Korea is not China - this is true. In China, the courts have the ability to overturn irrational or illegal actions taken by the state, in Korea, the department of justice is the tax authority and most powerful arm of the state. Those trading inside Korea are well aware of the excessive fees being exacted by 'Justice Dept friendly exchanges', often 3 or four times the norm in other exchanges. I hope along with my friends here, that this plays out in a rational way and fair and rational market principles prevail for once.
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That's something that many people don't realise. China is often perceived to be the authoritarian state, but sometimes the supposedly more democratic countries can be surprisingly authoritarian too.
Yes. There is a misconception stemming from a misunderstanding of the Chinese political process. Though a decision is made by the politburo and then central government, that decision (if unsupported) can be 'bogged down' by reluctant implementation or by open challenges at various regional or local levels of government, or by the courts. It allows for rational decisions and the effects are obvious when you see China's rapid progress in a short half decade. The same can't be said about her neighbours who are more controlled by sponsored capital powerhouses. In comparison, some look a lot like organised criminals instead of politicians. South Koreans are challenging this vehemently as you see with very recent protests against decisions, and political ousters. People seem to be taking their voices and doing something with them more and more.