A recent survey shows that 92% of South Koreans perceive political conflict as serious, yet 70% are willing to engage in dialogue with those holding opposing views.
A newly released survey by South Korea's National Integration Commission reveals that a significant 92% of the population views political conflict between conservatives and progressives as serious. Conducted by Gallup Korea among 7,000 adults from late November to December 2022, the research indicates that political divides are perceived as the most urgent issue to address, with 59.5% identifying it as the primary social conflict needing resolution. Other forms of social divisions, including income class (77.3%), generational (71.8%), regional (69.5%), and gender conflicts (61.0%), follow in seriousness.
In terms of emotional responses to these conflicts, feelings of anger (26.6%), hatred (22.0%), and sadness (16.4%) are prevalent, indicating a high level of emotional fatigue associated with societal discord. The survey also highlighted demographic differences in perception, with younger individuals (ages 18-29) more likely to identify gender conflict as a pressing issue, while older respondents (ages 50 and 60) prioritized political disputes as their main concern. This generational divide underscores varying perspectives on what constitutes urgent social conflict in contemporary South Korea.
Interestingly, despite the high level of perceived conflict, a notable 70.4% of respondents expressed willingness to engage in discussions with those holding different opinions. This openness to dialogue appears stronger among younger individuals, and men showed a higher likelihood to communicate than women. The findings suggest that while South Koreans are aware of intense societal conflicts, they lean towards conversation and communication as a preferred method for addressing these issues, reflecting a desire for unity amidst division.
