Key media freedoms in South Korea
South Korea: Key media freedoms was 1.87 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Key media freedoms in South Korea, 1896–2025
Source: V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
In 2025, key media freedoms in South Korea stood at 1.87.
The figure is up 208.6% on the previous year and up 200.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, key media freedoms in South Korea peaked at 2.52 in 1998 and was at its lowest, -2.79, in 1904.
South Korea ranks 29th of 175 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1890s | -1.36 | -1.97 | 0.467 | 4 |
| 1900s | -2.47 | -2.79 | -1.97 | 10 |
| 1910s | -2.79 | -2.79 | -2.79 | 10 |
| 1920s | -2.79 | -2.79 | -2.79 | 10 |
| 1930s | -2.79 | -2.79 | -2.79 | 10 |
| 1940s | -1.99 | -2.79 | -0.698 | 10 |
| 1950s | -0.797 | -0.797 | -0.797 | 10 |
| 1960s | -0.9994 | -1.69 | 0.247 | 10 |
| 1970s | -1.87 | -2.09 | -1 | 10 |
| 1980s | -0.443 | -1.71 | 1.42 | 10 |
| 1990s | 1.88 | 1.42 | 2.52 | 10 |
| 2000s | 2.19 | 0.881 | 2.52 | 10 |
| 2010s | 1.27 | 0.561 | 2.37 | 10 |
| 2020s | 1.49 | 0.605 | 2.37 | 6 |
Countries ranked near South Korea
- 26 Sri Lanka 1.96 compare
- 27 Uruguay 1.9 compare
- 28 Montenegro 1.9 compare
- 29 Sierra Leone 1.87 compare
- 31 Trinidad and Tobago 1.85 compare
- 32 Dominican Republic 1.84 compare
More social development data for South Korea
- Political Rights Rating 2 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 4,407 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 117 (2025)
- Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
- Key features of democracy 0.819 (2025)
- Freedom of Expression Index 0.933 (2025)
- Freedom of Association Index 0.839 (2025)
- Electoral Democracy Index 0.819 (2025)
- Participatory Democracy Index 0.551 (2025)
- Liberal Democracy Index 0.739 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is key media freedoms in South Korea?
- Key media freedoms in South Korea was 1.87 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest key media freedoms recorded in South Korea?
- The highest recorded value was 2.52 in 1998.
- What is the lowest key media freedoms recorded in South Korea?
- The lowest recorded value was -2.79 in 1904.
- How does South Korea rank for key media freedoms?
- South Korea ranks 29th out of 175 countries with data for 2025.
- Is key media freedoms rising or falling in South Korea?
- Over the last ten years it is up 200.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Korea data come from?
- The figures come from V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Key media freedoms. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 130 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Central estimate of the extent to which the government directly or indirectly attempts to censor political content in print and broadcast media, through formal restrictions or indirect pressures such as financial control, licensing, or access to distribution channels.