Korea doesn’t wait for bad leaders to finish their terms—Koreans remove them. But why? In this episode, I explore the cultural and historical foundations of Korea’s unique democracy. From Confucian ideals in the Joseon Dynasty to modern candlelight protests, we look at how civic values evolved in a country where the people expect their leaders to serve—or step aside.You’ll learn about:* 🏛️ The Joseon-era belief that kings serve the people—not the other way around* 📜 Historic impeachment-like events long before democracy* 🕯️ How everyday Koreans (especially young women) are shaping democratic accountability today* 🤔 What North Korea’s dictatorship says about Korea’s divergent pathsThis is Part 1 of a special mini-series: The People’s Mandate: Korea’s Democratic Edge, a deep dive into how historical memory, cultural values, and civic courage converge in one of Asia’s most politically active societies.🎙️ Audio generated using Google NotebookLM📚 Part 11 of the “Growing Up in Korea” series🔗 Read the full article here Get full access to Understanding Korea, One Story at a Time at yoonjiwon.substack.com/subscribe

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

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