2.03 Democratic Progress

• Introduction
• Learn
• Try It
• Task

Introduction

Since the fall of the Joseon dynasty, the South Korean people have faced Japanese colonization, foreign superpowers dividing the country, families torn apart, and politicians attempting totalitarian rule. You can see why trusting the government does not come easily for the South Koreans.

Democracy in South Korea is still very young and evolving, having been first introduced in 1945 after the United Nations freed Korea from Japanese colonization. South Korea's The Republic of Korea first constitution was adopted on July 17, 1948. After nine revisions and numerous addendums, the most recent constitution, the Republic's 10th, was approved on October 29, 1987 and went into effect on February 26, 1988. The current South Korean government is called the 6th Republic of Korea.

Only since 1987 has South Korea experienced true democracy. As new as it is, South Koreans are proud of the democracy they have built. Achieving true democracy meant repeated attempts at reform, including bloody civilian protests. Let's see how South Koreans earned their democracy.

South Koreans marching in the 1960 Revolution.