SEOUL -- Nongovernmental organizations and local political autonomy have both contributed greatly to the advancement of democracy in South Korea. Both have been instrumental in checking centralized political power, bringing political decision-making closer to the people and increasing the political awareness and participation of many citizens in public affairs. But while NGOs and local political autonomy may be termed complementary, tensions are increasing between members of South Korea's vibrant NGO society and local politicians as next June's local elections move closer.
Leaders of NGOs often characterize local party politicians as part of a political system considered a breeding ground for corruption. Local politicians reply that unlike NGO members, they are democratically elected and thus the true representatives of the people. Already, numerous members of NGOs have announced their intention to run for office, and have started forging alliances aimed at fielding candidates for next year's local elections.
Interestingly, activists with political ambitions find themselves under attack from two sides: They are criticized by traditionalists who oppose NGO participation in elections, arguing that civic activists should be watchdogs rather than movers and shakers, and are under attack from conventional party politicians, who fear the new competition in the upcoming electoral race.