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초록

In this study, we examine the impact of the Proportional Representation(PR) system on the interests of minority groups. By focusing on its legislative consequences rather than on its policy outcomes, our study attempts to minimize the role of confounding factors that exist between the intention and the result. To assess the direct effect of the PR system, we analyze the case of South Korea in which the closed-list PR system was introduced in the 17th general election in 2004 by the Constitutional Court’s decision. Deploying interrupted time-series analysis, we estimate short-term and long-term effects on the moving and passage of all bills and bills related to labor, women, and environment before and after the introduction of the PR system. We find that (1) The increase in proportionality in the electoral system promoted the overall legislation and instantaneously increased the passage of labor bills; (2) The role of the PR system in the legislative outcome of women bills was mediated by the entry of women into the national assembly; (3) For environmental bills, the increase in proportionality had a strong effect on both moving and passage; and (4) the PR system significantly increased legislative activities concerning minority issues at the time of introduction, but its long-term impact was more limited.