1. Women’s Political Participation and Elections in Korea
Lee, Jeong-jin

2. Contents 2012 Presidential Election Process
Nomination Process: ~6.26
National Convention
Republican Party ~30
Democratic Party ~6
General Election:
Electors cast their vote:
01 Women’s Political Participation in Korea
02 Gender Quotas and Women in Legislature
03 The Impact of Electoral System
04 The Role of Political Parties
05 Conclusion

3. Women’s Political Participation in Korea
The first woman president in Korea
- Park, Geun-hye, the candidate of ruling party was elected by
President in presidential election
- Two of three candidates of major parties were women

4. Women’s Political Participation in Korea
Assembly
The National Assembly: 15.7%(47/300)
- 89th of 188 countries (IPU Data, September 2013)
The Local Councils
Metropolitan Council/ Provincial Assembly: 14.8%
District Council: 21.6%

5. Women’s Political Participation in Korea
Government
Central Government
The Woman President of Republic of Korea
Two woman minister(11.8%)
Local Government
- The Governor or Mayor of Metropolitan Government: 0%
- The Mayor of City or Town: 2.6%

6. Gender Quotas and Women in Legislature
Introduction of Gender Quotas
Introduction of quota system had been discussed since 1980s
Quota is the fastest means of increasing women’s representation
Democratization in 1987 was the turning point of women’s participation
Introduction of quota system in 2000
- 30% in proportional representation(National assembly + Local Assembly)
Trend of quota system
- from local election to general election
- from proportional representation to district election

7. Gender Quotas and Women in Legislature
Gender Quotas in National Assembly
local districts: 30%(since 2004)
political parties shall make their efforts to select women candidates
proportional representation: 50%(since 2004)
no penalties for non-compliance
quotas in PR election are usually complied
financial incentives for parties which comply gender quotas in local district election

8. Gender Quotas and Women in Legislature
Women elected members in National Assembly 
Local Districts
PR system
Total seats LD PR
2004
10(4.1%)
29(51.8%)
243 56
2008
14(5.7%)
27(50%)
245 54
2012
19(7.7%)
246

9. Gender Quotas and Women in Legislature
Gender Quotas in Local Councils
Local Districts: more than 1 woman candidate within the
National Assembly member District (since 2010)
- 30% quotas in local elections but no penalties from 2002 to 2009
Proportional Representation : 50%
- enhance of quotas 30% %(since 2002)
These quotas are reinforced with penalties for
non-compliance

10. Gender Quotas and Women in Legislature
Women elected members in Local Councils 
Local Districts
PR system
Total seats LD PR
2006
province/
metropolitan
32(4.9%)
57(73%)
655 78
city/town
110(4.4%)
327(87%)
2513
375
2010
55(8.1%)
58(72%)
680 81
274(10.9%)
352(94%)
2512
376

11. The Impact of Electoral System
Electoral System Change and
the enhance of Women Participation
2004 general election
- single-member district + proportional representation
(PR by party list system was introduced in 2004)
- 50% gender quotas in PR
The numbers of women MPs in National Assembly
- 16(5.9%) (13.0%)

12. The Impact of Electoral System
Numbers of Women MPs in National Assembly

13. The Role of Political Parties
political training and networking
- Political parties are the most important instrument to promote women’s political participation
- major parties have female assembly member’s network and training program for women
political recruitment and candidates selection
voluntary gender quotas: most major parties have 30% gender quotas
for candidates selection(except ruling party)
politics for women

14. To promote women’s political participation
Conclusion
To promote women’s political participation
Electoral System
- increasing of the proportional representation system
Gender Quotas
- expanding quotas and the enforcement regulations
penalties
Political Parties
- training, networking, recruiting for women

15. To promote women’s political participation in Korea
Conclusion
To promote women’s political participation in Korea
It is needed to enhance women’s socioeconomic status and gender equality

16. Thank You!