Protesters hold a massive rally near the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea on Saturday, December 7, 2024, calling for President Yoon Suk Yeol’s ouster after his martial law attempt. Yoon survived an impeachment vote on Saturday night. Photo by Thomas Maresca/UPI | License Photo
Although counterintuitive, the impeachment in South Korea demonstrates the strength of Korean democracy. Yes, it is a messy democracy. However, it is a strong and resilient democracy.
The stark contrast between South Korea’s democracy and North Korea’s dictatorship epitomizes the broader struggle between freedom and oppression. At its core, the question is this: would the Korean people prefer the challenges of a messy democracy or the suffocating control of a dictatorial regime? Examining the values, governance, and resilience of these two systems offers an illuminating perspective on their divergent paths. Advertisement
In South Korea, democracy thrives, albeit imperfectly. Political turmoil and disagreements are common, as is the case with any democratic system. However, these conflicts underscore a deeper commitment to self-governance, freedom, and the rule of law. The South Korean military prioritizes protecting its people and democratic values. Bolstered by the strong ROK/US alliance, South Korea remains well-prepared to defend its sovereignty against external threats. The Combined Forces Command exemplifies this readiness, ensuring that the security interests of both South Korea and the United States are upheld. This partnership sends a clear message to North Korea: any aggression will be met with a robust and unified defense. Advertisement
In contrast, North Korea’s dictatorship under the Kim family regime suppresses the fundamental human rights of its people. Governance is centered on maintaining absolute control, with no regard for individual freedoms or self-determination. The regime’s propaganda machine works tirelessly to sustain the illusion of strength and stability, even as it fears the aspirations of its own citizens. Article 21 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights guarantees the right to self-determination, a principle enjoyed by South Koreans but denied to those in the North. The disparity is not just ideological but deeply human: one system empowers its people, while the other subjugates them.
The strength of South Korea’s democracy lies in its resilience. Despite political challenges, democratic institutions in South Korea are designed to prevent tyranny and uphold freedoms. This stands in stark contrast to the inherent fragility of North Korea’s dictatorship, where power rests on the unsteady foundation of fear and coercion. As history has shown, oppressive regimes often collapse under the weight of their internal contradictions. Kim Jong Un’s greatest fear is not external military intervention but the potential awakening of the North Korean people to their rights and freedoms.
International alliances play a critical role in maintaining this balance. Trilateral cooperation among South Korea, the United States, and Japan strengthens the region’s security against threats from North Korea, China, and Russia. While some South Korean opposition voices have suggested appeasement strategies, such approaches are naïve and risk undermining the country’s national security. Hostile policies from North Korea and its allies are not responses to international cooperation but are instead tempered by it. Exposing and countering their political warfare strategies is crucial for safeguarding democracy. Advertisement
As Winston Churchill famously stated, “Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all others.” South Korea’s democracy is a testament to its people’s determination to reject totalitarian rule. The political debates and struggles that characterize its system are not weaknesses but strengths, illustrating the dynamic nature of a free society. Friedrich Nietzsche’s observation, “That which does not kill us makes us stronger,” resonates here: South Korean democracy grows more robust through its challenges, while the Kim regime’s rigidity signals its eventual downfall.
The ultimate hope for the Korean Peninsula is a future where all Koreans can live in a unified, free, and democratic state. South Korea’s example serves as both a beacon of hope and a direct threat to the Kim regime. The resilience of its democracy and the strength of its alliances ensure that it remains prepared for any miscalculation by the North. In the end, democracy’s messy vitality will always triumph over the stifling weakness of dictatorship. We hope for a United Republic for a Korea (UROK) soon.
David Maxwell is a retired U.S. Army Special Forces Colonel who has spent more than 30 years in the Asia Pacific region. He specializes in Northeast Asian Security Affairs and irregular, unconventional, and political warfare. He is Vice President of the Center for Asia Pacific Strategy and a Senior Fellow at the Global Peace Foundation. Following retirement, he was Associate Director of the Security Studies Program at Georgetown University. He is on the board of directors of the Committee for Human Rights in North Korea and the OSS Society and is a contributing editor to Small Wars Journal. Advertisement
