As history warns us, democracies seldom collapse overnight. They often rot from within – through legislative manipulation, judicial suppression, media control, and systematic erosion of civil liberties. Shockingly, South Korea's Democratic Party (DPK), under the leadership of President Lee Jae-myung, is walking a disturbingly similar path – and the international community must pay attention before it's too late.

"CHINA LEE" is a satirical label used by conservative Koreans that mocks Lee Jae-myung's pro-China orientation. The chant "CHINA LEE, STOP THE STEAL" first surfaced at a rally held at Seoul National University in July, where demonstrators denounced Lee as having risen to office amid alleged election irregularities back in June. At ongoing anti-government protests in front of the Chinese Embassy in Seoul, participants are now chanting "CHINA LEE OUT."

(Source: Freezinenews.com)

1. From Majority Rule to Legislative Tyranny

Today, South Korea's Democratic Party, which holds a near-supermajority in the legislature, is using its denunciation of pro-U.S. former President Yoon's declaration of martial law as a pretext to override constitutional checks and neuter the judiciary. Conservatives in Korea are stating that the DPK has supported the impeachment of judges based on rulings perceived as politically unfavorable, rather than on grounds of legal misconduct.[1] This would suggest a preference for judicial decisions that align with the party's interests.[2]

2. Weaponizing "People's Sentiment" Against Judicial Independence

The Korean Left has encouraged judges to consider "public sentiment" in their rulings. Some progressive jurists have critiqued verdicts that do not align with public opinion, advocating for decisions that reflect broader societal views on justice.[3] This ideological pressure threatens the very foundation of a rule-of-law society. No democracy can survive if judges are pressured to follow political sentiment instead of constitutional principles.

3. Censorship, Propaganda, And Media Consolidation

The Korean Left seems to have learned this lesson well. From efforts to oust Lee Jin-sook, chair of the Korea Communications Commission – a post protected by statute – to pushing criminal penalties for "disinformation" across digital platforms, the DPK is tightening its grip on media narratives.

Their true aim is not to fight fake news – it is to muzzle dissent. The party has threatened YouTube channels, conservative newspapers, and independent broadcasters with legal and financial ruin, while amplifying pro-DPK propaganda through state-funded outlets dominated by labor unions.

4. Selective Freedom: Protecting China, Silencing Dissent

In Korea, anti-China protests are now suppressed under direct orders from "China Lee," while anti-U.S. and anti-Japan rallies have never faced obstruction by the DPK. This ideological double standard exposes the DPK's pro-China sympathies – an open secret among Korean conservatives – and points to a deeper geopolitical realignment favoring Beijing over Washington.

Lee Jae-myung's regime is increasingly positioning itself as an ideological ally of the Chinese Communist Party. This is not merely a domestic issue – it is a strategic threat to the U.S.-ROK alliance.

5. America's Strategic Misstep: Using Lee's Regime As A Tool

It is no secret that the U.S. government is aware of Lee Jae-myung's radical background and pro-North Korea, pro-China leanings. Yet there is growing concern in Korea that Washington may choose to leverage these vulnerabilities to extract short-term gains – trade concessions, geopolitical compliance – rather than confront the deeper danger his regime represents.

This would be a grave mistake. If America chooses to exploit the Lee regime without addressing its authoritarian drift, it will erode the democratic foundation of its most vital Asian ally. Worse, it may inflame anti-American sentiment and further embolden Beijing's influence in Seoul. The result? A democracy stripped of substance, posing more of a strategic risk than a reliable partner.

6. What Must Be Done

The United States must move beyond backroom diplomacy. It must speak openly and firmly:

- Condemn the electoral irregularities and the erosion of judicial independence in Korea.

- Expose and denounce the suppression of conservative voices and media.

- Stand firm with Korean civil society, constitutionalists, and democratic patriots.

Above all, Washington must not mistake the Korean Left's anti-democratic populism for genuine democratic governance. Korea has a thriving conservative movement that is fighting to defend liberty, truth, and sovereignty against the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). It is time for the United States to lend its support – not merely to regimes, but to principles.

We stand for America First – because America must be restored. A nation poisoned by postmodernism and Marxism cannot lead, and if America does not rise again, Korea will have no future against the CCP. America First, however, never means America alone. If the United States loses South Korea, the next to fall will be America itself.

*David Eunkoo Kim is the founder and representative of Truth Forum, a conservative youth organization founded at Seoul National University. Kim founded Truth Forum in response to the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye, which he viewed as a turning point in South Korea's ideological trajectory. Under his leadership, the organization successfully led the campaign to shut down the Xi Jinping Library at Seoul National University – a symbol of growing Chinese influence on Korean campuses.