Lessons from South Korea’s Defense of Democracy

Insights for an America Facing Four Years of Democratic Challenges

South Koreans celebrate the impeachment of President Yoon

My first assignment as an officer in the military was being deployed as an infantry officer in South Korea between January 2000 and June 2001. That experience gave me a unique perspective on a country navigating its young democracy while recovering from decades of authoritarian rule, a perspective that continues to inform my understanding of the resilience needed to protect democratic values. Back then, South Korea felt like a young democracy and was just beginning to enjoy the prosperity of free markets and political stability. Democracy in South Korea is a relatively new phenomenon, beginning with what is referred to as the 6th Republic in 1988. Before this, the country endured five other authoritarian or semi-authoritarian republics between 1948 and 1988. Given this history, the struggle for democracy and the memory of economic and political challenges remain fresh in the collective consciousness of South Korean society.

The legacy of this Democratic transition meant that when President Yoon recently attempted to resolve his legal and popularity challenges by instituting martial law, South Korean society and political elites resoundingly rejected this return to authoritarianism. The memory of lived trauma—the suppression of rights, economic instability, and political violence—compels South Koreans to protect their hard-won democracy at all costs.

In contrast to South Korea, the United States has very little direct experience with authoritarianism. The Civil Rights and Equal Rights movements faced push-back from sections of government and society as they mobilized against systemic inequality and discrimination. It should be noted, however, that the resistance these movements encountered was different than the widespread suppression and control characteristic seen in authoritarian regimes. Americans lack a visceral understanding of the absence of democracy or the presence of large-scale, open, state-sponsored corruption. This creates a dangerous complacency. For the American public, comfort breeds apathy, and many fail to grasp the threats posed by a chaotic, unstable, and unaccountable government. While South Korea remembers the tangible harms of authoritarianism, Americans may not fully conceptualize the consequences of losing elements of their democracy.

Many analysts focus on the potential destruction of democracy without considering the chaotic aftermath that often follows. Such an aftermath is more likely to resemble a fractured and dysfunctional system rather than a fully formed authoritarian regime. Scenarios of weakened institutions, erosion of voting rights, and unchecked executive power could lead to long-term instability rather than outright control. For the next four years we may see significant damage to our institutions, but this will likely be accompanied by a failure to replace them with something strong enough to resist the will of the people.

Trump and MAGA Republicans won a broad but shallow victory in the last election. Their control is tenuous at best. At the state and local levels, MAGA influence is far from consolidated, and at the federal level Republicans hold only a slim majority in the House of Representatives. Much of the judiciary remains independent and other institutional checks and balances persist. While Trump 2.0 poses a greater danger than his first term—largely because of a clearer game plan to retain power—his allies are often unqualified to govern effectively. There will be a learning curve and they will have only four years to attempt to reshape institutions in their image. This means that while significant damage may occur, the incoming regime will likely lack the capacity to withstand the backlash from a mobilized populace.

"People power" remains a formidable force in America. While we lack South Korea’s recent memory of authoritarian trauma, we have a history of civic engagement that may serve as the foundation for pushing back against threats to democracy. From the Civil Rights Movement to contemporary grassroots efforts like voter mobilization and protests for justice, Americans have repeatedly shown that collective action can drive meaningful change. The challenges of the coming years may awaken a broader appreciation for democracy and inspire greater participation in its defense. Just as South Koreans drew from their collective experiences to resist authoritarianism, Americans must shed complacency, embrace sustained civic action, and build a more inclusive and durable democracy for future generations. The fight to secure a fragile and damaged America starts on January 20th, and it will require vigilance, resilience, and collective action.