民主主義と人権

On December 3, 2024, President Yoon Suk-yeol’s declaration of martial law dealt a profound shock to South Korean democracy. Yet in that moment of crisis, the square came alive once again—and at its center stood the youth. The lights, the flags, and the questions that followed have now been captured in a book. After the Square tells the story of young people who organized themselves to call for President Yoon’s resignation, created spaces for public dialogue, and put democratic values into action.

South Korea has seen has a notable progress in gender and human rights over the past two decades. Yet, in recent years, political polarization, anti-gender backlash, and stalled legislative efforts have complicated the landscape, leading to a fragmented and contested approach to equality and inclusion.

The documentary 'Edhi Alice: REVERSE', which intimately follows the lives of two transgender individuals, moves beyond questions of identity to become a cinematic act of sensing and witnessing existence itself. In a society where even its screening was rejected by some venues, the film confronts us with the very questions our society still chooses to turn away from.

South Korea’s presidential election on 3 June 2025 took place amid intense political upheaval and institutional crisis. Widespread public discontent over corruption scandals, executive-judiciary tensions, and democratic backsliding had dominated the pre-election atmosphere. Kristian Brakel, Director of the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung’s East Asia, answered 3 questions.