March 2024

Currently, South Korea is in the midst of its 22nd National Assembly elections. This year marks a significant milestone with elections taking place across 76 countries worldwide, involving over 4.2 billion people. Dubbed the "Super Election Year," these elections are poised to shape international dynamics, including the Korean Peninsula, hence drawing global attention. Historically, there has never been a year where so many nations and such a large percentage of the global population participated in elections.

Media outlets worldwide have been attentive to the “Year of Global Elections” since the end of last year. The Guardian described this year as the "Super Bowl of Democracy," while Bloomberg noted that "2024 will be a crucial year that determines the future course of humanity." They pointed out that through elections, everything from the rules of the game, interest rates, market trends, government regulations, and policies could change, impacting the global economy significantly. Al Jazeera also emphasized 2024 as “democracy’s biggest test ever,” highlighting the importance of election briefings for nations to watch.

The reason for particular attention to these elections lies in the acute geopolitical interests of countries like the United States, China, and Russia. Moreover, elections are closely tied to issues ranging from peace in East Asia to European security and the ongoing war in Ukraine, as well as the climate crisis. Hence, the international community is on alert, closely monitoring election outcomes.

However, it seems that rather than progress towards a better direction, democracy is receding, polarization is deepening, and elections characterized by policy disappearances and prevalent hatred are taking place in many countries and regions. The results of global elections, including the ongoing National Assembly elections in South Korea, have significant implications for our lives. Nevertheless, those in power, with decision-making authority, seem to struggle more to preserve their vested interests rather than prioritize the common good.

In light of these election dynamics, starting from April, the ISC plans to explore where we can find hope amidst this challenging landscape—not just in who becomes president, prime minister, or member of parliament.

By Greg Chung(Contents Team, ISC)

On the hundredth anniversary of Lenin’s death, the Tricontinental Institute of Social Research released a 21st-century update to Lenin’s monumental pamphlet, Imperialism: The Highest Stage of Capitalism. In its latest study, “Hyper-Imperialism,” Tricontinental explores how the United States, desperate to reverse its decline, is aggressively dragging the whole world into war, both conventional and economic. On March 9th, No Cold War hosted a panel of intellectuals, activists, and journalists from around the world to discuss how hyper-imperialism has affected the Global South, from blockades in Latin America, to a militarized island chain in the Indo-Pacific, and bankrolling genocide in the Gaza Strip.  

Palestine solidarity actions in March

In March, the ISC continued to actively participate in the Palestine solidarity struggle. We participated in the 10th, 11th and 12th Urgent Action of Korean Civil Society in Solidarity with Palestine and continue to participate in the ongoing one-person relay protest in front of the Israeli Embassy in Seoul. Let's fight together for a free #Palestine.

On March 2, the International Strategy Center held its all-member meeting. We shared our overall plan and goals for 2024 to jump-start the year together.  Thank you to our members who joined offline and online from Brazil and Australia. Let's make 2024 a powerful year!

On March 8th, the International Strategy Center participated in the 39th Korean Women’s Rally and celebrated International Women’s Day. On this day we remember the female textile factory workers who asked for not just bread but also roses, and continue our fight for women’s liberation and gender equality.