South Korea 2020 Legislative Elections: A Landmark Shift in Political Representation
On 15 April 2020, South Korea held a pivotal election for its National Assembly, marking a significant turning point in the nation's democratic history. This election was not only notable for its political outcomes but also for being the first held under a newly implemented electoral system. The results signaled a major realignment in the country's political landscape, characterized by a landslide victory for the liberal alliance and a historic low for conservative forces.
Key Facts
- Election Date: 15 April 2020.
- Total Seats: 300 members of the National Assembly.
- New Voting Age: Lowered from 19 to 18 years old.
- Winning Alliance: The Democratic Party and its satellite, the Platform Party, secured 180 seats.
- Electoral Reform: Introduced a new system involving 253 first-past-the-post seats and 47 proportional representation seats.
- Voter Turnout: Approximately 66.2%.
A New Electoral Framework
The 2020 elections introduced structural changes to how South Koreans elect their representatives. Under the previous system, 253 members were elected via first-past-the-post (a system where the candidate with the most votes wins) and 47 through proportional representation (PR) using the Hare quota largest remainder method. To qualify for PR seats, parties had to meet a threshold of either 3% of the total list vote or win at least five single-member districts.
The new system aimed to reform representation, but it also led to the emergence of satellite parties. These are secondary parties created by major political blocs to capture proportional representation seats that might otherwise be lost under the new rules. The liberal Democratic Party formed the Platform Party, while the conservative United Future Party established the Future Korea Party to maximize their seat count.
Election Results and Political Realignment
The outcome was a decisive victory for the liberal alliance. The Democratic Party and its satellite, the Platform Party, captured 180 of the 300 available seats, representing 60% of the assembly. The Democratic Party alone secured 163 constituency seats, the highest number achieved by any single party since 1960. This provided the ruling alliance with a three-fifths super-majority, granting them the power to fast-track legislative procedures.
In contrast, the conservative alliance—comprising the United Future Party and the Future Korea Party—won 103 seats. This result was noted by commentators as the worst performance for conservative parties since the 1960 legislative elections. The election also saw the entry of new political players, including the People Party and the Open Democratic Party, both of which secured 3 seats each.
Summary of Major Party Performance
| Party Alliance | Constituency Seats | Proportional Seats | Total Seats | Seat Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic / Platform Party | 163 | 17 | 180 | +57 |
| United Future / Future Korea Party | 84 | 19 | 103 | -19 |
| Justice Party | 1 | 5 | 6 | 0 |
Regional Distribution of Seats
The political divide was clearly visible across different regions of South Korea. The Democratic Party maintained strong dominance in the southern regions, particularly in Gwangju and the Jeolla provinces. Conversely, the United Future Party saw significant strength in the northern Gyeongsang provinces and in the city of Daegu.
In the capital region of Seoul, the race was more competitive, with the Democratic Party winning 41 seats compared to 8 for the United Future Party. Gyeonggi province, one of the largest electoral regions, saw the Democratic Party secure 51 seats, while the United Future Party took 7.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the main change in the 2020 electoral system?
The 2020 election was the first to utilize a revised electoral system that included 253 seats from first-past-the-post constituencies and 47 seats from proportional party lists. It also lowered the legal voting age from 19 to 18.
What are satellite parties in the context of this election?
Satellite parties (or decoy lists) are secondary parties established by major political groups to take advantage of the proportional representation rules. In 2020, the Democratic Party used the Platform Party, and the United Future Party used the Future Korea Party, to secure more seats.
How much power did the winning party gain?
By winning 180 seats, the Democratic-Platform alliance achieved a three-fifths super-majority. This allows the alliance to fast-track legislative procedures in the National Assembly.
How did the voter turnout compare to previous expectations?
The voter turnout was approximately 66.21% for proportional representation votes and 66.19% for constituency votes, reflecting a significant level of engagement from the electorate.
Which parties were new to the National Assembly in 2020?
Several parties that did not exist or were not represented in the 2016 assembly entered the 2020 legislature, including the People Party and the Open Democratic Party.