A Comparative Analysis of Government Responses to COVID-19 in the United States, China, and South Korea: Lessons from the Early Stage of the Pandemic*

Haeil Jung, Ki Woong Cho, Kaifeng Yang, Sun Young Kim, Yihong Liu

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    3 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    COVID-19 has spread quickly worldwide, presenting unprecedented challenges to countries all over the globe. To understand how different countries have responded to COVID-19 during the early stage of the outbreak, we develop a comprehensive research framework drawing on the literature on wicked problems. Specifically, we comparatively investigate the government responses of the United States, China, and South Korea and examine why and how these countries have adopted and implemented various strategies—authoritative, collaborative, and competitive—depending on their policy environment. Although scholars have argued that collaborative strategies are the preferred approach to dealing with wicked problems, it is found that the most applicable, implementable, and effective strategies vary according to the country's cultural, economic, and political contexts. In addition, the urgency and timing of the crisis may affect the choice of appropriate strategies. Our findings can provide lessons for public administration and policy to cope with other wicked problems.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)29-58
    Number of pages30
    JournalKorea Observer
    Volume54
    Issue number1
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2023

    Bibliographical note

    Publisher Copyright:
    © 2023 by INSTITUTE OF KOREAN STUDIES.

    Keywords

    • COVID-19
    • Comparative Study
    • Government Responses
    • Wicked Problems

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • General Arts and Humanities
    • General Social Sciences

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'A Comparative Analysis of Government Responses to COVID-19 in the United States, China, and South Korea: Lessons from the Early Stage of the Pandemic*'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this