[Insight & Opinion] Undemocratic Democratic Nation

Published 11 Jan.2023 11:09(KST)

[Asia Economy] Despite the countless struggles of our ancestors to break free from Japanese colonial rule, we may still be paying the price for failing to achieve independence on our own. It is fortunate, at least, that thanks to the recently re-evaluated efforts of former President Rhee Syngman, a half-formed free democratic state was established. However, this led to the constitutional amendment for a third term, casting a dark shadow of dictatorship over this land.

The military dictatorship continued under the Park Chung-hee regime that emerged through the May 16 coup and the new military government that came after the October 26 incident, continuously trampling on the constitution of the democratic republic. This period is known as the era of resistance for democratization, culminating in the achievement of democracy in 1987. Those who devoted themselves to the democratization movement during this time are called democracy merit recipients, and South Korea is said to be the only country to have achieved industrialization and democratization in the shortest time.

The 1987 system, which is said to have secured democratization, has continued for 35 years. Is South Korea truly a democratic country? Since the president, members of the National Assembly, local government heads, and council members are directly elected by the people, it can be said that democratic institutions are in place. The constitution stipulates that the people hold sovereignty because they choose their representatives, and all power exercised by them comes from the people. However, it cannot be said that our state and society operate democratically. First, it is problematic that the executive power, including the president, and the legislative power, which is supposed to represent the people, do not listen to the will of the people as the subject of power, but only to the will of some citizens who form their support base.

The president is imperial, and no one dares to object to his word; there is no sign of debate. Important decisions for the country's future are often pushed unilaterally far from the people's will, even though it is claimed to be the "will of the people." Although the president travels around supposedly to gauge public opinion, these are nothing more than promotional events.

What about the National Assembly, led by the generation that participated in the democratization movement? They created the "advanced law" to prevent assaults like levitation, yet now it is common to ignore procedures by the power of the majority. Even if decisions are ultimately made by majority vote, democracy fundamentally requires listening to and reflecting diverse opinions as much as possible. No one can proudly call our National Assembly a democratic legislature when it is rife with trickery, foul play, irregularities, shamelessness, privileges, and double standards.

Since the political sphere, which should be the most democratic, is like this, the late Samsung Chairman Lee Kun-hee once said, "Politics is fourth-rate, bureaucracy is third-rate, and business is second-rate." We must either practice politics based on the spirit of democracy or drive out all those involved in politics.

Even if we overlook the political sphere, does our society’s organizational culture, both public and private, show democratic traits? A severe vertical culture and a top-down command system are deeply rooted, and democratic discussion is nowhere to be found. Ranks, which should be distinguished by responsibility and authority, have become a status symbol, making them undemocratic.

It is also doubtful whether education is conducted democratically. The reality is that proper training in democracy is not being provided. Although creativity and innovation are emphasized, the path is long due to the widespread undemocratic practices. Just as democratization movements were fought for democratic institutions, a second democratization movement is needed to transform society in line with democratic philosophy and ideology.