Comparing the Power of Korean and American Presidents: An Institutional Perspective

Many observers of Korean politics have worried that the Korean president has wielded lopsided leverage over other political actors and institutions. By comparing “constitutional” and “para‐constitutional” features of the Korean and American political systems, this paper assesses the reasons that the Korean presidency has enjoyed overwhelming advantage. Assessment of constitutionally prescribed presidential powers–both legislative and non‐legislative–indicates that, compared to the American president, the Korean counterpart possesses strong leverage over the legislature. This paper also suggests that such para‐constitutional features of the Korean political system such as ’winner‐take‐all” and the ‘plebiscitary’ nature of the Korean presidential elections and strong party discipline have worked to the advantage of the Korean president. Although no analysis of the political system will be complete without the examination of “contextual” and “ecological” factors indigenous to that system, “institutional” analysis of this paper suggests that Korean politics may move toward a more advanced stage of democracy through adjusting some of the basic institutional arrangements of the country.