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Struggles for Democracy in Korea and Beyond

2026 Institute for Korean Studies Workshop

About the IKS Workshop

“Struggles for Democracy in Korea and Beyond” brings together scholars studying Korea as well as countries in Southeast Asia, Latin America, and other regions to explore the conditions under which democratic institutions may develop, persist, or erode across different political contexts. The workshop aims to foster comparative discussion of the opportunities and challenges for democratization and democratic stability.

When: Monday, May 4, 2026
Where: Stotler Lounge, Memorial Union 

Sunset over Mizzou campus

IKS Workshop Program

TimeTitleDescription
8:30 - 9:00 a.m.Registration and Breakfast 
9:00 a.m.Opening RemarksTim Glass (Associate Dean of Research, College of Arts and Science)
9:10 - 10:15 a.m.Panel 1: Democratic Inclusion and Mobilization

Chair: Yeilim Cheong (Director, Institute for Korean Studies) 

Eunbin Chung, “From Feminist Solidarity to Political Action: The Role of Feminist Ideas during 
South Korea’s Democratic Crisis” (Associate Professor, University of Utah) 

Celeste Arrington, “The (Under)Representation of People with Disabilities in South Korea’s 
National Assembly” (Associate Professor, George Washington University)

Discussant: Laron Williams (Professor, University of Missouri) 

10:15 - 10:25 a.m.Break 
10:25 - 11:30 a.m.Panel 2: Regime Trajectories and Political Competition

Chair: Seungkwon You (Associate Director, Institute for Korean Studies)

Meredith Weiss, “The (De)Democratizing Tango: Why It’s Hard to Get Democracy to Stick in 
Southeast Asia” (Professor, University at Albany, SUNY) 

Yeilim Cheong, “Struggles that Strengthen: How Some Opposition Successor Parties Endure 
While Others Falter” (Director, Institute for Korean Studies)

Discussant: Mary Stegmaier (Vice Provost for International Programs, University of Missouri)

11:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.Lunch 
12:15 - 1:45 p.m.Panel 3: Democratic Stability and the Judiciary

Chair: Seungkwon You

Denise Brown, “Colonial Rule of Law? The Privy Council and Democratic Survival in Former  British Colonies” (PhD Student, University of Missouri)

Gabriellen da Silva Xavier Do Carmo, “Populist Parties in Power and Attacks on the Judiciary:  Evidence from Latin America” (PhD Student, University of Missouri)

Onyinye Ogili, “Judicial Systems and Democratic Stability: A Cross-National Analysis of  Institutional Effects” (PhD Student, University of Missouri)

Discussants: Scott LaCombe (Assistant Professor, University of Missouri), Yeilim Cheong  (Director, Institute for Korean Studies)

1:45 - 2:10 p.m.Coffee Break 
2:10 - 3:15 p.m.Panel 4: Solidarity and Political Integration in Democracies

Chair: Yeilim Cheong

Sangyong Son, “Democratic Integration of Migrants from Autocracy: Lab-in-the-Field Evidence from North Korean Defectors” (Incoming Assistant Professor, National University of Singapore)

Rikio Inouye, “Democratic Solidarity: Does the Democratic Public Support Fellow Democracies in Conflicts?” (PhD Candidate, Princeton University)

Discussant: Stephen Quackenbush (Professor, University of Missouri)

3:15 - 3:25 p.m.Closing Remarks 
6:00 - 8:00 p.m.Workshop Dinner