Premium
Exploring the Determinants of the Entry and Exit of Ministers in K orea: 1980–2008
Author(s) -
Hahm Sung Deuk,
Jung Kwangho,
Lee Sam Youl
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
governance
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.46
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1468-0491
pISSN - 0952-1895
DOI - 10.1111/gove.12001
Subject(s) - presidency , cabinet (room) , politics , democracy , public administration , political science , sociology , law , history , archaeology
The entry and exit of ministers has been of primary interest to students of political science and public management in W estern countries. Responding to the lack of research on the entry and exit of ministers in non‐ W estern countries, this article examined determinants of both the entrance and exit of ministers in K orea from the life cycle point of view based on the K orean M inisterial D atabase from 1980 to 2008. We argued that as the K orean presidency shifts from an imperialistic to a democratic presidency, ministerial appointments in K orea also seem to shift from an expertise‐focused to a politics‐focused approach. Likewise, the primary resignation reason also shifts from policy failure to political reasons. We also argued that K orean presidents use their power to reshuffle cabinet ministers too often for their political interests. As a result, K orean ministers spend too little time in post; average tenure is now down to about one year. These short terms in office dilute a minister's ability to dictate departmental policy.