Second democracy summit involves five nations

President Yoon Suk-yeol will participate in a democracy summit with U.S. President Joe Biden and the leaders of the Netherlands, Zambia and Costa Rica from March 29 to 30...

U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks at a virtual Summit for Democracy at the White House in Washington, D.C. on Dec. 9, 2021. [EPA/YONHAP]

President Yoon Suk-yeol will participate in a democracy summit with U.S. President Joe Biden and the leaders of the Netherlands, Zambia and Costa Rica from March 29 to 30.

“We are living through an era defined by challenges to accountable and transparent governance,” the five nations said in a statement released by the White House on Tuesday.

“Building on the first Summit for Democracy held in December 2021, this gathering will demonstrate how democracies deliver for their citizens and are best equipped to address the world’s most pressing challenges.”

The first such summit was hosted by the United States last year and it was joined virtually by leaders of some 100 countries, including former President Moon Jae-in.

Beijing was not invited, so Chinese officials hosted their own democracy summit in the same month, and the country’s State Council issued a white paper entitled “China: Democracy That Works.”

The second summit will be held in a hybrid format, said the five participating nations.

A presidential summit will be held virtually on March 29, which will be followed up on the second day with separate, regional conferences run by each of the nations. Each will be joined by experts in government, business, civil society and academia.

“By co-hosting the second Summit for Democracy, as a leading democracy country in the region, we will share our democratization experience and anti-corruption efforts with the international community,” said the Yongsan presidential office in a statement Wednesday.

The summit last year resulted in 750 commitments by the participating governments on supporting free and independent media, fighting corruption, advancing the use of digital technologies and defending free elections.

“From wars of aggression to changes in climate, societal mistrust and technological transformation, it could not be clearer that all around the world, democracy needs champions at all levels,” said the nations in their statement.

“Together with other invitees to the second Summit, we look forward to taking up this call, and demonstrating how transparent, accountable governance remains the best way to deliver lasting prosperity, peace, and justice.”

BY ESTHER CHUNG [chung.juhee@joongang.co.kr]