本文從韓國民主鞏固的過程，由三個層次分析韓國的政黨政治：黨與國家的關係、各政黨之間的關係，以及政黨與社會的互動。就民主鞏固而言，韓國各政黨的關係可以從兩點來探討，第一，政府補助大致公平分配給各主要政黨；其次，政府有時以補助做為收編反對勢力的誘餌。雖然有些人批評國家補助歧視小黨，以及人事任命權的制度設計不當，但補助金及人事任命權並末扭曲韓國的政黨政治結構。韓國的政黨政治目前出現三大改變：議題取向的政治、無歧視的政治，以及多黨政治。由於明星政黨逐漸走向議題取向，使得議題取向的政治變得可行，也促使政黨在各種議題上競爭。以前被排除在外的社會階層，包括勞工族群，現在經由全國選區政黨比例代表的選舉制度，得以參與政治。如果將以前的多黨制度視為較緩和的多黨制度，新的選舉制度則是更異質性的多黨制度。然而政黨政治整體而言仍是支持體制的政黨之間向心的競爭。關於政黨與社會的關係，韓國的政黨已有一部分為市民杜會組織所取代，在政治上的參與不如過去那麼重要，主要原因在於未能成功促進人民參與政治。政黨一方面不得不吸納人民進入其內部程序，另方面又必須釋出一部分功能由市民社會組織接手。雖然韓國的政黨政治仍有許多缺失，但各政黨及政黨政治已經比以前更民主、透明，也更能回應民意。這樣的發展有助於韓國的民主鞏固。

This paper analyzes Korea's party politics, in the context of democratic consolidation, on three levels: the relationship between parties and the state, inter-party relationships, and the interlocking of parties and society. In the party-state relationship in the context of democratic consolidation, two points can be stipulated in Korea. First, the government subsidy is relatively fairly distributed to the politically significant parties. Second, it is utilized, at times, as a decoy for incorporating the opposition. Even though criticism is raised with regard to the discrimination of the minor parties in providing state subsidies and the strategically designed utilization of patronage, the subsidies and patronage do not structurally distort Korea's party politics. Three changing factors are reshaping Korea's party politics: issue-oriented politics, inclusive politics and multi-party politics. Issue-oriented politics become feasible as personality political parties have changed to more issue-oriented ones, and this is led to a competition with regard to diverse issues. Previously excluded social sectors, including laborers as a group, are now permitted to participate in politics through the introduction of the proportional party list electoral system for the national district. This electoral system results in a more heterogeneous multiparty system if we characterize the previous multiparty system as a more moderate multiparty system. Nonetheless, party politics as a whole is managed as a centripetal competition among system-supporting parties. In their relationship with society, Korea's political parties have partly been replaced by civil society organizations. They become less important political actors mainly due to failure in facilitating people's participation in politics. They are forced to incorporate the people into their internal process on the one hand, and they concede to share their functions with the civil society organizations on the other. Although party politics is far from ideal, political parties and party politics in Korea are becoming more democratic, responsive and transparent than before. And this is contributing to the consolidation of Korean democracy.