South Korea's Polarized landscape post Yoon Suk Yeol's Impeachment

The impeachment of South Korea's former president has sparked a surge in divisive rhetoric and extreme movements among his supporters.

In a striking display of division, South Koreans gathered at the official residence of former President Yoon Suk Yeol on Friday as the Constitutional Court confirmed his impeachment. Among the crowd, emotional outbursts echoed through the air, particularly from supporters like 64-year-old Won Bog-sil: “It’s so unfair,” she lamented, capturing the grave disappointment felt by many of Yoon’s backers. The event was streamed live on YouTube, an increasingly prominent platform for Yoon’s supporters, revealing a country sharply divided.

Yoon's tenure was marred by turmoil, notably his controversial martial law declaration last December, which alienated a significant portion of the populace. However, to his loyal supporters, these legal challenges only reinforced their perception of him as a wrongly persecuted figure. They argue, echoing sentiments from influential right-wing YouTubers, that the martial law was essential to counteract an alleged Communist threat posed by opposition lawmakers, and that Yoon's party was victimized by electoral fraud.

This polarized climate has catalyzed a fringe movement among Yoon's supporters, increasingly emboldened in their radical beliefs. At rallies, “Stop the Steal” signs, reminiscent of the U.S. political landscape, have become common. The tensions reached a boiling point earlier this year when Yoon's supporters violently stormed a courthouse, brandishing metal beams in clashes with law enforcement. The tragic case of an elderly man setting himself on fire weeks before only amplified the fears of a “Communist takeover,” underscored by flyers found at the site.

Shifts within ideological lines are now observable even among conservatives. Some outlets have criticized the extremism fueled by the pro-Yoon faction, interpreting the situation as a warning of heightened divisions born from exposure to internet conspiracy theories. Yoon himself initially embraced these right-wing platforms, actively engaging with their content, while encouraging supporters to view YouTube over traditional media narratives that frame the opposition as pro-China and pro-North Korea.

Discontent within the political fabric persists, as illustrated by the case of young activists joining pro-Yoon rallies, passionately regurgitating narratives of electoral fraud despite clear judicial findings refuting such claims. Prominent YouTube channels featuring right-wing rhetoric have captivated audiences ranging from disillusioned youth to older generations, creating a complex tapestry of support for Yoon that cuts across age boundaries.

As the months passed, despite his impeachment and the chaos of martial law, Yoon’s popularity among certain conservative factions only strengthened, shifting party dynamics. While discontent against the opposition swelled, the fragmentation within the ruling party became evident, complicating the political landscape further.

Political commentators have expressed perplexity over Yoon’s growing stature among his followers: “He’s now more popular with them than he was before he tried to introduce martial law.” This paradox exists amidst growing tensions looming over the opposition's increasing strength and the ramifications of Yoon's supporters deeming their grievances as legitimate, if not heroic.

With YouTubers acting as de facto PR representatives for Yoon, fears loom large over the implications of a politically radicalized right. Observers warn that mutual hostilities between left and right factions are entrenched deeply in society, rendering any compromises nearly impossible. “By driving his insurrection attempt into the centre of Korean politics, Yoon has effectively executed a decade's worth of polarization,” warns US-based expert Christopher Jumin Lee, emphasizing the need for introspection in South Korea's erratic political future.