On the 18th (local time), Foreign Policy, the American magazine specializing in international diplomacy, published an article titled “Korea To Become a Leader in Democracy.” It stated, “Korea has already established an impressive democracy and a vibrant market economy. Based on these achievements, it will emerge as a leader that can support democracy worldwide.”
This article was co-authored by Damon Wilson, the president of the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), and Lynn Lee, the director of East Asia. They mentioned the “3rd Democracy Summit” held in Korea from the 18th to the 20th. They explained, “Korea has achieved economic growth and innovation based on democracy, rule of law, and freedom of expression. In this regard, Korea hosting the Democracy Summit can be seen as a ‘game changer.'”
They emphasized, “Korea can significantly contribute to the spread of democracy through demonstrations of its digital innovation and culture, made possible through values such as freedom of expression. In particular, Korea’s journey for democracy will resonate with many countries in the Global South.”
They also included a forecast in the joint article: “One day, Hallyu (Korean Wave) will be remembered not only as a cultural capital but also as a catalyst for a more democratic future.”
In a world where global democracy is under attack, they viewed Korea as a “Special country that can lead the renovation of global democracy.” The article predicted that the 3rd Democracy Summit held in Korea this year will be an “Event which demonstrates Korea’s ambition to expand freedom into the Indo-Pacific region and the Global South (lower latitude developing countries).”
The article highlighted that “While the former Korean government focused on the security of the Korean peninsula and its economic growth, President Yoon Seok Yeol emphasizes that ‘Korea, as a global pivotal country, must play a more proactive role in protecting and expanding the freedom and rights, not only within Korea but across the world.'”
They added, “Korea’s soft power, Hallyu, and technological prowess can help achieve Korea’s aspirations on the world stage. Korea’s open society has enabled cultural influence and technological innovations that impact people’s daily lives worldwide.” They added, “The unprecedented influence of K-pop and K-dramas has showcased the lifestyle achievable in Korea today, and consumers of Hallyu will adopt a positive view of Korea’s freedom.”
Meanwhile, the National Endowment for Democracy is a bipartisan nonprofit organization established in 1983 to promote democracy worldwide. Each year, the Democracy Fund supports over 2,000 democracy-related activities in more than 100 countries.
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