Mass Attitudes Toward Financial Crisis and Economic Reform in Korea

Abstract

This paper addresses an aspect of the financial crisis in South Korea that has not been dealt with in depth. The question that will be analyzed is: how does the general population perceive the crisis? In attempting to answer this question we rely on new representative survey data, covering the years 1998 and 1999. Specifically, respondents voice their opinion (a) regarding the causes of the crisis, (b) the potential agencies fostering a recovery, (c) the domestic versus international reform strategies involved, and (d) the government-or market-oriented reform programs involved. Given the importance of public support for economic reforms, some of the results of our research could prove to be of considerable value to Korean policy makers or advising international organizations.