Social Conflicts in Korea: Emerging Ideological Conflict and Its Meaning

초록

It is normal to exist conflicts between various groups in democratic society because democracy values variety. As long as conflicts can be controlled so that they do not cause social and political instability. This paper focuses on 4 types of conflicts; regionalism, class cleavage, the conflict between generations and ideological conflict. Time series analysis insists that class cleavage and ideological divide have become more serious in the last ten years. One of the main reasons to contribute the conflicts resulted from social welfare issue such as free school lunch program. Another factor includes economic democratization by the liberals and the reinvigoration of the economy by the conservatives. Management of the conflicts is of importance. Koreans, according to surveys, do not trust the government to deal with the problem. Therefore, it is imperative to make people think that the government is impartial and efficient.

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