Roundtable: Scandal in South Korea: Democratic Victory or Cancer in the System?

Short presentations by:

• Geir Helgesen, Director, NIAS
• Hyejin Kim, Lecturer and Deputy Convener, Global Studies Programme, National University of Singapore
• Jinsun Bae, Doctoral candidate, Copenhagen Business School
• Erik Mobrand, Associate Professor, Graduate School of International Studies, Seoul National University

On 9 December 2016 South Korea's National Assembly voted to impeach president Park Geun-hye over a series of scandals involving misuse of power, among other charges. The move came in the wake of weekly demonstrations demanding Park's removal from office. The scandal brought record numbers of citizens onto the streets of Seoul and other major cities. Now, as the Constitutional Court considers the impeachment, prosecutors are investigating a widening circle of influential figures and politicians are positioning themselves for the next contest for the presidency. This roundtable considers these current affairs, giving attention both to the context that may have set the stage for the scandal as well as the possible directions South Korea's democracy is headed. 

 

Location: NIAS - Nordic Institute of Asian Studies, Meeting room 18.1.08, building 18.1, Øster Farimagsgade 5, Cph

Co-organized with ADI, Copenhagen Business School