As South Korea gears up for its 21st presidential election scheduled on June 3, 2025, the country is buzzing with political debate, campaign slogans, and — if you’ve walked around any Korean neighborhood recently — candidate posters plastered on walls and bulletin boards.
If you’re a foreigner living in or traveling through Korea during election season, you might be wondering:
Why are these posters everywhere? Who gets to vote? How is the president elected?
This blog post will walk you through the key features of the South Korean presidential election and introduce a uniquely Korean aspect of the campaign: the culture of putting up official candidate posters in public spaces.
🏛️ South Korea’s Political System: A Presidential Republic
Unlike Japan’s parliamentary system or the UK's constitutional monarchy, South Korea is a presidential republic. This means:
- The President is both head of state and head of government
- The President is directly elected by citizens, not appointed by the legislature
- The President holds considerable executive power, including control over foreign affairs, national defense, and the appointment of top officials
📌 Key Facts About the Presidency:
- Term: 5 years (no re-election allowed)
- Voting age: 18 years old and above
- Voting method: One-round direct popular vote (whoever gets the most votes wins — no run-off)
- Election date (2025): June 3
The current president, Yoon Suk-yeol, elected in 2022, is nearing the end of his five-year term. As per the constitution, he cannot seek a second term.
🗳️ How the Election Works
Every five years, South Korea holds a nationwide direct presidential election, meaning every eligible citizen votes directly for the candidate they prefer. No electoral college, no parliament voting — it’s a straight, one-person-one-vote system.
There is no requirement for a majority vote. The candidate with the highest number of votes wins, even if they only secure a plurality.
Voting is typically done in person using paper ballots. Early voting is allowed, as is overseas voting for South Koreans living abroad.
🖼️ The Culture of Campaign Posters in Korea
One thing you’ll notice during election season in South Korea is this: posters of smiling politicians wearing neat suits, raising fists, or giving hopeful gazes are pasted on walls and public boards across the country.
But this isn’t just guerrilla marketing or unauthorized graffiti. It’s a standardized, legal, and expected part of every election.
📋 What Are These Posters?
These are official candidate posters, regulated by the National Election Commission. By law, each registered candidate can print and distribute campaign posters with their photo, campaign number, slogan, party logo, and key promises.
You’ll often find them in:
- Apartment complexes
- Bus stops
- Public bulletin boards
- Street fences or temporary boards installed by local governments
The posters are numbered according to the candidate's registration order and always follow a standard size and layout, ensuring fairness and visibility.
🔍 What’s On a Poster?
Most posters include:
- Large photo of the candidate
- Party name and logo
- Candidate’s name and assigned number
- Catchy slogan (e.g., “Change for the Future!” or “The People First”)
- Key policy keywords or phrases (like "Housing Reform" or "Youth Jobs")
Sometimes, candidates also include QR codes or website links so voters can get more information.
🤔 Why Is This Poster Culture Unique?
While many countries allow printed campaign materials, Korea’s approach is uniquely visible and regulated.
- Equal Opportunity: Every candidate, regardless of political size, is guaranteed poster space in designated locations.
- Short Campaign Period: Korean law limits the campaign period to around 22 days, so these posters are crucial for visibility.
- Poster Aesthetics Matter: In a short campaign window, first impressions count — so candidates put great effort into photo selection, design, and slogans.
For many voters, especially the elderly or those without internet access, these posters are their main way of "meeting" the candidates.
🧹 After the Election: What Happens to the Posters?
Korea is strict about public cleanliness. After election day, local government workers — often joined by party volunteers — swiftly remove all posters from public places. It’s common to see teams out on the streets the very next morning.
Improper removal or putting posters outside permitted areas can result in fines for the candidates.
🎯 Other Key Features of Korean Elections
- Televised Debates: National broadcasters host mandatory debates, which give voters a chance to compare policies and personalities directly.
- Strict Campaign Laws: Spreading false information or defaming candidates is punishable by law.
- High Voter Turnout: Koreans take elections seriously. Turnout often exceeds 70%, far higher than in many other democracies.
- Youth Participation: With the voting age lowered to 18, political parties are working harder to engage younger voters.
🗓️ What’s Next?
Leading up to June 3, expect:
- More posters and banners in public spaces
- Political content on social media
- News coverage of rallies and televised debates
- Strong voter mobilization efforts by each party
🌏 Why It Matters (Even If You’re Not Korean)
If you're a foreigner living in Korea or just interested in East Asian politics, understanding the Korean presidential election gives you insight into:
- How a vibrant democracy in Asia functions
- The issues that matter most to Korean voters
- Potential changes in South Korea’s foreign policy, economy, or inter-Korean relations
Plus, it’s a fascinating cultural experience — especially when you walk past dozens of campaign posters, each shouting for your attention with bold fonts and hopeful faces.
✍️ Final Thoughts
South Korea’s presidential election is more than just a political event — it’s a civic celebration of democracy. The poster-covered walls, the energetic debates, and the intense media coverage all reflect how seriously Koreans take their right to vote.
Next time you see a row of colorful posters while walking around Seoul, Busan, or even a quiet countryside village, you’ll know:
It’s election season, and every vote matters.
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