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| Gwanghwamun remains clean even after protests, thanks to the voluntary cleaning by citizens, and it stands as a symbolic place showing that no authoritarian rule can overcome a mature civic consciousness. |
Introduction: Understanding Korean Democracy
Dear readers, hello! Today, I would like to briefly introduce how the distinctive features of Korean democracy were demonstrated throughout the recent resolution of a remarkable political situation in Korea (an attempted loyalist coup). Please note that for details about the political event itself, I kindly refer you to your trusted news sources. In this article, the focus will be on explaining how the characteristics of Korean democracy could play a role in addressing such major political incidents, including the relevant historical context. Thank you for your understanding. Let us begin
South Korea’s modern democracy is not merely a matter of institutional transition; it is a political culture shaped by collective memory, ethics, and civic responsibility. The country has achieved rapid economic growth in a short period while experiencing authoritarian rule, and its citizens have repeatedly taken to the streets to change the system. This history is key to understanding contemporary Korea.
This article aims to help English-speaking readers grasp the context often missed when hearing the term “Korean democracy”—the sacrifices and solidarity of citizens, as well as the ongoing education and transmission of democratic values. The goal is not to promote nationalism or criticize other countries, but to provide an objective and historical explanation of the features and significance of Korean democracy.
Historical Background: The Soil Cultivated by Hardship and Resistance
Modern Korean history has been marked by foreign invasions, colonial rule, war, and national division. The political instability following liberation and the authoritarian regimes of the 1960s–1980s left deep scars on civil society, which became a powerful driver for democracy. The 1980 Gwangju Uprising was brutally suppressed by the military but became a symbolic turning point for the pro-democracy movement, embedding the notion of “democracy as a hard-earned collective heritage” in the national consciousness. This event was not a localized rebellion but a collective demand for democratic governance that shaped Korea’s political identity.
The June Democracy Movement of 1987, fueled by accumulated grievances and sacrifices, led to direct presidential elections and constitutional amendments. This movement ended authoritarian rule and established the current constitutional order of the Sixth Republic, demonstrating that Korean democracy was a domestic achievement, not an externally imposed model.
The “Asian Values” Debate and Korea’s Choice
In the 1990s, the so-called “Asian values” debate gained attention among some Asian leaders. Singapore’s Lee Kuan Yew argued that Western-style liberal democracy conflicted with traditional Asian communitarian and family-oriented values. In contrast, former South Korean President Kim Dae-jung and other scholars argued that democracy is a universal value achievable in Asia. Korea ultimately chose a democracy rooted in citizens’ rights and responsibilities, a choice that continues to influence society deeply.
The Process of Establishing Democracy: Change “From Below”
A key characteristic of Korean democracy is the role of citizens as active agents. While many countries introduced democratic institutions due to external pressure or elite consensus, Korea’s democracy emerged from sustained protests and resistance by students, workers, and citizens from various social strata. This grounding in civic participation and ethics gives democracy its social and institutional legitimacy.
Notably, the peaceful transfer of power in the 1997 election, when the ruling party was replaced by the opposition, was a remarkable transition in Asia, showing the maturity and stability of Korean democracy. Subsequent transfers of power through elections further illustrate its robustness.
Five Key Features of Korean Democracy
1) Democracy Achieved by Citizens Themselves
Korean democracy was earned through citizens’ sacrifices and solidarity, rather than being externally imposed. This foundation has fostered social trust and institutional legitimacy. The memories of Gwangju and the June Democracy Movement instilled the collective understanding that democracy is a shared heritage to be protected.
2) Strong Rejection of Power Succession
Korean society generally rejects hereditary succession of political power. This is not mere opposition but a collective valuation of legitimacy through electoral choice. Even highly respected politicians cannot pass their authority automatically to family members without public consent.
3) Sensitivity to Military Coups and Authoritarianism
Repeated experiences with military coups and martial law have made Korean society vigilant against non-democratic interventions. Any attempt to bypass democratic legitimacy evokes historical trauma and widespread resistance, distinguishing Korea from other nations with similar rapid development.
4) Repeated Peaceful and Horizontal Power Transitions
Since democratization, Korea has seen multiple peaceful and procedural transfers of power. Discontent is expressed primarily through voting and civic engagement, reflecting a mature democratic culture.
5) Civic Awareness and Norms of Nonviolence
During large-scale protests, violence in Korea has typically been targeted at authorities, with minimal organized harm to ordinary civilians. This illustrates that the democratic movement was a pursuit of justice and institutional reform rather than a venting of collective anger.
Democracy Embedded in Society: Education, Arts, and Collective Memory
Democracy in Korea extends beyond institutions into classrooms, universities, films, literature, and documentaries. Films depicting the Gwangju and June Democracy Movements (e.g., Taxi Driver, 1987) maintain collective memory, while schools and media repeatedly educate citizens about democratic values. This “education of memory” helps embed democracy into everyday civic consciousness.
The 2016–2017 Candlelight Protests illustrate how massive civic participation can peacefully hold the government accountable, ultimately leading to the historic impeachment of President Park Geun-hye. This demonstrated the interplay of civil society and rule of law in maintaining democratic norms.
Global Significance and Signals to Neighboring Countries
Korean democratization is often cited in other Asian pro-democracy movements. Its citizen-led activism, cultural memory, and institutional demands provide practical models and inspiration. The success of Korean democracy also serves as a cautionary signal to nearby authoritarian regimes, demonstrating the internal potential for change.
Challenges and Future Tasks: Toward Reflective Democracy
While Korean democracy is robust, it is not a completed ideal. Continued institutional refinement is necessary—enhancing transparency, balancing freedom and responsibility in the media, and safeguarding minority rights. Education and public discourse must ensure that collective memory does not become a source of exclusion or bias.
Future tasks are twofold:
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Deepening institutional maturity – improving laws, regulations, and policies.
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Strengthening civil society inclusiveness – respecting diversity and broadening participation.
Together, these will fortify Korean democracy for future generations.
Conclusion: Universal Significance and Korean Experience
Korean democracy is aptly described as “democracy made by citizens.” The collective memory of hardship, rejection of hereditary power, vigilance against military intervention, and civic consciousness across society have shaped today’s democratic culture.
This experience offers lessons not only internally but also to societies aspiring for democracy globally. Democracy is not a finished achievement; it must be renewed daily through civic action, and Korea exemplifies how such renewal is nurtured through sacrifice, solidarity, and responsibility.
Dear readers, this article may not provide a complete understanding of Korea’s political situation at once, but if you have come to grasp what Koreans aspire to and recognize that, even in the face of challenges, the direction they strive toward remains consistent, then the purpose of this article has been fulfilled. I look forward to sharing more insightful content with you in the future. Thank you very much for reading.
References (Key Sources)
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Gwangju Uprising – Britannica; Wilson Center.
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June 1987 Democracy Movement – Library of Congress; Korea Herald.
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Asian Values Debate (Lee Kuan Yew vs. Kim Dae-jung) – Foreign Affairs (1994) and related scholarly articles.
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Post-democratization power transitions and institutional consolidation – Freedom House; Hoover Institution.
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2016–2017 Candlelight Protests and President Park Impeachment – news reports and analytical studies.
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