Although South Korea has accomplished a democratic transition, democratic
consolidation has not been achieved. The study investigates this notion on the
basis of criteria of democratic consolidation, how the presidents have fulfilled
their promises on the deepening of democracy and how the Articles in the
1987 Constitution on democracy have been implemented. What developments
support and disapprove this notion? The interaction between domestic politics
and the implementation of the Constitution during the presidents’ five year
terms in office is analyzed. Great consideration is put on the Confucian impact
on politics and the short period of implementing democracy.