Divided Korean Society: Judges vs. Spectators – Revealing Key Differences

Understanding the Divide in Korean Society: Judges vs. Spectators

A recent survey conducted by 한국리서치 reveals a significant divide within Korean society, with individuals categorized into two distinct groups: judges and spectators. The survey aimed to understand the perspectives of these two groups on various key issues prevalent in Korean society.

Characteristics of the Judges Group

The judges group, although positioned in the political spectrum as moderate, exhibits a relatively stronger progressive inclination compared to the spectators group. They actively engage in political activities, participate in voting, and display a higher level of interest and efficacy in political matters.

Characteristics of the Spectators Group

In contrast, the spectators group demonstrates a lower interest and involvement in politics. They frequently respond with “I don’t know” when questioned about diverse issues in Korean society. Their level of interest and efficacy in politics is notably lower compared to the judges group.

Consensus and Opposition

Both groups display a balance of agreement and opposition on various issues. While there is a tendency for both groups to lean towards progressive or conservative views depending on the issue, it is important to note that not all judges are universally progressive.

Key Issues and Group Responses

An analysis of 25 issues, excluding one neutral topic, reveals that the judges group tends to provide slightly more progressive responses on 18 out of the 25 issues compared to the spectators group. On progressive issues, the judges group exhibits higher levels of support, while on conservative issues, they express stronger opposition.

Some notable key issues where the differences between the two groups are prominent include:

• Reducing the Power of the Prosecution: The judges group shows higher support (67%) compared to the spectators group (52%).
• US-China Diplomatic Balance: Both groups demonstrate high support, but the judges group (86%) exhibits higher levels compared to the spectators group (69%).
• Subway Protests by Disabled Individuals: The judges group expresses stronger opposition (50%) compared to the spectators group (39%).
• Legal Recognition of Same-Sex Marriage: The judges group exhibits higher levels of opposition (61%) compared to the spectators group (50%).

Conclusion and Methodology

It is crucial to avoid generalizing that all judges are universally progressive based on this survey, as there are cases where the spectators group shows more progressive tendencies. The survey conducted by 한국리서치 targeted 1,533 adults aged 18 and above and was carried out online. The margin of error for this survey is ±2.5% with a 95% confidence level.

For more detailed information on the survey methodology, please refer to the website of the Central Election Opinion Research Deliberation Committee.

Source: 경향신문