The Korea Local Administration Review

This paper focuses on the proportional representatives(PRs) of the 2002 local elections in Korea. The two major changes of voting system in the 2002 elections were the introduction of party voting and the compulsory quota for women candidates. This study analyzes the characteristics of the PR candidates and the determining factors of their ranking in the party roster. Findings indicate that the PR system not only contributes to women's recruitment into the local council, but also to the recruitment of members of various social organizations and those with highly specified professional careers. This implies that the increase of the proportion of the PRs in local elections, and thus, women's representation, results in enhancing responsible party politics and the expertise of local councils.