Some Suggestions for Korean Political Development

Abstract

Korean society is struggling with confusion and pains on the direction to reform our political institution. We should establish the political party and election system that encourages general public to participate in political process freely. This paper reviews the problems in current system and suggests some ideas for the amendment in politics-related laws to achieve political development. The Political Party Act limits the freedom of political activities and access of general public to political parties. It should allow employees in school and mass media and labor union to padcipate in political parties. Political parties should shift power from central party to district parties. The National Assembly Members Election Act allows major parties to over-represent in national constituency and the disparity between the percentage of votes and seats a party obtains should be reduced. Public management of election affairs should be changed in order to increase the scope of freedom for election campaigns. Most official political funds are distributed to governing party and opposition parties have difficulties in collecting funds. The Political Funds Act should be amended to achieve more equal distribution of political funds among political parties.