11 (1).🌱 The Root of the Matter: Why Koreans Expect Their Leaders to Serve

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 paths

This 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

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