EFFECTIVE POLITICAL REFORMS AS A FACTOR IN ENHANCING THE STATE IMAGE: THE EXPERIENCE OF THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA AND UZBEKISTAN

Abstract

This article examines the relationship between effective political
reforms and the enhancement of a state’s image, using the cases of the Republic of
Korea and the Republic of Uzbekistan. It argues that in contemporary international
relations, the image of a state is shaped not only by economic growth, military power,
or cultural attractiveness, but also by the quality of political institutions, the degree of
transparency in public administration, the effectiveness of anti-corruption policy, the
digitalization of public services, the protection of human rights, and the government’s
capacity to respond to public demands. The Republic of Korea demonstrates the
experience of transition from an authoritarian model to a democratic, technologically
advanced, and internationally recognized state. Uzbekistan, in turn, has been
implementing a large-scale program of political, legal, and administrative reforms
since 2016, aimed at forming the image of an open, modernizing, and responsible state.
The article provides a comparative analysis of the two cases, identifies common
patterns and distinctive features, and formulates conclusions regarding the significance
of consistency, institutional sustainability, and public legitimacy of reforms for
strengthening the international image of the state.