Two Decades of Developing Democracy in South Korea:Facilitating and Obstructing Factors

Abstract

During South Korea under Authoritarian governments, political leaders suppressed democracy movements and abused power in order to amend constitut ion for consolidating their politi- cal power. However, they were unable to resist popular demand for democratic rule and eventually agreed to undertake political reform when the mass demonstration took place in June 1987. After the transition to democracy, South Korea's political system did not reverse into authoritarianism. In examining facilitating and obstructing factors in South Korea's democracy development, this study found that notably and active citizen movements or robust civil society, successful economic development, and social progress contributed to the democratic consolidation. But the problem of institutionalization of political party and regionalism were obstruct- ing factors. Though some elements of Confucian values may not be compatible with democratic value, this factor did not signif.cantly hinder democracy development.