the consent of the National Assembly.
If the office of the presidency is vacant or the President is unable to perform his or her duties for any reason, the Prime Minister or the members of the State Council in the order of priority as determined by Act shall act for him or her.
Source: Constitution of the Republic of Korea, Article 86, 87: https://elaw.klri.re.kr/eng_service/lawView.do?lang=ENG&hseq=1
Verified: 2024/08/28
ES003
President
Question: Does the country have a president?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments:
Source: Constitution of the Republic of Korea: https://elaw.klri.re.kr/eng_service/lawView.do?lang=ENG&hseq=1
Verified: 2024/08/28
ES004
Number of Chambers
Question: The national legislature consists of (one/two chambers):
Answer:
a . One chamber
Comments: The legislative power shall be vested in the National Assembly.
Source: CConstitution of the Republic of Korea, Article 40: https://elaw.klri.re.kr/eng_service/lawView.do?lang=ENG&hseq=1
Verified: 2024/08/28
ES005
Electoral System (Chamber 1)
Question: What is the electoral system for Chamber 1 of the national legislature?
Answer(s):
e . Parallel (Segmented) (PR Lists and Majoritarian constituencies)
Comments: For proportional representation, voters cast their votes for parties' national lists of candidates. Seats are then allocated to each party in proportion to the number of votes received. The National Assembly consists of a total of 299 seats: 245 are district representatives elected from single-member constituencies, and 54 are proportional representatives elected based on party lists.
Source: Public Official Election Act, Article 188, 189: https://www.nec.go.kr/site/eng/ex/bbs/List.do?cbIdx=1280
Verified: 2024/08/28
The data on this page is continuously updated.
Additional, but potentially outdated material is available here.
