This study seeks to provide an alternative explanation of what are the k
ey variables that affect public policy decisions and how they affect the dec
isions through what channels. It concentrates on the case of the Improper
Solicitation and Graft Act(...
This study seeks to provide an alternative explanation of what are the k
ey variables that affect public policy decisions and how they affect the dec
isions through what channels. It concentrates on the case of the Improper
Solicitation and Graft Act(the anti-graft law) which demonstrates a policymaking
process that is difficult to understand with existing approaches bas
ed on the conception of self interested behaviour. Although the anti-graft l
aw was a public policy that regulate the lawmakers themselves, the anti-g
raft law was passed at the plenary session of the National Assembly with
the approval of an absolute majority of lawmakers. This study noted that
public sentiments can affect public policy decisions by changing specific pr
ogram ideas that reflect the preferences, strategies, preferences and strategi
es of individual or group actors involved in policy-making.
In the beginning, contrary to public support for the anti-graft law, lawm
akers had a strategy to delay legislation of the law, which would regulate
their actions. Even after the Sewol Ferry disaster and resultant Guanpia fr
ame became popular in 2014, the delay and avoidance was maintained and
the government and legislators only used the anti-graft legislation as a pol
itical rhetoric. However, with the release of Lee Wan-koo's transcript, publ
ic sentiment turned into a frame that links the objection to the anti-graft l
aw to corrupt acts seeking private interests, which was perceived as a poli
tical threat to the next election. Both the ruling and opposition parties shift
ed their strategy to quickly legislate the anti-graft law through a negotiati
on between the leader, and in the process, issues of content were ignored
or decided in a way that can avoid immediate responsibility.
Opposition from media companies and private schools was expressed, but
it was impossible for them to practically oppose the law, since they could
not form a coalition with policy-makers in the system due to the overwhel
ming public sentiment that emphasizes publicness and fairness. As a result,
the conflict over the issues of the anti-graft law, which required social dis
cussion and agreement, was also settled only temporarily.