The article provides a historical overview of South Korea's political landscape since the division in 1945, highlighting the dominance of conservative forces as a result of the illegalization of leftist movements. With the conservative powers gaining control through anti-communist rhetoric and even authoritarian measures, the liberal reform forces struggled to maintain their presence. After a significant victory in 1987 leading to direct presidential elections, opportunities for the liberal faction surfaced but were redirected due to the conservative coalition formed in the Yeongnam region, which led to a steady gain of power for conservative forces.

As the political landscape evolved, the liberal reform forces found some strength through alliances with various demographics, leading to significant electoral victories in 1997 and 2002. However, despite some successes, the article points out the ongoing challenge for the liberal factions in creating a sustainable 'majority coalition' necessary for long-term governance. With the continued dominance of conservative forces sustained by pre-existing institutional structures and economic frameworks, the article warns about their resilience and capacity to regain control, as evidenced by incidents like the election of President Yoon Suk-yeol in 2022.

In conclusion, the article touches upon the current narrative pushed by conservative factions claiming that the liberal reform groups are the real power holders, countering the typical criticisms of conservatism. It suggests these claims are a strategic move to rally conservative support, reflecting the ongoing tension and struggle for power between these ideological forces in South Korea's political arena, especially with crucial elections approaching in the near future.