Far East: The Role of Protests in South Korea’s Path to Democracy and Accountability
South Korea, known today as a thriving democracy and economic powerhouse, has a storied history of political protests that have shaped its national identity. This week, the nation is witnessing yet another chapter in its turbulent political landscape, as protests erupted over President Yoon Suk Yeol’s sudden declaration of martial law to break a political stalemate. This unprecedented move has ignited debates about democracy, government overreach, and the role of public dissent in holding leaders accountable. To understand the significance of this moment, we can look back at key protests in South Korea's modern history and examine how each has influenced the nation’s political trajectory.
The History of Protest in South Korea
The April Revolution of 1960 was the first mass protest that marked South Korea’s push toward democratization. Sparked by widespread allegations of election fraud under President Syngman Rhee, protests erupted nationwide, primarily led by students. The tipping point came on April 19, 1960, when police fired on demonstrators, and dozens were killed. Public outrage mounted, forcing Rhee to resign. The revolution ended Rhee’s autocratic rule and ushered in the short-lived Second Republic, South Korea’s first attempt at a parliamentary democracy. However, political instability and corruption paved the way for the 1961 military coup led by Park Chung Hee.
Two decades later, the Gwangju Uprising in 1980 became a pivotal moment in South Korea’s democratic struggle. After the assassination of President Park Chung Hee in 1979, the military, under Chun Doo-hwan, seized power. Martial law was expanded, suppressing civil liberties and protests calling for democratic reforms. The citizens of Gwangju, particularly students and workers, took to the streets. The military responded with brutal force, resulting in hundreds of deaths. While the uprising was violently suppressed, its memory galvanized the pro-democracy movement throughout the 1980s. By 1987, mass protests culminated in establishing a democratic constitution and the direct election of the president.
In more recent history, the Candlelight Protests of 2016 demonstrated the power of peaceful resistance in a fully democratized society. Millions of South Koreans protested over several months against President Park Geun-hye, who was implicated in a corruption scandal involving her confidante Choi Soon-sil(elaborate a little on this scandal here). The protests were nonviolent in nature, with families, students, and professionals gathering to demand accountability. The Constitutional Court unanimously upheld Park’s impeachment in 2017, leading to her removal from office. The protests were a watershed moment, reinforcing South Korea’s commitment to transparency, rule of law, and democratic governance.
From the April Revolution to the Candlelight Protests, South Korea’s history of dissent reveals enduring patterns: Public outcry often arises in response to electoral fraud, authoritarianism, or corruption; Students and young people frequently spearhead movements, energizing broader participation; Government crackdowns have historically escalated conflicts, but nonviolence has emerged as a defining characteristic in recent decades; Protests have consistently led to systemic changes, from constitutional amendments to the impeachment of corrupt leaders.
President Yoon’s sudden declaration of martial law is reminiscent of South Korea’s authoritarian past, raising fears of democratic backsliding. Protesters across the nation successfully demanded an immediate repeal of the order, citing its unconstitutionality and the potential erosion of civil liberties. The government's handling of this crisis will be a litmus test for the resilience of South Korea’s democratic institutions.
Will the current protests follow the trajectory of their historical predecessors, leading to meaningful reform? Or will they signal a regression to a more authoritarian era? As South Koreans take to the streets once again, their actions reaffirm an enduring truth: the fight for democracy is never truly over.