President Lee: "12.3 Rebellion, Clearly Exposed the Vulnerability of Democratic Systems"

[Financial News] President Lee Jae-myung stated on the 13th, "The 12.3 rebellion clearly exposed the vulnerability of democratic systems."
President Lee made this statement at the opening ceremony of the 2025 World Political Science Association Seoul Conference held at COEX in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, saying, "The absurd military coup by the incumbent president stemmed from a desire to eliminate opponents and maintain permanent power, excluding dialogue and compromise."
President Lee explained, "The Republic of Korea has grown into the world's 10th largest economic power, overcoming the ruins of war and the national crisis of the foreign exchange crisis," and "At the same time, it is also an exemplary democratic country that has achieved democracy overcoming the oppression of dictatorial regimes."
Furthermore, President Lee pointed out, "However, as you all vividly remember, on December 3rd last year, an unimaginable military coup occurred in the Republic of Korea," and "The 12.3 military coup shocked the world twice."
President Lee emphasized, "The first shock was the astonishing fact that a presidential coup occurred in the world's 10th largest economy, and the second was the fact that the military rebellion with guns and knives was peacefully suppressed without a drop of blood," adding, "Amazement and fear quickly turned into praise and wonder."
In particular, President Lee explained, "From last winter to this summer, over six months, the hope discovered in despair, the potential for leap discovered in regression, all of these realities and challenges of world democracy are present somewhere in the Republic of Korea."
President Lee pointed out, "The anti-democratic outrage of attempting to eliminate opponents with different thoughts led to groundless distrust and violence against constitutional institutions, and the liberal democratic basic order, which the people have protected with their blood and sweat, was trampled without mercy," adding, "Above all, it left deep scars in our society by widely spreading the seeds of conflict and division."

syj@fnnews.com Seo Young-jun Reporter