South Korea

South Korea

DigitalGeorgetown Repository

South Korea


Title:	South Korea
Author:	Richard V. Allen (Interviewee); Selig S. Harrison (Interviewee); Krogh, Peter F. (Peter Frederic) (Moderator)
Abstract:	Examines how democracy can be promoted in South Korea and the dangers of destabilization.
Description:	South Korea, America's military and economic ally, was for years ruled by a series of authoritarian military governments. Then in 1987, the government shocked the world by agreeing to free elections, and in 1988 former general Roh Tae-Woo became South Korea’s first popularly elected president. As the country began its transition to democracy, American policymakers struggled to create a more balanced economic relationship between the United States and South Korea. The Korean trade barriers that had helped to create a $10 billion trade surplus were beginning to draw criticism from policy makers in the U.S., however American pressure towards liberalization of the Korean market aroused the ire of the Korean government, and, coupled with a resurgence of Korean nationalism, contributed to growing anti-American sentiment in the country. This episode examines the United States’ efforts to create a more balanced economic relationship between the two nations without jeopardizing political or military interests in South Korea. Obstacles to the country’s emerging democracy are also discussed, including North Korean hostility and trade frictions between Korea and the United States. Featuring former National Security Advisor Richard Allen, Selig Harrison of the Carnegie Endowment, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Asia Director Mark Van Fleet and former Korean Economic Minister to the United States Yoonsae Yang.
URI:	http://repository.library.georgetown.edu/handle/10822/552668
Date Issued:	1/20/2012
Date Created:	1988