Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-rdxmf Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-29T12:18:07.289Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

LEVIATHAN FOR SALE: MARITIME POLICE PRIVATIZATION, BUREAUCRATIC CORRUPTION, AND THE SEWOL DISASTER

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 March 2021

Kyong Jun Choi  and
Jonson N. Porteux Open the ORCID record for Jonson N. Porteux [Opens in a new window]
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

We argue that the 2014 Sewol ferry disaster in South Korea, in which 304 passengers perished, was a result of the mode and process of privatization of South Korea's maritime police and rescue services. Through the development of a nuanced theory of privatization and use of a novel conceptualization of corruption, coupled with empirical analysis, our study shows that the outcome was symptomatic of a wider trend of systematic bureaucratic rent-seeking. A pro-active private sector ready to capitalize on the opportunity, in conjunction with a permissive political environment, resulted in a reduction of state capacity, with devastating consequences.

Keywords

bureaucratic corruptionprivatizationregulatory mismanagementROK
Type
Article
Information
Journal of East Asian Studies , Volume 21 , Issue 1 , March 2021 , pp. 27 - 51
Check for updates
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of the East Asia Institute.

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

Bates, Roberts, Greif, Avner, and Singh, Smita. 2002. “Organizing Violence.” Journal of Conflict Resolution 46 (5): 599–628.10.1177/002200202236166CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Benson, Bruce L. 1998. To Serve and Protect: Privatization and Community in Criminal Justice. New York: New York University Press.Google Scholar
Benson, Bruce L. 2011. The Enterprise of Law: Justice Without the State. Oakland: The Independent Institute.Google Scholar
Carlson, Mathew M., and Reed, Steven R.. 2018. Political Corruption and Scandals in Japan. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press.10.7591/9781501715679CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Dunigan, Molly. 2011. Victory for Hire: Private Security Companies’ Impact on Military Effectiveness. Stanford: Stanford University Press.10.1515/9780804777414CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Economy Planning Board. 1993. Economy White Paper 1993. Kwach’ŏn: Economy Planning Board.Google Scholar
Ewoh, Andrew I. E. 1999. “An Inquiry into the Role of Public Employees and Managers in Privatization.” Review of Public Personnel Administration 11 (1): 8–27.10.1177/0734371X9901900103CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Fixler, Philip E. Jr., and Pool, Robert W. Jr. 1988. “Can Police Services Be Privatized?” Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science 498: 108–118.10.1177/0002716288498001012CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Forst, Brian, and Manning, Peter K.. 1999. The Privatization of Policing: Two Views. Washington, DC: Georgetown University Press.Google Scholar
Giddens, Anthony. 1985. The Nation-State and Violence. Berkeley: University of California Press.Google Scholar
Hellman, Joel S. 1998. “Winners Take All: The Politics of Partial Reform in Post-Communist Transitions.” World Politics 50 (2): 203–234.10.1017/S0043887100008091CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Inglehart, Ronald. 2018. Cultural Evolution: People's Motivations are Changing, and Reshaping the World. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.10.1017/9781108613880CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Jeon, Su-Wook. 2017. “Kiŏbŭi iikch'uguwa todŏkchŏk ch'aegim: Sewŏrho ch'amsarŭl t'onghae” [Corporate Interests Seeking and Moral Responsibility: Through the Sewol Tragedy]. Chiyŏksanŏbyŏn'gu 40 (3): 279–306.Google Scholar
Ji, Joo-Hyoung. 2014. “Sewŏrho ch'amsaŭi chŏngch'isahoehak: shinjayujuŭiŭi hwansanggwa hyŏnshil” [The Political Sociology of the Sewolho Disaster: The Fantasy and Reality of Neoliberal Capitalism]. Kyŏngjewa Sahoe 104: 14–55.Google Scholar
Jo, Moo-sung. 2014. “Sewŏrho ch'amsae nat'anan kukkaŭi chŏngch'aekchŏk pushilgwa Haengjŏnghakchaŭi pansŏng: saenghwarhaengjŏnghagŭi chŏpkŭn” [The Total Weakness Shown by the State in the Sewol Disaster: The Reflections of a Public Administration Researcher]. Korea Public Administration Forum 145: 28–49.Google Scholar
Joh, Elizabeth E. 2006. “The Forgotten Threat: Private Policing and the State.” Indiana Journal of Global Legal Studies 13 (2): 357–389.10.2979/gls.2006.13.2.357CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Johnston, Les. 1992. The Rebirth of Private Policing. London: Routledge.Google Scholar
Kang, David C. 2004. Crony Capitalism: Corruption and Development in South Korea and the Philippines. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.Google Scholar
Kim, Byung-sop, and Kim, Jung-in. 2014. “Kwallyomuch'aegimsŏngŭi chaehaesŏk: Sewŏrho sagorŭl chungshimŭ-ro” [Reinterpretation of Bureaucratic Responsibility]. Hanguk Haengjeonghakbo 48 (3): 99–120.Google Scholar
Korean Coast Guard. 2010. White Paper of Korean Coast Guard. Seoul: Korean Coast Guard.Google Scholar
Korean Coast Guard. 2011. White Paper of Korean Coast Guard. Seoul: Korean Coast Guard.Google Scholar
Korean Coast Guard. 2012. White Paper of Korean Coast Guard. Seoul: Korean Coast Guard.Google Scholar
Korean Coast Guard. 2013. White Paper of Korean Coast Guard. Seoul: Korean Coast Guard.Google Scholar
Korean Coast Guard. 2014a. White Paper of Korean Coast Guard. Seoul: Korean Coast Guard.Google Scholar
Korean Coast Guard. 2014b. Annual Statistics of Maritime Accident 2013. Inch’ŏn: Korean Coast Guard.Google Scholar
Korean Coast Guard. 2015. Annual Statistics of Maritime Accident 2014. Inch’ŏn: Korean Coast Guard.Google Scholar
Korean Coast Guard. 2017. Annual Statistics of Maritime Accident 2016. Sejong: Korean Coast Guard.Google Scholar
Korean Coast Guard. 2018a. Annual Statistics of Maritime Accident 2017. Sejong: Korean Coast Guard.Google Scholar
Korean Coast Guard. 2018b. Korean Coast Guard Annual Report 2018. Inch’ŏn: Korean Coast Guard.Google Scholar
Korean National Police Agency. 2006. The History of Korean National Police, Vol. 5. Seoul: Korean National Police Agency.Google Scholar
Lee, Byeong Cheon, and Park, Taehyun. 2015. “Sewŏrho ch'amsa, kukkarŭl muttar: Pullyanggukkaŭi chŏngch'igyŏngje” [The Sewol Ferry Disaster, Asking the State: The Political Economy of the Rough State]. Kiŏkkwa Chŏnmang 33: 347–379.Google Scholar
Mandel, Robert. 2002. Armies Without States: The Privatization of Security. Boulder: Lynne Rienner Publishers.Google Scholar
Merom, Gil. 2003. How Democracies Lose Small Wars: State, Society, the Failures of France in Algeria, Israel in Lebanon, and the United States in Vietnam. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.10.1017/CBO9780511808227CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ministry of Finance and Economy. 1997. Economy White Paper 1997. Kwach’ŏn: Ministry of Finance and Economy.Google Scholar
Mulone, Massimiliano. 2011. “When Private and Public Policing Merge: Thoughts on Commercial Policing.” Social Justice 38 (1/2): 165–183.Google Scholar
Park, Jong Seung, and Choi, Eung Ryul. 2014. “Haeyanggyŏngch'aryesanp’yŏnsŏngŭi munjejŏm mit kaesŏnbangan” [A Study on the Problems of Budgetary Formation and Improvement Plans in the Korean Coast Guard]. Han'gukkyŏngch'arhak’oebo 16 (3): 25–48.Google Scholar
Park, Ju-Sang, Jung, Byung-Su, and Ha, Sang-Gun. 2011. “Haeyanggyŏngch'arŭi palchŏnbangane kwanhan t'amsaekchŏk yŏn-gu” [An Exploratory Study on Effective Development of the Korean Coast Guard]. Sahoehak yŏn-gu 18 (2): 151–176.Google Scholar
Park, So Jin. 2018. “Sewŏrho ch'amsarŭl t'onghan p'ongnyŏkkwa shinjayujuŭie taehan chaesayu” [Rethinking Violence and Neoliberalism by the Case of the Sewolho Disaster]. Munhwawa Sahoe 26 (3): 147–185.Google Scholar
Porteux, Jonson, and Kim, Sunil. 2016. “Public Ordering of Private Coercion: Urban Redevelopment and Democratization in Korea.” Journal of East Asian Studies 16: 371–390.10.1017/jea.2016.20CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Roh, Ho-Rae. 2014. “2014nyŏn haeyanggyŏngch'arŭi chojikkaep'yŏnanŭi munjejŏmgwa panghyang” [Problems and Counterproposal of Korea Coast Guard's Reorganization Plans in 2004]. Han'gukkyŏngch'arhak’oebo 16 (5): 28–62.Google Scholar
Roh, Jin-Cheol. 2016. “Kukka chungshim shinjayujuŭiwa haeyang anjŏn t'algyuje” [The State-centered Neoliberalism and the Deregulation of Sea Security]. In Shinjayujuŭiwa sewŏrho ihu kaya hal nara [Neoliberalism and the Future Country after Sewol Disaster], edited by the Association of Professors for Democratization, 37–77. Seoul: Elphi.Google Scholar
Shearing, Clifford D. 1992. “The Relation between Public and Private Policing.” Crime and Justice 15: 399–434.10.1086/449198CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Singer, Peter W. 2003. Corporate Warriors: The Rise of the Privatized Military Industry. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press.Google Scholar
Sklansky, David Alan. 2006. “Private Police and Democracy.” American Criminal Law Review 43: 89–105.Google Scholar
Solnick, Steven L. 1999. Stealing the State: Control and Collapse in Soviet Institutions. Cambridge: Harvard University Press.Google Scholar
Suh, Jae-Jung. 2014. “The Failure of the South Korean National Security State: The Sewol Tragedy in the Age of Neoliberalism.” The Asia-Pacific Journal 12 (40): 1–9.Google Scholar
Thomson, Janice E. 1994. Mercenaries, Pirates, and Sovereigns: State-Building and Extraterritorial Violence in Early Modern Europe. Princeton: Princeton University Press.Google Scholar
Verkuil, Paul R. 2007. Outsourcing Sovereignty: Why Privatization of Government Functions Threatens Democracy and What We Can Do about It. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.10.1017/CBO9780511509926CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Warren, Mark E. 2004. “What does Corruption Mean in a Democracy?” American Journal of Political Science 48 (2): 328–343.10.1111/j.0092-5853.2004.00073.xCrossRefGoogle Scholar
Williamson, Oliver E. 1975. Markets and Hierarchies: Analysis and Antitrust Implications. New York: The Free Press.Google Scholar
You, Jong-sung, and Park, Youn Min. 2017. “The Legacies of State Corporatism in Korea: Regulatory Capture in the Sewol Ferry Tragedy.” Journal of East Asian Studies 17: 95–118.10.1017/jea.2016.32CrossRefGoogle Scholar

NEWSPAPERS

Asia Today. “Ppŏnppŏnsŭrŏn Undine kuhoyongyŏkpi 9pae pup'ullyŏ ch’ŏng-gu” [Unabashed Undine Requested Overcharge] (October 24, 2014).Google Scholar
Dong-A Ilbo. “Haesubu Yu Byŏng-ŏne 20nyŏntchae hang-ro tokchŏmgwŏn” [The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries has provided a Monopoly of the Ferry Route for 20 Years] (April 23, 2014).Google Scholar
Dong-A Ilbo. “Yu Byŏng-ŏn 5, 6kong ttae chŏngch'igwŏn'gwa yuch'ak” [Yu Byŏng-ŏn formed a Close Relationship with Politicians during the Fifth and Sixth Governments] (April 25, 2014).Google Scholar
Dong-A Ilbo, “Ch'ultongsŏ kujokkaji haegyŏng chŏn'gwajŏng hŏtpalchil” [Poor Operation of the Coast Guard during all the Phase of Rescue] (May 12, 2014).Google Scholar
Haeyanghankook. “Sewŏrho kwallyŏnja 50myŏng chinggyeyo-gu” [Asking for the Punishment of 50 People Involved in the Sewol Accident] (November 2014).Google Scholar
Haeyanghankook, “Kamsawŏn sewŏrho ch'immolsago taeŭngshilt'ae chungganbalp'yo naeyong” [The Board of Audition and Inspection Announced Interim Findings] (August 2014).Google Scholar
Hankook Ilbo. “T'oejik’u Ilcha-ri yugwandanch'e mandŭlgo haegyŏngch’ŏngjangkkaji Nasŏ chiwŏn” [Creation of Related Associations for the Job after Retirement] (May 13, 2014).Google Scholar
Hankook Ilbo. “Haegyŏng, sŏkyŏnch'anŭn Undine ch'aenggigi” [The Coast Guard's Doubtful of Taking Care of Undine] (May 13, 2014).Google Scholar
Hankook Ilbo, “Haegyŏng 123Chŏng, pingbingdolmyŏ shiganhŏbi” [The Coast Guard Wasted Time] (October 7, 2014).Google Scholar
Hankook Kyongjae, “Kongwigongjikcha t'oejik’u 3nyŏnnae chaech'wiŏp sŭngin 91%” [The Permission Rate of Reemployment of High-ranking Officials within Three Years after Retirement Reaches 91%] (October 10, 2017).Google Scholar
Hankyoreh Shinmun. “Sŏnjin haeyanggukŭ-ro kanŭn tidimdol, Han'guk’aeyanggujohyŏp'oe ch'angnip” [The Foundation of Korean Association of Sea Rescue and Salvage] (January 23, 2013).Google Scholar
Hankyoreh Shinmun. “Wae UDT aanin min'gan? Ŏndinŭl tullŏssan 6 kaji ŭimun” [Why a Private Company instead of the UDT? Six Doubts around Undine] (April 24, 2014).Google Scholar
Hankyoreh Shinmun. “Ch’ŏnghaejin kunanŏpch'e ‘Undine’ kyeyak kujo anin sŏnbaginyang chumokchŏk” [Chunghaejin's Main Purpose of Contract with Undine was not for Rescue but for Salvage] (April 25, 2014).Google Scholar
Hankyoreh Shinmun. “Kŭrŏna shisŭt'emŭn toragaya handa” [The System Should be Working] (May 6, 2014).Google Scholar
Hankyoreh Shinmun. “Haegyŏng taehyŏngch'amsa nok'o igwŏnapsŏn chŏnghwang” [The Coast Guard Prioritized Interests in the Disaster] (May 14, 2014).Google Scholar
Hankyoreh Shinmun. “Toni menyuŏri toen Han'guksahoe” [Money Became the Manuel in Korean Society] (May 15, 2014).Google Scholar
Hankyoreh Shinmun. “Tangshin-do kujodoe-myeon kuhobiyong naeyadoenda” [You Should Pay for the Rescue When You Are Rescued] (May 17, 2014).Google Scholar
Hankyoreh Shinmun. “Undine Sewŏrho kuhobiyong ppŏngt'igi ch’ŏng-gu” [Undine Requested Overcharged Costs] (October 6, 2014).Google Scholar
Hankyoreh Shinmun. “Tuŏshigan kŏ-ri pajisŏn noadunch'ae Ŏndin kidarida 7il nallyŏtta” [Seven Days Were Spent Waiting for Undine] (October 7, 2014).Google Scholar
KBS. “Kamsawŏn kamsae kŏmch'al susakkaji sumjugin haegyŏng” [The Inspection by the Board of Audition and Inspection and the Investigation by the Prosecutors’ Office of the National Coast Guard] (May 19, 2014).Google Scholar
Kookmin Ilbo. “Sŏnch'aksune iksuk'an min'ganjamsusadŭl, Ŏndin tokchŏme panbal” [Private Divers Resisted the Monopoly of Undine] (May 17, 2014).Google Scholar
Kyunghyang Shinmun. “Sago tangil tokchŏm sŏnjŏngdoen Undine, haegyŏnggunanŏpch'e myŏngdane ŏpta” [Undine is not in the List of Rescuing Companies Made by the Coast Guard] (May 19, 2014).Google Scholar
Maeil Kyungjae. “Haegyŏng-Ŏndin yuch'age Sewŏrho kujo 30shiganina nŭjŏjyŏ” [The Rescue was Delayed for 30 Hours due to the Collusion between the Coast Guard and Undine] (October 6, 2014).Google Scholar
Media Chungcheong. “T'oejik’u hyŏp'oee chaech'wiŏp'anŭn haegyŏng” [The Employment of Officials of the Coast Guard after their Retirement] (April 28, 2014).Google Scholar
Media Oneul. “Yu Byŏngŏn kyeyŏlsae ch'angjogyŏngje chiwŏn'gŭm 67ŏk tŭrŏgatta” [The Amount of 6.7 Billion Won was Provided to You Byung-Un's Companies through the Special Fund of Creative Economy] (May 13, 2015).Google Scholar
Moodeung Ilbo. “Haegyŏngch’ŏngjang, kujojiyŏnshik'imyŏ Ŏndine t’ŭk'yejegong” [The Deputy Manager of the Coast Guard Provided for Privilege by Delaying the Rescue] (October 7, 2014).Google Scholar
Munhwa Ilbo. “Haegyŏng, haeyanggujohyŏp'oebi kŏdŏ chwŏtta” [The Coast Guard Collected Membership Fees for the Association] (May 12, 2014).Google Scholar
Munhwa Ilbo. “Undine t’ŭk'yeŭihok ilbu hwagin kunan'gyeyak ch'egyŏl amnyŏk haengsa” [Special Benefits to Undine were Proved] (October 6, 2014).Google Scholar
News1. “Kyŏngch'alganbu t'oejikcha, t'oejik’ue-do kkot-gil … chŏn'gwanyeu shimgak” [Serious Levels of Reemployment of Retired High-Ranking Police Officers] (October 4, 2018).Google Scholar
Segae Ilbo. “Ch’ŏnghaejin Haeun “Haegyŏng, Undine'gwa kyeyak chi-si” [Chonghaejinhaeun said the Coast Guard Ordered to Make a Contract with Undine] (May 1, 2014).Google Scholar
Seoul Kyongjae, “Sewŏrho ch'amsa ch'aegim kongjikcha … yŏnbong 2.8ŏk sanha kigwan chaech'wiŏp” [Public Officials Responsible for Sewolho Disaster were re-employed in the Related Organizations] (August 11, 2016).Google Scholar
Seoul Kyongjae. “Sewŏrho ch'amsa wŏnin” [The Origins of the Sewol Disaster] (October 6, 2014).Google Scholar
Seoul Shinmun. “Se ŏn'gŭbanhan DJ, Ro Chongbuse, MB pujagamse, Pak malloman chŭngseŏpta” [DJ Didn't Mention Tax, Roh Announced Comprehensive Real Estate Holding Tax, MB Talked about Tax Reduction for the Rich, and Park Announced No Tax Increase from the Teeth Forward] (November 3, 2017).Google Scholar
Sisa-In, “Kŭrigo amu-do ch'aegimjiji anatta” [And Nobody Took Responsibility] (April 6, 2015).Google Scholar

INTERNET SOURCE

National Law Information Centre (www.law.go.kr).Google Scholar
Seoul Central District Court, Sentencing No. 2015Gahap560627 (http://seoul.scourt.go.kr).Google Scholar