South Korea is a presidential representative democratic republic in East Asia, its capital Seoul. The President serves as head of state while the Prime Minister heads the government under the President, and the unicameral National Assembly holds legislative power. South Korea's current Sixth Republic constitutional order began with a major revision that took effect in 1988.
Facts
Classification
Freedom Status Founding Year Connections
Associated With
Source Constitution of South Korea (Wikipedia)
Governed By
Source Han Seong-sook (Wikipedia)
Source Lee Jae-myung (Wikipedia)
Practices
Source South Korea (Wikipedia)
Source South Korea (Wikipedia)
Shaped By
South Korea's existence as a separate state originates directly in the 1945 division of the Korean peninsula along the 38th parallel.
Source Division of Korea (U.S. Department of State)
In the Other Atlases
Same As
Also in Geography Atlas: the same subject.
Has Member
Also in Economics Atlas: a member of this subject.
Also in Economics Atlas: a member of this subject.
Sources
1. Freedom House: South Korea (Freedom in the World 2025)
Freedom HouseOverview, Global Freedom Score 83/100 (free)Quote, Overview, Global Freedom Score 83/100 (free)
South Koreans benefit from regular rotations of power and robust political pluralism.
2. Politics of South Korea (Wikipedia)
Wikipedia contributors, Wikimedia FoundationLead sectionQuote, Lead section
The current Sixth Republic began with the last major constitutional revision that took effect in 1988.
Lee Jae-myung (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationGoverned By: Lee Jae-myung Administration, Lead sectionQuote, Governed By: Lee Jae-myung Administration, Lead section
having taken office on 4 June 2025 after winning the 2025 presidential election with 49.42 percent of the vote
Han Seong-sook (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationGoverned By: Han Seong-sook Government, Lead sectionQuote, Governed By: Han Seong-sook Government, Lead section
has served as Prime Minister of South Korea since 1 July 2026
Constitution of South Korea (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationAssociated With: Constitution of South Korea, IntroductionQuote, Associated With: Constitution of South Korea, Introduction
The Constitution of the Republic of Korea is the supreme law of South Korea.
South Korea (Wikipedia)
Practices: Unitary State, Infobox: government_type
Unitary presidential republic
Practices: Presidential System, Infobox: government_type
Unitary presidential republic
View the SourceDemocratic Party of Korea (CIA World Factbook archive, South Korea)
Encompasses: Democratic Party of Korea, Government: partiesQuote, Encompasses: Democratic Party of Korea, Government: parties
Democratic Party of Korea (161); People Power Party (90); People Future Party (18); Other (31)
Reader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.
Sign in to dispute this or suggest a correction.