Women, civil society and the democratization process in South Korea

Abstract

The article reflects upon the increasing participation of South Korean women in the public scenario, as expressed in civil movements,  groups and associations, since the 80s. Their increasing presence and the significance of their demands in the context of the national political agenda is examined with the purpose of explaining the degree of inclusion and participation achieved by this social actor in the democratic model of the republic of Korea. Women's movements have undoubtedly been acquiring increasing visibility and its study, together with its relationship with the political society sheds light on women´s intervention in the public sphere, thus contributing to the understanding of their new status in the present Korean scenario, where traditional and modern values continue to coexist the paper links secondary sources product of the authors´ research:«civil society and political parties: Korea 1987-2002» and «identity and gender in South Korea», respectively.