One Year After the Declaration of Martial Law: A Critical Reappraisal of Korean Democracy
• 매체 Sedaily, Edaily, YONHAP NEWS
• 게재일자 2025-12-02
• 관련 연구
국가미래전략원
Professor Kang Won-taek of the Department of Political Science and International Relations, and Director of the Seoul National University Institute for Future Strategy, will host the event “One Year After the Martial Law Crisis: Rethinking Korean Democracy” at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, in Samik Hall at the SNU Asia Center. This event is organized to assess the current state of Korean democracy one year after the declaration of martial law and to explore future directions for reform in the political, judicial, and media sectors. Researchers, journalists, and civil society representatives will participate, with the aim of evaluating the resilience and institutional functionality of Korean democracy over the past year—an abnormal period marked by martial law—and diagnosing multifaceted challenges such as institutional checks and balances, the media ecosystem, and judicial reform. The program will consist of a keynote presentation followed by a general discussion and a Q&A session.
The event will feature three thematic presentations addressing major issues in Korea’s political, media, and judicial spheres. In the first presentation, Professor Han Jung-hoon of the Graduate School of International Studies will analyze the power structure under the presidential system and the need for cooperation between the president and the National Assembly, under the theme “Mutual Checks and Co-governance between the President and the National Assembly.”
In the second presentation, Professor Han Kyuseob of the Department of Communication will discuss the changing landscape of political communication and the democratic risks stemming from it, under the theme “Korean Politics’ Addiction to YouTube.” Next, Professor Lee Hyowon of the School of Law will address “Separation of Powers and Judicial Reform,” presenting perspectives on the independence of the judiciary and directions for reform, and discussing the need to reestablish the principle of separation of powers.
After the thematic presentations, the event will proceed with a general discussion and a Q&A session. The general discussion will be chaired by Director Kang Won-taek, with participation from Professor Kim Juhyung of the Department of Political Science and International Relations, Jinsun Lee, Chair of the Board at the Foundation WAGL, and Hong Kitae, former President of the Judicial Research and Training Institute. Together, they will engage in a discussion from multiple perspectives. The session will conclude with a Q&A period, during which attendees will have the opportunity to share and discuss their views.
The event will feature three thematic presentations addressing major issues in Korea’s political, media, and judicial spheres. In the first presentation, Professor Han Jung-hoon of the Graduate School of International Studies will analyze the power structure under the presidential system and the need for cooperation between the president and the National Assembly, under the theme “Mutual Checks and Co-governance between the President and the National Assembly.”
In the second presentation, Professor Han Kyuseob of the Department of Communication will discuss the changing landscape of political communication and the democratic risks stemming from it, under the theme “Korean Politics’ Addiction to YouTube.” Next, Professor Lee Hyowon of the School of Law will address “Separation of Powers and Judicial Reform,” presenting perspectives on the independence of the judiciary and directions for reform, and discussing the need to reestablish the principle of separation of powers.
After the thematic presentations, the event will proceed with a general discussion and a Q&A session. The general discussion will be chaired by Director Kang Won-taek, with participation from Professor Kim Juhyung of the Department of Political Science and International Relations, Jinsun Lee, Chair of the Board at the Foundation WAGL, and Hong Kitae, former President of the Judicial Research and Training Institute. Together, they will engage in a discussion from multiple perspectives. The session will conclude with a Q&A period, during which attendees will have the opportunity to share and discuss their views.
