This paper tries to identify the roles of the authoritarian governments in the
economic development of Korea and the characteristics of Korean authoritarian
governments which had made the economic development of Korea successful.
The military confrontation with North Korea and the Korean people’s desire
for democracy compelled the Korean authoritarian governments to adopt
inclusive economic institutions. The economic growth made possible by the
inclusive economic institutions and the Korean people’s desire for democracy
eventually led to a democratic governments.
It is recommended that developing authoritarian countries adopt inclusive
economic institutions and that developing democratic countries establish a
strong government.