The Political Dynamics of South Korea’s Human Capital Development Strategy

This article examines the political dynamics of South Korea’s human capital development strategy from the early 1960s until today, focusing on the central role of the state. South Korea’s state has played a critical role in developing the education and skills training system not only during the period of industrialization but also under the pressures of democratization and globalization, given the lack of strong interests and political capacities of social partners (e.g., business associations and labor unions) in formulating a human capital development strategy. It has advanced a series of education and skills training system reforms to adjust the country to the transformation of the economic structure and the production system, although an available range of policy options have changed over time. Regardless of the type of political regime (e.g., authoritarianism vs. democracy), South Korea has always prioritized the education and skills training system as the driving force of the country’s growth and economic competitiveness in the international market.