The chronology of Korean political party symbol marks : evolution within the sparse signification

This study examines the spatial and historical contexts of political visual symbols, focusing on how party logos acquire meaning through chance and design. A literature review was conducted alongside in-depth interviews with PR officers of domestic political parties. In the West, as ideological divides between parties became entrenched, objects, plants, and animals evolved as visual symbols of political parties, each securing unique narratives and universal appeal that gained public acceptance. In Korea, however, frequent, election-driven changes in party logos, stemming from unstable party politics since democratization, have hindered public acceptance. The evolution has occurred within a context of sparse signification, reflecting a crisis in representative democracy. Beyond mere design elements, party symbol marks should strengthen party identity and public engagement, contributing to democratic development. This study provides a basis for future researches on the design, strategy, and impact of political symbols.