NGOs have historically played an important role in political reform in South Korea by pressing for reforms, participating in policymaking, and monitoring elections and government. However, their standing has recently declined due to concerns about over-politicization and close ties to government. To regain credibility, NGOs need to focus on neutral activities and maintain autonomy, while the government should support NGOs indirectly through tax benefits and use independent foundations to allocate subsidies transparently. Both NGOs and the government have lessons to learn to maintain an effective partnership.

1. NGOs, A powerful force for
political reform
Study on the paper of Kim Eui-young.
Subject: “Political change in Republic of Korea”

2. Agenda
• Pressing for reforms
• Participation in policy reform
• The recent DECLINE of NGOs' standing
• Difficulties of Korean Republic's NGOs
• Methods to regain the credibility of NGOs
• Suggestions for Government

3. Pressing for reforms (1)
• Since 1987, NGO efforts:
– Monitoring the election process.
– Increasing political participation.
– Decreasing political corruption.
– Monitoring the legislative process in the National
Assembly.
– Increasing its transparency.
– Pushing for democratization within political
parties.

4. Pressing for reforms (2)
• “Blacklist Campaign” in 2000 General Elections
– 900 civic organizations.
– Blacklisted 86 corrupt and incompetent individuals.
– 60% to 90% of the Korean people supported.
– 59 out of the 86 politicians on the list were defeated.
(equal to 68.6%)
– 95% of those listed by the Citizens Solidarity.
– This outcome as a "voters' revolution“.

5. Participation in policy reform (1)
• Kim Young-sam:
– Support NGOs financially.
– Consider NGOs policy proposals seriously.
– Enact some of NGOs recommendations into law.

6. Participation in policy reform (2)
• Roh Moo-hyun:
– Established a new position of senior Secretary to
the President for civil society in the Blue House.
– Recruited civil society leaders to the presidential
office and other government agencies.

7. Participation in policy reform (3)
• Kim Dae-jung:
– Best alliance between NGOs and the government:
• Separation of the prescription and dispensing of drugs by
PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY REFORMS program.
– NGOs played an active role in the whole policy
process. (From the agenda-setting stage to the
enactment process)
– Incorporate the input of civil society into the policy
process.
– Integrate the support of civic groups into the reform
process.

8. The recent decline of NGOs' standing (1)
• The danger of over-politicization.
– Damage of the image of NGOs' neutrality, and
credibility.
– People want NGOs to remain uncontaminated by
dirty politics.
• The advent of numerous politicized NGOs
– Damaging the appearance of neutrality and
devotion to the public interest..

9. The recent decline of NGOs' standing (1)
• The danger of over-politicization.
– Damage of the image of NGOs' neutrality, and
credibility.
– People want NGOs to remain uncontaminated by
dirty politics.
• The advent of numerous politicized NGOs
– Damaging the appearance of neutrality and
devotion to the public interest.

10. The recent decline of NGOs' standing (2)
• NGOs are getting so close to the government
– Make the credentials for independence and autonomy
are weakened or lost.
• NGOs are considered an ally of the government,
rather than as an independent force.
• NGOs were criticized for both lacking expertise
and NEGLECTING their DUTY.
• NGOs are now stigmatized as being overly
politicized and potentially being co-opted by the
government.

11. Difficulties of Korean Republic's NGOs
• Korean NGOs' poor resources base without
financial support from the government.
• The danger of the government politicizing the
allocation of government subsidies.

12. To regain the credibility of NGOs (1)
• Stay away from outright partisan politics.
• Concentrate on more indirect and neutral
activities.
• Maintain at least some autonomy in NGO-
government relations.

13. To regain the credibility of NGOs (2)
• NGOs need to work on their own structure
and character so as to enhance:
– Accountability.
– Transparency.
– Democracy.
– Expertise.
• Avoid the danger of politicization, while
making good use of government funding.

14. Suggestions for Government (1)
• The government should adopt more indirect
modes of subsidizing NGOs:
– Tax-exempt status.
– Postal and internet discounts.
– Free use of public facilities and land
– Provision of state-sponsored internships
– etc.
• Encourage and provide various incentives for
citizens' donations and volunteer work.

15. Suggestions for Government (2)
• Establish a private foundation to manage the
allocation of government subsidies (In an
independent and rational manner).
• Government leaders in Korea NEED TO
REALIZE that co-optation strategies DO NOT
WORK to their advantage, in the long run.

16. FAQ ?
Thanh you!