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2017 | Buch

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The Korean Government and Public Policies in a Development Nexus

Sustaining Development and Tackling Policy Changes – Volume 2

herausgegeben von: Jongwon Choi, Huck-ju Kwon, Min Gyo Koo

Verlag: Springer International Publishing

Buchreihe : The Political Economy of the Asia Pacific

Enthalten in: Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik" , Springer Professional "Wirtschaft"

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Über dieses Buch

This volume chronicles the policy challenges and adaptations faced and made by the South Korean government during the post-industrialization and democratization period. Following the model set by the first volume in the series, which covered the economic and social development during the developmental period from the 1960s to the 1980s, this volume examines how and to what extent the South Korean government has adapted to a variety of political, economic and social transformations since the 1990s. The book is divided in two parts. Part I reviews the changing policy environments and government policy paradigms in the wake of industrialization and democratization, focusing on the reorganization and coordination of government ministries and agencies. Part II explores key public policy areas, such as economics, social welfare, and foreign relations, where the South Korean government has successfully adapted to new policy challenges and environments. Drawing policy implications for the future actions of the South Korean government as well as for those countries wishing to replicate South Korea’s success and avoid its errors, this book of interest to both scholars and policy-makers concerned with development in the Asia-Pacific.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Frontmatter

Chapter 1. Introduction

Abstract

Korea has made great progress from one of the poorest countries in the world toward becoming an affluent industrial society during the last fifty years. Korea was also very successful in terms of democratic transition, experiencing a number of governmental transitions without any serious political instability for the last thirty years. While many countries with initial success in economic development cannot sustain progress, Korean society has passed through several critical cross-junctures. In this book, the authors will try to unpack the puzzle as to how Korea was able to overcome challenges of political and economic crisis and to push through the middle-income threshold.

Jongwon Choi, Huck-ju Kwon, Min Gyo Koo

Erratum to: The Korean Government and Public Policies in a Development Nexus

Jongwon Choi, Huck-ju Kwon, Min Gyo Koo

Policy Environment and Governance

Frontmatter

Chapter 2. Changes in the Political, Social and Economic Environment of Public Policy in South Korea After the 1980s

Abstract

Public policy decisions can be better understood by considering the political, social, and economic changes in the policy environment. The purpose of this chapter is to provide an overview of policy environment changes in South Korea after the 1980s, focusing particularly on the consequences of two historical events: the 6/29 declaration in 1987 and the financial crisis in 1997. Taking a historical perspective to analyze the institutional setting of the Korean state, we first review the two events, then analyze the political, social, and economic changes in the policy environment, and finally discuss challenges caused by the changes for the president, legislature, and state bureaucracy. We argue that the democratic and neo-liberal changes in the policy environment have affected the relationship among the policy actors and their policy capacities. We conclude with a discussion on the future of the Korean developmental state.

Jongwon Choi, Taehyon Choi

Chapter 3. Leaving Behind the Developmental State: The Changing Rationale of Governance in Korean Governments

Abstract

This chapter examines the rationale of governance in Korean governments over the past twenty years after democratization, and try to answer the question as to whether Korean governments have come up with a new rationale of governance different from that of the developmental state. Despite government efforts, this chapter shows that the developmental state still remains as a rationale of governance. The Korean governments frequently resorted back to the old style of governance in times of economic difficulties. It is mainly because they failed to develop clear and coherent alternatives to the developmental state as the rationale of governance.

Huck-ju Kwon

Chapter 4. The State-Civil Society Relationship in Korea

Abstract

Since the occurrence of the financial crisis in 1997 and the emergence of the Kim Dae-jung Government, civic groups started to show conspicuous increase in their activities. This research shows that there is, however, still an imbalance between state and the society in Korea since 1998. What matters the most is that the relationship between the government and nongovernmental organizations is not a horizontal and equal one. Although this relationship is framed as a very independent and objective one, it is consists of a twofold structure in which the nongovernmental organizations are seized under the government influence in return for the supports from the government including financial subsidies.

Yeonho Lee, Chi Hoon Sung

Public Policies Beyond the Developmental State Paradigm

Frontmatter

Chapter 5. The National Innovation System (NIS) for the Catch-up and Post-catch-up Stages in South Korea

Abstract

Since the 1960s, South Korea has achieved outstanding economic growth. It has been very successful in catching up to the level of advanced countries and has become a good example of ‘compressed growth’, in which a country achieves rapid development in decades that took more than a century in developed countries. However, rapid economic growth was not simply a smooth progress as there were crises, like in the mid-1980s when Korea lost export competitiveness due to rising wage rates. Internally, a rise in wage rates in the domestic market led to an increase in production costs. Externally, Southeast Asian countries started to export similar products at cheaper prices. This led South Korea to fall into the so-called middle income trap.

Keun Lee, Buru Im, Junhee Han

Chapter 6. From the Developmental to the Universal Welfare State: Lost in Transition?

Abstract

For the last six decades, Korea has been able to establish a comprehensive welfare system from a minimal number of programs together with economic development and democratic consolidation. While such achievements are commendable, Korea is now faced with difficult challenges to consolidate its position and move to the next level of development. A demographic shift due to longevity and low fertility created new demand for social services while a large proportion of the population is still outside of the core programs of social policy. This chapter examines social policy responses to those challenges in the context of the transition from the developmental welfare state to the univeral welfare state.

Huck-ju Kwon

Chapter 7. South Korea’s Policy Responses to the Changing Trade Environment in the Post-Uruguay Round Period

Abstract

South Korea is considered one of the most successful countries in post-war economic development history and is often dubbed the “miracle on the Han River.” At the end of 2011, it joined the “one-trillion-dollar trading club,” departing from the ranks of newly emerging countries to become the ninth largest trading country in the world. After reaching the $100 million mark in 1964, South Korea’s exports grew more than five thousand times in less than five decades, making it the seventh-largest exporting country.

Min Gyo Koo

Chapter 8. The Challenges of Foreign Policy and Suggestions for Future Responses

Abstract

As Korea has to face tough foreign policy challenges at the dawn of the 21st century, this article intends to identify roughly four areas of challenge to be seriously addressed by the Korean: domestic demands from democratized Korea, Korea’s security posture in transition, the North Korean conundrum, and the need to invest more in public and middle power diplomacy. After articulating these challenges, this article also attempts to provide adequate recommendations for strategic responses in the future. These challenges and responses should be reviewed in the newly created conditions under which 21st century Korean diplomacy operates: the domestic political change since democratization in 1987 and the intensifying US-China rivalry in Northeast Asia.

Byoung Kwon Sohn

Chapter 9. Conclusion

Abstract

The Korean development experience is a good learning example of economic and social development for many developing countries. This involves the successful mobilization of private capacities guided by government planning and discipline, and there is no doubt that the government-led development strategy has achieved quite a lot toward eradicating poverty and sharing prosperity.

Jongwon Choi, Huck-ju Kwon, Min Gyo Koo

Titel: The Korean Government and Public Policies in a Development Nexus
herausgegeben von: Jongwon Choi
Huck-ju Kwon
Min Gyo Koo
Verlag: Springer International Publishing
Electronic ISBN: 978-3-319-52473-3
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-52472-6
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-52473-3