SEOUL - A recent report by the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs reveals a concerning trend: social conflict in South Korea has reached its highest level since 2018. The primary driver? Escalating tensions between political progressives and conservatives.

The "2024 Social Integration Survey," conducted between June and September 2024, polled 3,000 adults aged 19-75. Participants rated the level of social conflict on a scale of 1 to 4, with the average score reaching 3.04. This marks a significant increase from previous years, demonstrating a consistent rise in perceived societal discord.

Political Divide Deepens

Among various forms of conflict, the divide between progressives and conservatives was deemed the most severe, scoring 3.52. This surge highlights the intensifying political polarization in South Korea. The National Assembly Future Institute's report, "Political Polarization in Korea," identifies key characteristics of this phenomenon, including:

Extreme partisanship and irresponsible party politics
Factional polarization within political parties
Conflicts driven by power struggles rather than policy differences
The rise of hateful rhetoric hindering cooperation
The report also points to the increasing dominance of fervent supporters and opponents in political discourse, further fueling the divide.

Historical Context

The report pinpoints two periods of heightened polarization: 2009 and 2019. The former followed violent clashes between political factions over the Korea-US Free Trade Agreement (FTA), while the latter was marked by intense confrontations regarding electoral law and the establishment of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO).

Other Forms of Conflict

Besides political polarization, other significant areas of social conflict include:

Regional disparities (metropolitan vs. rural areas): 3.06
Disparities between regular and non-regular workers: 3.01
Labor-management disputes: 2.97
Socioeconomic inequality: 2.96
Furthermore, public trust in the legislative branch remains notably low, at 24.59%, compared to the judiciary (43.65%) and the executive branch (39.07%).

This report underscores the urgent need for South Korean society to address its growing divisions, particularly in the political arena, to foster greater social cohesion.