Must-Know Korean Words, Phrases, and Cultural Tips for Talking About Politics (정치)

Whether you’re watching Korean news, following election debates, or discussing policies with locals, this guide will help you navigate Korean political vocabulary (정치 어휘) and current issues with clarity and confidence.

🏛️ Basic Korean Political Vocabulary

Korean	Pronunciation	English
정치	jeong-chi	Politics
정부	jeong-bu	Government
국회	guk-hoe	National Assembly
대통령	dae-tong-ryeong	President
총리	chong-ri	Prime Minister
정당	jeong-dang	Political party
여당	yeo-dang	Ruling party
야당	ya-dang	Opposition party
선거	seon-geo	Election
투표	tu-pyo	Vote / Voting
투표소	tu-pyo-so	Polling station
후보자	hu-bo-ja	Candidate
공약	gong-yak	Campaign pledge
국회의원	guk-hoe-ui-won	Member of the National Assembly
부패	bu-pae	Corruption
정치인	jeong-chi-in	Politician
시위	si-wi	Protest
시민	si-min	Citizen
언론	eon-ron	Press / Media

🗣️ Useful Phrases for Talking About Politics in Korean

Korean	Pronunciation	English
정치에 관심 있어요.	jeong-chi-e gwan-sim iss-eo-yo	I’m interested in politics.
이번 선거에 투표했어요?	i-beon seon-geo-e tu-pyo-haess-eo-yo?	Did you vote in the election?
누가 대통령이에요?	nu-ga dae-tong-ryeong-i-e-yo?	Who is the president?
공약을 믿을 수 있을까요?	gong-yak-eul mid-eul su iss-eul-kka-yo?	Can we trust the campaign promises?
여당과 야당이 논쟁 중이에요.	yeo-dang-gwa ya-dang-i non-jaeng jung-i-e-yo	The ruling and opposition parties are arguing.
뉴스에서 봤어요.	nyu-seu-e-seo bwass-eo-yo	I saw it on the news.
부패가 문제예요.	bu-pae-ga mun-je-ye-yo	Corruption is a problem.

📰 Common Political Issues in Korea

Korean	Pronunciation	English
부정부패	bu-jeong-bu-pae	Bribery / Political corruption
언론 자유	eon-ron ja-yu	Freedom of the press
청년 실업	cheong-nyeon sil-eop	Youth unemployment
부동산 문제	bu-dong-san mun-je	Housing issue
외교 정책	oe-gyo jeong-chaek	Foreign policy
남북 관계	nam-buk gwan-gye	North–South relations
세금 정책	se-geum jeong-chaek	Tax policy
연금 개혁	yeon-geum gae-hyeok	Pension reform
노동권	no-dong-gwon	Labor rights
선거 부정	seon-geo bu-jeong	Election fraud
표현의 자유	pyo-hyeon-ui ja-yu	Freedom of expression
공정성	gong-jeong-seong	Fairness / Equity

🧠 Cultural & Practical Tips for Discussing Politics in Korea

🇰🇷 1. Sensitive but Open

Talking politics can be sensitive, especially regarding North Korea (북한) or historical issues. However, Koreans — especially younger generations — are often open to debate.

🗞️ 2. Follow Multiple News Outlets

Media bias exists. To understand various perspectives, check sources like:

KBS, MBC, YTN, JTBC (TV)
한겨레 (liberal), 조선일보 (conservative)

🗳️ 3. Voting in Korea

Elections occur regularly for president (every 5 years) and National Assembly (every 4 years). Citizens over 18 can vote.

📢 4. Protests Are Common

Peaceful demonstrations (시위) are part of Korean democratic life — especially in 광화문 (Gwanghwamun).

🧾 Bonus Vocabulary for News & Media

Korean	Pronunciation	English
기사	gi-sa	News article
기자	gi-ja	Reporter
보도	bo-do	News coverage
논평	non-pyeong	Commentary
방송	bang-song	Broadcast
여론조사	yeo-ron-jo-sa	Public opinion poll
정책 발표	jeong-chaek bal-pyo	Policy announcement

🎯 Vocabulary Quiz

How do you say “opposition party” in Korean?
What is the word for “election fraud”?
Translate: “I saw it on the news.”

💬 Post your answers in the comments — and let us know which issue in Korean politics interests you the most!

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