"Psychological Civil War"...Warning Light for Korean Democracy [Retreating Democracy]

Experts Respond to Democracy Regression Assessment
"Conflict Between the Two Camps at Civil War Level"
"Political Leadership Needed for Unity and Democratic Advancement"

"It is a state of psychological civil war." (Choi Young-jin, Professor of Political Science and International Relations at Chung-Ang University)

In response to international organizations' assessments that South Korea's level of democracy has regressed, domestic political experts pointed out that the conflict between the two camps has reached an extreme level akin to civil war, and regardless of the impeachment trial results of President Yoon Suk-yeol, they called for the political sphere to play a role in fostering unity.

Police officers are on alert duty around the Constitutional Court in Jongno-gu, Seoul, ahead of the announcement of the impeachment trial conclusion of President Yoon Seok-yeol on the 17th. 2025.03.17 Photo by Yoon Dong-ju

On the 20th, political experts diagnosed that President Yoon's declaration of martial law revealed the fragility of South Korea's democratic resilience. Jo Jin-man, Professor of Political Science and Diplomacy at Duksung Women's University, said, "In a presidential system, when the president cannot exercise political power, they consider mobilizing the military," adding, "This is something seen in authoritarian states where democracy has not been established." Professor Choi also criticized, "The international organizations' evaluation that democracy is regressing is a natural outcome," and said, "Democracy operates through procedures, but the December 3 martial law incident amounted to rejecting democratic procedures."

He also advised that it is important for President Yoon to issue a message accepting the Constitutional Court's impeachment trial results. Professor Choi said, "Democracy begins with respecting outcomes even if they do not align with one's own views," and added, "If the Constitutional Court's decision is rejected, the international community can only see South Korea's level of democracy as having declined further."

There was also criticism that although the opposition party did not directly harm direct democracy, it created an extreme confrontation by attempting impeachment 29 times during this administration. Professor Jo said, "The major opposition party opposed all policies proposed by this administration and pushed through impeachment," adding, "South Korea has become extremely divided, increasing political risks. Regardless of severity, the opposition also bears responsibility."

People Power Party lawmakers Choi Su-jin (from left), Kim Ki-hyun, and Park Sung-hoon are holding a relay protest on the 18th in front of the Constitutional Court in Jongno-gu, Seoul, urging the dismissal of President Yoon Seok-yeol's impeachment. Photo by Yonhap News

There was also criticism that both camps heading only to the public square does not greatly help improve the level of democracy. The People Power Party has been holding relay protests in front of the Constitutional Court in Jongno-gu, Seoul, urging the dismissal or rejection of President Yoon's impeachment, while the Democratic Party of Korea has been focusing on so-called 'square politics,' such as holding supreme council meetings in Gwanghwamun, Seoul. Political commentator Lee Jong-hoon said regarding both parties going to the square, "It is an admission that politics has disappeared," and added, "Political issues should be resolved inside the National Assembly. Square politics is not desirable for democracy."

When looking at the three confrontations in the square, some analyses suggest that South Korea is already engaged in a political civil war. Professor Choi said, "South Korea's political polarization has reached a level where the existence of the opponent is not acknowledged," and added, "Not acknowledging the opponent is the greatest enemy of democracy." Professor Jo also expressed concern, saying, "Political polarization has escalated to the level of civil war," and "If the Constitutional Court's decision becomes a trigger for violence, restoring democracy will be difficult."

Experts emphasized that political harmony beyond mere acceptance of the Constitutional Court's ruling is necessary for the recovery of South Korean democracy. Professor Jo said, "Once the Constitutional Court's decision is announced, it will soon be the presidential election phase, so political polarization is unlikely to subside easily," and added, "The political sphere must demonstrate high-level discussions and unity under the banner of restoring democracy."