Democracy in South Korea: Examining Stability Amidst Political Challenges

The political landscape of South Korea has experienced significant evolution since the nation democratised in 1987. Characterised by vibrant civil society and bustling media, South Korea presented itself as a successful example of consolidated democracy. Yet, this enduring image encountered a jolting contradiction with President Yun Suk Yeol's declaration of martial law in December 2024, which prompted legislative and civilian rebuff, exposing ingrained polarisation. Though the impeachment of President Yun was affirmed by the Constitutional Court in 2025, it provokes critical questions about the health of Korean democracy, origins of this turmoil, and potential routes for resolving the political crisis.

A key aim of this Research Topic is to dissect the Korean political crisis, highlighting its indication of a democracy under strain despite economic prosperity and technological advancement. With a history of frequent presidential impeachment, such events are symptomatic of deeper democratic ailments in South Korea. This Research Topic seeks to explore potential constitutional reforms, modifications in governance systems, and enhancements in electoral processes that could better reflect a diversifying electorate. Such exploration is motivated by concerns whether current political frameworks adequately sustain Korea’s democratic ideals.

To gather further insights within the context of South Korea's democratic landscape, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
• The impact of presidential impeachments on democratic stability
• Constitutional debates regarding governance and electoral systems
• Sociopolitical polarisation and its ramifications
• The roles of civil society and media in political discourse
• Comparative analyses of Korean and other democratic systems

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Conceptual Analysis
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Conceptual Analysis
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Policy Brief
• Registered Report
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: South Korea, democratic resilience, presidential impeachment, constitutional reform, political polarization, civil society

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.