YouTube’s Role in Shaping South Korean Politics: The Rise of Current Affairs Programs and Freedom of Expression on the Platform

South Korea has a new political force and it’s coming from an unlikely source – YouTube. The most watched daily live programme on YouTube in South Korea is called “Gyeomson (Modesty) is Nothing,” and it’s a talk show on current affairs that is hosted by Kim Ou-joon. The show has become extremely popular, with around 160,000 people tuning in to watch every morning at 7:05 a.m. Despite its popularity, Kim has faced lawsuits for defamation, with some critics saying that his taste for controversy only goes one way, accusing him of paying less attention to reports involving the liberal Democratic Party. However, Kim says his aim is to counterbalance what he sees as a bias towards the conservative government with a liberal voice.

YouTube has become increasingly popular in South Korea, with the platform being used as a way to disseminate content by current affairs programs. With over 46 million users, YouTube has a high penetration rate in South Korea, with more than 90% of the population using the platform (compared to over 70% in the United States). Most traditional media outlets now run their own YouTube channels, as do an increasing number of smaller, independent companies, of all political persuasions – like the right-wing Tubeshin (1.46 million subscribers) and the left-wing Newstapa (over 1 million).

YouTube’s growing influence was demonstrated in the run-up to last year’s general election, when Yoon – then a candidate for the People Power Party – saw his popularity fall following a stumbling performance in a Christmas Day YouTube interview with 3ProTV. Before the show, he had been neck-and-neck with opponent Lee Jae-myung from the (then ruling) Democratic Party of Korea; soon after a Gallup survey showed him trailing by around 8% points.

Right-wing channels have also been shown to fuel rallies in support of the former President Park Geun-hye after she was impeached in 2017 over a corruption scandal; they also backed protests outside the retirement home of her liberal successor Moon Jae-in. Left-wing channels backed counter-rallies outside the current President Yoon’s home. The former leader of Yoon’s party hit out at what he said was the “evil influence” of YouTube channels.

YouTube channels are seen as offering a space for free speech that is all the more important given the concerns voiced by the US State Department. Traditional outlets tend to avoid criticising the government, partly because of their own right-wing leanings but also because they fear being sued. The lack of critical coverage has meant citizens have lost confidence in traditional media and turned to the internet instead.

South Korea’s media landscape is changing, with YouTube becoming an increasingly popular way for current affairs programs to disseminate their content. It’s also become a platform for free speech, which is all the more important given the concerns voiced by the US State Department about the use of defamation lawsuits to restrict freedom of expression. YouTube channels are seen as offering a space for free speech that is all the more important given the concerns voiced by the US State Department. Traditional outlets tend to avoid criticizing the government, partly because of their own right-wing leanings but also because they fear being sued. The lack of critical coverage has meant citizens have lost confidence in traditional media and turned to the internet instead.