Evolution of political philosophy in the Republic of Korea and modernization of the country

The article focuses on the analysis of the Confucian political philosophy in the Republic of Korea. It traces the complex evolutionary path of political philosophy in the Republic of Korea, identifying the stages of development of Confucian political philosophy. The main features of political philosophy during the first stage from 1948 to 1960 were statism and paternalism, where a strong state was believed to be possible only with a strong leader endowed with full authority, perceived as the father of the nation. The second stage from 1961 to 1979 continued with statism, paternalism, and pragmatism. Pragmatism fundamentally changed traditional society and, consequently, political philosophy, creating an economic basis for further changes in political philosophy. The main characteristics of the third stage of political philosophy from 1980 to 1986 were statism, paternalism, pragmatism, and nationalism. Chun Doo-hwan, in his efforts to promote Korea abroad, changed the attitude towards nationalism - not as a legacy of the past, but as a tool that could contribute to economic development. The features of political philosophy in the fourth period (1987 to the present) include statism, paternalism, pragmatism, nationalism, and liberalism. It is liberalism that brings about fundamental changes in political philosophy. The transformation of South Korea's political philosophy became an essential part of modernization, as it became a crucial condition for enhancing the country's competitiveness in modern conditions, affirming the relevance of philosophy in constructing human reality.