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Australia\nAustria\nBelgium\nCanada\nChile\nCzech Republic\nDenmark\nEstonia\nFinland\nFrance\nGermany\nGreece\nHungary\nIceland\nIreland\nIsrael\nItaly\nJapan\nRepublic of Korea\nLatvia\nLithuania\nLuxembourg\nMexico\nNetherlands\nNew Zealand\nNorway\nPoland\nPortugal\nSlovakia\nSlovenia\nSpain\nSweden\nSwitzerland\nTurkey\nUnited Kingdom\nUnited States\n Choose a country to compare\n----------\nAustralia\nAustria\nBelgium\nCanada\nChile\nCzech Republic\nDenmark\nEstonia\nFinland\nFrance\nGermany\nGreece\nHungary\nIceland\nIreland\nIsrael\nItaly\nJapan\nRepublic of Korea\nLatvia\nLithuania\nLuxembourg\nMexico\nNetherlands\nNew Zealand\nNorway\nPoland\nPortugal\nSlovakia\nSlovenia\nSpain\nSweden\nSwitzerland\nTurkey\nUnited Kingdom\nUnited States\n

Election and Democracy Republic of Korea Voter turnout in the national election 58.0% (June 2019 or latest) [27/36countries] Extent to which people think that it is important, in order to be a good citizen, always to vote in elections 6.01 (2014) [8/26countries] % of those who think that the last national election was honest regarding the counting and reporting of the votes 59.0% (2014) [21/26countries] % of those who think that the last national election was fair regarding the opportunities of the candidates and parties to campaign 52.9% (2014) [15/26countries] % of those who think that referendums are a good way to decide important political questions 74.5% (2014) [3/26countries] % of those who are proud of their country in the way democracy works 55.0% (2013) [16/26countries] % of those who think that giving people more say is the most important aim of the country out of maintaining national order/ giving people more say/ fighting rising prices/ protecting freedom of speech 15.8% (2010) [24/25countries] % of those who think that protecting freedom of speech is the most important aim of the country out of maintaining national order/ giving people more say/ fighting rising prices/ protecting freedom of speech 9.0% (2010) [19/25countries] Extent to which people think democracy works well in their country today 5.62 (2014) [13/26countries] Extent to which people think democracy worked well in their country 10 years ago 4.55 (2014) [22/26countries] Extent to which people think democracy will work well in their country 10 years from now 6.67 (2014) [5/26countries] Extent to which people think it important that all citizens have an adequate standard of living 5.86 (2014) [25/26countries] Extent to which people think it important that government authorities respect and protect the rights of minorities 5.61 (2014) [24/26countries] Extent to which people think it important that people be given more opportunities to participate in public decision-making 6.01 (2014) [10/26countries] Extent to which people think it important that citizens may engage in acts of civil disobedience when they oppose government actions 5.26 (2014) [9/26countries] Extent to which people think it important that governments respect democratic rights whatever the circumstances 5.90 (2014) [20/26countries] Extent to which people think it important that people convicted of serious crimes lose their citizen rights 5.22 (2014) [9/26countries] Extent to which people think it important that long-term residents of a country, who are not citizens, have the right to vote in that country�fs national elections 4.59 (2014) [6/26countries] Extent to which people think it important that citizens have the right not to vote 3.92 (2014) [24/26countries] Extent to which people think it important that health care be provided for everyone 6.10 (2014) [24/26countries] Politician Republic of Korea Number of total seats in the Parliament 300 (2017) [13/36countries] Number of total seats in the Parliament per 1 million population 5.85 (2017) [33/36countries] Number of seats in the House of Representatives 300 (2017) [13/36countries] Number of seats in the House of Representatives per 1 million population 5.85 (2017) [33/36countries] % of seats held by women in national parliaments 17.0% (2017) [31/36countries] Women in ministerial positions (% of all ministers) 9.1% (2017) [33/35countries] % of those who trust politicians 20.2% (2014) [17/26countries] % of those who think that most politicians are in politics only for what they can get out of it personally 72.9% (2010) [7/25countries] % of those who think that many politicians are involved in corruption 72.0% (2016) [5/25countries] % of those who think that most politicians are in politics only for their own interest 65.0% (2014) [9/26countries] Political party and organization Republic of Korea % of those who think that political parties encourage people to become active in politics 15.3% (2014) [25/26countries] % of those who think that political parties do not give voters real policy choices 42.4% (2014) [17/26countries] % of those who belong to a political party 5.0% (2014) [20/26countries] % of those who think that people who vote for the party/the parties in government have the most influence on the actions of the government 18.4% (2016) [3/25countries] Extent to which people think that it is important, in order to be a good citizen, to be active in social or political associations 4.27 (2014) [8/26countries] Parliament Republic of Korea % of those who have confidence in parliament 30.1% (2008) [27/30countries] % of those who think that MPs try to keep the promises they have made during the election 11.0% (2016) [19/25countries] % of those who think that the parliament considers your action if you take action against an unjust or harmful law 24.2% (2014) [4/26countries] Political awareness Republic of Korea % of those interested in politics (5 choices) 50.1% (2016) [21/24countries] % of those interested in politics (4 choices) 48.1% (2014) [18/26countries] % of those who think that their political position is left 4.6% (2014) [25/26countries] % of those who think that their political position is center 64.6% (2014) [1/26countries] % of those who think that their political position is right 12.9% (2014) [20/26countries] Average of political position 5.41 (2014) [7/26countries] % of those who often or sometimes discuss political matters with friends, relatives or fellow workers 54.2% (2014) [11/26countries] % of those who read the political content of a newspaper every day 36.2% (2014) [5/18countries] % of those who never read the political content of a newspaper 29.0% (2014) [7/18countries] % of those who use the media to obtain political news or information every day 75.0% (2014) [11/26countries] % of those who never use the media to obtain political news or information 3.1% (2014) [19/26countries] % of those who watch political news on television every day 58.0% (2014) [5/18countries] % of those who never watch political news on television 6.6% (2014) [13/18countries] % of those who listen to political news on the radio every day 11.9% (2014) [18/18countries] % of those who never listen to political news on the radio 63.7% (2014) [2/18countries] % of those who use the Internet to obtain political news or information every day 43.9% (2014) [1/17countries] % of those who never use the Internet to obtain political news or information 26.6% (2014) [16/17countries] % of those who have expressed political views on the internet 5.5% (2014) [23/26countries] % of those who often or sometimes try to persuade your friends, relatives or fellow workers to share their political opinion 31.3% (2014) [13/26countries] % of those who think that they understand political issues of the country 35.5% (2016) [19/25countries] % of those who think that others are better informed about politics and government 34.2% (2014) [7/26countries] % of those who think that ordinary citizens have no political voice 30.9% (2016) [23/25countries] % of those who do not think that the government cares much what people like them think 59.3% (2014) [10/26countries] Extent to which people think that it is important, in order to be a good citizen, to keep watch on the actions of government 5.51 (2014) [12/26countries] Extent to which people think that it is important, in order to be a good citizen, to try to understand the reasoning of people with other opinions 5.57 (2014) [15/26countries] Political action Republic of Korea % of those who would take action when the parliament considers an unjust or harmful law 27.3% (2014) [21/26countries] % of those who have attempted to contact a politician or a civil servant to express their views 7.5% (2014) [22/26countries] % of those who have donated money or raised funds for a social or political activity 27.9% (2014) [18/26countries] % of those who have signed a petition 40.1% (2014) [19/26countries] Extent to which people think that it is important, in order to be a good citizen, to choose products for political, ethical or environmental reasons, even if they cost a bit more 5.02 (2014) [5/26countries] % of those who have attended a political meeting 9.1% (2014) [25/26countries] % of those who think that it should be allowed to organise public meetings to protest against the government 80.4% (2016) [20/25countries] % of those who have attended demonstrations 13.9% (2014) [21/26countries] % of those who think that it should be allowed to organise protest marches and demonstrations 63.2% (2016) [24/25countries] % of those who think that people who want to overthrow the government by revolution should be allowed to hold public meetings 49.1% (2016) [19/25countries] % of those who think that people who want to overthrow the government by force should be allowed to hold public meetings 11.4% (2014) [19/26countries] % of those who think that people who want to overthrow the government by revolution should be allowed to publish books expressing their views 58.5% (2016) [18/25countries] Government Republic of Korea % of respondents reporting high levels of trust in national government 32.4% (2010) [25/34countries] Public officials Republic of Korea % of central government employees aged 55 years or older 12.2% (2015) [31/31countries] % of those who trust in civil servants 21.5% (2016) [17/25countries] % of those who think that the public service is committed to serve the people 47.9% (2014) [19/25countries] % of those who think that few public officials are involved in corruption 22.4% (2014) [19/26countries] % of those who think that many public officials are involved in corruption 45.7% (2016) [10/25countries] % of those who say that they or their family have never come across a public official who hinted/ wanted a bribe in the last five years 84.7% (2016) [15/25countries] Public finance Republic of Korea General government expenditure, % of GDP 32.4% (2015) [33/35countries] General government revenue, % of GDP 33.8% (2015) [32/35countries] General government fiscal balance, % of GDP 1.4% (2015) [2/36countries] General government gross debt, % of GDP 45.8% (2015) [27/35countries] % of those who are in favour of cuts in government spending 51.2% (2016) [18/25countries] General government expenditures for Defence, as % of total budget 7.60% (2016) [3/32countries] General government expenditures for Public order and safety, as % of total budget 4.17% (2016) [16/32countries] General government expenditures for economic affairs, as % of total budget 15.18% (2016) [1/32countries] General government expenditures for Environment protection, as % of total budget 2.38% (2016) [5/32countries] General government expenditures for Housing and community amenities, as % of total budget 2.37% (2016) [3/32countries] General government expenditures for Health, as % of total budget 13.23% (2016) [22/32countries] General government expenditures for Recreation, culture and religion, as % of total budget 2.34% (2016) [19/32countries] General government expenditures for Education, as % of total budget 16.07% (2016) [4/32countries] General government expenditures for Social protection, as % of total budget 20.48% (2016) [31/32countries] General government expenditures for Defence, as % of GDP 2.45% (2016) [3/32countries] General government expenditures for Public order and safety, as % of GDP 1.34% (2016) [24/32countries] General government expenditures for economic affairs, as % of GDP 4.90% (2016) [9/32countries] General government expenditures for Environment protection, as % of GDP 0.77% (2016) [11/32countries] General government expenditures for Housing and community amenities, as % of GDP 0.77% (2016) [6/32countries] General government expenditures for Health, as % of GDP 4.27% (2016) [29/32countries] General government expenditures for Recreation, culture and religion, as % of GDP 0.75% (2016) [25/32countries] General government expenditures for Education, as % of GDP 5.18% (2016) [17/32countries] General government expenditures for Social protection, as % of GDP 6.61% (2016) [31/32countries] Tax Republic of Korea Value Added Tax/ General Sales Tax - Rates 10.0% (2015) [29/33countries] Corporate income tax rate (central + sub-central) 27.50% (2018) [11/36countries] Ease of paying taxes (world rank) 23 (2016) [12/36countries] Profit tax (% of proft) 15.3% (2010) [21/36countries] Labor tax and contributions (% of proft) 12.9% (2010) [28/36countries] Total tax rate (% of proft) 29.8% (2010) [30/36countries] % of those who think that taxes are too high for those with high incomes 7.5% (2016) [25/25countries] % of those who think that taxes are too low for those with high incomes 74.9% (2016) [1/25countries] % of those who think that people with high incomes should pay a larger % of their income in taxes than those with low incomes 93.6% (2009) [1/28countries] Extent to which people think that it is important, in order to be a good citizen, never to try to evade taxes 6.20 (2014) [9/26countries] % of those who think that the tax authorities always/ often make sure people pay their taxes 54.0% (2016) [24/25countries] % of those who think that the tax authorities always/ often treat everyone in accordance with the law, regardless of their contacts or position in society 27.2% (2016) [24/25countries] Social security Republic of Korea Public social expenditure (% of GDP) 9.3% (2013) [34/34countries] % of those who are proud of their country in its social security system 42.3% (2013) [16/26countries] % of those who would like to see more government spending in old age pensions 55.1% (2016) [19/25countries] % of those who agree that the government is responsible for providing a decent standard of living for the old 84.0% (2016) [24/25countries] % of those who think that the government is successful in the provision of decent life for the old 33.6% (2016) [7/15countries] % of those who think that the government should primarily provide care for older people 51.9% (2016) [22/25countries] % of those who think that private companies should primarily provide care for older people 5.8% (2016) [12/25countries] % of those who think that family, relatives or friends should primarily provide care for older people 24.0% (2016) [4/25countries] % of those who think "government agencies should primarily provide help in everyday life for elderly people 54.1% (2012) [6/27countries] % of those who think that the government/public funds should primarily cover the costs of the help to elderly people 70.0% (2012) [9/27countries] Maternal leave benefits (% of wages) 100 (2009) [1/34countries] % of those who think that 1-6 months of paid parental leave is necessary 51.5% (2012) [5/27countries] % of those who think that 7-12 months of paid parental leave is necessary 28.7% (2012) [16/27countries] % of those who think that 13-36 months of paid parental leave is necessary 13.1% (2012) [15/27countries] % of those who think that the government should pay for parental leave 29.0% (2012) [20/27countries] % of those who think that the employer should pay for parental leave 13.5% (2012) [5/27countries] % of those who think that both the government and the employer should pay for parental leave 57.4% (2012) [10/27countries] % of those who think the employers should primarily cover the costs of childcare for children under school age 5.8% (2012) [4/27countries] % of those who think the family itself should primarily cover the costs of childcare for children under school age 38.3% (2012) [23/27countries] % of those who think the government/public funds should primarily cover the costs of childcare for children under school age 55.9% (2012) [9/27countries] % of those who think government agencies should primarily provide childcare for children under school age 27.8% (2012) [13/27countries] % of those who think that poverty is the most important issue for their country 5.6% (2010) [15/25countries] % of those who think that the government should spend less on benefits for the poor 9.9% (2009) [17/28countries] % of those who agree that the government is responsible for providing decent housing for those who can't afford it 75.2% (2016) [18/25countries] Extent to which people think that it is important, in order to be a good citizen, to help people in the country who are worse off than themselves 5.22 (2014) [20/26countries] Law and Justice Republic of Korea % of those who think that it is worse to convict an innocent person than to let a guilty person go free 59.5% (2016) [24/25countries] % of those who follow conscience rather than law on occasions (2 choices) 49.9% (2016) [15/25countries] Extent to which people think that it is important, in order to be a good citizen, always to obey laws and regulations 6.14 (2014) [14/26countries] % of respondents reporting high levels of trust in judicial system and courts 31.8% (2010) [29/34countries] % of those who have confidence in the justice system (5 choices) 77.9% (2008) [9/30countries]