SOUTH KOREA

While elections are largely fair, the government occasionally infringes on media independence, and oligopolistic newspapers produce biased political reporting

The country has refused to sign some basic international labor rights conventions. Discrimination against women, gays and lesbians, refugees and immigrants is a problem.

Corruption can be found in local governments, while foreign investors complain about a lack of legal certainty.

Low taxes and conservative budget policies have bolstered South Korea's competitiveness and public finances, but have not helped reduce inequalities.

Governments have successfully reduced general unemployment, but part-time, precarious working conditions have spread. Youth unemployment is still a concern.

A focused enterprise policy has stimulated investment and innovation, but the country's oligopolistic industrial groups have resisted reform.

South Korea has made substantial strides in preventing extreme poverty, but socioeconomic disparities are on the rise.

Family support mechanisms have weakened, and public welfare support is minimal. Pensions do not prevent old-age poverty.

Health care costs are low, but high co-payments prevent access for the poor even when they are insured.

Workplace gender discrimination is not uncommon, and support for working women is minimal.

The tense border with North Korea has posed a constant military threat, making security policy – and strong ties to the United States – a top priority.

Integration issues pose a difficult problem, as South Korea remains an ethnically homogeneous country with a relatively closed society.

Fast economic growth in recent decades has posed a variety of sustainability issues.

Tough environmental rules have helped mitigate some concerns, but wasted resources, air pollution and uncontrolled urbanization remain problems.

R&D spending has risen quickly, and the country has a high proportion of science and technology degrees. Education levels are high, but the system is very expensive for families.

Strategic planning, informed by experts, is a core element of government decision-making.

The powerful president's office has considerable internal expertise, and serves as a policy gatekeeper. RIAs are required by law.

The Roh administration attempted to work closely with economic and social groups, but found it difficult to win public acceptance.

The government typically avoids publicly contradictory statements, but some exceptions occur.

In the period under review, the government had difficulty winning acceptance for its policies.

Parliament adopted just 70 percent of government-sponsored bills in this period. President Roh's efforts to heed external voices gave him a weak reputation, though many of his policies were successful.

The constitutional court is the most important locus of veto power.

The South Korean government is usually fast to react to criticism by international organizations, and tries hard to adapt to international standards.

The country has taken an active role in a large number of international conventions, forums and activities.

The drive for institutional reform played a large role in the most recently completed administration, but led to mixed results.

An attempt to switch from the presidential to a cabinet system failed. However, the Roh presidency improved its strategic capacity by intensifying formal and informal relations with civil society.

About half of Korean citizens consider themselves to be well-informed on government policies.

This reflects a substantive public media, and a commercial press that can be superficial and biased.

Politics is very personalized, with party platforms playing a minor role.

Parliamentary oversight powers are strong, with an audit and an ombuds office in place.