ABSTRACT
Korea’s spatial policies are assessed by focusing on major transformations in governance that have occurred in a matrix of relations among government, civil society and the corporate economy. From the mid-1960s, Korea has experienced three major shifts in these relationships: (1) the advent of the developmental state, export-oriented industrialization and accelerated urbanization (mid-1960s to late 1980s), (2) neo-developmentalism, democratization and renewed spatial polarization with globalization (1990s-present), and (3) devolution and the ascendance of cities as spheres of civic democracy (2000s to present). In acknowledging successes in maintaining national prosperity for a substantial portion of the population over these decades of change, recognition is also given to the struggles that have occurred for transformations in governance. While the specifics of the Korean experience do not allow it to be put forth a model for other countries, they do give insights into a central question for all societies to consider: how to effectively move toward governance that directly engages in collaborative policymaking and planning with, rather than for people? Korea’s dynamic shift from authoritarian rule to democracy clearly illustrates that its resilience lies in society’s ability to open to a broad spectrum of political tenets that have generated political reforms.
