ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the democratic transition in South Korea since the late 20th century, showing that democratic consolidation in the new democracy has been a much more arduous process than the scholars on the third wave of democratization have thought in the late 20th century. The minimalist approach to democracy tends to fail because new democracy without economic reform might undermine the legitimacy of democratization. Improving the economic conditions of the people in weak positions in the economy, such as for non-regular workers and the small self-employers, is another new challenge to the democratized Korea. Thus, the volatility of the democratic system depends on the political process of institutionalizing democracy and economic improvement of the deprived, which requires new policy orientations and measures.
