Conservative Democratization

South Korea celebrated the thirtieth anniversary of democratization in 2017. Over the thirty years since democratization in 1987, Korea has successfully institutionalized democracy. The last thirty years of democracy in Korea, however, have a dual aspect. The fierce resistance of students and civil society triggered the democratization process in 1987. However, the political pact between the political elites institutionalized the democratic transition. The 1987 system created through the political pact between political elites with the exclusion of civil society’s influence functioned as a political cartel and a high barrier to new political forces. One of the significant consequences of this cartel system has been the underrepresentation of political minorities such as youth and non-regular workers. Democracy does not mean elite rotation. The democratization of democracy must begin for Korean democracy, which started a new cycle after the 2016–2017 Candlelight Uprising, to become a responsive system that reflects many citizens’ preferences.