South Korea 2024 National Assembly Election Results: A Landslide for the Opposition
The 2024 South Korean National Assembly election concluded with a decisive victory for the liberal opposition, fundamentally reshaping the country's legislative landscape. With a voter turnout of approximately 67%, citizens cast their ballots to determine the composition of the 300-seat assembly, a result that serves as a significant political barometer for the current administration.
Key Facts
- Majority Party: The Democratic Party (and its alliance) secured a commanding lead, far exceeding the 151 seats required for a majority.
- Total Seats: 300 seats were contested, including 254 constituency seats and 46 proportional representation seats.
- Voter Turnout: Turnout was 66.97% for constituency votes and 66.99% for proportional representation votes.
- Major Winners: The Democratic Alliance (led by the Democratic Party) won 169 seats, while the People Power Party won 108 seats.
- New Entrants: The Rebuilding Korea Party, led by Cho Kuk, emerged as a significant third party, winning 12 seats.
The Electoral System and Results
South Korea utilizes a dual system for electing its National Assembly. The constituency seats (254) are decided via first-past-the-post voting, where the candidate with the most votes in a specific district wins. The remaining proportional representation (PR) seats (46) are allocated based on the percentage of the total vote each party or alliance receives.
Party Performance and Seat Distribution
The Democratic Party, led by Lee Jae-myung, saw a substantial increase in its influence, growing from 180 seats in the previous election to a combined 169 seats through its alliance. The ruling People Power Party, led by Han Dong-hoon, faced a setback, securing 108 seats compared to their previous 103, despite a shift in the regional vote.
The emergence of the Rebuilding Korea Party marked a notable shift in the political spectrum. Led by Cho Kuk, this new party secured 12 seats through the proportional representation system, capturing 24.25% of the regional vote.
| Party or Alliance | Constituency Seats | Proportional Seats | Total Seats | Total Votes (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic Alliance (incl. Democratic Party) | 161 | 8 | 169 | 50.48% (Constituency) |
| People Power Party / People Future Party | 90 | 18 | 108 | 45.08% (Constituency) |
| Rebuilding Korea Party | 0 | 12 | 12 | 24.25% (Regional) |
| Reform Party | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0.67% (Constituency) |
Regional Voting Trends
Voting patterns showed deep regional divides. The Democratic Party maintained strong dominance in the Jeolla provinces, with North Jeolla seeing 81.6% support and South Jeolla seeing 73.2% support. Conversely, the People Power Party held significant strength in the Gyeongsang provinces, particularly in Daegu, where they secured 70.2% of the vote.
Turnout by Region
Voter engagement varied across the country. Sejong recorded the highest turnout at 70.2%, while Jeju saw the lowest at 62.2%. The massive Gyeonggi province, a critical electoral battleground, saw a turnout of 66.7%.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many seats are needed for a majority in the National Assembly?
A majority requires 151 seats out of the total 300 available in the National Assembly.
What was the voter turnout for the 2024 election?
The overall turnout was approximately 66.97% for constituency votes and 66.99% for proportional representation votes.
Which party won the most seats?
The Democratic Alliance, led by the Democratic Party, won the most seats with a total of 169.
Who are the leaders of the major political parties?
The major leaders include Lee Jae-myung (Democratic Party), Han Dong-hoon (People Power Party), and Cho Kuk (Rebuilding Korea Party).
What is the difference between constituency and proportional seats?
Constituency seats are won by individual candidates in specific districts via first-past-the-post voting, while proportional seats are awarded to parties based on their share of the total vote.