National Assembly (South Korea)

National Assembly (South Korea)
Name	National Assembly of the Republic of Korea
Native name	대한민국 국회
Legislature	21st National Assembly
House type	Unicameral
Established	1948
Leader1	Kim Jin-pyo
Leader1 type	Speaker
Members	300
Term length	4 years
Voting system	Parallel voting
Last election	2020 South Korean legislative election
Meeting place	National Assembly Building, Seoul

National Assembly (South Korea) is the unicameral legislature of the Republic of Korea, seated at the National Assembly Building in YeouidoSeoul. Originating from institutions formed during the establishment of the First Republic of South Korea and the Constitution of the Republic of Korea (1948), it has been central to constitutional crises such as the April Revolution (1960), the May 16 coup d'état (1961), and democratization movements culminating in the June Democratic Uprising (1987). The Assembly interacts with presidents including Syngman Rhee, Park Chung-hee, Chun Doo-hwan, Roh Tae-woo, Kim Young-sam, Roh Moo-hyun, Lee Myung-bak, Park Geun-hye, and Moon Jae-in.

History

The Assembly was constituted under the Constitution of the Republic of Korea (1948) following liberation from Japanese rule in Korea (1910–1945), after elections influenced by the United Nations Temporary Commission on Korea and the division at the 38th parallel. Early sessions debated land reform, relations with North Korea, and participation in the Korean War. The April Revolution forced the resignation of Syngman Rhee and led to the Second Republic of Korea, while the May 16 coup brought military regimes associated with Park Chung-hee and later Chun Doo-hwan that curtailed legislative authority. Constitutional revisions during the Yushin Constitution era and later in 1987 expanded democratic institutions, shaping the modern Assembly during the presidencies of Kim Young-sam and Kim Dae-jung. High-profile impeachments and constitutional reviews—such as the removal of Park Geun-hye via a Constitutional Court decision—demonstrate the Assembly's evolving role alongside institutions like the Supreme Court of Korea and the Constitutional Court of Korea.

Structure and Powers

The Assembly is unicameral with 300 members and is led by a Speaker and two Deputy Speakers; leadership interacts with parties such as the Democratic Party of Korea and the People Power Party. Constitutional powers include lawmaking under the Constitution of the Republic of Korea (1987), budget approval with the Ministry of Economy and Finance (South Korea), treaty consent involving the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (South Korea), and oversight including motions of no confidence and impeachment in coordination with the Constitutional Court of Korea. It confirms appointments like the Prosecutor General and ministers in dialogue with figures such as the Prime Minister of South Korea and the President of South Korea. The Assembly holds special investigative committees including panels addressing incidents like the Sewol ferry disaster and engages with agencies like the National Intelligence Service (South Korea).

Electoral System and Composition

Members are elected for four-year terms via a parallel voting system combining single-member districts and proportional representation; elections occur alongside national contests such as the South Korean legislative election, 2020 and South Korean legislative election, 2016. Parties competing include the People Power Party, the Democratic Party of Korea, and smaller entities like the Justice Party (South Korea) and the Basic Income Party (South Korea). Constituencies reflect administrative divisions including Seoul, Busan, Gyeonggi Province, and Jeju Province. The National Election Commission administers ballots influenced by past reforms responding to court rulings from the Constitutional Court of Korea and public movements linked to events such as the Candlelight rallies for Park Geun-hye.

Legislative Process

Bills may be proposed by members, the cabinet, or the President; high-profile statutes have included reforms to the National Pension Service, amendments tied to the Korean War status, and laws addressing the Sewol ferry disaster. Drafts are assigned to relevant committees, debated in plenary sessions, and require passage by majority to become law; budget bills involve scrutiny by the Budget and Accounts Committee. The Speaker schedules plenary sessions and interacts with parliamentary groups during deliberations on international agreements such as the Korea–United States Free Trade Agreement and security measures related to the Korean People's Army and United States Forces Korea.

Committees and Parliamentary Groups

The Assembly operates standing committees—Finance and Economy, Foreign Affairs and Unification, National Defense, Legislation and Judiciary—mirroring ministries like the Ministry of National Defense (South Korea) and the Ministry of Justice (South Korea). Special committees and investigative panels examine crises including the Sewol ferry disaster and corruption probes involving corporations such as Samsung. Parliamentary groups form along party lines, with inter-party negotiations shaping agendas; caucuses and bipartisan working groups address issues from relations with North Korea to trade with China and Japan.

Relationship with Executive and Judiciary

The Assembly provides legislative oversight of administrations from presidents such as Park Geun-hye and Moon Jae-in, exercises confirmation powers for cabinet nominees, and conducts impeachment proceedings culminating in Constitutional Court trials. Judicial review by the Constitutional Court of Korea and interactions with the Supreme Court of Korea delineate constitutional limits. The Assembly’s investigatory powers have confronted intelligence organs like the National Intelligence Service (South Korea) and law enforcement bodies including the Prosecution Service of South Korea.

Public Role and Criticisms

The Assembly engages with civil society including labor movements linked to Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, civic groups such as People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy, and media outlets like Yonhap News Agency and KBS (Korean Broadcasting System). Criticisms involve partisan gridlock between the Democratic Party of Korea and People Power Party, allegations of clientelism tied to regionalism in Gyeongsang Province and Jeolla Province, and concerns about legislative transparency and ethics leading to reforms involving the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission (South Korea). Public trust has fluctuated in response to scandals, impeachment cases, and high-profile investigations into conglomerates including Hyundai and SK Group.

Category:National legislatures Category:Politics of South Korea