South Korea
2026
- GOVERNMENT
- presidential republic
- CONSTITUTION
- October 29, 1987
- LEGAL SYSTEM
- based on elements of European, Anglo-American, and Chinese codes
- LEGISLATIVE SYSTEM
- unicameral, National Assembly (Kukhoe)
- JUDICIAL SYSTEM
- Supreme Court, judges appointed by the President and ratified by the National Assembly; Constitutional Court
RELIGIONS
Christians 26%, Buddhists 23%, none 49%
From the country
MARCH 4, 2019South KoreaDEATH PENALTYSOUTH KOREA: BISHOPS CALL FOR AN END TO THE DEATH PENALTY
The South Korean bishops’ conference has called for an end to the death penalty, and asked the nation’s Constitutional Court to consider whether capital punishment violates South Korea’s constitution, CAN reported on 14 February 2019.
- JANUARY 1, 2019South KoreaDEATH PENALTY
20 years without executions
20 years without executions
OCTOBER 17, 2018South KoreaDEATH PENALTYSOUTH KOREA: 61 PEOPLE CURRENTLY ON DEATH ROW
South Korea currently has a total 61 people on death row, with 57 people in ordinary correctional facilities and 4 in military prisons, The Hankyoreh reported on 17 October.
OCTOBER 16, 2018South KoreaDEATH PENALTYSOUTH KOREA: 7 IN 10 OPPOSE DEATH PENALTY
The majority of South Koreans agree that the death penalty should be abolished and replaced with alternative forms of punishment, the state-run human rights body announced on 10 October 2018.
- JUNE 19, 2018South KoreaDEATH PENALTY
SOUTH KOREA: PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE SAYS IT MAY REVIEW INTRODUCING MORATORIUM ON DEATH PENALTY
The presidential office said it will review a moratorium on the nation’s death penalty system if the state human rights watchdog officially makes a request.
- JUNE 18, 2018South KoreaDEATH PENALTY
KOREA PUSHING FOR OFFICIAL DECLARATION ON ABOLITION OF DEATH PENALTY
South Korea is pushing for a presidential declaration on the abolition of capital punishment, the state human rights watchdog said,
- FEBRUARY 21, 2018South KoreaDEATH PENALTY
SOUTH KOREA'S 'MOLAR DADDY' GETS DEATH PENALTY FOR MURDERING TEEN GIRL
A court in South Korea meted out the death sentence to a man charged with killing a school friend of his daughter after sexually molesting her, Yonhap news agency reported.
- JANUARY 1, 2018South KoreaDEATH PENALTY
20 years without executions
20 years without executions
- NOVEMBER 6, 2017South KoreaDEATH PENALTY
a poll was released by Realmeter and commissioned by local broadcaster CBS.
a poll was released by Realmeter and commissioned by local broadcaster CBS.
- JANUARY 1, 2017South KoreaDEATH PENALTY
Capital punishment is provided for 103 crimes:
Capital punishment is provided for 103 crimes:
- JUNE 2, 2016South KoreaDEATH PENALTY
despite a nine-day filibuster by 38 liberal members, the National Assembly passed a controversial anti-
despite a nine-day filibuster by 38 liberal members, the National Assembly passed a controversial anti-
- FEBRUARY 17, 2016South KoreaDEATH PENALTY
the Supreme Court upheld a death sentence for an Army sergeant for killing five fellow soldiers in a shooting rampage near the border with North Korea.
the Supreme Court upheld a death sentence for an Army sergeant for killing five fellow soldiers in a shooting rampage near the border with North Korea.