Thanks to my internship, I had the opportunity to attend the Gwangju Democracy Forum 2025 on May 16 and 17. This year's theme, “Quo Vadis Democracy in Korea 2025?”, focused on the recent developments surrounding Korea’s democratic trajectory, particularly in the aftermath of  the Declaration of Martial Law on December 3, 2024. Once seen as a model for democracy in Asia, South Korea now faces significant challenges that  underscore how fragile democratic institutions can be. The declaration reignited trauma among citizens who had experienced state violence during the May 18 Gwangju Uprising. At the same time, many took action to protect democratic values and to ensure that history does not repeat itself. Given Gwangju's symbolic importance in Korea’s struggle for democracy, it felt especially meaningful to attend the forum just weeks before the presidential election.

The forum began on Thursday with the keynote session, “South Korea Under Martial Law.” The speakers offered a clear timeline of events from the declaration of martial law to its withdrawal and reflected on the domestic and international responses. Perspectives from the U.S. and Europe were particularly interesting . The final speaker in this session was my professor,  Hannes B. Mosler from Germany. He provided an analytical overview of the current crisis, linking the erosion of democratic norms with weaknesses in the rule of law. His insights contextualized Korea’s crisis as part of a broader global trend of democratic backsliding. The discussion emphasized the urgent need for a renewed civic commitment, inspired by the spirit of the May 18 Uprising. I found this session especially valuable because I had closely followed the events in Korea during the winter and appreciated how the international media, especially German media, reported on the situation, and highlighted  how quickly democratic structures can come under threat.

After the keynote, I attended several other engaging sessions. One that stood out was “Learning from the Past, Moving Forward,” which centered on transitional justice and  Gwangju’s role as both a historical symbol and a model of  democratic resilience. Southeast Asian activists shared their experiences with authoritarianism, martial law, and civil resistance. Thanks to my internship, I was  already somewhat  familiar with this region, and this session helped me connect what I had learned with current developments in Thailand, the Philippines, and Indonesia. Hearing directly from those  involved in democratic struggles made the issues feel more immediate and personal.

In the evening, I attended the second thematic session, which focused on “the Evolving Culture of Protest and Media.” The discussion explored how South Korea’s protest culture has evolved, especially after the recent events in the winter of 2024/2025. Today’s protests in Korea are largely peaceful, with many young people participating in creative and expressive ways. At the same time, digital activism, alternative media, and multilingual online campaigns have become essential tools in the democratic movement. The speakers also emphasized the fragile role of journalism in such contexts. Depending on the political climate, the press can either flourish or be severely restricted — a reminder of how vital it is to protect independent media.

The day concluded with a screening of the 2024 documentary She’s in Jail, which tells the story of Chow Hang Tung, a Hong Kong barrister and activist who is currently imprisoned for her role in the democratic movement. Coming from Germany, where the right to protest is taken for granted, I found it deeply moving to see how activism  is criminalized in other parts of the world. Chow’s courage and persistence were truly inspiring and served as a powerful reminder for our principles, even under threat.

The following day, I attended a session titled “Democracy and Human Rights Situation in Asian Countries,” co-hosted by the Southeast Asian Research Institute at Jeonbuk National University. The speakers provided valuable insights into the political situations in Cambodia, Myanmar, and Thailand. In Cambodia, for example, opposition leaders face repression, and democracy has given way to authoritarian rule under a family-based dictatorship. A Cambodian opposition activist shared her firsthand experiences  and called for urgent international solidarity.

A particular highlight for me was the contributions of  the speakers from Myanmar. In light of the devastating earthquake and the ongoing political crisis, their testimonies were especially impactful. They made it clear that international solidarity is needed now more than ever to support Myanmar’s civil society. The situation in Thailand also left a strong impression on me. Once a leader in democratization efforts in Southeast Asia, Thailand now faces growing political instability and dissatisfaction among its citizens. These cases all served as powerful reminders of the vulnerability of democratic systems and importance of people’s resistance.

Overall, participating in the Gwangju Democracy Forum 2025 was an enriching experience. It offered an  opportunity to reflect on Korea’s current political challenges and their connection to broader struggles for democracy across Asia. I especially appreciated the chance to deepen my understanding of Southeast Asian politics, a region that I had not studied in Germany. Most of all, I was inspired by the courage and commitment of the people I met, many of whom dedicate their lives to building a better, more democratic world. I am very grateful for the opportunity to participated in this important event.