Structural Erosion and Democratic Transformation in South Korea

South Korea has long been seen as a stable democracy in global evaluations. However, three persistent paradoxes define its democratic practice. Public trust in political institutions stays low. Meanwhile, electoral participation continues to grow, and civil society is gaining more influence despite a decline in confidence in traditional civic organizations. These contradictions indicate a more profound structural decline in democracy, driven by the shift from an industrial to a digital society. Legacy institutions, designed for hierarchical and mass-mediated governance, increasingly fall short of the participatory expectations of digitally empowered citizens. This disconnect between institutional design and societal change has weakened democratic legitimacy. South Korea’s experience highlights the need for hybrid democratic models that combine formal representation with more participatory and networked forms of engagement. This case provides broader insights into how democracies worldwide must adapt to preserve legitimacy amid changing socio-technological conditions.