The South Koreans would do well to reflect on their own political underpinnings then that Seoul has hosted its third Summit for Democracy, which aims to combat the invasion of unjust makes both locally and globally.
South Korea can stand up as a barrier against the tide of authoritarianism sweeping the region only through a steadfast commitment to political principles and proactive measures to tackle internal flaws.
South Korea finds itself confronting challenges that pose substantial risks to its political foundation and its ability to withstand outside pressures, under the pretext of domestic progress. Issues range from the deterioration of civil rights to growing political fragmentation.
These inner schisms not only diminish the country’s capacity for democratic growth, but they also make it vulnerable to external forces trying to undermine democratic norms.
In light of these difficulties, South Korea is compelled to conduct thorough introspection and protect its political institutions against both internal and external threats.
Despite the region’s attractive politics in recent years, there are growing signs of analysis. Officials may attempt to paint a rosy picture, but the reality is striking: South Korea’s political health is in decline. The government’s growing distrust of the people, as well as fraud scandals, press freedom deterioration, and disillusionment among people have become more and more prevalent.
Also, the cultural cloth of South Korea is fraying, exacerbating domestic divisions and weakening cultural unity. Problems such as income inequality, children poverty, and mental wellbeing crises are festering, posing serious challenges to the world’s balance.
The Korean business, when hailed as a design of quick development, is now confronting architectural impediments that threaten lengthy- term growth and prosperity. South Korea’s political resilience will continue to decline without conscious efforts to address these fundamental problems.
In the realm of regional stability, South Korea faces an extremely complex geopolitical environment. The island is in a perpetual state of tension as a result of the failure of peace negotiations with North Korea. However, the ,  , growing empire between North Korea, China, and Russia poses a formidable obstacle to South Korea’s safety objectives. South Korea’s capability to assert its sovereignty and withstand outside pressures is diminishing as local dynamics change.
As China solidifies its status as a global financial superpower, it presents both opportunities and problems, particularly concerning South Korea’s political dignity. Financially, while initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative energy development, they heighten concerns over debt dominance and political manipulation. Socially, China’s impact designs South Korea’s local security stance, especially regarding North Korea.  ,
China’s effect in South Korea has risen somewhat across finance, politics, culture, and protection in recent years. Financially, China’s role as South Korea’s leading trading partner has boosted development but also leaves it vulnerable to swings in China’s plans. Socially, China’s affect affects South Korea’s stance on local surveillance and political problems like North Korea. Culturally, Chinese comedy’s recognition raises questions about South Korea’s historical sovereignty, boosting concerns over political degradation.  ,
South Korea has emerged as a crucial player in the modern political environment as a key person caught in the dynamics of a strength struggle between two formidable causes: China and the US. China’s economic and political prowess are expanding rapidly across the globe, and its influence over South Korea has grown even more obvious. Due to this growing influence, South Korea’s cherished democratic principles and institutions, which have been meticulously maintained over the years, may become susceptible to deteriorate.
Additionally, concerns have been raised by the intertwining of China and South Korea’s economic interests with the subjugation of South Korea’s economic policies to Chinese orders. South Korea’s strong economic ties with the two countries have made it vulnerable to pressure from outside, which could impair its ability to carry out its own economic agenda and protect its interests.
It is crucial to acknowledge the limitations of American support in countering Chinese influence, both within the nation and on the Korean peninsula, even though the United States continues to serve as a staunch ally and offers crucial assistance for South Korea’s security and defense. South Korea must navigate its own autonomously due to China’s increasing sway, which poses a nuanced challenge.  ,
South Korea must strike a delicate balance between managing its burgeoning relations with China and maintaining its alliance with the United States. To achieve this delicate equilibrium, one needs astute diplomatic maneuvering and a nuanced understanding of the intricate geopolitical dynamics at play.
In essence, South Korea’s survival of its democratic ideals and national sovereignty rests in the balance as a result of the geopolitical tug-of-war between China and the United States. South Korea can navigate these tumultuous waters and emerge stronger on the global stage only through astute diplomacy, principled leadership, and unwavering commitment to democratic principles.
While China’s significant investment has driven South Korea’s growth, it comes with risks. Democratic values are undermined by Chinese influence, which has led to self-censorship of South Korea’s media and interference in its political affairs. Additionally, China’s authoritarian model clashes with South Korea’s democracy, posing further challenges. China’s military assertiveness in the region also threatens South Korea’s security and sovereignty.
The deterioration of South Korea’s hard-won democratic principles and institutions as a result of China’s influence underscores the need for a strong defense of democracy and sovereignty. Leaders from South Korea must maintain vigilance and fortitude while navigating this difficult geopolitical landscape while upholding democratic principles and encouraging cooperative dialogue with both China and the US.
South Korea must continue to be vigilant in protecting its democratic institutions and values from external interference in response to these difficulties. This calls for a multi-faceted approach that includes strengthening the legal protections for the right to freedom of expression, increasing accountability and transparency in political processes, and diversifying its economic ties to lessen its dependence on any one nation.
Furthermore, South Korea must deepen its engagement with like- minded democracies, including the United States and its allies in the Indo- Pacific region, to counterbalance China’s influence and promote a vision of a free and open international order. South Korea can fight against authoritarian influence by standing up for its democratic principles for the benefit of future generations and uphold the integrity of its system.
Before it is too late, South Korea’s political elite must heed the warning signs. They must place a high value on protecting fundamental freedoms from internal pressure and external interference while upholding democratic institutions. To achieve this, it takes a concerted effort to expand legal protections, increase accountability and transparency, and diversify economic ties to lessen China’s dependence.
Moreover, it is imperative for Korea’s strategic allies, notably the United States, Japan, and India, to observe keenly the rapidly evolving dynamics on the Korean peninsula. Most of the engagement with South Korea’s current engagement has been based on outdated notions of its economic dynamism and prosperity. However, the landscape has significantly transformed since then, encompassing profound shifts in social, economic, and political realms alongside swiftly changing power dynamics across the region. Consequently, there arises an urgent necessity for a recalibration of policy alignments.
The Indian government has yet to understand the rapidly shifting ground realities in South Korea and the broader Korean peninsula, despite its eagerness to deepen its partnership with Korea. This was glaringly obvious during recent interactions between the South Korean government and the Indian government. It is now necessary for Indian policymakers to fundamentally reevaluate their approach. Urgent measures are warranted to bolster Korea’s position as a democracy.
In this precarious environment, symbolic gestures alone, such as hosting a summit for democracy, will not suffice to safeguard South Korea’s democracy or regional peace, security, stability and prosperity. Korean political leaders must demonstrate a genuine commitment to addressing the root causes of the country’s social, economic, and security challenges. This requires bold and decisive action to strengthen democratic institutions, promote transparency and accountability, and foster inclusive growth.
The stakes could not be higher. Without addressing the country’s democracy’s fundamental flaws, authoritarian forces could gain control and threaten the country’s sovereignty. South Korea must take a decisive step in the event that the end has already come to an end.
The imperative for South Korea’s democratic renewal is clear. South Korea can safeguard its democratic future and withstand the encroachment of authoritarian influence only through concerted efforts to address internal challenges and strengthen democratic institutions.  ,
The consequences of neglecting these issues could be disastrous if appropriate action is not taken sooner. South Korea risks sliding further into authoritarianism, thereby undermining the hard- won democratic gains of the past decades. Regional security and stability may also be compromised, which will have a significant impact on the Indo-Pacific region and beyond. The moment has come to take action.
Lakhvinder Singh is the Asia Institute in Seoul’s director of studies on peace and security.