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South Korea's 'imperial presidency': how it became threat to democracy

The article from The Kathmandu Post discusses the evolution of South Korea's presidency into what is described as an "imperial presidency," posing a significant threat to its democratic framework. It outlines how, since the country's democratization in the late 1980s, the powers of the presidency have expanded, often at the expense of checks and balances. This concentration of power has been exacerbated by several factors including the lack of term limits until recently, the ability to appoint key officials without significant legislative oversight, and the cultural reverence for authority which has historically supported strong leadership. The article highlights instances where this unchecked power has led to corruption, abuse of power, and political scandals, notably under Presidents Park Geun-hye and Moon Jae-in. It argues that this imperial presidency undermines democratic principles by diminishing the role of other branches of government, reducing transparency, and fostering a political environment where the president's decisions are rarely challenged, thereby threatening the health of South Korea's democracy.

Read the Full kathmandupost Article at:
[ https://kathmandupost.com/world/2025/01/25/south-korea-s-imperial-presidency-how-it-became-threat-to-democracy ]