Autumn in Seoul, winter for democracy? Asia confronts the backslide

Gathered at the National Museum of Korean Democracy, around 150 academics, activists and policymakers examined the theme “Democratic Backsliding and Resilience.”

Staffan Lindberg of Sweden’s V-Dem Institute at the University of Gothenburg set the tone with a stark warning.

“This is not mere backsliding,” he said.

“We are living through 25 years of authoritarianization and crushed democracies.”

Korean scholar Jae-Kwan Jeong of Korea University echoed those concerns, pointing to his country’s internal polarisation and what he called “the paralysis of democratic majority coalitions.”

But it was Thailand’s opposition figure Pita Limjaroenrat who delivered the most forceful call to action.

“Democrats must deliver, because the autocrats delivered and they became the option for the people,” the former Thailand prime minister-designate said.

Breakout sessions highlighted regional struggles.

Scholars discussed Taiwan’s reform challenges, the Philippines’ fragile institutions, and India’s signs of democratic regression.

Civil society leaders warned of rising xenophobia and new threats from artificial intelligence.

The symposium concluded with the opening of the Korea Democracy Foundation’s Global Democracy Center, aimed at positioning Seoul as a hub for international democratic exchange.

Speaking to Awani International after his speech, Pita praised the gathering as “a great initiative” and said it showed Asian countries were driving the conversation on democracy even as global attention wanes.

“The Western world is too distracted and divided about what’s going on.

“I think we must show solidarity and make democracy work for the majority of people and make it effective,” he said.

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