Political polarization in Korea

This article provides an empirical overview of political polarization in Korea from 2004 to 2021 based on a wealth of longitudinal surveys. We consider elite as well as mass polarization, document the extent of ideological polarization in terms of standard left-right measures, and consider more specific forms of polarization, including affective polarization and the specific issues that are proving divisive. We find that polarization in the country has increased over time, but not among the electorate as a whole. Rather partisan identifiers and party activists of the two main parties have shown a movement towards the extremes in terms of ideology, issue positions, and aversion towards the other party. For both legislators and the voting public, the substantive scope of political polarization is widening, encompassing not only foreign policy but also economic issues that had not seen strong signs of partisan divergence in the past.