남한 « NAM HAN »
— Officially: 대한민국 « Tai Han Min Kuk ».
— English: South Korea.
— Seat of government: 서울 « Se Øul ».
— Status: Democratic.
— Structure: The president is elected directly, and chooses the ministers. The legislature (국회 « Kuk Hoi ») is elected in geographical constituencies modified by party-list proportional representation.
— Governing party: 민주당 « Min Cu Taŋ ».
— Heads of government: 문재인 « Mun Cai Øin », president (since 2017); 김부겸 « Kim Pu Kjem », prime minister (since 2021).
— Chief opposition parties: 자유한국당 « Ca Øju Han Kuk Taŋ »; 국민의당 « Kuk Min Øui Taŋ »; 바른정당 « Pa Lun Ceŋ Taŋ ».
— Recent history: The presidential elections of dissident 김대중 « Kim Tai Cuŋ » (1998-2003) and human-rights lawyer 노무현 « No Mu Hjen » (2003-8) were two straight defeats for the 한나라당 « Han Na La Taŋ » (later the 새누리당 « Sai Nu Li Taŋ », now the 자유한국당 « Ca Øju Han Kuk Taŋ ») of the old military régime, which had imprisoned 노 « No » and sentenced 김 « Kim » to death. 노 « No » was impeached by parliament in 2004, his powers temporarily assumed by prime minister 고건 « Ko Ken ». But voters gave the previously-insignificant 우리당 « Øu Li Taŋ » a large majority in parliament in elections that year based on its new affiliation with 노 « No », and the constitutional court reinstated him. The governing party was reorganized through schisms and mergers, and is now the 민주당 « Min Cu Taŋ ». 이명박 « Øi Mjeŋ Pak » (2008-13) of the 한나라당 « Han Na La Taŋ » was elected president in 2007. Shortly afterwards, the 한나라당 « Han Na La Taŋ » also won a slight majority in parliament. It won a continued majority in 2012. 박근혜 « Pak Kun Hjei » (2013-6), daughter of military ruler 박정희 « Pak Ceŋ Hui » (1961-79), was elected president in 2012, defeating 문 « Mun ». She was impeached in late 2016 over corruption, with prime minister 황교안 « Hoaŋ Kjo Øan » (acting president 2016-7) assuming provisional presidential authority; 박 « Pak » was then removed from office in 2017. 문 « Mun » was elected to succeed her, defeating 홍준표 « Hoŋ Cun P‛jo » of 자유한국당 « Ca Øju Han Kuk Taŋ » and 안철수 « Øan C‛el Su » of 국민의당 « Kuk Min Øui Taŋ ».
— FH: 1-2, free. Econ: 8.01 (28), full democracy.
— Updated: 2021 November 30.
O.T. FORD