The Long March Toward Democracy: Assessment of the Political Modernization in the Republic of Korea

Abstract

The Republic of Korea, a cold-war creation with a Western-type political system, has had a hard time with democracy. During the first 12 years, there was no political development due to the division of the country and the dictator-like rule of the first president. After he had been driven out of the country by a students’ uprising, the second experiment was initiated in 1960. This was stopped within a year by a military coup. The young generals believed democracy to be a luxury that Korea could not afford. President Park Chung-Hee started to modernize the poor agriculture-based economy through rapid industrialization until he was assassinated by his friend. But because of another coup by General Chun Doo-Hwan military rule continued. From 1961 until 1987 politics was dominated by the military. During this period students untiringly challenged and questioned the legitimacy of the civilian-turned military leadership. Street demonstrations by students and brutal clashes with riot police became routine in Korean politics. Through domestic and external pressure on President Chun Doo-Hwan the opposition succeeded in restoring democracy in 1987. With the inauguration of the direct-elected President Roh Tae-Woo in 1988, Korea started its third experiment with democracy. In the recent presidential election held in December 1992, the former opposition politician Kim Young-Sam was elected. Korea’s democracy has matured and taken firm root along with the booming consumerism. Just as Korea has achieved an economic miracle, the country has shown that a political miracle, the peaceful transition to democracy and democratization with decentralisation, is also possible.