Vulnerable Consolidation of Democracy in South Korea

This research examines the process of democratic consolidation in South Korea, with a focus on the interactions of political actors. It posits that if democratization depends on political interactions, then the outcomes tend to be fluctuating. The study tests the hypothesis that South Korea’s democratic transition was the result of strategic interactions among political actors, analyzing the presidential nomination process of 1992 as a crucial moment in South Korea’s democratization. The analysis employs rational choice theory and a game theory model. The results indicate that the strategic interactions of political actors played a decisive role in shaping the transition process, even after the founding election. Additionally, this research highlights that the weaknesses of South Korea’s political society and its severe regionalism—both rooted in patrimonialism—are vital factors contributing to the fluctuating nature of its democratic consolidation.