New piece for KoreaPro. I've done a couple reviews of Korean conservative newspapers positions' on Yoon's martial law declaration and fallout noting how they've been critical. But I noticed something interesting: conservative readers were not happy with the coverage 1/ koreapro.org/2025/01/sout... - ThreadSky

benjaminaengel.bsky.social • 49 days ago

New piece for KoreaPro. I've done a couple reviews of Korean conservative newspapers positions' on Yoon's martial law declaration and fallout noting how they've been critical. But I noticed something interesting: conservative readers were not happy with the coverage 1/

https://koreapro.org/2025/01/south-koreas-conservative-media-battles-irrelevance-amid-martial-law-fallout/

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benjaminaengel.bsky.social•49 days ago

This is my attempt to analyze that phenomenon as well as the possibility of a split in the Korean conservative movement into something resembling the "Never Trump" group in the US. 2/

benjaminaengel.bsky.social•49 days ago

I conclude its unlikely the Korean conservative media will follow the far-right down the election conspiracy rabbit hole for fear of losing international partnerships and credibility. Instead, they may become a principled conservative opposition with no real rank-and-file following. 3/

benjaminaengel.bsky.social•49 days ago

Like the "Never Trump" movement, they'll be media elites with a large bullhorn who speak to nobody but the few conservatives unwilling to follow the populist path. Their resources will prevent them from collapsing, but they won't have much political power either. end

g1lee.bsky.social•49 days ago

Great analysis, and I completely agree, though I haven’t followed this issue extensively. I’m curious about your thoughts on what this conservative divergence means for Korean democracy.

g1lee.bsky.social•49 days ago

Part of me is worried about the potential for far-right groups to gain more traction, but I also think it won’t be easy given Korea’s overly(?) educated population, and it seems much will depend on how the legal process after Yoon's arrest unfolds.

stsimeon.bsky.social•49 days ago

Yes, if the legal process exposes Yoon as merely a corrupt politico using the martial law declaration to stave off any real investigation rather than a patriot, much support is likely to evaporate.

benjaminaengel.bsky.social•49 days ago

It’s hard to say yet I think. The PPP approval rating is rebounding but is that because so many people by the Stop the Steal stuff or because they don’t like Lee Jae-myung? My gut says the latter like you say. But then you see those 백골단 people and worry. Hopefully those are outliers…

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