Discussing or understanding the political landscape of another country requires specific vocabulary. This guide provides essential Korean terms and phrases related to the political system of South Korea, helping you navigate conversations and news about Korean politics with greater confidence.
Table Of Content
Core Term
-
Expression: 정치 시스템
Pronunciation: jeong-chi si-seu-tem
Meaning: Political system
Basic Political Terms
-
Expression: 정치
Pronunciation: jeong-chi
Meaning: Politics -
Expression: 정부
Pronunciation: jeong-bu
Meaning: Government -
Expression: 국가
Pronunciation: guk-ga
Meaning: Nation, State -
Expression: 대통령
Pronunciation: dae-tong-ryeong
Meaning: President -
Expression: 국무총리
Pronunciation: gung-mu-chong-ri
Meaning: Prime Minister -
Expression: 국회
Pronunciation: guk-hoe
Meaning: National Assembly (Parliament/Congress) -
Expression: 국회의원
Pronunciation: gu-koe-ui-won
Meaning: Member of the National Assembly -
Expression: 정당
Pronunciation: jeong-dang
Meaning: Political party -
Expression: 여당
Pronunciation: yeo-dang
Meaning: Ruling party -
Expression: 야당
Pronunciation: ya-dang
Meaning: Opposition party -
Expression: 민주주의
Pronunciation: min-ju-ju-ui
Meaning: Democracy -
Expression: 헌법
Pronunciation: heon-beop
Meaning: Constitution
Branches of Government
-
Expression: 행정부
Pronunciation: haeng-jeong-bu
Meaning: Executive branch -
Expression: 입법부
Pronunciation: ip-beop-bu
Meaning: Legislative branch -
Expression: 사법부
Pronunciation: sa-beop-bu
Meaning: Judicial branch -
Expression: 법원
Pronunciation: beo-bwon
Meaning: Court (Judiciary) -
Expression: 대법원
Pronunciation: dae-beo-bwon
Meaning: Supreme Court -
Expression: 헌법재판소
Pronunciation: heon-beop-jae-pan-so
Meaning: Constitutional Court -
Expression: 장관
Pronunciation: jang-gwan
Meaning: Minister (Cabinet member) -
Expression: 부처 (or 부)
Pronunciation: bu-cheo (or bu)
Meaning: Ministry, Department (e.g., 외교부 – Ministry of Foreign Affairs) -
Expression: 삼권분립
Pronunciation: sam-gwon-bun-rip
Meaning: Separation of powers (three branches) -
Expression: 청와대 (historical term, now 용산 대통령실)
Pronunciation: cheong-wa-dae (yong-san dae-tong-ryeong-sil)
Meaning: Blue House (former presidential office, now Yongsan Presidential Office) -
Expression: 지방 자치 단체
Pronunciation: ji-bang ja-chi dan-che
Meaning: Local government -
Expression: 시장
Pronunciation: si-jang
Meaning: Mayor
Political Processes and Actions
-
Expression: 선거
Pronunciation: seon-geo
Meaning: Election -
Expression: 투표하다
Pronunciation: tu-pyo-ha-da
Meaning: To vote -
Expression: 후보자
Pronunciation: hu-bo-ja
Meaning: Candidate -
Expression: 당선되다
Pronunciation: dang-seon-doe-da
Meaning: To be elected -
Expression: 정책
Pronunciation: jeong-chaek
Meaning: Policy -
Expression: 법안
Pronunciation: beo-ban
Meaning: Bill (legislative) -
Expression: 법률
Pronunciation: beom-nyul
Meaning: Law, Act -
Expression: 토론
Pronunciation: to-ron
Meaning: Debate -
Expression: 연설
Pronunciation: yeon-seol
Meaning: Speech -
Expression: 시위하다
Pronunciation: si-wi-ha-da
Meaning: To protest, demonstrate -
Expression: 개혁
Pronunciation: gae-hyeok
Meaning: Reform -
Expression: 외교
Pronunciation: oe-gyo
Meaning: Diplomacy
Discussing Politics
-
Expression: 한국 정치에 관심이 있어요.
Pronunciation: han-guk jeong-chi-e gwan-si-mi i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I am interested in Korean politics. -
Expression: 현재 대통령은 누구예요?
Pronunciation: hyeon-jae dae-tong-ryeong-eun nu-gu-ye-yo?
Meaning: Who is the current president? -
Expression: 다음 선거는 언제예요?
Pronunciation: da-eum seon-geo-neun eon-je-ye-yo?
Meaning: When is the next election? -
Expression: 이 정책에 대해 어떻게 생각하세요?
Pronunciation: i jeong-chae-ge dae-hae eo-tteo-ke saeng-ga-ka-se-yo?
Meaning: What do you think about this policy? -
Expression: 어떤 정당을 지지하세요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon jeong-dang-eul ji-ji-ha-se-yo?
Meaning: Which political party do you support? (Use with caution, can be sensitive) -
Expression: 정치 뉴스를 자주 봐요.
Pronunciation: jeong-chi nyu-seu-reul ja-ju bwa-yo.
Meaning: I often watch political news. -
Expression: 한국의 정치 시스템은 복잡한 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: han-gu-ge jeong-chi si-seu-te-meun bok-ja-pan geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: The Korean political system seems complex. -
Expression: 정부의 결정에 동의해요/동의하지 않아요.
Pronunciation: jeong-bu-ui gyeol-jeong-e dong-ui-hae-yo / dong-ui-ha-ji a-na-yo.
Meaning: I agree/disagree with the government’s decision. -
Expression: 정치 이야기는 민감할 수 있어요.
Pronunciation: jeong-chi i-ya-gi-neun min-gam-hal su i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: Talking about politics can be sensitive. -
Expression: 국민들의 의견이 중요해요.
Pronunciation: gung-min-deu-re ui-gyeo-ni jung-yo-hae-yo.
Meaning: The opinions of the citizens are important. -
Expression: 사회 문제에 대한 해결책이 필요해요.
Pronunciation: sa-hoe mun-je-e dae-han hae-gyeol-chae-gi pi-ryo-hae-yo.
Meaning: Solutions for social problems are needed. -
Expression: 정치적 견해가 달라요.
Pronunciation: jeong-chi-jeok gyeon-hae-ga dal-la-yo.
Meaning: We have different political views.
Cultural Tips
Understanding Korean politics involves more than just vocabulary. Regionalism (지역주의 – ji-yeok-ju-ui) plays a significant role, with certain regions historically supporting specific political leanings. Be mindful of this when discussing politics.
Political discourse in Korea can sometimes be quite passionate and direct compared to other cultures. While active debate is common, it’s still wise for foreigners to approach political discussions with sensitivity, especially regarding historical events or inter-Korean relations.
Age and generation often influence political views in Korea. Younger generations may have different priorities and perspectives compared to older generations, shaped by different historical and economic experiences.
Korea has a dynamic history of democratic movements. Understanding key events like the Gwangju Uprising (광주 민주화 운동 – gwang-ju min-ju-hwa un-dong) or the Candlelight Protests (촛불 시위 – chot-bul si-wi) provides context for contemporary political attitudes and civic engagement.
The relationship with North Korea (북한 – bu-kan) is a constant factor in South Korean politics and influences policy decisions across various domains, from defense to foreign relations.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Two friends, Minjun and Sarah, are discussing the recent local elections in Korea.
Characters:
A: Minjun (Korean)
B: Sarah (Foreigner learning Korean)
-
Expression: A: 사라 씨, 이번 지방 선거 결과 봤어요?
Pronunciation: sa-ra ssi, i-beon ji-bang seon-geo gyeol-gwa bwa-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Sarah, did you see the results of the recent local elections? -
Expression: B: 네, 뉴스에서 봤어요. 제가 사는 지역은 시장 후보 경쟁이 치열했어요.
Pronunciation: ne, nyu-seu-e-seo bwa-sseo-yo. je-ga sa-neun ji-yeo-geun si-jang hu-bo gyeong-jaeng-i chi-yeol-hae-sseo-yo.
Meaning: Yes, I saw it on the news. The competition for the mayoral candidate was fierce in the area where I live. -
Expression: A: 맞아요. 투표율은 어땠어요?
Pronunciation: ma-ja-yo. tu-pyo-yu-reun eo-ttae-sseo-yo?
Meaning: That’s right. How was the voter turnout? -
Expression: B: 생각보다 높지 않았던 것 같아요. 정치에 대한 관심이 예전 같지 않다는 사람들도 있더라고요.
Pronunciation: saeng-gak-bo-da nop-ji a-nat-deon geot ga-ta-yo. jeong-chi-e dae-han gwan-si-mi ye-jeon gat-ji an-ta-neun sa-ram-deul-do it-deo-ra-go-yo.
Meaning: I think it wasn’t as high as expected. Some people say interest in politics isn’t what it used to be. -
Expression: A: 음, 그래도 중요한 정책들이 많이 결정되니까 계속 관심을 가져야죠. 특히 젊은 세대의 참여가 중요해요.
Pronunciation: eum, geu-rae-do jung-yo-han jeong-chaek-deu-ri ma-ni gyeol-jeong-doe-ni-kka gye-sok gwan-si-meul ga-jyeo-ya-jyo. teu-ki jeol-meun se-dae-ui cham-yeo-ga jung-yo-hae-yo.
Meaning: Hmm, but still, many important policies are decided, so we need to keep paying attention. Especially the participation of the younger generation is important. -
Expression: B: 맞아요. 저도 한국 정치 시스템에 대해 더 배우려고 노력 중이에요.
Pronunciation: ma-ja-yo. jeo-do han-guk jeong-chi si-seu-te-me dae-hae deo bae-u-ryeo-go no-ryeok jung-i-e-yo.
Meaning: That’s right. I’m also trying to learn more about the Korean political system.
Practice Tips
Understanding a country’s political system takes time! Try watching Korean news (뉴스 – nyu-seu) or reading articles about current events~ Pay attention to the terms used for government bodies, political parties, and processes. Don’t be afraid to ask Korean friends (politely!) about general aspects of the system, but remember political discussions can be sensitive. Using these terms actively will help solidify your understanding. 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Good luck!)
