South Korea Opposition wins Landslide Parliamentary Vote

April 13, 2024

Legislative elections were held in South Korea recently, to elect all 300 members of the National Assembly. The main opposition Democratic Party and its satellite party won a combined 175 seats, while another small liberal opposition party obtained 12 seats. This dealt a major blow to President Yoon Suk Yeol and his conservative People Power Party, which together won only 108 seats.

However, regardless of the election outcome, President Yoon will remain in power and his major foreign policies are likely to remain unchanged. The newly elected parliament will begin meeting for a four-year term on May 30, 2024. Of the 300 total seats, 254 were directly elected in local districts, while the remaining 46 were allocated to parties proportionally based on their overall vote share.

National Assembly of South Korea

The National Assembly (Daehanminguk Gukhoe) is the unicameral national legislature of South Korea. It consists of 300 members who serve four-year terms. The National Assembly has the power to make laws, audit state affairs, ratify treaties, and approve the national budget. It can also impeach the president, prime minister, and other state officials for violations of the Constitution or other laws.

In this election, the opposition parties won a combined 187 out of 300 seats, giving them a strong majority in the National Assembly. This will significantly boost their ability to check the power of the president and shape the legislative agenda over the next four years.

What is Proportional Representation in the National Assembly of South Korea?

In addition to the 254 directly elected seats, 46 seats in the National Assembly are allocated through a proportional representation system. Under this system, parties receive a share of these seats corresponding to their overall percentage of the vote.

In this election, a small liberal opposition party was able to gain 12 seats through proportional representation, despite not winning any directly elected seats. This highlights how the system allows for smaller parties to achieve a measure of representation and influence in the legislature.

About South Korea

The Republic of Korea, is a country located in East Asia, constituting the southern part of the Korean Peninsula. It is known for its rapid economic growth and technological advancements since the 1960s, transforming from a war-torn nation to a highly developed country. South Korea is a democratic republic with a presidential system and a thriving market economy. The country is renowned for its rich cultural heritage, including traditional arts, cuisine, and popular culture, such as K-pop and Korean dramas. South Korea is also a leader in the automotive, electronics, and shipbuilding industries. The country has faced ongoing tensions with North Korea since the Korean War, but has remained committed to pursuing peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.

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