The purpose of this paper is to investigate the discourses on democracy
produced by President Park Chung-hee, who constructed most powerful and
enduring authoritarian regime during his 18 years' iron rule in contemporary
South Korean history. To prepare the ground for this task, first of all, it
addresses the "overlapping coexistence of dual political order" and
"authoritarianism embellished with democracy," as the basic framework of
Korean polity during Park's reign. Second, it analyzes the three concepts of
democracy coined by Park, "administrative democracy" (during the military
regime, 1961-1963), "national democracy" (during the Third Republic,
1963-1972), and "Korean-style democracy" (during the Fourth Yushin Republic,
1972-1979). The analysis is conducted at the same time with the examination
of Park's shifting and critical perceptions of political democracy centered on
elections, political parties and the National Assembly, as Park formulated his
three concepts as its Korean adaptation and revision. Finally, the continuity and
change in Park's political thought on democracy is explored on the basis of
preceding analysis and examination.