Liberalism in South Korea

This article gives an overview of liberalism (Korean자유주의 or 리버럴리즘; Hanja自由主義; RRJayujuui or Ribeoreollijeum)[1] and its related history in South Korea. It is limited to liberal parties with substantial support, mainly proven by having had a representation in parliament.

Historically, the liberal movement in the South Korean began as a moderate conservative movement against the far-right dictatorship, but in the current political structure of the South Korea, it has become a liberal movement against the conservative movement. The Democratic Party of Korea is a reformist-to-liberal party and is considered centrist.[2] However, in the Korean political context, it is classified as a center-left (or progressive), and there are studies by several experts that it promotes policies that are more right-wing than center-right parties in Western Europe, such as Germany's Christian Democratic Union.[3] Also, the Justice Party is considered a "centre-left to left-wing" party. The party is considered radical progressive or leftist in South Korea, but takes a more moderate stance than the centre-left parties of Western Europe.[4]

There are various political positions within South Korean liberals, but they tend to coalesce on certain stances: promoting harmony with North Korea, justice against Japan, and, wherever possible, autonomy from great power interference, including the United States.[5] South Korean liberalism is also based on a national liberalist-independence movement against China and Japan. South Korean liberals support the Sunshine Policy toward North Korea.[6][7]

  1. ^ "루스벨트는 왜 '계급의 배신자' 소리를 들었나: 박찬수의 '진보를 찾아서'" [Why did Roosevelt hear "betrayer of class"?: Park Chan Soo's 'Finding Progress'.]. The Hankyoreh (in Korean). 11 August 2020. Retrieved 10 January 2022. 1932년 미국 대선은 '리버럴 대 리버럴의 대결'이었다. 프랭클린 루스벨트와 허버트 후버 모두 자신이 '리버럴'임을 강조했다. 루스벨트는 '새로운 리버럴리즘'(new liberalism)을 주창했고, 후버는 '진정한 리버럴리즘'(true liberalism)을 내세웠다. 루스벨트 이후 19세기 자유주의자(liberal)는 보수주의자(conservative)가 됐다. 리버럴은 '진보'라는 새로운 함의를 획득했다. [The 1932 U.S. presidential election was "a confrontation between Liberals and Liberals." Both Franklin Roosevelt and Herbert Hoover stressed that they are "liberal". Roosevelt advocated "new liberalism," and Hoover put forward "true liberalism". After Roosevelt, liberals in the 19th century became conservative. Liberal has acquired a new implication of 'progressive'.]
  2. ^ The Democratic Party of Korea is described as a centrist party by numerous sources:
  3. ^ 조, 성은 (July 20, 2018). 독일 정치 우리의 대안 (in Korean). e지식의 날개. ISBN 9788920032370 – via Google Books.
  4. ^ "심상정에 "시진핑 미소법", "좌파적" 아슬아슬한 이재명 발언". 24 February 2022.
  5. ^ "How Biden Can Navigate a New Era in South Korean Politics". The Diplomat. 15 January 2021. Retrieved 22 January 2022. In broad strokes, the foreign policy of South Korean liberals is clear: promoting harmony with North Korea, justice against Japan, and, wherever possible, autonomy from great power interference, including that of Washington.
  6. ^ "폼페이오 "김정은, 주한미군 원해"…박지원 "김정일도 그랬다"". 26 January 2023.
  7. ^ "송영길 "북, 제2의 베트남 친미국가로...미국에 의견 전달"". YTN. 24 November 2021.[permanent dead link]