Democratic Crisis and Korea-Japan Relations: Polarization, Populism, and the Democratic Resilience

This study analyzes the structural factors underlying the democratic crises facing South Korea and Japan and examines their implications for bilateral relations. Amid global trends of deepening political polarization and the spread of exclusionary populism, the democratic institutions established in both countries over the eight decades since the end of World War II are now confronting complex challenges arising from structural limitations and democratic backsliding. The analysis reveals that both nations share similar patterns of democratic strain, including intensifying polarization, declining institutional trust, and the rise of populism mobilizing public discontent. In this context, the South Korean president’s declaration of martial law and the collapse of Japan’s long-standing Liberal Democratic Party dominance each constitute critical turning points testing the resilience of democratic governance. The paper further investigates how societal fragmentation and political antagonism in the “post-postwar,” “post-COVID,” and “post-truth” eras affect Korea-Japan relations, underscoring the importance of strengthening the political center ground and overcoming othering and demonization. It concludes by proposing pathways to enhance democratic resilience through bilateral cooperation, including the establishment of a culture of mutual respect and collaborative governance, the institutional expansion of citizen participation adapted to the new media environment, innovation in the party system, and the reinforcement of democratic solidarity.