K-democracy on the global stage: resilience, legacy, and the road ahead

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

For the first time in 28 years, the World Congress of Political Science was held in Korea — a country navigating a complex political moment, just months after the December 3rd martial law incident and the election of a new administration.

At a time when democratic backsliding is being reported across the globe, Korea is drawing attention for its civic resilience and evolving democratic model.

President Lee Jae Myung, in his opening address, introduced the concept of "K-democracy," asserting that democracy must prove it can put food on the table — that "freedom is the economy."

But even as Korea is celebrated, questions persist: how much of its authoritarian past still shapes its politics? And how does its democracy stack up against global standards?

To help us unpack these questions, we're joined by Ji Yeon Hong — associate professor of Political Science and Korea Foundation professor of Korean Studies at the University of Michigan — who also attended the Congress in person. Welcome.

1. To start off, the World Congress of Political Science (IPSA) was held in Korea for the first time in 28 years just last week. You were there in person — what do you think was the most significant message this congress delivered to the global political science community, especially considering Korea's recent governmental transition after the December 3 martial law incident?

2. With global democratic decline increasingly evident, how is Korea's civil society — particularly its political resilience and democratic capacity — being evaluated on the world stage?

3. President Lee Jae Myung, during the opening ceremony of the Congress, highlighted the achievements of what he called K-democracy. He also stressed the importance of proving that "democracy can feed the people." How should we interpret that statement?

4. Building on that, in your view, what are the key strengths of K-democracy?

5. Looking at its historical roots, Korea's political system began under a legacy of authoritarian military rule. Given your research on authoritarianism and political economies, do you see remnants of that legacy still influencing Korean politics today? If so, in what ways does it manifest?

6. You've mentioned before that overcoming Korea's authoritarian legacy is still very much an ongoing process. What, in your opinion, are the most effective paths forward to overcome it?

7. Based on your longstanding research on elite structures under authoritarian regimes, what improvements are needed in the elite-centered political structure of Korean parties today?

8. Considering the current climate, Korea's political polarization appears to be deepening along lines of class and region, among others. What kind of impact do you think this polarization could have on the quality of Korean democracy — and what institutional or cultural approaches might help alleviate it?

9. Finally, what direction should K-democracy take going forward? And what do you believe is the single most crucial condition for it to be recognized as a legitimate model in the global democratic landscape?