South Koreans benefit from regular rotations of power and robust political pluralism. Civil liberties are generally respected, though the country struggles with minority rights and social integration. Legal bans on pro–North Korean activity affect legitimate political expression, and journalists can face pressure from the government over their coverage of or commentary on powerful political party members. Corruption is a persistent threat, with scandals implicating successive governments and company executives in recent years. Misogyny is also a chronic problem, and domestic violence, gender-based violence, and deepfake pornography are common despite laws meant to combat them.

• In April, the liberal opposition Democratic Party won 176 out of 300 seats in National Assembly elections, strengthening its control of the legislature and leaving President Yoon Suk-yeol’s conservative People Power Party with 108 seats. Three smaller parties captured the remainder. The outcome increased parliamentary pressure on Yoon’s presidency and policy agenda.
• The administration continued to crack down on critical expression during the year, with authorities arresting some antigovernment protesters, indicting journalists for allegedly defaming the president, and conducting raids on individuals and groups that were suspected of illegal support for the North Korean regime.
• In September, the National Assembly and government adopted legal amendments that criminalized the possession and viewing of sexually explicit deepfake content, prescribing fines or up to three years in prison for violations. Separately, the filing of criminal stalking charges surged under 2023 amendments to a 2021 stalking law; the changes had expanded the definition of stalking and allowed prosecutors to pursue cases without the victim’s approval.
• Politicians across party lines were embroiled in a series of corruption scandals. Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party, received a one-year suspended prison sentence in November for making false statements ahead of the 2022 presidential election. If upheld on appeal, the verdict would bar Lee from running for office for five years. President Yoon, his wife, and other allies were facing investigations related to alleged political funding violations and election interference.
• On December 3, President Yoon declared martial law, citing a need to eliminate “anti-state” forces among the opposition; his order appeared to violate the law and constitution in a number of respects. Soldiers were reportedly instructed to prevent lawmakers from entering the National Assembly and using their legal authority to repeal the martial law declaration. Nevertheless, after a physical struggle, martial law was lifted early on December 4 through a unanimous vote by 190 legislators, and the associated restrictions on freedom of the press and freedom of assembly were removed. The National Assembly voted to impeach Yoon on December 14, suspending him from office, and a final decision on his removal was under review by the Constitutional Court at year’s end.

This report has been abridged for Freedom in the World 2025 due to ongoing budget constraints. Freedom in the World is entirely funded by nongovernmental sources such as private foundations, corporations, and individuals like you. Please consider making a donation to support future editions of this vital resource.

For additional background information, see last year’s full report.