Donald Trump's return to the presidency in 2025 is seen as a warning of a crisis in global democracy. After losing the 2020 election, Trump incited his supporters, who advocate racial and immigrant discrimination, to storm Congress, shaking the foundations of democracy. Despite this, his successful return to power starkly illustrates how far-right political bias and incitement to violence can threaten a democratic system. This could serve as an important lesson for Korean democracy.

Similar incidents have been witnessed in Korea. The riot by far-right forces who stormed the Seoul Western District Court in protest of the arrest of President Yoon Seok-yeol resembles the far-right rioters who supported Trump in the United States. These incidents, which go beyond simple disagreements and fundamentally threaten democracy and the rule of law, will inevitably repeat if left unchecked.

This crisis is not limited to the political sphere. Issues of discrimination and hatred emerging in the education sector are also threatening democracy by creating another mechanism for reproduction. It is a serious problem when some schools disregard students' human rights, discriminate against or hate children of immigrants, Southeast Asian foreigners, and defector parents and children. This teaches students discrimination and hatred, potentially fostering a breeding ground for violent far-right forces.

Recently, the false incitement and witch-hunting against foreign parents that spread nationwide, and the hate and cyber attacks that drove these parents to be seen as defectors, were shocking incidents at M Elementary School in Jeonju. This is a serious issue happening close to us.

Discrimination and hatred are not just issues of personal prejudice. They are structural problems that exacerbate social conflict and division and weaken democracy. In particular, education, which is responsible for the future of society, can have a negative impact on the entire society if hatred and discrimination occur. Democracy is based on the rule of law and respect for human rights, but if these values are damaged from the education sector, the future of democracy will be uncertain.

To protect the fundamentals of democracy, it is essential to reform education, along with a firm legal response to violent far-right forces.

First, human rights education for all, including students, teachers, and parents, should be strengthened. Discrimination and hatred against children of immigrants, foreigners, and defector parents and children should be strongly guarded against in the education process. This will be the first step in breaking the vicious cycle of discrimination and hatred and instilling democratic values.

Second, education programs that increase cultural acceptance should be expanded. Schools should be spaces where students from diverse cultural backgrounds can learn and grow equally. This can reduce prejudice and exclusion and build a democratic society based on mutual understanding and respect.

Third, we should not ignore the discriminatory attitudes that teachers, unions, and others who oppose the enactment of student human rights laws and incite disregard for human rights and recruit union members to target students and parents. Teachers, as educators of democratic values, should have a correct understanding of human rights and equality, and for this, teacher training and evaluation systems need to be reformed.

Fourth, schools and local communities should cooperate to create a community culture that stands against hatred and discrimination. Through the participation of parents and the local community, problems arising in the education field can be solved together and democratic values can be spread.

Trump's return to power in the United States and the far-right riot situation in Korea reveal the global crisis facing democracy. Violent far-right forces and discriminatory attitudes are common elements that destroy democracy, and if left unchecked, society can only regress.

In particular, for the future of Korean democracy, it is essential not only to eradicate violence and hatred through strong legal responses but also to rebuild democratic values through education. Democracy can only be firmly maintained when it is practiced in the consciousness of all members of society, not just as a legal system.