South Korea’s deeper democratic crisis lies in economic inequality

Disillusionment is setting in—not with a particular administration, but with the democratic process itself.

At first glance, South Korea’s democracy appears resilient. Martial law was imposed, swiftly overturned, and those responsible held to account. Protests were loud, legal, and effective. There was minimal violence, and supporters and opponents largely respected norms of behavior. Many read this sequence of events as a sign of democratic strength.

At second glance, South Korea’s democracy appears shakier. Human Rights Watch points to serious rights concerns regarding the misuse of defamation laws, increasing restrictions on protest, and the marginalization of vulnerable groups. These are overt threats—press freedom, surveillance, and protest restrictions. The steady weakening of democracy through the institutions created to support it - something seen across the democratic world.

At third glance, there is a more insidious danger, which runs just beneath t…