The Politics of South Korea Flashcards
1
Q
Politics of the Republic of Korea (ROK)
A
- 1990s: The “compromise-based” democratic transition marginalised progressive ideas
- Conservative dominance and authoritarian nostalgia
- Corruption: government-chaebol relations
- US-style polarisation between left and right, partially rooted in geography
- Swings between progressive rule (1998-2008; 2017-2022) and conservative rule (2008-2017; 2022-)
- Precarious position of women in politics
- Influence of Korean Christianity
- Domestic divisions over relationship with DPRK
- Sewol Ferry Disaster
- Candlelight Revolution
2
Q
Overview of pre-democracy presidents
A
- Rhee Syngman 1948-1960
– U.S. Army Military Government in Korea
– First President of the ROK - Park Chung-hee 1961-1979
– Military coup 1961
– Martial Law 1972 - Chun Doo-hwan 1980-1988
– 5-18 Gwangju Massacre (1980)
3
Q
“Compromise-based Democratic Transition”
A
- Influence of old elite remained embedded in political and economic system: Strategic alliance of new democratic leadership with old conservative forces led to peaceful transition, but limited scope of democratic reforms prevented a true reckoning with authoritarian legacy
- Park Chung-hee Syndrome: New government’s mismanagement of the national economy and the 1997 financial crisis triggered an authoritarian nostalgia
- Limited influence Minjung Movement: The strong 1970s/1980s democratic movement did not shape the new South Korea
4
Q
Authoritarian Nostalgia: “Park Chung-hee Syndrome”
A
Nostalgia for the Park Era (1961-1979) due to:
- Economic mismanagement early democratic era (1990s)
- Collectivism and nationalism of Park Era contrast with uncertain present of individualism
- No reckoning with past atrocities
- Dominance of conservative media
- During decade of progressive rule (1998-2008) syndrome gains in strength
- Leads to the rise of daughter Park Geun-hye from 1998 to presidency in 2013
5
Q
South Korean Conservatism: Chojoongdong (CJD) Media
A
- Chosun Ilbo 24.3%
- Joong-ang Ilbo 21.8%
- Dong-a Ilbo 18.3%
- Heavily biased in favour of conservative politicians, oppose progressive change
- Pro-Japanese before 1945
- Do they reflect or create conservative strain in ROK society?
- Centre-left competitor Hankyoreh is 4th largest newspaper
6
Q
Corruption: Government-Chaebol Relations
A
- Large conglomerates (Samsung, Hyundai, LG, etc) dominate economy
- Historically associated with postwar economic growth
- Excessive influence on politics
- Rely on government for favourable treatment: pro-Chaebol legislation, subsidies, loans, tax incentives
- In turn, politicians rely on Chaebol donations for support
- Endless corruption scandals have tarnished reputation of both Chaebol and politics
- Resentment: Chaebol only employ 10% of Korean workers, SMEs far more
- Chaebol now seen as contributing to inequality
- Successive progressive governments tried to reform Chaebol, but they are beholden to them as well
7
Q
A
8
Q
Conservative Rule 2008-2017: Lee Myung-bak 2008-2013 Park Geun-hye 2013-2017
A
- Experiment in Neo-authoritarianism
- Very large election victory in 2008 after vilification President Roh by media and public
- Lee governs with small clique from university, church and region (Yeongnam)
- Very authoritarian: uses National Security Law to persecute protesters and critics
- New media law to strengthen conservative media
- Lee and Park mired in corruption
- Deregulation economy, tax cuts
- Pro-US anti-Sunshine Policy
- Lee’s unpopularity does not lead to progressive election win but to rise of Park
- Both were recently pardoned and released from jail
9
Q
Women in Korean Politics
A
- Women had important role in democracy movement
- But position women clearest example of consequences “compromise-based transition”
- Conservative forces dominant in shaping present “The Sixth Republic”
- This led to limited number of women activists entering governmental bodies
- Women in parliament: 19.1%
- Result: legislative changes regarding gender equality very slow
- Affirmative action quotas in companies and governmental bodies, but progress very slow
- Most women issues promoted by civil society figures: academics, intellectuals, feminists
- National Assembly: “Special Committee for Women’s Affairs” with strong civil society ties
- Worst gender pay gap of all OECD nations
10
Q
Regionalism: Honam and Yeongnam
A
- Yeongnam (North and South Gyeongsang): stronghold of Park Chung-hee and conservative successors. Heavily favoured for economic investment and positions of elite power
‘ - Honam (North and South Jeolla): stronghold of democratic opposition leader and later president Kim Dae-jung. Much poorer due to lack of investment by conservative elite.
11
Q
The X Factor: Korean Christianity
A
- Very visible Christian presence in ROK: only East Asian country where Christianity seems to have taken root
- But numbers do not support impression of predominance: 29% Christian; 23% Buddhist; 46% no religion
- However very vocal and confrontational
- More Korean missionaries abroad than any other country apart from US
- Some progressive politics in 1970s, but now US-style social conservatism and right-wing politics
- Centered around megachurches
- Growth has stalled: corruption of protestant pastors, anti-Buddhist aggression and confrontational behaviour is making Christianity increasingly unpopular
12
Q
South Korea’s Political System
A
- Cabinet
– 20 posts
– 17 ministries
– Appointed by the president - National Assembly
– Elections every four years
– 300 seats
– 246 from constituencies (FPTP)
– 54 from party lists (PR) - Constitutional Court
– 9 members appointed by:
– The president (3)
– The National Assembly (3)
– The chief justice (3) - Supreme Court
– Chief justice and 13 supreme court justices, appointed by the president
13
Q
The Presidency
A
- Kim Dae-jung 1998-2003
- Roh Moo-hyun 2003-2008
- Lee Myung-bak 2008-2013
- Park Geun-hye 2013-2017
- Moon Jae-in 2017-2022
14
Q
People Power Party
A
- Conservative/right-wing
- Newest incarnation of main right wing party. Previously: Grand National Party, Saenuri Party, Liberty Korea Party
- Successors of Park Chung-hee’s Democratic Republican Party: strong sense of nostalgia for authoritarianism
- In power (under different party name):
– 2008-2013 Lee Myung-bak
– 2013-2017 Park Geun-hye
15
Q
People Power Party
A
- Neoliberal economic policy
- Pro-US
- Anti-DPRK and Anti-Sunshine Policy
- Conservative social values
- Opposed to LGBT rights
- North Korean Human Rights Law
- Strong support in countryside and among elderly
- Power base in Gyeongsang provinces
16
Q
Democratic Party of Korea
A
- Progressive/centrist
- “Fair market economy”
- Raise minimum wage
- Emphasis on innovation in job creation
- Healthcare and housing as right
- More economic equality
- Some gender equality
- But still culturally quite conservative: some opposition to LGBT rights
- Sunshine Policy
17
Q
Kim Dae-jung as President of the ROK 1998-2003
A
- Most important opposition leader from early 1970s onwards
- Hero of democracy struggle: “Nelson Mandela of Asia”
- 1998 election ends 50 years of conservative rule
- Many civil society figures in government
- Very loyal power base in Jeolla provinces, while previous presidents came from Gyeongsang provinces
- 386 Generation support
- Nobel Peace Prize in 2000 because of improved relations with DPRK
18
Q
Kim Dae-jung as President of the ROK 1998-2003
A
- Economic recovery after financial crisis
- National pension system
- Educational reforms
- Chaebol reform: more transparency and reduction of state subsidies
- Organised labour involved in decision making for the first time
- Builds basis of modern welfare state
- Builds foundation of modern countrywide ICT infrastructure and envisioned IT businesses as source for growth
- Not free from corruption scandals: sons, “cash for summit”
- Sunshine Policy
19
Q
Sunshine Policy
A
- Radical new policy of engagement and reconciliation towards DPRK
- Echo from history: West Germany’s Ostpolitik
- Strong involvement South Korean businesses
- Beyond politics: goes to heart of South Korean identity and whether the North is friend or foe
- Opposed by Bush administration
- Associated with progressive presidents Kim, Roh, and Moon
20
Q
Characteristics of Sunshine Policy
A
- People-to-People interaction (like family reunion)
- Economic Assistance from South to North
- “Flexible reciprocity”: few demands on DPRK to reciprocate with good behaviour
- High profile meetings between ROK and DPRK leaders
21
Q
Criticism of Sunshine Policy
A
- No human rights conditions to aid
- “Flexible reciprocity” led to no reciprocity
- No return of Southern abductees (or POW remains) from DPRK
- Weakening ROK-US alliance
- Suppression of anti-DPRK views in ROK so as not to upset Pyongyang
- Led to ROK abstaining from UN votes in condemnation DPRK
- Armed provocations DPRK make progressive leaders vulnerable to domestic criticism
- US opposes engagement with DPRK
- Conservatives say denuclearisation must come first
22
Q
Park Geun-hye as President of the ROK 2013-2017
A
- Park Chung-hee’s daughter
- Conservative with very authoritarian streak
- Influential figure since 1998
- Her control of conservative party means conservatives clinging to history to maintain control over society
- Rise to presidency is peak of “Park Chung-hee Syndrome”
- Upon taking office has image of trustworthiness and effectiveness
- Wins election only narrowly (51%)
- National Intelligence Service (NIS) has admitted aiding her election in 2012
23
Q
Park Geun-hye as President of the ROK 2013-2017
A
- Authoritarian policies aided by conservative media: persecution journalists, activists
- Rewriting of history textbooks to give more favourable account of dictatorship era
- Popularity plummets after Sewol disaster and corruption scandal
- Endures massive protests and impeachment
- Approval rating plummets to 5%
- Removed from office 10 March 2017
- In jail 2017-2021, then pardoned by President Moon Jae-in
- People Power Party only recently recovered from tying their fate to Park
24
Q
Sewol Ferry Disaster 16 April 2014
A
- 304 dead (250 students from Danwon High School in Ansan)
- Seen as failure of ROK government to ensure safety of its citizens
- John Lie: “State of the Wreck, Wreck of the State”: exhaustion of ROK political-economic model
- Coming together of several festering problems in ROK society: irregular work/government-chaebol ties/ pro-government media
25
Q
Sewol Ferry Disaster 16 April 2014
A
- Irregular work: 19 out of 33 crew were temporary workers and unqualified, including captain and senior members
- Government-Chaebol ties: excess cargo was routinely tolerated in government safety checks
- Pro-government media: conservative media kept repeating government line and downplaying disaster and avoiding Park criticism
26
Q
Sewol Aftermath
A
- Large backlash against the government and establishment generally
- Central role for “Sewol parents”
- Authorities mainly focused on PR and dismissing calls for change and accountability
- Anger at conservative media for biased reporting on the disaster
27
Q
Sewol Aftermath: “Yellow Ribbon Movement”
A
- People start wearing yellow ribbons to commemorate victims and criticize government
- Protests against inadequate government and media response to tragedy
- Against economic model in general
- “People over Money” “Life before Profit”
Park government response:
- Ban yellow ribbon in schools
- Sue critical newspapers
- Call protesters agents of Pyongyang
28
Q
The Fall of Park Geun-hye: “Choi Soon-sil gate”
A
- Park under influence of cult leader Choi Soon-sil
- Shared classified information
- Corrupt business deals together
- Choi used power to take bribes from Chaebol
- And took bribes to sell influence
- Park tries to use media censorship to kill story
- By October 2016 Park approval rating is 5%
- Park impeached in December 2016, impeachment upheld in March 2017
- Park sentenced to 25 years in jail
29
Q
Candlelight Revolution November 2016-March 2017
A
- Corruption scandal is breaking point and even former supporters now want Park gone
- Four months of protests lead to Park downfall
- By December more than 2 million protesters
- Anger also aimed at Chaebol for bribes to Park Geun-hye and Choi Soon-sil
- Some pro-Park rallies too
- Park is impeached in December
- Finally removed on 20 March 2017 as Constitutional Court upholds impeachment
- Sentenced to 25 years in jail
30
Q
Moon Jae-in as President of the ROK 2017-2022
A
- Poor background: son of North Korean refugees (prior to Korean War)
- Roots in human rights activism and democracy movement
- Socially oriented policies: raised minimum wage, reduced maximum workweek to 52 hours
- Reversed Park’s school textbook changes
- Chaebol reform
- Resumption Sunshine (“Moonshine”) Policy
- Praised for successful management of COVID outbreak
- Electoral success: big win for Democratic Party in midterm elections
31
Q
Yoon Suk-yeol as President of the ROK 2022-
A
- Background as public prosecutor, has prosecuted conservative presidents Lee and Park
- Only became member of the conservative PPP in 2021
- Surprising win in presidential election partially due to Democratic Party infighting
- Like most conservatives, favours free market economics, strong ties with US and being tough on DPRK
- Use of social issues to gain support, especially anti-feminism
- Popularity has already plummeted during first year
