Korea doesn’t wait for bad leaders to finish their terms—Koreans remove them.
But why?
In this episode, I explore the cultural and historical foundations of Korea’s unique democracy.
From Confucian ideals in the Joseon Dynasty to modern candlelight protests, we look at how civic values evolved in a country where the people expect their leaders to serve—or step aside.
You’ll learn about:
🏛️ The Joseon-era belief that kings serve the people—not the other way around
📜 Historic impeachment-like events long before democracy
🕯️ How everyday Koreans (especially young women) are shaping democratic accountability today
🤔 What North Korea’s dictatorship says about Korea’s divergent paths
This is Part 1 of a special mini-series: The People’s Mandate: Korea’s Democratic Edge, a deep dive into how historical memory, cultural values, and civic courage converge in one of Asia’s most politically active societies.
🎙️ Audio generated using Google NotebookLM
📚 Part 11 of the “Growing Up in Korea” series
Share this post