Korean Democracy from 4.19 to Impeachment: Growth and challenges through the eyes of international experts

Welcome to Within The Frame, where we bring the most pressing issues across the globe into focus. I'm Kim Mok-yeon.

South Korea's democratic evolution has been fast and hard-fought — from the April 19 Revolution in 1960 to the impeachment of two presidents in a little over a decade.

These events reflect not only political turbulence, but also the strength of a civic culture that continues to push for accountability and reform.

Recent developments — most notably the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol — have sparked new debate about the state of Korean democracy: its resilience, its institutions, and the public's role in shaping it.

At the same time, concerns are rising about political polarization, generational divides, and democratic backsliding, as noted in recent international reports.

Today, we ask: How far has Korean democracy come? What challenges lie ahead? And what lessons can be drawn from its unique path?

For answers to this, we connect to Mark Peterson, Professor of Korean Studies at Brigham Young University, Welcome.

Also joining us is Alexis Dudden, Professor of History at the University of Connecticut. Great to have you.

1. (Peterson) Professor Peterson, democracy in South Korea has undergone numerous experiences in a short period, from the April 19 Revolution to the recent impeachment of former President Yoon Suk-yeol. As someone who has long studied Korean history and democracy that you even wrote a paper on the May 18 Democratization Movement, how developed would you say Korean democracy is today?

2. (Dudden) Now to Prof.Dudden, in particular, what significance do you think the recent impeachment of former President Yoon Suk Yeol holds for Korean democracy? And what implications does it have for other countries?

3. (Peterson) So, Prof. Peterson, South Korea has gone through the democratic process of impeaching a president twice. How do you assess the impact of these experiences on the institutional maturity of Korean democracy?

4. (Peterson) Compared to the West, Korea has a shorter history of democracy. Yet it has relatively steadily and consistently achieved democratic consolidation. What do you think is behind this?

5. (Dudden) Korea's democracy is often seen to have advanced through large-scale protests such as the May 18 Democratic Uprising and the candlelight rallies during former President Park Geun-hye's impeachment. Prof.Dudden, in this latest impeachment of former President Yoon, protests were largely driven by younger generations. How do you see this culture of protest influencing Korean democracy?

6. (Peterson) On the other hand, the V-Dem Institute under the University of Gothenburg in Sweden recently published its Democracy Report 2025, which stated that Korea's level of democracy declined compared to last year, and that autocratization was underway. What is your opinion on this Prof. Peterson?

7. (Peterson) Then, what do you see as the current threats and challenges facing Korean democracy?

8. (Dudden) Meanwhile, in the aftermath of the impeachment crisis, citizens' political fatigue has intensified. There are concerns that this could lead to decreased trust in political parties or political apathy. Prof. Dudden, what measures do you think are necessary to sustain civic engagement for the long-term development of Korean democracy?

9-10. (Both) Amid challenges such as political polarization and the crisis of trust in the media, in what direction do you think Korean democracy should head?