Everyday people pin hopes on day without rallies, political uncertainty cleared for economic growth, society that embraces different ideas
As the Constitutional Court’s ruling on the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol approaches, the political divide between his staunch supporters and fierce opponents is growing more intense.
Escalating tensions have heightened fears of potential street clashes, further deepening the nation’s polarization and fueling a cycle of misunderstanding and resentment.
The Korea Herald spoke with five politically unaffiliated Koreans from diverse backgrounds to hear their hopes for life after the Constitutional Court’s ruling — whatever the outcome may be.
The answers were clear: an end to the turmoil spurred by martial law and a collective commitment from both sides to respect the ruling. Above all, they longed for the restoration of peace and normalcy in their daily lives. Here’s what they had to say.
For the past three months, 29-year-old researcher Kim Nam-il, who works at a local manufacturing company, has been most troubled by the relentless news coverage of the escalating protests — both for and against Yoon.
“I think Korean news was filled with the stories about different rallies almost every day since the martial law declaration. I feel exhausted after hearing the unreasonable speeches and actions made by the extremists over and over again,” he said.
Kim never expected that peaceful everyday life would become what he wanted most.
“I heard that the fierce rallies, which began at the areas nearby the presidential residence in Hannam-dong (in Seoul), are now expanded to the local universities. I do respect those who try to make their voices heard. But I really want a day without hearing about Yoon’s supporters and detractors causing social problems,” he said.
Sharing a similar view, Park, a part-time librarian and housewife in her 60s who wished to be identified by her surname, also wanted Korean society to embrace differences.
“Political issues have gone too extreme here. Political division in South Korea is not new, but I think it’s never been this serious. People do not accept the slightest difference or even small signs of opposition seem intolerable to each side,” Kim said.
Park was concerned about the country’s deep political division becoming something that has negatively influenced society, such as worsening the gender divide or generation gap.
“Embracing differences is a way to make our society more positive and productive. I wish for my children and the young generations to live in a world with less hatred and conflict,” the librarian added.
Recent polls indicate a tight race between the two sides, but with a paradoxical twist. While more than half of voters favor a power transition, the ruling party leads in the polls.
According to Realmeter’s latest poll with 1,507 people, conducted from March 5 to 7, the proportion of South Koreans in favor of a transition of power to an opposition figure recorded 50.4 percent, only 6 percentage points higher than those who opposed a power transition at 44 percent. In terms of the favorability ratings for political parties, the poll also suggested the ruling People Power Party narrowly leads at 42.7 percent, 1.7 percentage points ahead of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea’s 41 percent.
Regardless of whetherYoon is reinstated or a new president is elected, Lee Jae-hyun, a 34-year-old engineer living in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, believes the leader of South Korea should prioritize reducing the political uncertainties that impacted the country’s economic growth.
He aid he agreed with news reports as well as political and economic experts on YouTube expressing concerns over the martial law situation affecting the country’s economy.
“Earlier this year, I heard about the government’s gloomy projection for the country’s economic growth in 2025 due to the political uncertainties caused by the martial law imposition. Consumer prices continued to rise as well. These issues, among other matters, are very significant to our daily lives,” said the engineer.
“I personally hope for a government that can stabilize prices and housing expenses for young people to feel less pressure about marriage and raising children in Korean society,” Lee added.
Kim, a gym owner in his 50s, especially hoped consumer sentiment would recover to a state before the martial law declaration.
“Many business owners, including myself, suffered greatly from the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said. "And we went through yet another crisis with the martial law declaration."
“I can see people are trying their best not to spend their money these days, including food expenses and entertainment,” Kim added. "The country needs some pump-priming measures to increase the household spending and make consumer sentiment rebound to a pre-martial law declaration level."
Last month’s composite consumer sentiment index stood at 95.2, up four points from January, according to a survey conducted by the Bank of Korea.
A reading above 100 means optimists outnumber pessimists, while a reading below the benchmark indicates the opposite.
Though the index continues to make a steady increase after falling sharply to 86.6 in December 2024, it is yet to recover to the number before the martial law declaration, which stood at 100.7.
Though the prospect of an early presidential election remains unknown, Kim Yong-ki, a game company worker in his mid-30s, hoped for a leader whom Koreans could wholeheartedly follow.
“I think the voters, including myself, were greatly swayed by the criticisms and rumors made by the candidates’ respective presidential opponents. We need to be smarter and develop our abilities to recognize who can truly lead the country in a right direction,” he said, explaining that Koreans need to pay more attention to what the presidential candidates are willing to do with the election pledges.
“This might seem nothing obvious and basic. But, I think this is what Korean voters took lightly over the past several years,” Kim added.
The 34-year-old feels that such change can easily be made when the upcoming presidential candidates distance themselves from hate campaigns and focus on promoting their election promises.
“Instead of using the records, speeches and actions for political purposes, I hope the next presidential candidates will come up with policies that empathize with voters and bring South Korea to a brighter future,” he said.
Some, however, raised concerns over the possibility of the Constitutional Court’s ruling becoming a new start for yet another political crisis.
“I also want the country to find its political stability like many others. But, I think we still have a long way to go,” said a 30-year-old IT company worker who wished to be identified by his surname Shim.
“I am not sure whether the intense protestors — from both sides — will accept the court’s ruling without questions, judging from the seemingly unending rallies. Lee Jae-myung, a strong contender for the next presidential election, is a controversial individual who could stir up another political divide even if Yoon is removed from office," he explained, adding that he simply wants the country to avoid greater division and conflict.
sj_lee@heraldcorp.com
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