THE ROAD AHEAD FOR SOUTH KOREA
In the long run there could possibly be vital implications in 5 areas.
First, political reform in South Korea. Most agree that the president wields an excessive amount of energy underneath the present structure and subsequently favor some form of political reform. The two principal proposals are the adoption of a parliamentary system or the discount of the presidential mandate to 4 years with the potential of re-election. Regardless of the end result, consideration can be centered on lowering presidential powers from their present stage.
Second, political polarization. It is what makes South Korea’s democracy vibrant, nevertheless it has additionally stifled political debate and substantive progress within the nation. Every time there’s a turnover of political energy in Korea, the winner takes revenge on the opposite political group. This is why South Korean presidents haven’t fared nicely after retirement.
It additionally polarizes South Korean society, with many residents following their favourite political events or politicians with virtually spiritual zeal, viewing them as saviors or martyrs preventing in opposition to some evil power. It is politicians who’ve produced this polarization and antagonism, and so they should be those to unravel the issue.
Third, the place and legitimacy of the army in South Korean society. Yoon’s martial regulation turned what appeared like paranoia on the Korean political left that the army could possibly be used for home politics right into a reliable concern. It has additional weakened the legitimacy of the armed forces, which may have an effect on its functioning and capabilities.
This doesn’t bode nicely for South Korea, which is technically at battle with North Korea and subsequently wants a powerful, well-disciplined army for nationwide safety.
Fourth, the way forward for the Conservative Party. Since Park Geun-hye’s impeachment, conservatives have been mired in energy struggles amongst themselves. Aside from the earlier presidential election which gave a slender victory to Yoon, the Conservative Party has misplaced each different election, usually by landslide defeat.
Now that Yoon has been impeached and a few members of the ruling social gathering have joined the trigger, the conservative social gathering will go into additional inside clashes and divisions, and this might give free rein to the primary opposition social gathering, the Democratic Party, which already controls the National Assembly. .
For democracy to work nicely, energy should be checked and balanced, and that’s the reason the Conservative Party should survive, however it will solely occur if it might probably regain the general public’s belief. For this to occur, they have to have interaction in critical self-reflection and soul looking.
