![[Column] Korea: A nation divided into blue and red](https://external-preview.redd.it/NKyRpNXarmwGMY4iQLJDShbeZQ3mDl3QtzoMgTfebx0.jpeg?width=640&crop=smart&auto=webp&s=f2a605f426dc2944ebe8c9afe4d130f3eec7b2a3 "[Column] Korea: A nation divided into blue and red") |
Korea has become a country in which only two colors seem to matter: blue and red. The local elections will be held on June 3, but strangely enough, candidates’ pledges have little impact anymore. Their fate depends instead on the color of their campaign jackets: blue for the ruling Democratic Party and red for the opposition People Power Party (PPP). On packed subway cars, commuters’ eyes are glued to their stock trading apps, checking whether their holdings are headed upward (red) or downward (blue). While a two-party system has certain advantages, in Korea today it serves as a juggernaut smashing minority interests and squashing policy diversity. In the area of public health and welfare, to take one example, minority parties have plenty of strong proposals: instituting a minimum wage for family care, empowering medical and social cooperatives, creating 20 public hospitals, capping medical expenses at 1 million won through the age of 18, moving to a neighborhood-based family doctor system, and setting up more community health centers. But the two main parties are utterly uninterested in such ideas, which don’t even merit a place on their platforms. Around 200 civic groups advocating for the rights of workers, farmers and women have banded together to push for addressing regional disparities in access to care and for fully guaranteeing the right to care, but that doesn’t even move the needle in the upcoming elections. In a country already divided between North and South, the two-party system subconsciously imposes black-and-white thinking on society. It reinforces tendencies to favor one’s group and disparage the other side and hinders mutual understanding and rational debate, making democratic deliberation impossible. submitted by /u/icaruswalks |
Related Posts
Latest News from Korea
- Korean Gen Z falls hard for Taeko Onuki, Japanese city pop and J-rock
“Thank you. This is my first concert in Korea.” Taeko Onuki stood before the cheering crowd in Incheon, more than five decades after her debut. For a moment she seemed unsure what to do in front of the welcome. The Japanese singer-songwriter, often described as one of the pioneers of city pop, performed Saturday at Asian Pop Festival 2026 at… Read more: Korean Gen Z falls hard for Taeko Onuki, Japanese city pop and J-rock - Can Korean cinema sustain its rebound?After years of struggling to recover from the shock of the COVID-19 pandemic, Korea’s film industry is finally showing signs of life again. Driven by a string of local box office successes led by the historical drama “King’s Warden,” Korean films have regained momentum in theaters this year, raising hopes that the industry may be emerging from one of the… Read more: Can Korean cinema sustain its rebound?
- BTS vs. price gouging? Gov’t steps in before Busan showsKorean authorities are moving to crack down on alleged hotel price gouging and reservation abuses after BTS members publicly criticized soaring accommodation costs ahead of the K-pop group’s upcoming concerts in Busan. The global K-pop superstars are set to hold “BTS WORLD TOUR ‘ARIRANG’ IN BUSAN” on June 12-13, coinciding with the group’s debut anniversary on June 13. The concerts… Read more: BTS vs. price gouging? Gov’t steps in before Busan shows
- Tteokbokki simmers around world at Dookki restaurantsSEONGNAM, Gyeonggi Province — Tteokbokki, a rice cake dish simmered in red-hot pepper paste, was at first notorious for its chewy texture that confused non-Koreans. Some disgruntled consumers complained how they were supposed to eat something with the consistency of a tire. That was the reality for what many Koreans consider a comfort food and one of the most representative… Read more: Tteokbokki simmers around world at Dookki restaurants
- KEPCO wins $1.4 bil. Saudi cogeneration project from AramcoKorea Electric Power Corp. (KEPCO) has secured another cogeneration project in Saudi Arabia, strengthening its foothold in the Middle East’s fast-expanding energy market. The state-run utility announced on Wednesday that it signed power and steam purchase agreements with oil giant Saudi Aramco to construct and operate Phase 2 of Saudi Arabia’s Jafurah cogeneration power plant. It also finalized an engineering,… Read more: KEPCO wins $1.4 bil. Saudi cogeneration project from Aramco
Latest Entertainment from Korea
- LE’V Steps Into the Light: “Spotlight Soul” Captures the Artistry, Growth, and Glow of a New Era in the 2026 Season’s Greetings CollectionPhoto Credits: CHROMOSOME LE’V Illuminates 2026 with “Spotlight Soul” LE’V enters 2026 with a statement that feels both cinematic and deeply personal. His Season’s Greetings “Spotlight Soul” concept photos reveal a striking evolution — one that merges emotional depth with artistic clarity. The project, released as a collector’s visual experience, celebrates not just another year but LE’V’s firm grasp on identity, craft,… Read more: LE’V Steps Into the Light: “Spotlight Soul” Captures the Artistry, Growth, and Glow of a New Era in the 2026 Season’s Greetings Collection
- KiiiKiii Leesol & Haum Illuminate SPUR x Dior Addict’s January 2026 Issue with Daring Light, Sensual Motion, and New Beauty CodesPhoto Credits: SPUR Dior Starship Entertainment A New Year, A New Iconic Pairing SPUR Magazine opens 2026 with a collaboration that feels both intimate and electric. The January 2026 Issue Pictorial Preview showcases KiiiKiii Leesol and Haum in a visual dialogue infused with Dior Addict’s luminous rebellion. Titled “Light Moves: The Addict State of Mind”, the spread captures the interplay of motion, reflection, and self-definition—a signal… Read more: KiiiKiii Leesol & Haum Illuminate SPUR x Dior Addict’s January 2026 Issue with Daring Light, Sensual Motion, and New Beauty Codes
- Breaking Boundaries: ifeye × KITTO Taiwan Redefine Visual Storytelling in the January 2026 Pictorial — A Fusion of Innovation & IdentityPhoto Credits: Hi-Hat Entertainment The Convergence of Vision and Identity The January 2026 Pictorial from ifeye × KITTO Taiwan marks a defining moment in East Asian creative media. Framed as both a celebration and an evolution, the collaboration bridges art direction, fashion narrative, and technological fluidity to capture a new generation’s pulse. More than a photoshoot, this issue acts as a visual manifesto—an exploration of… Read more: Breaking Boundaries: ifeye × KITTO Taiwan Redefine Visual Storytelling in the January 2026 Pictorial — A Fusion of Innovation & Identity
- Xiaoting in Full Bloom: Kep1er’s Shining Star Redefines Power, Grace, and Global Glamour in Wonderland China’s January 2026 Cover StoryPhoto Credits: KLAP ENTERTAINMENT Kep1er’s Xiaoting Captures the Moment Kep1er’s Shen Xiaoting steps into 2026 as a muse of modern elegance, fronting the January 2026 Wonderland China cover with an aura that’s both futuristic and fiercely grounded. As one of the brightest stars of her generation, Xiaoting embodies the balance between aspiration and artistry that defines global pop’s next chapter. “Confidence is not just… Read more: Xiaoting in Full Bloom: Kep1er’s Shining Star Redefines Power, Grace, and Global Glamour in Wonderland China’s January 2026 Cover Story
- BTS’s V Radiates Timeless Charisma in GQ Korea x Cartier’s February 2026 Cover: A Monument to Modern Elegance and Emotional PrecisionPhoto Credits: GQ Korea – Cartier – BigHit Music. – BTS V x Cartier: The Sound of Stillness and Strength For GQ Korea’s February 2026 issue, the cover unfolds like a cinematic confession. BTS’s V (Kim Taehyung)—known for his magnetic duality of mystery and warmth—joins forces with Cartier, the house synonymous with precision, artistry, and legacy. Together, they create a visual symphony that celebrates… Read more: BTS’s V Radiates Timeless Charisma in GQ Korea x Cartier’s February 2026 Cover: A Monument to Modern Elegance and Emotional Precision
Learn People & History of Korea
- The Evolution of Busan: A Historical Journey Through South Korea’s Second Largest Metropolitan CityAncient Beginnings: The Founding of Busan Busan, known as the second largest metropolitan city in South Korea, has a rich history that dates back to ancient times. The earliest recorded existence of Busan can be traced to the Goryeo Dynasty, where it was referenced as a vital coastal settlement. Its strategic location along the southeastern coast of the Korean Peninsula… Read more: The Evolution of Busan: A Historical Journey Through South Korea’s Second Largest Metropolitan City
- The Evolution of Pyongyang: A Journey Through History, Economy, and Political DynamicsIntroduction to Pyongyang Pyongyang, the capital city of North Korea, serves as a prominent symbol of the nation’s history and culture. Geographically located on the banks of the Taedong River, in the southwest part of the country, Pyongyang is situated within a strategic area that has historically facilitated trade and cultural exchange. The city’s origins can be traced back to… Read more: The Evolution of Pyongyang: A Journey Through History, Economy, and Political Dynamics
- The Evolution of Seoul: From Ancient Korea to Modern Metropolis and BeyondAncient Beginnings: The Founding of Seoul The city of Seoul, known today as the vibrant capital of South Korea, has ancient roots that trace back to the Three Kingdoms period of Korea, specifically the kingdoms of Baekje and Silla. Evidence suggests that Seoul was originally established as a settlement given its strategic geographical advantages. Nestled within the Han River basin,… Read more: The Evolution of Seoul: From Ancient Korea to Modern Metropolis and Beyond
- Exploring Korean Traditional Games in Squid Game: From Season 2 to Upcoming Season 3Introduction to Korean Traditional Games Korean traditional games have long been an integral part of the country’s cultural landscape, offering more than mere entertainment. These games, which range from simple children’s pastimes to complex community activities, hold significant cultural significance and often serve as a means of preserving history and promoting social interaction. Rooted in centuries of tradition, these games… Read more: Exploring Korean Traditional Games in Squid Game: From Season 2 to Upcoming Season 3
- Unveiling the Past and Present of Saju: The Art of Korean Fortune TellingIntroduction to Saju Saju, a traditional Korean fortune-telling practice, is an intricate art that seeks to interpret an individual’s fate based on their birth date and time. The term “Saju” translates to “four pillars” in English, referring to the four critical components derived from these time markers: year, month, day, and hour. This method holds significant cultural value within South… Read more: Unveiling the Past and Present of Saju: The Art of Korean Fortune Telling
