Democracy Contested: the Rise of Populism in South Korean and Its Implications

Abstract

The contentious politics in South Korea was well demonstrated by incessant demonstrations by two opposing groups in the streets of Seoul in 2016, which resulted in the removal of the presiding president Park Geun Hye from office through impeachment. While protests in South Korea were by and large peaceful, succeeding years since the installment of Moon Jae In as President in May 2017 continued to show discontent among Park supporters. My poster will show how the protest began and what the populist politics means in solidifying democracy in South Korea.