Chun Doo Hwan on Political Ideology

Chun Doo Hwan's political ideology, as demonstrated during his military rule, was fundamentally characterized by a hardline stance against communism and a commitment to state security as the primary justification for governance. His administration, which began after the military coup of December 1979, heavily relied on anticommunism, a theme previously established during prior authoritarian periods. This ideological foundation provided the rationale for implementing repressive measures and consolidating power, as evidenced by his regime's actions following the Gwangju Uprising in 1980. The priority was maintaining political stability and national security, often at the expense of democratic deliberation and civil liberties.

This authoritarian approach reflected a statist aspiration that prioritized centralized control over popular sovereignty or grassroots democracy, a tendency noted in the broader political history of South Korea's transition. The regime utilized security concerns to legitimize the suppression of political opponents, such as sentencing Kim Dae-jung to death in January 1981 under the charge of being a "red" instigator of civil war. His ideology, therefore, positioned itself against the democratic nationalism championed by dissidents, viewing such movements as threats to the order that he believed was necessary for national survival and development.