Publications

Surprise coup against Parliament

In conflict with opposition, South Korea’s President declared martial law

During the night of December 3-4, 2024, martial law prevailed in South Korea for the first time since the days before democracy in 1980/81. President Yoon Suk-yeol declared that the opposition's efforts to cut his budget and for further impeachment proceedings against members of his government were a threat to the country and spoke of infiltration by pro-North Korean forces. A few hours later, he was forced to reverse the decision by successful resistance from parliament and massive demonstrations, and now his government is in ruins. The next few days will probably only decide whether he leaves voluntarily or has to be forced.

House specialty: lame duck?

Results of South Korea’s general election

South Korea elected a new parliament on April 10th. The numbers remain largely unchanged: the governing party fails in its hopes for changing conditions, the opposition gains a ‘supermajority’ to accelerate its own legislation, albeit only with combined forces, but does not win a two-thirds majority either. In the government we expect another change of guards, while the president - three years before the end of his term in office - is further weakened and already fighting a lame duck image.

Mobility Transformation

This joint publication with the Korea Transport Institute (KOTI) provides an exemplary overview of visions and approaches in Germany and Korea for their respective Mobility Transformation.

Korea's parties in turmoil

Generation change or carry on as before?

The next regular parliamentary election in South Korea is just under four months away. The conservative People Power Party (PPP) of ruling President Yoon Suk-yeol is hoping to win back the majority from the opposition Minju Party after several years of drought. However, unrest reigns on both sides: resignations, departures and rumours of mergers and new formations. A large proportion of the electorate is still undecided as to who they should vote for on 10 April. The race remains undecided.

Party Convention of the Korean Conservatives

Impressions, results and analysis

On 8 March 2023, the People Power Party (PPP), South Korea's ruling party, held its party congress directly outside Seoul. After years of pandemic, the Conservatives once again celebrated their president, who had won the election a year ago on 9 March 2022. This time they met to elect a new party leadership. As expected, MP Kim Gi Hyeon, the president's preferred candidate, won with a share of 52% of the vote. The new appointments to five offices in the highest party body also reflected the president’s strong political position. The demonstrative show of unity and confidence mirror the challenges in upcoming twelve months till the next parliamentary elections.

Rolle Koreas in der internationalen Gesellschaft

Digitale Bildung

Im Zuge der Pandemie habenen viele Länder auf der Welt den Aufbau einer digitalen Bildungsumgebung intensiviert. Prof. KIM Kyung-Hee, Altstipendiatin der KAS, schreibt zu aktuellen Entwicklungen und Perspektiven der digitalen Bildung in Korea.

Understanding China – Perspectives on Current Chinese Domestic and Foreign Policy

Tensions between Taiwan and China have risen to an all-time high as House Speaker of the White House Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan on August 2, 2022. The world is watching with bated breath and great concern at China's response, which is not long in coming. With the aid of drills focused on land and air attacks around Taiwan, China again underlines its position where it warns the United States and other countries from interfering in pursuing China's political interests. Furthermore, with regard to the recent war in Ukraine, concerns regarding the possibility of another war have sparked, as China is seen as unpredictable due to its increasingly aggressive foreign policy. However, times of uncertainty are not only present in Chinese foreign relations: Instability inside China's economy and society places additional pressure on the Chinese government.

Rolle Koreas in der internationalen Gesellschaft Biohealth

Biohealth

Die koreanische Biohealth-Industrie hat in der Pandemie durch Schnelligkeit und Präzision die Aufmerksamkeit der Welt auf sich gezogen. Prof. KIM Gi Eun schreibt über deren Hintergrund und Stärken, aber auch ihre Schwächen.

Risk Factors in Space and How to Manage Them

New Frontiers

With regard to the recent Ukraine war, an intriguing photo has been posted online. The photo features a GPS receiver installed on a Sukhoi Su-34, the main fighter-bomber of the Russian Air Force. Su-34 is one of the country’s important weapon systems, just like F-15K in South Korea. Meanwhile, Russia is known to have sent jamming signals so that Ukraine cannot use GPS signals. In other words, ironically, Russia is utilizing the GPS signals, space assets operated by its potential enemy and at the same time interfering them.

Konservative Stärke im Geteilten Land

Kommunalwahlen in Südkorea

Am 1. Juni 2022 fanden in Südkorea Wahlen auf der Provinz- und Kommunalebene sowie Nachwahlen in einzelnen Parlamentswahlkreisen statt. Die Wahlbeteiligung war mit knapp über 50% historisch gering. Die konservative People Power Party (PPP) stellt bereits seit dem 10. Mai wieder den Präsidenten. Sie erreichte einen deutlichen Sieg und konnte viele, aber nicht alle Rennen für sich entscheiden. Ruhe kehrt damit aber weder bei ihr und noch weniger in den Reihen der progressiven Minju-Partei ein. Deren Siege verdeutlichen zudem eine anhaltende „zweite Teilung“ in Korea.