South Korea defends democratic legitimacy following martial regulation disaster and new authorities

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It has been a turbulent but inspiring 12 months for Koreans. A declaration of martial law final winter plunged the nation into uncertainty, however what adopted was not chaos – it was the reaffirmation of a individuals’s unshakable religion in democracy.

The "Revolution of Gentle," culminating within the peaceable election of a brand new authorities, reminded the world that the Republic of Korea ’s constitutional order rests not on the need of any ruler, however on the collective conscience of its residents.

Some observers overseas have mistaken the depth of Korea’s political transition for fragility or deviation from democratic norms. In fact, such depth is the very pulse of democracy itself. Our debates are sometimes fierce, our elections passionately contested, but our establishments endure. That resilience – born of expertise, sacrifice, and civic self-discipline – is Korea’s biggest democratic asset.

President Donald Trump greets South Korean President Lee Jae Myung upon his arrival on the White Home on Aug. 25, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Chen Mengtong/China Information Service/VCG through Getty Pictures)

Since taking workplace, President Lee Jae Myung has acted swiftly to strengthen the foundations of democracy at residence and to resume the Republic of Korea’s partnership with the United States . In phrase and deed, President Lee has acknowledged the important significance of the ROK-U.S. alliance and strengthened pragmatic cooperation with President Donald Trump , and put our interlocking safety and financial targets, and shared values on the coronary heart of his agenda.

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This method displays Korea’s confidence as a mature democracy and accountable international companion. President Lee views the alliance not merely as a legacy of the previous, however as a dwelling partnership, adapting to new challenges – from regional safety and financial cooperation to superior future expertise.

This imaginative and prescient was clear at their August summit, the place the 2 leaders spoke with candor and mutual respect, underscoring their shared dedication to construct what they known as a "Future-Oriented Complete Strategic Alliance." President Trump’s comment, "We’ve gotten alongside very properly," captured the brand new tone of belief shaping this alliance.

President Lee and the entire of the Korean authorities have meticulously ensured that at the same time as we concentrate on restoring our democratic system, we not flail for one second in our duties as pal and ally. This makes sure commentaries – portraying Korea’s new management as undemocratic, illegitimate and even hostile to faith – so bewildering and saddening. Such claims, usually repeated in on-line boards and even on opinion pages, bear little resemblance to information and hinder our joint efforts for actual options.

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Let’s set the report straight: The federal government of the Republic of Korea was democratically elected. President Lee prevailed in a good and clear vote acknowledged all over the world for assembly the very best election requirements. Neither Korea’s unbiased judiciary nor its opposition events objected to the outcome.

Since then, the ideas of the rule of regulation have been scrupulously noticed. Ongoing authorized proceedings in regards to the earlier administration’s declaration of martial regulation and different alleged abuses of energy are being carried out by unbiased prosecutors appointed by the Nationwide Meeting – not by the Presidential Workplace. These authorized proceedings exhibit the rule of regulation, not the erosion of it.

Equally unfounded are latest claims that the brand new authorities is "anti-Christian." Such narratives seem to come up from ongoing investigations into bribery allegations involving church funds, however for individuals acquainted with Korea, the notion of prejudice is demonstrably absurd.

Christianity , together with Buddhism and different faiths, has performed an integral position in Korea’s social and cultural life. Christian missionaries helped set up lots of the nation’s main academic and medical establishments, numerous Christians sacrificed their lives for Korea’s independence from Japanese colonial rule.

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At the moment, a big share of Korean inhabitants identifies as Christian, with hundreds of thousands of each Protestants and Catholics contributing to the material of Korean society. These people, like individuals of all faiths, proceed to play a significant position in civic life, group service and the pursuit of nationwide unity.

President Lee himself is a person of Christian religion. He and his administration have the deepest respect for freedom of faith and expression, which our Structure enshrines. They, like all Koreans, are unambiguously pleased with the legacy of Christianity and imagine freedom of faith within the Republic of Korea rivals that of anywhere on the planet.

To painting authentic, lawful efforts to revive democratic order as a marketing campaign in opposition to Christianity shouldn't be solely deceptive, nevertheless it undermines Christian legacy and respect for spiritual freedoms which might be central to Korea’s democratic values.

As Koreans dedicated to democracy, vigorous debate and even disagreement are greater than welcomed. It's what the brand new Korean authorities strove so vigorously to safeguard these previous 4 months. However mischaracterizing all that has occurred does nothing to advance mutual understanding or produce actual options for the Koreans and Individuals alike.

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The Republic of Korea and america have sustained our alliance by way of eight many years of bravery and sacrifice. At the moment’s challenges require nothing much less. Beneath President Lee’s authorities, Individuals will be assured that they've a pal and companion who shares core values and is dedicated to the success of each of our nations.

Look no additional than their summit on Aug. 25 the place the 2 leaders ushered within the period of a "Future-oriented Complete Strategic Alliance" – one that appears confidently towards a safer, democratic and affluent future for each nations. Korea’s story shouldn't be considered one of uncertainty however of conviction: {that a} free individuals, examined by historical past, can renew both their democracy and their alliance with braveness and style.