South Korea defends democratic legitimacy after the martial law crisis and the new government

It was a turbulent but inspiring year for Koreans. A declaration of martial law last winter plunged the nation into uncertainty, but what followed was not chaos, it was the reaffirmation of a people’s unwavering faith in democracy.

The “Revolution of Light”, which culminated in the peaceful election of a new government, reminded the world that the Republic of KoreaThe constitutional order does not rest on the will of any ruler, but on the collective conscience of its citizens.

Some observers abroad have confused the intensity of Korea’s political transition with fragility or deviation from democratic norms. Indeed, such intensity is the very pulse of democracy itself. Our debates are often fierce, our choices passionately contested, but our institutions endure. That resilience, born of experience, sacrifice, and civic discipline, is Korea’s greatest democratic asset.

Since taking office, President Lee Jae Myung has acted swiftly to strengthen the foundations of democracy in the country and to renew the Republic of Korea. association with the United States. In word and deed, President Lee recognized the vital importance of the ROK-US alliance and strengthened pragmatic cooperation with the President. Donald Trumpand put our intertwined economic and security goals, and shared values ​​at the center of his agenda.

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This approach reflects Korea’s confidence as a mature democracy and a responsible global partner. President Lee sees the alliance not only as a legacy of the past, but as a living partnership that adapts to new challenges: from regional security and economic cooperation to the advanced technology of the future.

This vision was made clear at their August summit, where the two leaders spoke with frankness and mutual respect, underlining their shared determination to build what they called a “Future-Oriented Comprehensive Strategic Alliance.” President Trump’s comment: “We get along very well,” captured the new tone of confidence shaping this alliance.

President Lee and the entire Korean government have meticulously ensured that even as we focus on restoring our democratic system, we will not for one second slack off in our responsibilities as friends and allies. This makes certain comments, which portray Korea’s new leadership as undemocratic, illegitimate, or even hostile to religion, so puzzling and sad. These kinds of claims, often repeated in online forums and even on opinion pages, bear little resemblance to the facts and hinder our joint efforts for real solutions.

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Let’s be clear: the government of the Republic of Korea was democratically elected. President Lee prevailed in a fair and transparent vote recognized worldwide for meeting the highest electoral standards. Neither Korea’s independent judiciary nor its opposition parties objected to the result.

Since then, the principles of the Rule of Law have been scrupulously observed. Ongoing legal proceedings regarding the previous administration’s declaration of martial law and other alleged abuses of power are being conducted by independent prosecutors appointed by the National Assembly, not the Office of the President. These lawsuits demonstrate the rule of law, not the erosion of it.

Equally unfounded are the recent claims that the new government is “anti-Christian”. Such narratives appear to emerge from ongoing investigations into allegations of bribery involving church funds, but to those familiar with Korea, the notion of bias is demonstrably absurd.

christianityalong with Buddhism and other faiths, it played an integral role in the social and cultural life of Korea. Christian missionaries helped establish many of the country’s leading educational and medical institutions, many Christians sacrificed their lives for Korea’s independence from Japanese colonial rule.

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Today, a large portion of the Korean population identifies as Christian, with millions of Protestants and Catholics contributing to the fabric of Korean society. These individuals, like people of all faiths, continue to play a vital role in civic life, community service, and the pursuit of national unity.

President Lee himself is a man of Christian faith. He and his administration have the deepest respect for freedom of religion and expression, which is enshrined in our Constitution. They, like all Koreans, are unequivocally proud of the legacy of Christianity and they believe that freedom of religion in the Republic of Korea rivals that anywhere in the world.

Portraying legitimate and lawful efforts to restore democratic order as a campaign against Christianity is not only misleading, but undermines the Christian legacy and respect for religious freedoms that are central to Korea’s democratic values.

As Koreans committed to democracy, spirited debate and even disagreement are more than welcome. It is what the new Korean government has been trying so hard to safeguard these past four months. But mischaracterizing everything that happened does not foster mutual understanding or produce real solutions for both Koreans and Americans.

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The Republic of Korea and the United States have maintained our alliance through eight decades of courage and sacrifice. Today’s challenges require nothing less. Under President Lee’s administration, Americans can be confident that they have a friend and colleague who shares core values ​​and is committed to the success of our two nations.

Look no further than their summit on August 25, where the two leaders ushered in the era of a “Future-Oriented Comprehensive Strategic Alliance,” one that looks confidently toward a more secure, democratic, and prosperous future for both nations. Korea’s history is not one of uncertainty but of conviction: that a free people, proven by history, can renew both its democracy and its alliance with courage and grace.

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