NGO’s Political Reform Movement Process Via the Internet: Focusing on ‘Election Defeat Movement’ in Korea

Abstract

The internet is a powerful tool to change the process of pre-existing political movements. The influence of internet on political movement is analyzed through the case study of the 16th general ‘election defeat movement’ in Korea. The movement depended mostly on internet as a resource to mobilize. The purpose of this study is not to know the influence of the movement on the election result but to analyze the movement process with special reference to the Resource Mobilization Theory. The movement process is analyzed in terms of goal, organization, legitimacy, political opportunity, movement strategy, and leadership. The internet as a new form of movement tool plays a key role in gathering public opinion, spreading information, getting support and persuading critical issues. It relieves burdens like time and place resources which off-line movements have. The movement leaders were well trained to form a strong network and use composite strategies based on past NGO’s activities.