Democracy in South Korea

Prof. Dr Sunhyuk Kim (Korea University)

Lecture

This lecture explores the trajectory of South Korea’s democracy—its transition, consolidation, deepening, crisis, and resilience—with a particular focus on the pivotal role of civil society. It begins by reflecting on the December 3 self-coup, then examines the complex nature of the country’s democratic transition, the internal and external drivers of democratization, the challenges of democratic consolidation, and the broader lessons and implications for the future of Korean democracy and other democracies around the world.

About the lecture

Sunhyuk Kim is a Professor in the Department of Public Administration at Korea University. He earned his Ph.D. in Political Science from Stanford University, where his doctoral research focused on the role of civil society in South Korea’s democratization. His academic interests include comparative democratization, democratic theory, civil society, and social movements. Professor Kim has served on numerous government advisory committees and previously held the position of Vice President for International Affairs at Korea University.