Impeachment of president by National Assembly in South Korea reveals deep divisions
By Park Jin-wan
Three weeks after President Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration of martial law, Korean society remains in turmoil. Though the National Assembly has impeached the president, referring the matter to the Constitutional Court, political warfare continues both between and within parties. The KOSPI index has plummeted, the currency continues to depreciate and political factions trade blame for the presidential crisis.
The political upheaval has intensified public hostility between those holding different political views. While an overwhelming majority (74.3 percent) consider Yoon's martial law declaration inappropriate, roughly a quarter of the Korean public still supports the ruling People Power Party (PPP), according to both Hankuk Gallup (24 percent) and RealMeter Survey (25.7 percent).
These political divisions have fueled a surge in hostile content and slander on social media. Critics accuse conservatives of backing what they view as Yoon's treason, while conservative voters blame the opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) and its supporters for what they view as acts that deliberately obstruct governance, thereby causing legislative paralysis. They have also criticized former ruling party leader Han Dong-hoon for being disloyal to the president. These divisions were evident in competing demonstrations at Gwanghwamun and in front of the National Assembly, followed by derogatory social media exchanges between both camps. One positive note remains: there were no physical confrontations between the groups.
While the DPK has achieved its highest support rate in years at 50 percent, largely due to widespread anger toward Yoon and disappointment with the ruling party, this shift masks a deeper, intensifying antipathy between opposing political camps in Korean society.
This political polarization and social fragmentation are not new phenomena in Korea. According to a 2021 Federation of Korean Industries report, Korea ranks among the OECD's most divided nations, placing third-lowest in overall political, economic and social cohesion (fourth-lowest in politics, third-lowest in economics and second-lowest in social measures). A Hankuk Research survey from April this year further revealed that 94 percent of respondents perceive significant conflict between ruling and opposition parties, while 92 percent note strong tensions between conservatives and progressives — ranking these as the two most prominent social divisions. Moreover, the proportion of respondents characterizing these conflicts as “very serious” has steadily increased since 2018, indicating deepening social antagonism.
The impact of this growing political animosity has seeped into everyday social interactions. Koreans increasingly avoid engaging with those holding different political views. Media outlets across the political spectrum have documented this trend: Chosun Ilbo reports that 41 percent of the public refuses to share meals with those who hold opposing political views, while the Kyunghyang Shinmun finds that a majority would feel uncomfortable marrying someone with different political opinions. Political beliefs have become a primary factor in determining social boundaries and relationships, as people actively avoid engaging with those whose differing views might cause discomfort. This social segregation extends beyond party affiliations, manifesting in divisions between genders (particularly among younger generations) and across age groups.
Without intervention, these echo chambers will continue to intensify. When people retreat into their comfort zones, they tend to consume only information that confirms their existing biases, creating self-reinforcing cycles that deepen their prejudices against others. Social media and video platforms, now the primary information sources across generations, amplify this phenomenon through their algorithms. These systems not only discredit contradicting viewpoints but often prevent them from appearing altogether, making meaningful dialogue between differing perspectives nearly impossible. Political narratives, supported by selectively chosen statistics and research, further solidify these belief systems, strengthening in-group solidarity while widening the divide between those with different views.
Engagement offers the only path forward, yet advocating for public dialogue without fundamental changes in the political sphere remains unrealistic. A large portion of the public's information comes from prominent political figures, whose constant antagonism, partisan maneuvering, and legislative gridlock have reinforced the belief that political opponents are national adversaries. Even during the recent impeachment vote, both parties focused on blaming each other for the crisis, while internal conflicts — particularly within the ruling party — have deepened divisions among their supporters.
This pivotal moment created by the chaotic decision ironically offers us a crucial chance to heal Korea's fractured society and forge a new path forward. Success hinges on leadership that places national interests above partisan politics and embraces genuine compromise. The recent dialogue between DPK leader Lee Jae-myung and acting PPP leader Kweon Seong-dong, along with their effort to establish a parliament-government consultative body for stabilizing state affairs, marks a promising beginning — but concrete action must follow these preliminary steps.
History shows that societies that fail to bridge their internal divisions become vulnerable to exploitation by politicians who profit from extremism and social discord. In the context of evolving geopolitical tensions and regional instability, Korea cannot afford to let internal discord threaten its immediate and long-term security. Now, more than ever, our nation's resilience depends on our ability to stand united.
Park Jin-wan is a nonresident James A. Kelly Korea Fellow at Pacific Forum.
English (United States) ·