Corruption in North and South Korea: A comparative perspective

This research involves a comparative analysis of the corruption phenomena in North and South Korea. Due to the distinction of structural characteristics of the society in North and South Korea, the causes of corruption for each country differ to a certain extent. In case of North Korea, the main cause of corruption can be viewed as the result of the distribution system of socialism, while in South Korea, the capitalistic development in the bureaucracy is one of the major roots of the cause. It is the author's view that the destructive power of corruption in North Korea is much stronger when compared to South Korea. Furthermore, the consequences of corruption in North Korea implicate a possible capitalistic development, while social conflict and distrust· between people and government are the likely effect of corruption in South Korea. This is illustrated by discussion of several corruption incidences that verify the corruption phenomena and its consequences to the society. Finally, since corruption phenomena is an obstacle for national development for both North and South Korea, the preventive strategies for corruption are suggested. In short, the author contends that as corruption hinders national development in both. North and South Korea, preventive anti-corruption strategies should be introduced to curb it.