[Press Release] Publication of "Conditions for Successful Political Reform"

Political reform, which emerged as the biggest issue of 2003, is a task that can no longer be postponed. What, then, are the true conditions for successful political reform? EAI, which previously presented the conditions for presidential success, has now presented the conditions for successful political reform in Korea with the theme of a "new policy-oriented force."

There is perhaps no topic discussed as frequently in Korean society as "reform," especially "political reform," yet there are few topics that have failed as repeatedly. The public now expresses fatigue with reform to the point where simply mentioning political reform sounds trite. However, the discussion on political reform cannot cease simply because it is trite or difficult to resolve. Political reform is not an issue confined to the political sphere but an urgent matter for us all.

At a time when serious discussion on political reform is more necessary than ever, EAI, which presented "Conditions for Presidential Success," has published "Conditions for Successful Political Reform: From Power Struggle to Policy Competition" and "Political Reform and National Assembly Reform: Retrospections and Proposals from the Field" after over a year of preparation. "Conditions for Successful Political Reform" compiles the research results of EAI's Political Reform Team within the National Assembly Reform Research Team, presenting alternatives for political reform with the theme of a "new policy-oriented force." "Political Reform and National Assembly Reform: Retrospections and Proposals from the Field" summarizes over 20 seminars held during the research process with former and current National Assembly and administration experts.

The authors of "Conditions for Successful Political Reform" point out that the reason political reform appears trite is that the constant regrouping and realignment of political parties have been framed as political reform. They argue that the public should not abandon the future and cease interest in political reform due to the current political situation that makes reform seem impossible; rather, it is a time for broad discussions. The authors identify the fundamental cause of political failure to date as our politics having consistently engaged in a "power struggle-oriented" approach. The purpose of politics has not been vision competition for the nation's welfare and the people's benefit, but solely victory in elections and power struggles. The fundamental cause of political failure lies in politics and power itself becoming the objective, rather than competition for the people and policy.

"The reason our politics today cannot give hope and dreams to the people, cannot wipe away tears and alleviate suffering, is that our politics suffers from four serious illnesses: (1) lack of policy capability, (2) absence of integration capability, (3) weakening of leadership capability, and (4) absence of rational logic." - From the text

The authors assert that for genuine political reform, a "new policy-oriented force" capable of presenting national visions and concrete policy strategies to the public must emerge as the main agent of politics. They argue that the ultimate goal of political reform is to have a large number of capable workers elected, transforming the National Assembly into a workplace. The reform proposals presented by the authors across various issue areas, from nomination and elections to party organization and political funding, are all aimed at expanding the possibility of the emergence of a new policy-oriented force. The authors contend that Korean politics will take its first step toward change when politicians focused on policy, who compete through policy in elections, become not just individuals but a powerful force.

"The reform of laws and systems to break the monopolistic structure of politics, enabling the large-scale entry of new 'new policy-oriented forces' into the National Assembly, must be the core of political reform demanded by this era." - From the text

The discussions on political and National Assembly reform, prepared by EAI's National Assembly Reform Research Team—comprised of 18 scholars in constitutional law, public administration, and political science—over the past year, are scheduled to be completed with the publication of "Conditions for Successful National Assembly Reform" in anticipation of the opening of the 17th National Assembly in 2004.

- The full text is in the attached file.