• Journal of Science and Technology Studies
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• v.4 no.1 s.7
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• pp.111-140
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• 2004

The korean society confronts with social problems which are resulted from the rapid development of science and technology. While the governments politic has concentrated on the economic application of science and technology, various citizens groups have been organized to solve the social problems by themselves. Historically the so called citizens movement in the field of science and technology was formed with the influence of students movement in 1970s. The activities and the aim of the movement have changed in accordance with the state of the korean society. They pay more attention to the enhancement of citizens participation in the development of science and technology. This paper is intended to evaluate the role of the citizens organizations in terms of their participation in the policy-making, formation of alternative scientist and engineer. The practices of the organizations are classified in three periods which corresponds to the process of social movement in Korea. It is further attempted to suggest the future role of those organizations.