South Korean Politics and Rising "Anti-Americanism": Implications for U.S. Policy Toward North Korea

Publication Date: May 2003

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

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Coverage: Korea

Abstract:

In December 2002, South Koreans elected Roh Moo-hyun, a little-known, selfeducated lawyer, as their president. The left-of-center Roh narrowly defeated the conservative candidate, Lee Hoi Chang. Roh ran on a platform of reform, pledging to make South Korean politics more transparent and accountable, to make the economy more equitable, and to make South Korea a more equal partner in its alliance with the United States. During the campaign, Roh pledged to continue his predecessor, Kim Dae Jung's, "sunshine policy" of engaging North Korea, and harshly criticized the Bush Administration's approach to Pyongyang.

The 2002 election was notable for several inter-related reasons. First, it exposed the deep generational divide among South Koreans. Roh was favored by voters under the age of 45, who emerged during the election as an anti-status quo force. In contrast, Lee easily won the votes of those over 45. Second, Roh's victory was due in part to his criticisms of the United States, and he benefitted from the massive demonstrations in late 2002 protesting the acquittal of two U.S. servicemen who were operating a military vehicle when it killed two Korean schoolgirls. Third, the election and the anti-American demonstrations highlighted the growing influence and sophistication of Korean civil society groups, which now have a significant voice in determining policy outcomes in Seoul.

These shifts in the South Korean polity, particularly the rise in antiAmericanism, confront the Bush Administration with a policy dilemma: how to manage the U.S.-ROK alliance while pursuing a more confrontational approach toward North Korea than that favored by many, if not most, South Koreans.

Institutionally, the South Korean presidency has few checks on its power. While the unicameral National Assembly's influence has been slowly rising since South Korea became a democracy in 1987, it is hampered by formal and informal limitations on its power. The National Assembly is controlled by the opposition, right-of-center Grand National Party (GNP). The second-largest grouping is President Roh's party, the Millennium Democratic Party (MDP). Both major parties are under significant internal stress, and there is speculation that they will split and be reconstituted before the next quadrennial legislative election, to be held in April 2004.

This report will be updated periodically.