Polarization and Korea's Democracy

Political polarization in South Korea has deteriorated at an alarming level, leading to a crisis of democracy. This crisis is not merely a matter of formal democracy, namely fair elections based on a multi-party system and the transition of power through elections. Rather, it stems from the lack of parliamentarism and a public sphere that should make deliberation possible in order to gather the will of the people. In this regard, this panel seeks to explore the current situation of democracy in South Korea and to propose solutions for overcoming these challenges.