On this page:

• Summary
• Government
• Law
• Diplomacy
• International Forums

Summary

South Korea’s political history began in 1948 after the Korean Peninsula was divided along the 38th parallel following World War II. On August 15, 1948, the Republic of Korea (ROK) was officially established with Syngman Rhee as its first president. Rhee, an anti-communist leader, ruled as an authoritarian, suppressing political opposition and maintaining strong ties with the U.S. His presidency faced growing resistance due to corruption and election fraud, leading to the April 19 Movement in 1960, where student protests forced his resignation.

South Korea briefly transitioned to a parliamentary system under President Yun Po-sun and Prime Minister Chang Myon, but the government was weak and failed to address a struggling economy and rising internal conflicts. In 1961, General Park Chung-hee led a military coup, seizing power and returning the country to authoritarianism. He ruled South Korea for 18 years and implemented major economic and social reforms. Through a series of five-year economic plans, he rapidly grew south Korea's industrial sector and export market. This period is referred to today as the ‘Miracle on the Han River’ as it saw a once poverty-stricken county transform into an economic powerhouse. While South Korea's prosperity grew, Park’s rule was overshadowed by political repression, censorship, and human rights violations. In 1979, he was assassinated by the head of the Korean intelligence agency.

In 1980, another military leader, Chun Doo-hwan, took power in a coup. He imposed martial law and brutally suppressed pro-democracy protests, most notably the Gwangju Uprising which resulted in hundreds of deaths. The June Democracy Movement of 1987, fuelled by student protests and public opposition to military rule, forced the government to hold free and fair elections. This led to the establishment of the Sixth Republic, with Roh Tae-woo, a former military general, winning the presidency in South Korea's first direct presidential election in decades.

In 1997, South Korea faced a financial crisis that tested the resilience of its democratic institutions. Democracy prevailed and Kim Dae-jung, a former opposition leader and pro-democracy activist, was elected president, marking the first peaceful transition of power between political parties in South Korea’s history.

Kim Dae-jung pursued the "Sunshine Policy," an initiative aimed at improving relations with North Korea through economic cooperation and diplomatic engagement. This policy led to historic Korean summits, although tensions between the two Koreas persisted. In the 2000s and 2010s, South Korea saw increasing political polarisation. Conservative leader Lee Myung-bak's presidency (2008–2013) was marked by economic policies favouring big businesses and strained relations with North Korea while his successor, Park Geun-hye, South Korea’s first female president, faced massive corruption scandals, leading to her impeachment and removal from office in 2017.

Following Park Geun-hye's impeachment, Moon Jae-in was elected president in 2017 on the promise of economic reforms, social policies, and renewed diplomatic efforts with North Korea. However, faced with growing youth unemployment and a housing crisis, his approval ratings plummeted. In 2022, conservative candidate Yoon Suk-yeol was elected, marking another shift in political power. On the third of December 2024, the President declared Martial Law stating that this was necessary to defend the country against anti-state forces. The National Assembly overturned the decision six hours later and on the 14^th of December 2024, Yoon Suk-yeol was impeached and suspended from office.

Government

South Korea is a democratic republic with a presidential system. The President serves as both the head of state and the head of government and is the highest figure of executive authority, followed by the Prime Minister and government ministers in decreasing order. The National Assembly is a unicameral legislature with 300 members who pass laws and oversee the executive branch. Local governments are semi-autonomous and contain executive and legislative bodies of their own. The judicial branch operates at both the national and local levels.

The South Korean government is determined by the Constitution of the Republic of Korea. This document has been revised several times since its first promulgation in 1948; however, it has retained many broad characteristics. Except for the short-lived Second Republic of South Korea from 1960-1961, the country has always had a relatively independent chief executive in the form of a president.

As with most democracies, a careful system of checks and balances is in place. The judges of the Constitutional Court are partially appointed by the executive, and partially by the legislature. Likewise, when a resolution of impeachment is passed by the legislature, it is sent to the judiciary for a final decision.

Diplomacy

South Korea maintains relations with 161 countries, while also managing a complex and often tense relationship with North Korea. As a middle power, South Korea has engaged in multilateral diplomacy, working cooperatively to address issues including national security, economic growth, and regional stability.

North Korea

South Korea’s approach to its northern neighbour has alternated between engagement and deterrence, depending on the administration in power. Progressive governments, such as those of Kim Dae-jung and Moon Jae-in, pursued reconciliation through policies like the "Sunshine Policy" and inter-Korean summits. On the other hand, conservative administrations, including Yoon Suk-yeol’s, have taken a more hardline approach, focusing on military readiness and stronger cooperation with the U.S. South Korea has always stood firmly against North Korea’s growing nuclear capabilities.

United States

The U.S. remains South Korea’s most crucial ally, with their military and economic partnership serving as the foundation of South Korean foreign policy. Since the Korean War, the U.S.-South Korea alliance has been based on mutual security commitments, with approximately 28,500 U.S. troops stationed in the country. The alliance has also expanded into economic and technological cooperation – particularly in areas like semiconductors, defence industries, and space exploration. While the alliance remains strong, the relationship has faced challenges, such as disagreements over defence cost-sharing, trade policies, and diplomatic approaches to North Korea.

China

China is South Korea’s largest trading partner, making economic cooperation essential. However, their diplomatic relationship is complex due to geopolitical concerns, including China's support for North Korea and its growing regional influence. Tensions arose in 2016 when South Korea deployed the U.S. THAAD missile defence system which China saw as a security threat. Despite such disagreements, both countries have sought to maintain stable relations.

Japan

Japan is a crucial partner and rival in South Korean diplomacy. Historical grievances related to Japan’s colonial rule over Korea (1910–1945) have frequently strained relations. There are still unresolved disputes over wartime issues such as forced labour, territorial disputes, and "comfort women" – a term given to women who were abducted and forced to work in Japanese military warehouses or brothels. Despite some friction, both countries share security concerns regarding North Korea and cooperate under trilateral agreements with the U.S.

Russia

Russia plays a lesser but still significant role in South Korea’s diplomacy. While their economic ties are not as deep as those with China or the U.S., South Korea has sought to expand trade and investment in Russia, particularly in energy and infrastructure projects. Russia's relations with North Korea and its broader geopolitical interests in East Asia also make it an important player in regional security discussions.

Australia

Australia has emerged as a key diplomatic and economic partner for South Korea, particularly in trade and security. Both nations are members of regional and global organisations such as the G20 and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). Shared democratic values and security interests have also led to closer defence cooperation, including joint military exercises and intelligence-sharing. South Korea relies on Australian natural resources, while Australia benefits from South Korean investments and technological advancements.

International Forums

South Korea became a member of the United Nations (UN) in 1991, alongside North Korea. It has contributed both personnel and financial resources to UN peacekeeping operations (PKOs) in conflict zones, including deployments in Lebanon, South Sudan, and Haiti. As the 10th largest economy in the world, South Korea is an active participant in the Group of 20 (G20), hosting the G20 Summit in Seoul in 2010 and is a key member of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), a forum that promotes trade and investment liberalization across the Asia-Pacific region.

South Korea’s relations with ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) have grown significantly in recent years, particularly through its New Southern Policy (NSP), launched in 2017. This policy aims to enhance economic, political, and cultural ties with ASEAN nations by increasing trade, investment, and people-to-people exchanges. Given its proximity to North Korea’s nuclear threat, South Korea is deeply involved in international non-proliferation efforts. It is a member of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and supports the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT).

For more information on South Korean Diplomacy, See resources below:

Articles:

• Republic of Korea (South Korea) | Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
• Explaining the South Korean Political Crisis – Australian Institute of International Affairs
• South Korea's Yoon Suk Yeol defends his martial law decree as impeachment trial nears end – ABC News
• Asian Allies on Edge: Japan and South Korea Brace for Uncertainty in Trump’s Second Term – The Diplomat
• South Korea | Council on Foreign Relations