Gabriel Jonsson

Consolidation of democracy in South Korea? Gabriel Jonsson

Although South Korea has accomplished a democratic transition, democratic consolidation has not been achieved. The study investigates this notion on the basis of criteria of democratic consolidation, how the presidents have fulfilled their promises on the deepening of democracy and how the Articles in the 1987 Constitution on democracy have been implemented. What developments support and disapprove this notion? The interaction between domestic politics and the implementation of the Constitution during the presidents’ five year terms in office is analyzed. Great consideration is put on the Confucian impact on politics and the short period of implementing democracy.