1979 South Korean presidential election

Presidential elections were held in South Korea on 6 December 1979 following the assassination of Park Chung Hee on 26 October. The deputies of the National Council for Reunification, who among other things, were responsible for election of president, selected Prime Minister Choi Kyu-hah as the President of the Republic of Korea unopposed; Choi had been acting President since Park's death.[1]

1979 South Korean presidential election
6 December 1979
2,560 Deputies of Reunification Assembly
1,281 votes needed to win
 
Nominee Choi Kyu-hah
Party Independent
Electoral vote 2,465
Votes of the National Council for Reunification

■ – Choi Kyu-hah

■ – Invalid
President before election

Choi Kyu-hah (Acting)
Independent

 Elected President

Choi Kyu-hah
Independent

President Choi was supposed to serve for the remainder of late President Park's term, which would have ended in 1984. However, a coup d'état took place six days after the elections, which Chun Doo-hwan seizing power. He allowed Choi to remain in power for eight months, before being elected president in August 1980.

Results

In order to be elected, a candidate had to receive the vote of over 50% of the incumbent members of the National Council for Reunification. With 2,560 deputies in office, Choi had to receive at least 1,281 votes to be elected. He received 2,465 votes, 96.29% of the total possible.

Candidate Party Votes %
Choi Kyu-hah Independent 2,465 96.29
Invalid/blank votes 84 –
Total 2,549 100
Electorate/turnout 2,560 99.57

Result per region
Region Turnout % Eligible electors Vacant seats Total
Seoul 388 99.49 390 1 391
Busan 144 99.31 145 0 145
Gyeonggi 318 100 318 1 319
Gangwon 148 98.67 150 1 151
North Chungcheong 130 100 130 1 131
South Chungcheong 232 100 232 3 235
North Jeolla 200 99.01 202 1 203
South Jeolla 309 99.36 311 1 312
North Gyeongsang 369 99.46 371 8 379
South Gyeongsang 284 100 284 6 290
Jeju 27 100 27 0 27
Total 2,549 99.57 2,560 23 2,583

References
  1. Asia Watch Committee (1986). Human Rights in Korea. p. 31.
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