Different Perspective

If you’re tuned into American politics, you probably recognize the pattern. Raising questions about the integrity of the 2020 election? Well, get ready for immediate backlash. You might be labeled a “conspiracy theorist,” dubbed as “a threat to democracy,” or even called a “far-right extremist.” Big Tech might have deplatformed you, and for a while, legacy media has had little mercy, poking fun at you.

I’m reaching out from Seoul, South Korea, to let you know that you’re not alone. On this side of the Pacific, we’re grappling with the same conflicts and the same powerful forces.

In South Korea, questioning the integrity of elections is basically off-limits. Even a mild suggestion like, “Maybe there’s some fraud in the April 2020 general election, so can we look into it?” can lead to social fallout. For years—decades, maybe?—this kind of environment has been a tool to silence dissenters.

The parallels between our situations are striking. Here in the U.S., mainstream media often feels like a single entity, despite a sizable group of voters, including Donald Trump, raising doubts about election integrity. They use the same phrases: “baseless claims,” “debunked theories,” and “dangerous rhetoric.” It often feels like they’re not reporting news but serving tailored narratives.

In both Seoul and Washington, traditional media is faltering. While platforms like YouTube might be on the up, mainstream media still largely controls the narrative. They decide what counts as “fact” and what gets dismissed as “fiction.”

Leftist Leader

So, who’s actually in charge? In South Korea, it’s pretty evident. Powerful leftist groups maintain comprehensive control over the media landscape.

A significant portion of South Korea’s media is steered by influential left-wing labor unions, which are more than just groups pushing for better pay. They actively shape editorial stances. From state-run broadcasters to major commercial media, key positions often go to individuals aligned with these unions, who seem eager to promote their agenda while stifling opposing views.

This distortion is exacerbated by a disturbing reliance on American and Western liberal media. Korean news outlets often just echo reports from CNN, The New York Times, and the BBC as if they are absolute truths. They’re importing biases from mainstream media, translating them, and passing them off as “objective world opinion.”

And it’s a two-way street, unfortunately. Many local correspondents for Western news organizations in Seoul share ideologies with the leftist factions. Whether intentionally or not, I see them as ideological gatekeepers. They characterize South Korea’s conservative movement as “far-right” or “nationalist” when reporting for English-speaking audiences. This creates a frustrating feedback loop: American leftists quote South Korean leftists to bolster their claims, and vice versa.

What’s perhaps most painful is the betrayal from within. Just like American conservatives deal with “RINOs,” we in South Korea grapple with “conservative media.” Just the name feels off.

South Korea’s main conservative newspapers, which once stood strong, have now essentially given in. Faced with serious allegations of election fraud, they’ve chosen to stay silent or, worse, to mock patriots seeking transparency. It’s as if they’ve abandoned their responsibility to the public to preserve their status among the elite. As a result, readership is in decline, and credibility is a wreck.

Conservatives Unite

The real casualties in this struggle are the people. Citizens in both countries are starved for truth. We’re in a highly uneven playing field where the media—the referees—seem to be rooting for the opposing team.

In the U.S., issues came to light when Fox News faced internal challenges, and the alternative media landscape remains vibrant. Here in South Korea, we’re in a much shakier position. We lack robust platforms willing to confront the prevailing narratives head-on.

The time for merely expressing dissatisfaction is behind us. It’s clear that building a movement is essential, but that’s not enough. Conservatives in both Korea and America need to see how intertwined our media landscapes are. We’re battling a globalized censorship network.

If we don’t dismantle the hold that this left-wing media cartel has, democracy will continue to decay, and the essential element of democracy, the media, will fade away. Restoring balance in journalism isn’t just desirable; it’s crucial. Someone needs to share the truth. That’s why I’m writing this, and that’s why we must unite in our fight.