PREFACE OF “CULTURAL STATE” A THEORETICAL ATTEMPT FOR STATE IDENTITY OF KOREA

HONG SEONG MIN

ABSTRACT

In this essay, I would like to discuss the relationships between the state/civil
society and between civil society/formation of individual in order to explain
South Korea’s state identity. On the other hand, as I shall try to show such
dichotomies occur only theoretically; in practice, they are always interlinked with
each other. It is nonetheless convenient for our purposes of running empirical
studies and organizing their results. Moreover, in formation and implementation
of governmental policies, it will also be useful to consider components of Korean
society separately. On the other hand, as the subtitle of this essay—Theoretical
Attempt for State Identity of Korea— conveys, this essay is meant to serve as
an introduction. In other words, additional efforts to discover the state identity
of Korea must take place through further studies. Although such a pursuit
requires analysis of extremely complex factors, perhaps due to the influence of
American academia, most political theories in Korea have approached this task
with economic points of view. Thus, the concept of “developmental state” has
played a key role in characterizing Korean identity. However, in the current
global economy, developmental policies from the Park Chung Hee regime are not
sufficient for Korea to achieve another spectacular economic growth. New types
of policies and visions fit for future circumstances must be produced. This essay
is a theoretical effort to fulfill such an objective.