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volume of Korea’s economy has significantly increased. Thailand has also
achieved wonderful economic successes. For further economic growth
politics should play its role. I think that political stability is one of key
conditions for economic prosperity. However, one essential condition is
needed for this. That is, political stability should be based upon the
consensus of people. Political stability could not be maintained without
the agreement of the people over the way they are governed. However,
it quite often turns out to be difficult to build a consensus in many new
democracies. In this regard, fair political representation and fair and free
elections are the key conditions for building a consensus. One of major
reasons for democratic struggles in the 1980s was closely related with
the establishment of fair and free elections in South Korea. When the
authoritarian regime yielded to the demand of people for the formation
of the procedural democracy, Koreans regarded that as the arrival of
democracy. It occurred 30 years ago. Since then Korea’s democracy
has proceeded on the basis of the agreement over the procedural
democracy. As I pointed out earlier, political stability as well as
economic prosperity is both sides of the same coin. To achieve these
goals, it is essential to build the consensus about the way they are
governed and the direction that a society pursues.

Fourth, transparency and openness are another important factors
for sustainable democracy. As I mentioned earlier, former president Park
Geun Hye was impeached because of the corruption scandals.
Corruption should inevitably undermine the stability of a democracy.
Corruption is an enemy to sustainable democracy. Corruption can
weaken the people’s commitment to a democratic regime. For enhancing
transparency and openness, first of all, it is necessary to set up
institutional checks and balances. Legislature can thoroughly examine
the activities of the administration and the decisions of top political
leaders. The Court should also be impartial and more importantly,
independent. Vibrant civil society is also essential. Democracy can work
only if people are willing to participate in politics, are keen on politics,
and are ready to watch the activities of politicians and public servants.
For fighting against corruption and for enhancing transparency political

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