{"id":2207738,"date":"2024-12-30T17:33:52","date_gmt":"2024-12-30T08:33:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/?p=2207738"},"modified":"2024-12-31T17:32:06","modified_gmt":"2024-12-31T08:32:06","slug":"why-social-issues-will-pose-critical-test-for-south-koreas-democratic-party","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2024\/12\/why-social-issues-will-pose-critical-test-for-south-koreas-democratic-party\/","title":{"rendered":"Why social issues will pose critical test for South Korea\u2019s Democratic Party"},"content":{"rendered":"

Editor\u2019s note: This is the fifth in a multi-part series exploring South Korean policy changes that could emerge under a Democratic Party president. Part one on foreign and trade policies can be read <\/span><\/i>here<\/span><\/i><\/a>, part two on nuclear weapons policy <\/span><\/i>here<\/span><\/i><\/a>, part three on domestic economic policy <\/span><\/i>here<\/span><\/i><\/a> and part four on trade policy <\/span><\/i>here<\/span><\/i><\/a>.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\n

South Korea\u2019s political landscape has been jolted by the <\/span>impeachment<\/span><\/a> of President Yoon Suk-yeol, paving the way for the Democratic Party (DP) to potentially reclaim power and reshape policy priorities in Asia\u2019s fourth-largest economy.<\/span><\/p>\n

But even if it retakes the presidency, the DP will lead a country that faces formidable social and demographic challenges that threaten long-term prosperity.<\/span><\/p>\n

An aging population, persistently low birth rates and growing inequality underscore the urgency behind any new administration\u2019s plans to modernize health care, regulate social media, enact anti-discrimination laws, reform conscription and address the spiraling costs of eldercare.<\/span><\/p>\n

To succeed, a DP administration will have to navigate entrenched conservatism and powerful interest groups while balancing the imperatives of an export-driven economy in a global environment fraught with shifting geopolitical alignments.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"

South Korean doctors protest against the government’s plan to expand medical school quotas starting in 2025, Feb. 25, 2024 | Image: Korean Medical Association<\/a><\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

HEALTH CARE REFORM<\/b><\/p>\n

Health care has long been both a point of pride and a source of contention in South Korea, where public hospitals and private clinics operate under a single-payer system that many see as efficient, though at times under strain.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Yoon administration, alarmed by a <\/span>shortage of doctors<\/span><\/a> \u2014 especially in provincial areas \u2014 <\/span>raised medical school enrollment<\/span><\/a> by 2,000 students starting in 2025. That move provoked a series of protests by doctors and medical school professors, who argue that the move risks diluting the quality of education and of patient care.<\/span><\/p>\n

Though legal challenges <\/span>failed<\/span><\/a> to reverse the government\u2019s expansion plan, the conflict revealed systemic issues: a concentration of medical personnel and facilities in Seoul, a shrinking number of rural practitioners and payment structures that discourage young doctors from entering less profitable specialties like <\/span>pediatrics<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

A new DP-led government, keen to avoid protracted confrontations, will likely promise more stringent oversight to maintain high academic standards and might offer incentives to place graduates in underserved regions.<\/span><\/p>\n

Such incentives could include housing subsidies, loan-forgiveness programs and higher reimbursement rates under the National Health Insurance for less lucrative specialties.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, the Korean Medical Association remains a powerful lobbying force, and while the <\/span>Nursing Act<\/span><\/a>, which expanded nurse practitioners\u2019 roles, passed with bipartisan support, doctors remain wary of a fundamental power shift in clinical practice.<\/span><\/p>\n

A DP administration will likely face the challenge of convincing the medical community that improved funding and rural-service premiums will benefit both practitioners and patients, without ballooning health care costs at a time of <\/span>fiscal uncertainty<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"

President Yoon Suk-yeol delivers prepared remarks after his impeachment, Dec. 14, 2024 | Image: ROK Presidential Office<\/a><\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

SOCIAL MEDIA REGULATION<\/b><\/p>\n

Internet culture in South Korea is among the world\u2019s most vibrant, but recent events have highlighted the perils of unregulated online spaces. Yoon\u2019s martial law declaration may have been influenced by unverified claims from <\/span>far-right YouTube channels<\/span><\/a>, which have emerged as the news platform of choice for South Korean conservatives disillusioned with mainstream media.<\/span><\/p>\n

Such YouTube channels have <\/span>alleged<\/span><\/a> that their ideological opponents, including fellow conservatives who deviated from their particular worldview or challenged the president, sympathize with the North Korean regime or have rigged elections.<\/span><\/p>\n

A DP administration could attempt to frame social media oversight as a necessity for preserving democratic integrity, proposing stricter transparency and accountability mechanisms for platforms like Google and YouTube.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, any regulatory push risks stoking fears of censorship. Conservatives will likely label such a move as a partisan clampdown, while civil rights groups could accuse the government of overreach.<\/span><\/p>\n

Indeed, the previous Moon Jae-in administration <\/span>walked back plans<\/span><\/a> to clamp down on fake news when critics, including journalists and international rights groups, raised concerns about free speech, censorship and democratic backsliding.<\/span><\/p>\n

While a future DP administration may be able to generate more sympathy than the Moon administration could, considering Yoon\u2019s botched martial law declaration, it would still need to find a way to apply sufficiently robust standards to stem disinformation without trampling on free expression.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, even if a DP administration were successful in pushing for such a bill to regulate fake news, enforcement would be challenging. As YouTube is a major platform that operates globally, Seoul\u2019s jurisdiction would be severely limited.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"

South Korea’s Blue House, the former presidential office, April 7, 2022 | Image: ROK Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism via Flickr<\/a> (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0<\/a>)<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

GOVERNANCE SHIFT<\/b><\/p>\n

The symbolic center of government came under intense scrutiny during Yoon\u2019s term when he <\/span>relocated the presidential office<\/span><\/a> to the defense ministry\u2019s compound in Yongsan. Yoon claimed that the move\u2019s aim was to open and return the Blue House \u2014 the\u00a0 official office and residence for South Korean presidents from 1948 to 2022 \u2014 to the public.<\/span><\/p>\n

The move and accompanying relocation of parts of the defense ministry and Joint Chiefs of Staff cost millions of dollars, but a DP administration may return the presidential office back to the Blue House, tapping into its longstanding cultural and historical resonance.<\/span><\/p>\n

The gesture would signal a break from the turmoil surrounding Yoon\u2019s impeachment, perhaps restoring some measure of public trust in the presidency.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, critics might dismiss this reversion as an empty nod to tradition and symbolism unless accompanied by broader governance reforms.<\/span><\/p>\n

While it remains to be seen whether a DP administration will seek to reform the country\u2019s imperial presidency, ruling People Power Party (PPP) floor leader Kwon Seong-dong suggested during his <\/span>meeting<\/span><\/a> with DP leader Lee Jae-myung that the two sides should reevaluate the country\u2019s presidential system.<\/span><\/p>\n

Kwon argued for adopting a system that can better reflect public opinion, advance cooperation and prevent \u201cexcessive concentration of power\u201d in the executive.<\/span><\/p>\n

Beyond the symbolic return to the Blue House, a DP administration may have to deal with the much more substantive issue of relocating the National Assembly to Sejong City. The idea of relocating the legislature is <\/span>not new<\/span><\/a>, and it was most recently floated by former PPP leader Han Dong-hoon just weeks before April\u2019s parliamentary election.<\/span><\/p>\n

Previous arguments to relocate the National Assembly included the need to promote balanced national development, improve coordination between lawmakers and several ministries already there and decentralize power from Seoul.<\/span><\/p>\n

Yoon\u2019s martial law declaration and the sight of soldiers storming the National Assembly may give further impetus to the idea of relocating the legislature.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, a DP administration may not have the political capital to prioritize such a move while pursuing its other agenda due to high relocation costs, logistical hassles and potential disruptions to legislative proceedings.<\/span><\/p>\n

While a DP administration could attempt a phased approach, it will still have to placate lawmakers reluctant to uproot their offices and families.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"

Pride flag being carried out at the 2022 Seoul Queer Culture Festival, July 2022 | Image: Seoul Queer Culture Festival<\/a><\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

ANTI-DISCRIMINATION<\/b><\/p>\n

South Korea lags behind many developed nations on <\/span>anti-discrimination legislation<\/span><\/a>, a gap that has persisted partly due to strong resistance from religious organizations and conservative political blocs.<\/span><\/p>\n

The DP has an opportunity to frame such legislation as an economic imperative as well as a moral one. In a country increasingly reliant on international trade and investment, global partners may look favorably upon stronger legal protections for marginalized communities, including the LGBTQ+ population.<\/span><\/p>\n

Further, South Korea\u2019s Supreme Court <\/span>ruled<\/span><\/a> in July that denying health insurance coverage to same-sex spouses constitutes discrimination based on sexual orientation, thus giving a future DP administration the legal grounds it needs to codify anti-discrimination into law.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, although the DP could leverage this international dimension and legal ruling to push for such a bill, past attempts at similar laws have floundered when confronted by vocal religious groups and fears of eroding traditional family structures.<\/span><\/p>\n

Further, any suggestion that an anti-discrimination law would impinge on freedom of expression will spark heated debate and could energize conservative organizations with considerable mobilizing power.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"

Close-up of medical syringes and capsules | Image: Canva<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

DRUG POLICY<\/b><\/p>\n

In sharp contrast to its neighbors, South Korea has traditionally reported low rates of drug crime. However, Yoon has often resorted to alarmist tones about the country\u2019s <\/span>growing illicit drug problem<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

In fact, Yoon claimed in his speech before declaring martial law that the DP\u2019s efforts to challenge his administration have turned the country into a \u201cdrug haven.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

A DP administration could adopt a more measured perspective, treating drug abuse primarily as a public health challenge rather than a law enforcement crusade. Advocates argue that dedicating resources to <\/span>rehabilitation and education<\/span><\/a> lowers recidivism and aligns with global best practices.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, any perceived softening might draw fire from conservative quarters, which see stringent crackdowns as a necessary deterrent.<\/span><\/p>\n

The DP might attempt to split the difference by maintaining tough penalties for large-scale trafficking while channeling non-violent offenders into treatment programs. The key lies in transparent outreach: communities must be convinced that more holistic policies tackle addiction\u2019s root causes, rather than merely letting violators off the hook.<\/span><\/p>\n

Countries that have taken this approach, such as Portugal, often credit community programs and health care investments for their success. If the DP can demonstrate similar results, it might reframe the narrative surrounding drug crime in a way that appeals to both public safety and humane treatment.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"

A newborn baby’s feet | Image: christianabella<\/a> via Pixabay<\/a><\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

BIRTH RATE<\/b><\/p>\n

No crisis looms larger than the demographic implosion set in motion by a <\/span>record-low fertility rate<\/span><\/a>. A shrinking population forecasts labor shortages, weakened national security, slower economic growth and unsustainable pension obligations.<\/span><\/p>\n

Previous attempts to boost birth rates, including expansions of child care subsidies and the enforcement of a <\/span>52-hour work week<\/span><\/a>, have fallen short in the face of skyrocketing housing prices, cultural norms that discourage large families, and the <\/span>punishing costs<\/span><\/a> of private education academies.<\/span><\/p>\n

The DP\u2019s next steps may include <\/span>more robust paternity leave mandates<\/span><\/a>, financial incentives for second and third children and regionally targeted housing grants to encourage relocations away from Seoul.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, these policies will likely remain piecemeal fixes unless they address the structural obstacles. Young families often cite <\/span>real-estate prices<\/span><\/a> as a principal reason they delay childbearing. Seoul\u2019s housing market remains among the most expensive relative to household income among Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development nations.<\/span><\/p>\n

Without reforms that tame <\/span>speculative buying<\/span><\/a>, reduce the allure of private academies or at least shift more schooling costs onto the public sector, incremental benefits for parents will have limited impact.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"

Elderly Koreans, Oct. 15, 2018 | Image: Bridget Coila<\/a> via Flickr<\/a> (CC BY-SA 2.0 DEED<\/a>)<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

ELDERCARE<\/b><\/p>\n

Meanwhile, South Korea has formally become a <\/span>\u201csuper-aged\u201d society<\/span><\/a> as the share of its population aged 65 or over surpassed 20%, and this figure could exceed 30% by the 2040s, straining the country\u2019s welfare systems.<\/span><\/p>\n

A DP-led government might launch tax incentives or wage subsidies for companies that employ senior workers, in hopes of mitigating skill shortages and offsetting pension deficits. Another plank could involve expanded long-term care insurance and improved access to in-home caregiving, both of which reduce the burden on families grappling with the rising costs of looking after elderly relatives.<\/span><\/p>\n

More controversially, discussions around <\/span>physician-assisted suicide<\/span><\/a> have surfaced as health care spending skyrockets and hospital wards fill with older patients requiring intensive, often prolonged care.<\/span><\/p>\n

Advocates argue that regulated end-of-life options can preserve dignity and ease financial strain on families, but religious and ethical groups point to the risks of normalizing the practice and the moral hazards involved.<\/span><\/p>\n

Any DP government that tries to legislate on this subject faces an immediate backlash, yet ignoring the issue entirely may invite criticism that it lacks the courage to confront hard realities.<\/span><\/p>\n

WHAT\u2019S NEXT?<\/b><\/p>\n

South Korea\u2019s future hinges on how effectively a DP-led administration can tackle overlapping social, economic and demographic pressures.<\/span><\/p>\n

While the DP, which currently enjoys <\/span>wide public support<\/span><\/a>, may be able to push for a number of social policies, convincing a polarized public to buy into its agenda will be no easy feat. The party must contend with robust conservative opposition, religious lobbying and the ingrained business interests of an export-driven economy that prizes stability over experimentation.<\/span><\/p>\n

Should it fail to navigate these challenges, South Korea risks sliding deeper into political gridlock and economic headwinds. But if the DP succeeds, it could recast the country as a resilient, forward-looking democracy that tackles its most urgent policy conundrums head-on.<\/span><\/p>\n

Edited by Bryan Betts<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Culture & Society<\/span><\/a>Domestic Politics<\/span><\/a><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Editor\u2019s note: This is the fifth in a multi-part series exploring South Korean policy changes that could emerge under a Democratic Party president. Part one on foreign and trade policies can be read here, part two on nuclear weapons policy here, part three on domestic economic policy here and part four on trade policy here. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10407,"featured_media":2207739,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[25,27],"class_list":["post-2207738","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-analysis","tag-culture-society","tag-domestic-politics"],"yoast_head":"\nWhy social issues will pose critical test for South Korea\u2019s Democratic Party - Korea Pro<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2024\/12\/why-social-issues-will-pose-critical-test-for-south-koreas-democratic-party\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Why social issues will pose critical test for South Korea\u2019s Democratic Party - Korea Pro\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Editor\u2019s note: This is the fifth in a multi-part series exploring South Korean policy changes that could emerge under a Democratic Party president. Part one on foreign and trade policies can be read here, part two on nuclear weapons policy here, part three on domestic economic policy here and part four on trade policy here. […]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2024\/12\/why-social-issues-will-pose-critical-test-for-south-koreas-democratic-party\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Korea Pro\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/nknewsorg\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2024-12-30T08:33:52+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2024-12-31T08:32:06+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/assets.korearisk.com\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2024\/12\/feature-15.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1870\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1000\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"johnleenknews\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@southkoreapro\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@southkoreapro\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"John Lee\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"11 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2024\/12\/why-social-issues-will-pose-critical-test-for-south-koreas-democratic-party\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2024\/12\/why-social-issues-will-pose-critical-test-for-south-koreas-democratic-party\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"johnleenknews\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/#\/schema\/person\/b9766dba611638edc06a6e0b7078714d\"},\"headline\":\"Why social issues will pose critical test for South Korea\u2019s Democratic Party\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-12-30T08:33:52+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-12-31T08:32:06+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2024\/12\/why-social-issues-will-pose-critical-test-for-south-koreas-democratic-party\/\"},\"wordCount\":2140,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2024\/12\/why-social-issues-will-pose-critical-test-for-south-koreas-democratic-party\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/assets.korearisk.com\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2024\/12\/feature-15.png\",\"keywords\":[\"Culture & Society\",\"Domestic Politics\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Analysis\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2024\/12\/why-social-issues-will-pose-critical-test-for-south-koreas-democratic-party\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2024\/12\/why-social-issues-will-pose-critical-test-for-south-koreas-democratic-party\/\",\"name\":\"Why social issues will pose critical test for South Korea\u2019s Democratic Party - Korea Pro\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2024\/12\/why-social-issues-will-pose-critical-test-for-south-koreas-democratic-party\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2024\/12\/why-social-issues-will-pose-critical-test-for-south-koreas-democratic-party\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/assets.korearisk.com\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2024\/12\/feature-15.png\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-12-30T08:33:52+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-12-31T08:32:06+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2024\/12\/why-social-issues-will-pose-critical-test-for-south-koreas-democratic-party\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2024\/12\/why-social-issues-will-pose-critical-test-for-south-koreas-democratic-party\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2024\/12\/why-social-issues-will-pose-critical-test-for-south-koreas-democratic-party\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/assets.korearisk.com\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2024\/12\/feature-15.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/assets.korearisk.com\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2024\/12\/feature-15.png\",\"width\":1870,\"height\":1000},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2024\/12\/why-social-issues-will-pose-critical-test-for-south-koreas-democratic-party\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Why social issues will pose critical test for South Korea\u2019s Democratic Party\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/\",\"name\":\"Korea Pro\",\"description\":\"Be smart about South Korea. Up-to-date analysis on foreign relations, politics, society and economy. Made by the producers of NK PRO and NK News.\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Korea Pro\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/assets.korearisk.com\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2022\/11\/logo.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/assets.korearisk.com\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2022\/11\/logo.png\",\"width\":360,\"height\":50,\"caption\":\"Korea Pro\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/nknewsorg\/\",\"https:\/\/x.com\/southkoreapro\"]}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Why social issues will pose critical test for South Korea\u2019s Democratic Party - Korea Pro","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2024\/12\/why-social-issues-will-pose-critical-test-for-south-koreas-democratic-party\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Why social issues will pose critical test for South Korea\u2019s Democratic Party - Korea Pro","og_description":"Editor\u2019s note: This is the fifth in a multi-part series exploring South Korean policy changes that could emerge under a Democratic Party president. Part one on foreign and trade policies can be read here, part two on nuclear weapons policy here, part three on domestic economic policy here and part four on trade policy here. […]","og_url":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2024\/12\/why-social-issues-will-pose-critical-test-for-south-koreas-democratic-party\/","og_site_name":"Korea Pro","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/nknewsorg\/","article_published_time":"2024-12-30T08:33:52+00:00","article_modified_time":"2024-12-31T08:32:06+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1870,"height":1000,"url":"https:\/\/assets.korearisk.com\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2024\/12\/feature-15.png","type":"image\/png"}],"author":"johnleenknews","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@southkoreapro","twitter_site":"@southkoreapro","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"John Lee","Est. reading time":"11 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2024\/12\/why-social-issues-will-pose-critical-test-for-south-koreas-democratic-party\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2024\/12\/why-social-issues-will-pose-critical-test-for-south-koreas-democratic-party\/"},"author":{"name":"johnleenknews","@id":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/#\/schema\/person\/b9766dba611638edc06a6e0b7078714d"},"headline":"Why social issues will pose critical test for South Korea\u2019s Democratic Party","datePublished":"2024-12-30T08:33:52+00:00","dateModified":"2024-12-31T08:32:06+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2024\/12\/why-social-issues-will-pose-critical-test-for-south-koreas-democratic-party\/"},"wordCount":2140,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2024\/12\/why-social-issues-will-pose-critical-test-for-south-koreas-democratic-party\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/assets.korearisk.com\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2024\/12\/feature-15.png","keywords":["Culture & Society","Domestic Politics"],"articleSection":["Analysis"],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2024\/12\/why-social-issues-will-pose-critical-test-for-south-koreas-democratic-party\/","url":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2024\/12\/why-social-issues-will-pose-critical-test-for-south-koreas-democratic-party\/","name":"Why social issues will pose critical test for South Korea\u2019s Democratic Party - Korea Pro","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2024\/12\/why-social-issues-will-pose-critical-test-for-south-koreas-democratic-party\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2024\/12\/why-social-issues-will-pose-critical-test-for-south-koreas-democratic-party\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/assets.korearisk.com\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2024\/12\/feature-15.png","datePublished":"2024-12-30T08:33:52+00:00","dateModified":"2024-12-31T08:32:06+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2024\/12\/why-social-issues-will-pose-critical-test-for-south-koreas-democratic-party\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2024\/12\/why-social-issues-will-pose-critical-test-for-south-koreas-democratic-party\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2024\/12\/why-social-issues-will-pose-critical-test-for-south-koreas-democratic-party\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/assets.korearisk.com\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2024\/12\/feature-15.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/assets.korearisk.com\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2024\/12\/feature-15.png","width":1870,"height":1000},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2024\/12\/why-social-issues-will-pose-critical-test-for-south-koreas-democratic-party\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Why social issues will pose critical test for South Korea\u2019s Democratic Party"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/#website","url":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/","name":"Korea Pro","description":"Be smart about South Korea. Up-to-date analysis on foreign relations, politics, society and economy. Made by the producers of NK PRO and NK News.","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/#organization","name":"Korea Pro","url":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/assets.korearisk.com\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2022\/11\/logo.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/assets.korearisk.com\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2022\/11\/logo.png","width":360,"height":50,"caption":"Korea Pro"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/nknewsorg\/","https:\/\/x.com\/southkoreapro"]}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2207738"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10407"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2207738"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2207738\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2207753,"href":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2207738\/revisions\/2207753"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2207739"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2207738"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2207738"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2207738"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}