What Is 18th National Assembly of South Korea

Overview

The 18th National Assembly of South Korea was a pivotal legislative body that served a full four-year term from May 29, 2008, to May 29, 2012. It was elected during a period of political transition following the end of President Roh Moo-hyun’s administration and the beginning of Lee Myung-bak’s presidency.

This assembly played a crucial role in shaping early 2010s South Korean policy, overseeing economic reforms, foreign relations, and legislative modernization. Despite political tensions, it maintained a relatively high legislative productivity rate compared to previous assemblies.

• 299 members were elected, with 246 from single-member constituencies and 53 through proportional representation, reflecting South Korea’s mixed-member electoral system.
• The Grand National Party (GNP) won a decisive victory in the April 9, 2008, legislative election, securing 153 seats, giving it a parliamentary majority.
• The Democratic Party, the main opposition, won 81 seats, while smaller parties and independents divided the remaining 65 seats, including the United Democratic Party and minor progressive groups.
• It convened at the National Assembly Building in Yeouido, Seoul, operating under the Constitution of the Republic of Korea with authority over legislation, budgets, and impeachment powers.
• The assembly passed 1,284 laws during its term, including key economic stimulus measures, anti-corruption laws, and revisions to labor regulations.

How It Works

The 18th National Assembly operated under South Korea’s unicameral parliamentary system, where members serve fixed four-year terms and exercise legislative, oversight, and budgetary functions.

• Term: The assembly served a fixed four-year term from May 29, 2008, to May 29, 2012, as mandated by the South Korean Constitution, with no early dissolution during this period. This stability allowed for long-term legislative planning and policy continuity.
• Leadership Structure: The Speaker, elected by members, presided over sessions, with Kim Jin-pyo serving from 2008–2010 and Chung Ui-hwa from 2010–2012, representing different political factions.
• Legislative Process: Bills required approval from relevant standing committees and plenary sessions, with over 60% of proposed bills either passed or amended during this term.
• Committee System: The assembly operated through 17 standing committees, including Finance, Foreign Affairs, and Legislation, each reviewing bills before full chamber votes.
• Impeachment Powers: The assembly retained constitutional authority to impeach officials; however, no impeachments occurred during this term despite political controversies.
• Public Engagement: It introduced real-time electronic voting and live-streamed sessions, increasing transparency and public access to parliamentary proceedings.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparative overview of the 18th National Assembly and its immediate predecessors and successors in key structural and performance metrics.

The 18th Assembly marked a conservative legislative dominance and a rise in legislative output compared to earlier terms. Its use of technology and procedural reforms laid groundwork for future assemblies to enhance efficiency and public trust.

Why It Matters

The 18th National Assembly set important precedents in legislative transparency, political stability, and policy development during a critical period in South Korea’s democratization.

• It passed the Anti-Corruption and Bribery Act in 2010, strengthening accountability mechanisms across public institutions and private sectors.
• The assembly ratified free trade agreements with the United States and the European Union, boosting South Korea’s global trade integration.
• It implemented electronic voting and digital record systems, reducing procedural delays and increasing accuracy in roll-call votes.
• Members introduced 1,284 bills, with a passage rate of approximately 68%, one of the highest in the country’s legislative history at the time.
• The GNP’s majority enabled swift passage of economic stimulus packages during the global financial crisis, aiding national recovery efforts.
• Public trust in the legislature improved slightly, with approval ratings rising from 28% in 2008 to 39% in 2011, according to Gallup Korea.

Overall, the 18th National Assembly demonstrated how stable governance and institutional reforms can enhance legislative effectiveness, influencing subsequent parliamentary practices in South Korea.