South Korea - 86.46
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The world’s only of-the-people, by-the-people oligarchy
South Korea is placed in a unique situation due to the outright economic domination by the chaebols, large family-owned conglomerates granted monopolies over specific industries while the country was under South Korea’s autocratic rule in the 1960s. Companies like Hyundai, Samsung, LG, Korean Airlines, and others are in a unique state of cooperation with the government that grants them both preferential treatment from and leverage over the government. Chaebols run the Korean economy and are effectively legally untouchable. Only recently have people successfully sued Chaebols, and in such cases, the courts hand down softball punishments to Chaebols. Of concern was the National Security Law, which strictly regulates the broad umbrella of pro-DPRK activity. South Korea is a deeply conservative country, with deeply entrenched homophobia and transphobia that penetrate every level of South Korean society. In 2021, South Korea made major steps after the country legalized abortion to fourteen weeks following a supreme court ruling.
Human Rights - 82
South Korea has functionally abolished the death penalty, carrying out its last execution in 1997. Stalking was recently upgraded to a felony under Korean law. It was previously classed as a misdemeanor and not punishable by jail time, under the new law it is punishable by up to three years in prison. Trans Koreans can change their legal gender after sex reassignment surgery. LGBT cannot serve openly. Homosexuals are exempted from the draft (no proof required) and trans who have already transitioned are exempted, those who have not cannot transition during their mandatory service. Abortion was legalized to fourteen weeks circa January 1st, 2021, after a ruling by the supreme court declaring legislation restricting access to abortion unconstitutional and a subsequent law that set a gestational limit.
Democracy - 94
The president, who holds most executive authority, is directly elected. The prime minister is chosen by the directly elected National Assembly. Elections are free and fair but electoral laws are drafted such that residents of sparsely populated rural areas have disproportionate voting power. Pro-DPRK activities are banned under the National Security Law, and the Unified Progressive Party (UPP), a previously milquetoast leftist party that devolved into leftist nationalism and borderline (but not outright) pro-DPRK policy, was banned. By the time it was banned the party had little popular support. South Korean politics operate in an effective two-party system,, with elections dominated by the Democratic Party and the United Future Party, with smaller parties holding seats in the National Assembly but failing to gain real political traction. Chaebols exert significant sway over politics, with all former presidents and the incumbent President Moon. The National Intelligence Service (NIS) was accused of attempting to alter the results of the 2012 election. While investigations concluded that they did not affect the outcome of the election, the National Assembly passed a bill restricting the power of the NIS.
Freedom - 78
The broad umbrella of pro-DPRK activities are banned under the National Security Law. It effectively criminalizes praise of the DPRK, advocating for communist rule, and the use of the North Korean flag or iconography, including the Juche symbol, at demonstrations. Under the National Security Law, the government has occasionally censored news covering the DPRK, and curricula regarding the DPRK and the Korean War are strictly regulated. The law is vaguely worded and has been interpreted uncharitably by hardline anti-communist regimes. The Minister of Gender Equality and Family attempted to regulate k-pop idols, specifically what they deemed as “unhealthy” conduct. The attempt was withdrawn after a mass outcry from fans. Defamation is punishable by up to seven years in prison and fines not exceeding $42,000. The law rarely sees enforcement but journalists are occasionally threatened with it. The government fined Assemblyman Lee Jung-Hyun for reporting on the government’s response to the Sewol ferry disaster. Lee was fined the equivalent of $8,300 but was allowed to keep his Assembly seat. The NIS was accused of engaging in a mass surveillance campaign during the 2012 election cycle. South Koreans abroad are not allowed to do drugs or gamble in countries where these actions are legal, but these laws are generally unenforced. All drugs are illegal in South Korea. Bolt-action rifles and shotguns are allowed for hunting and sport shooting with strictly regulated permits.
Economy - 91
Health - 95
South Korea has a life expectancy of 83 years and an infant mortality rate of 0.19%. 4.7% of Koreans are obese and 2.5% are malnourished. The government offers non-comprehensive health insurance that covers 60% of the expenses for all procedures and medications, but some 77% of Koreans choose to pay for private care. The South Korean healthcare system was rated as the second most efficient in the world by Bloomberg. More than 99% of Koreans have access to clean, running water. Some 27% of adult Koreans smoke regularly.
Corruption - 87
Almost all Korean presidents, including the incumbent President Moon, have been accused of corruption regarding collusion with chaebols. The chaebols exert significant control over the government, and preferential treatment is granted to the chaebols over other companies. The Moon administration faces several additional charges of corruption. President Moon himself was largely unscathed but several of his appointees were placed on trial for bribery. President Moon pardoned former President Park from an ongoing corruption investigation on the grounds that the action would “heal the country.” This move was ostensibly genuine, as Park and Moon hail from rival parties. South Korea has virtually no petty corruption whatsoever, and a culture of giving gifts has largely waned.
Competency - 89
South Korea is failing to establish a full universal healthcare system. South Korea is not recognized by the UN observer state DPRK, which will not count as a penalty. South Korea does, however, claim the entire territory of the DPRK, which regardless of recognition status is de facto independent. South Korea received a ten point penalty for large areas of its de jure territory being under the de facto control of a third party (DPRK).
Future - 84
South Korea’s population continues to grow despite a declining birth rate and strict immigration laws. The birth rate is declining at a rapid pace, and if the government doesn’t loosen immigration laws soon the population will likely begin to decline. The future looks bright for South Korean women and LGBT, as the country continues to liberalize both culturally and politically.
Actions Abroad - 73
South Korea maintains some of the strongest unofficial relations of any country with Taiwan. South Korea has participated in military training in Taiwan. South Korea maintains very good relations with the United States, receiving large amounts of military and foreign aid from the US and playing host to an American military base. South Korea has several conflicting claims with China and Japan over various useless rocks in the East China Sea. The rocks are under the de facto control of no country. South Korea does not recognize the independence of the DPRK and claims the territory under the de facto control of the DPRK. South Korea received a ten point penalty for laying a claim to a de facto nation (DPRK).
0.2% of Koreans live under the international poverty line and 15.6% live under the national poverty line. 3.94% of South Koreans are unemployed. South Korea has a moderate economic disparity. The minimum wage in South Korea is $7.91 per hour. The Korean government offers non-comprehensive universal health insurance that covers 60% of the cost of all procedures and medications. Some 77% of Koreans choose to pay for private healthcare. The South Korean healthcare system was rated the second most efficient in the world by Bloomberg. The South Korean economy shrunk 1% in 2020 and grew 2% in 2019.