Lee calls K-democracy "beacon" for democratic citizens worldwide

An international political science congress kicked off in Seoul over the weekend.

Celebrating the event, President Lee Jae Myung called South Korea's democracy a "beacon" for people around the world, noting what the country went through since the short-lived martial law by former President Yoon Suk Yeol seven months ago.

Presidential Office Correspondent Yoon Jung-min reports.

Standing before a global audience, South Korean leader Lee Jae Myung's message of the resilience of democracy was loud and clear.

"The remarkable resilience and the power of democracy that our people have shown belong to the Republic of Korea and to people all over the world. I am confident that the colorful K-democracy that our people themselves have shown will be a beacon and a new milestone for democratic citizens around the world.

As he made the remarks at the opening ceremony of the International Political Science Association's 2025 World Congress in Seoul on Sunday, President Lee was highly critical of the martial law incident by former President Yoon Suk Yeol, calling it a "coup d'état" aimed at permanent rule.

His message was also directed at what lies ahead: reconciliation.

"Conversation over conflict, healing over wounds, reconciliation over confrontation. The core spirit of 'K-democracy' that will save our future lies in thoroughly restoring the values of democracy: freedom, equality and solidarity."

He went on to extend the value of democracy to the lives of the people, calling democracy and freedom "inextricable."

"In an era of crisis where the wave of inequality, polarization, and poverty hinders growth, freedom means the economy. Freedom means a warm meal that will fill hunger, a decent job to make a living."

The liberal leader wrapped up his speech by describing what the future holds for democracy in a digital era, as he noted the use of smartphones to monitor abuse of power.

"The AI revolution will further develop digital democracy, help facilitate rational debate and democratic decision-making and strengthen direct democracy."

This year's congress runs from July 12 to 16 in the South Korean capital under the theme of "Resisting Autocratization in Polarized Societies," bringing together some 35-hundred political scientists from around the world.

It's the second time that Seoul hosted the event. It last hosted the congress in 1997.

Yoon Jung-min, Arirang News.