Political parties in South Korea

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The political parties in South Korea are not as durable as it is for example in European parties of the case. Mostly before the upcoming parliamentary or presidential elections, new alliances are forged between the influential politicians, parties are dissolved, renamed, merged or newly founded. Since this constantly creates new political connections, it is difficult for voters to find out what which party stands for. Countless parties have formed in South Korea in this way since 1945, most of them with a mostly short lifespan.

The parties that existed longest under the same name were the nationalist right-wing Minju-gonghwa-dang ( 민주 공화당 , Democratic Republican Party) of the military dictatorship under Park Chung-hee . It existed from 1963 to 1980 for 17 years, followed by the right-wing conservative Hannara-dang ( 한나라당 , Big National Party) at the age of 15. Many parties on the left and the liberal spectrum often fail to survive beyond one legislative period. So one can understand that the turnout in South Korea for the parliamentary elections is not very high, as the election in April 2016 showed again. At just 58.1%, the voter turnout was the highest it has been in 12 years. For comparison: In 2009, the turnout for the federal election in Germany was 70.8%, the lowest since the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) was founded.

history

After Japan surrendered at the end of World War II , the Korean Peninsula became independent from Japan and placed under Soviet administration in the north (later North Korea ) and under American administration in the south (later South Korea) . In the south, a number of parties were formed immediately, covering the entire political spectrum from right to left . But under the influence of the occupying power and the emergence of the Cold War , the spectrum of left parties was greatly thinned out. The US military government promoted the political right, whereupon leftist forces migrated to the northern part of the Korean Peninsula.

The resulting party landscape, the lack of experience with democratic structures - South Korea has only given itself a basic democratic order since 1987 for the first time in Korean history - and the country's traditional social structures, encouraged political personalities who were less involved in the development of programmatic elements of politics their parties were interested, but in the development of power and retention of power. Not much has changed in that respect to this day.

Until 2002, when the introduction of the second vote for the list election of parties was decided, the voting rights of South Korea in the various forms always preferred the big parties. With the reform of the electoral law in 2002, 54 of the 300 seats to be awarded were allocated through proportional representation. This gave small parties, if they could then pass the 3% hurdle, their seats in the Gukhoe , the national assembly, safe and thus a greater chance than they had ever given them. Since January 1, 2016, however, the number of seats available for the party lists has been reduced by the then ruling party Saenuri-dang from 54 to 47 seats.

The dominant parties in South Korea have always been shaped by the respective framework conditions, such as the division of Korea, and the leaders. For example, I Singman ( Syng-man Rhee ) founded the Daehan Gungminhoe (대한 국민회), Korean National Association, in American-occupied South Korea in 1945. Her Daehan Donglib Chogseong Gungminhoe (대한 독립 촉성 국민회), National Association for the Immediate Realization of Korean Independence, which he founded a year later, was his ruling party from the founding of the Republic of Korea in 1948, which, however, changed its name immediately after its founding changed to Gungminhoe (국민회), National Association, and in 1951 Jayudang (자유당), Liberal Party. She remained in power until I Singman was overthrown in 1960. After Bak Jeong-huis ( Park Chung-hee ) came to power in 1962, Minju Gonghwadang (민주 공화당), the Democratic-Republican Party, founded in 1963, became its political pillar until 1979. After his coup in 1980, President Jeon Du-hwan ( Chun Doo-hwan ) stood by the Saejeongchi Gungminhoeui (새 정치 국민회 의), National Congress for New Politics, until 1988. He was replaced by the Minju Jeong-uidang (민주 정의당), Democratic Justice Party, the Jayu Minjudang (자유 민주당), Democratic-Liberal Party, and the Sin Hangugdang (신한국당), New Korea Party, to which President No Tae- u ( Roh Tae-woo ) from 1988 to 1993. Gim Yeong-sam ( Kim Young-sam ), who ruled from 1993 to 1998, was President of Minju Jayudang, the Democratic Liberal Party, from 1990 to 1997. Gim Dae-jung ( Kim Dae-jung ), president between 1998 and 2003, was chairman of the Saejeongchi Gungminhoeui (새 정치 국민회 의), National Congress for New Politics, from 1995 to 2000, and of the Saecheonnyeon Minjudang (새천년 민주당) from 2000 to 2003 , the Democratic Party of the New Millennium. No Mu-hyeon ( Roh Moo-hyun ), President of the Republic of Korea from 2003 to 2008, led the Yeollin Uridang (열린 우리당), Opens Our Party. President I Myeong-bak ( Lee Myung-bak ), from 2008 to 2013, belonged to Hannara-dang (한나라당), Korean National Party from 1998 to 2012 , and to Saenuridang (새누리 당), Party of the New Country until the end of his term in office . Bak Geun-hye ( Park Geun-hye ), his inner-party opponent, who took over the presidency in 2013, led the Saenuridang until 2017 and converted into the Jayu Hangugdang (자유 한국당), Liberal Korean Party. Since the change of power in 2017, Mun Jae-in has represented the Republic of Korea and relies on the Deobureo Minjudang (더불어 민주당), Joint Democratic Party. The 2020 elections confirmed the majority of Deobureo Minjudang, whose opposition is the conservative Mirae Tonghapdang , United Future Party.

List of parties since 1945

Political party Korean spelling German name Abbreviation f. German notation political orientation established dissolved renamed precursor successor engl. Name of the party
1
 Joseon-geonguk-junbi-wiweonhoe 조선 건국 준비 위원회 Committee to Prepare for the Establishment of Joseon State 1945 ?
2
 Hanguk-minju-dang (1945) 한국 민주당 Democratic Party of Korea (1945) DPK nationalistic right 1945 1949 Minju-gungmin-dang Korea Democratic Party
3
 Joseon-gongsan-dang 조선 공산당 Communist Party of Korea KPK Communist 1945 1946
4th
 Joseon-minjok-dang 조선 민족 당 Joseon People's Party VPC 1945 ?
5
 Joseon-minju-dang 조선 민주당 Joseon Democratic Party DPC 1945 ?
6th
 Minju-gungmin-dang 민주 국민당 National Democratic Party DNP 1949 1955 Hanguk-minju-dang Minju-dang (1955) Democratic Nationalist Party
7th
 Jayu-dang 자유당 Liberal Party LP 1951 1961
8th
 Minju-dang (1955) 민주당 Democratic Party (1955) DP55 1955 1961 Minju-gungmin-dang and by splitting off from Jayu-dang Minju-dang (1963) Democratic Party (South Korea, 1955)
9
 Jinbo-dang 진보당 Progressive party PP 1956 1958 Progressive Party (South Korea)
10
 Gungminui-dang (1963) 국민 의 당 Citizens' Party (1963) PDB63 1963 1964 Daejung-dang
11
 Jayu-minju-dang 자유 민주당 Liberal Democratic Party LDP 1963 1964 Daejung-dang
12
 Minju-dang (1963) 민주당 Democratic Party (1963) DP63 1963 1965 Minju-dang (1955) Daejung-dang
13
 Minju-gonghwa-dang 민주 공화당 Democratic Republican Party DRP nationalistic- authoritarian 1963 1980 Democratic Republican Party
14th
 Min-jeong-dang 민정당 Democratic Political Party DPP 1963 1964 Daejung-dang
15th
 Daejung-dang 대중당 People's Party VP 1965 1967 Minju-dang (1963), Gungminui-dang (1963), Min-yeong-dang, Jayu-minju-dang Sinmin-dang
16
 Sin-han-dang 신한당 New Korea Party NPK 1966 1967 Sinmin-dang
17th
 Sinmin-dang 신민당 New Democratic Party NDP 1967 1980 Daejung-dang, Sin-han-dang Sin-han-min-dang New Democratic Party (South Korea)
18th
 Minju-jeongui-dang 민주 정의당 Democratic Justice Party DGP nationalistic right 1980 1990 Minju-jayu-dang Minju-gonghwa-dang Democratic Justice Party
19th
 Hanguk-gungmin-dang 한국 국민당 Korean Citizens' Party KBP 1981 1981 Korean National Party
20th
 Hanguk-minju-dang (1981) 한국 민주당 Democratic Party of Korea (1981) DPK 1981 1981
21st
 Ming-gwon-dang 민권 당 Civil rights party BRP 1981 1985
22nd
 Sahoe-dang (1981) 사회당 Socialist Party (1981) SP81 1981 1981
23
 Sin-han-min-dang 신한 민당 New Democratic Party of Korea NDPK 1985 1987 Sinmin-dang Tongil-minju-dang
24
 Pjeonghwa-minju-dang 평화 민주당 Democratic Peace Party DFP 1987 1991 Sin-minju-yeonhap-dang Sin-minju-yeonhap-dang
25th
 Sin-minju-gonghwa-dang 신 민주 공화당 New Democratic Republican Party NDRP 1987 1990 Minju-jayu-dang
26th
 Tongil-minju-dang 통일 민주당 Democratic reunification party DWP 1987 1990 Sin-han-min-dang Minju-dang (1990)
27
 Minju-dang (1990) 민주당 Democratic Party (1990) DP90 1990 1991 Tongil-minju-dang Minju-dang (1991) Democratic Party (South Korea, 1990)
28
 Minju-jayu-dang 민주 자유당 Democratic Liberal Party DLP right 1990 1995 Minju-jeongui-dang, Tongil-minju-dang, Sin-minju-gonghwa-dang Sin-hanguk-dang
29
 Minju-dang (1991) 민주당 Democratic Party (1991) DP91 1991 1995 Minju-dang (1990), Sin-minju-yeonhap-dang Sae-jeongchi-gungminhoeui, split off to the Tonghap-minju-dang (1995) Democratic Party (South Korea, 1991)
30th
 Sin-minju-yeonhap-dang 신 민주 연합당 New Democratic Alliance Party NDAP 1991 1991 Pjeonghwa-minju-dang
31
 Jayu-minju-yeonhap 자유 민주 연합 Alliance of Liberal Democrats ALD right-wing conservative 1995 2006 by splitting off from the Minju-jayu-dang Gungmin-jungsim-dang and a part by splitting off to Hannara-dang United Liberal Democrats
32
 Sae-jeongchi-gungminhoeui 새 정치 국민회 의 National Congress for New Politics NKNP 1995 2000 Minju-dang (1991) Sae-cheonnyeon-minju-dang National Congress for New Politics
33
 Sin-hanguk-dang 신한국당 New Korean Party NKP right 1995 1997 Minju-jayu-dang Hannara-dang New Korea Party
34
 Tonghap-minju-dang (1995) 통합 민주당 United Democratic Party (1995) VDP95 1995 1997 by splitting off from Minju-dang (1991) by splitting to the Hannara-dang and Sae-jeongchi-gungminhoeui
35
 Gungmin-seungni 21 국민 승리 Citizen victory 21 BS21 1997 1997
36
 Hannara-dang 한나라당 Great national party GNP reactionary - right-wing conservative 1997 2012 Sin-hanguk-dang Sae-nuri-dang Grand National Party
37
 Sahoe-dang (1998) 사회당 Socialist Party (1998) SP98 1998 2012 Nodong-dang Socialist Party (South Korea)
38
 Minju-nodong-dang 민주 노동당 Democratic Labor Party DAP left progressive 2000 2011 Tonghap-jinbo-dang
39
 Sae-cheonnyeon-minju-dang 새천년 민주당 Democratic Party of the New Millennium DPNM 2000 2005 Sae-jeongchi-gungminhoeui Minju-dang (2005) Millennium Democratic Party (South Korea)
40
 Hanguk-mirae-yeonhap 한국 미래 연합 Future Alliance of Korea ZAK 2002 2002 by splitting off from Hannara-dang Hannara-dang
41
 Yeollin-uri-dang 열린 우리당 Our open party UOP left- liberal 2003 2007 Sae-cheonnyeon-minju-dang Tonghap-minju-dang (2007) Uri party
42
 Minju-dang (2005) 민주당 Democratic Party (2005) DP05 liberal 2005 2007 Sae-cheonnyeon-minju-dang Democratic Party (South Korea, 2000)
43
 Gungmin-boysim-dang 국민 중심당 Citizens focus on party BMP 2006 2008 Jayu-seonjin-dang People first party
44
 Dae-tonghap-minju-sin-dang 대통합 민주 신당 Great United New Democratic Party GVNDP liberal 2007 2008 Yeollin-uri-dang United New Democratic Party
45
 Jayu-seonjin-dang 자유 선진 당 Liberal Progressive Party LFP liberal - conservative 2007 2011 Gungmin-boysim-dang Seonjin-tongil-dang Liberty Forward Party
46
 Tonghap-minju-dang (2007) 통합 민주당 United Democratic Party (2007) VDP07 2007 2008 Yeollin-uri-dang Tonghap-minju-dang (2008)
47
 Chin-pak-yeondae 친박 연대 Pro-Park Alliance PPA right-wing conservative 2008 2010 by splitting off from Hannara-dang Mirae-himang-yeondae Pro-Park Coalition
48
 Jinbo-sin-dang 진보 신당 New Progressive Party NPP social democratic 2008 2012 Minju-nodong-dang Nodong-dang
49
 Minju-dang (2008) 민주당 Democratic Party (2008) DP08 liberal 2008 2011 Sae-cheonnyeon-minju-dang Minju-tonghap-dang Democratic Party (South Korea, 2008)
50
 Tonghap-minju-dang (2008) 통합 민주당 United Democratic Party (2008) VDP08 2008 2008 Minju-dang (2005), Tonghap-minju-dang (2008) Minju-dang (2008)
51
 Mirae-himang-yeondae 미래 희망 연대 Future hope alliance ZHA right-wing conservative 2010 2012 Chin-pak-yeondae Sae-nuri-dang Future Hope Alliance
52
 Tonghap-jinbo-dang 통합 진보당 United Progressive Party VPP left progressive 2011 2014 Minju-nodong-dang, Jinbo-sin-dang Spin-off to the Jinbo-jeongui-dang Unified Progressive Party
53
 Seonjin-tongil-dang 선진 통일당 Party for Progress and Unification PFV liberal - conservative 2011 2012 Jayu-seonjin-dang Saenuri party Advancement Unification Party
54
 Gaehyeokgung-minjeong-dang 개혁 국민 신당 Citizens' Party for Reforms BPR liberal 2012 People's New Party for Reform
55
 Jinbo-jeongui-dang 진보 정의당 Progressive Justice Party PGP 2012 2013 by splitting off from the Tonghap-jinbo-dang Jeongui-dang
56
 Minju-tonghap-dang 민주 통합 당 Democratic United Party DVP middle left 2012 2013 Tonghap-minju-dang Minju-dang (2013) Democratic United Party
57
 Sae-nuri-dang 새누리 당 New world party NWP right-wing conservative 2012 Hannara-dang Jayu-hanguk-dang Saenuri party
58
 Noksaek-dang 녹색당 Green party GP Left 2012 Green Party Korea
59
 Jeongui-dang 정의당 Justice party GKP 2013 Jinbo-jeongui-dang Justice Party (South Korea)
60
 Minju-dang (2013) 민주당 Democratic Party (2013) DP13 left- liberal 2013 2014 Minju-tonghap-dang Sae-jeongchi-minju-yeonhap Democratic Party (South Korea, 2011)
61
 Nodong-dang 노동당 Workers' Party AP socialist 2013 Jinbo-sin-dang Labor Party (South Korea)
62
 Deobureo-minju-dang 더불어 민주당 Together Democratic Party ZDP liberal 2014 Sae-jeongchi-minju-yeonhap Minjoo Party of Korea
63
 Sae-jeongchi-minju-yeonhap 새 정치 민주 연합 New Political Alliance for Democracy NPAD liberal 2014 2015 Minju-dang (2013) Deobureo-minju-dang New Politics Alliance for Democracy
64
 Gungminui-dang (2015) 국민 의 당 Citizens' Party (2015) PDB15 conservative 2015 People's Party (South Korea)
65
 Deobureo-minju-dang 더불어 민주당 Joint Democratic Party GDP liberal 2014 Sae-jeongchi-minju-yeonhap-dang Minju party
66
 Bareun-jeongdang 바른 정당, Right-party RP right-wing conservative 2016 Sae-nuri-dang Bareun party
67
 Jayu-hanguk-dang 자유 한국당 Freedom Party of Korea FPK right-wing conservative 2012 2017 Sae-nuri-dang Liberty Korea Party

Source: Korea country report

literature

  • Croissant, Aurel: South Korea: From Military Dictatorship to Democracy . In: Derichs / Heberer, Introduction to the Political Systems of East Asia, pp. 225 ff.
  • Derichs, Claudia / Heberer, Thomas (ed.): Introduction to the political systems of East Asia. PR China, Hong Kong, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Taiwan . Leske + Budrich, Opladen, 2003. ISBN 978-3-531159-37-9 .
  • Fukui, Haruhiro: Political Parties of Asia and the Pacific . Vol. 1. Greenwood Press, Westport / Connecticut-London, 1985.
  • Hannes B. Mosler: The Political Parties of South Korea . In: Country Report Korea . Federal Agency for Civic Education, Bonn 2015, ISBN 978-3-8389-0577-8 , Chapter: Part B: South Korea - I. Political System, p. 113-128 .
  • Hannes B. Mosler: The electoral system of South Korea . In: Country Report Korea . Federal Agency for Civic Education, Bonn 2015, ISBN 978-3-8389-0577-8 , Chapter: Part B: South Korea - I. Political System, p. 129-144 .
  • Weyrauch, Thomas: The party landscape of East Asia . Longtai, Heuchelheim 2018, ISBN 978-3-938946-27-5 .
  • Weyrauch, Thomas: Political Lexicon East Asia . Longtai, Heuchelheim 2019, ISBN 978-3-938946-28-2 .
  • Young, Whan Kihl: Transforming Korean Politics: Democracy, Reform, and Culture . ME Sharpe, Armonk / New York - London, 2005. ISBN 978-0-765614-27-8 .

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ 제 20 대 국회의원 선거 정당 별 득표 수 현황 (지역구 기준) . National Election Commission , accessed May 16, 2016 (Korean).
  2. ^ Opposition wins parliamentary elections in South Korea. Süddeutsche Zeitung, April 14, 2016, accessed on May 16, 2016 .
  3. ↑ turnout. The Federal Returning Officer, archived from the original on September 20, 2016 ; accessed on May 9, 2019 (original website no longer available).
  4. ^ Mosler: The Political Parties of South Korea . In: Country Report Korea . 2015, p. 113 .
  5. ^ Mosler: The Political Parties of South Korea . In: Country Report Korea . 2015, p. 114 .
  6. ^ Mosler: The Political Parties of South Korea . In: Country Report Korea . 2015, p. 132 .
  7. ^ South Korea ahead of legislative elections . (PDF 314 kB) European Parliament , April 7, 2016, accessed on May 16, 2016 .
  8. ^ Fukui, Political Parties of Asia and the Pacific, Vol. 1, pp. 674 f .; Weyrauch, The Party Landscape of East Asia, pp. 303 f., 306 ff., 314 ff .; Weyrauch, Politisches Lexikon Ostasien, pp. 30, 69, 86; Young, Transforming Korean Politics, p. 14 ff.
  9. ^ A b Mosler: The Political Parties of South Korea . In: Country Report Korea . 2015, p. 121 .
  10. ^ Mosler: The Political Parties of South Korea . In: Country Report Korea . 2015, p. 120 .
  11. ^ A b Mosler: The Political Parties of South Korea . In: Country Report Korea . 2015, p. 122 .
  12. ↑ Mosler, pp. 125-126 "
  13. ↑ List of a total of 131 parties, i.e. 19 parties from 1945 to 1947 and 112 parties from 1948 to 2018, in Weyrauch, Die Arbeiterlandschaft Ostasiens, pp. 322 - 341.