Generals and Presidents: Establishing Civilian and Democratic Control in South Korea

Abstract

Many have regarded the establishment of civilian and democratic control over the military as a necessary condition for the consolidation of a nascent democracy. Experience from third-wave democracies such as Chile and the Philippines shows us that, in order for democratic consolidation to be achieved, democratic control of the armed forces must be firmly established. Often these nascent democracies face the problem of how to deal with the legacy of the military and security service’s role in authoritarian rule. This article analyses the establishment of civilian control in South Korea and argues that, although semicivilian control was established during the only post-transition presidency, it was with the inauguration of Kim Young-sam in 1993 that firm civilian control was achieved. However, the way this control was achieved raises important questions about the rule of law in South Korea. Finally, the article asserts that due to the continuing dominance of national security and defense policy by the executive, the comprehensive oversight by the legislature needed for true democratic control has yet to be fully achieved.