Recently, the global community is witnessing the growing impact of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in local, national and international spheres. NGOs actively shape perceptions of what is in 'the public interest' and organize people and events t...
Recently, the global community is witnessing the growing impact of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in local, national and international spheres. NGOs actively shape perceptions of what is in 'the public interest' and organize people and events to pursue those interests through providing goods and services. They also propose and assist in the implementation of policies, and form organizations dedicated to the protection of public interests by monitoring government and business activities. The prioritization of state and business interests in determining 'the public interest' is now challenged with increasing frequency and effectiveness of NGOs in Korea. In particular, the Small Shareholders' Rights Campaign instigated by the People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy began to draw attention to the rights of small shareholders that had been overshadowed by the arbitrary power of large-scale business. Also, in the sixteenth National Assembly election in 2000, 1,055 civil organizations formed a coalition called the Citizens' Alliance for General Elections for the purpose of eradicating corrupt politics and restoring citizens' sovereignty power in the political arena. This study investigates the role of NGOs and their coalition both as institutional alternatives and as policy entrepreneurs in pursuit of intrinsic goods - most particularly, 'the public good' of small shareholders' rights in business and citizens' sovereignty in politics. This study hopes to illustrate how NGOs influence popular notions of what sorts of collective goods are for 'the public good' in democratic transition in Korea.