This article gives an overview of liberalism (Korean: 자유주의 or 리버럴리즘; Hanja: 自由主義; RR: Jayujuui or Ribeoreollijeum)[1] and its related history in South Korea.
[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.
[23][24][25] In South Korea, the terms "liberal," "liberty," "libertarian," and "freedom" all tend to be translated into Jayu (자유; 自由).
Also, right-wing socially conservative media in South Korea regard the American tradition of right-libertarianism as progressive because it is culturally liberal.
[30] South Korean liberals have a more nationalistic nature based on anti-imperialism in matters related to neighboring powers such as Japan.
On the other hand, Korea's conservative elites cooperated with neighboring powers such as Qing China and Japan for practical reasons.
In modern South Korean politics, where socialism and anti-Americanism were thoroughly suppressed by conservatives with the support of the United States, liberals resent domestic interference by foreign powers.
[31] South Korean liberals tends to take a nuanced and pragmatic stance towards China and Russia, preferring cooperation to promote peace on the peninsula.
[36] They also pursue an assertive stance on the sovereignty of the disputed islands of Liancourt Rocks, known in Korea as Dokdo, straining relations with Japan as a result.
[37] However, South Korean liberals are more strongly opposed than conservatives to human rights violations in other authoritarian states (e.g., China, Myanmar, etc.)
)[38][39] In 2022, the liberal Kyunghyang Shinmun newspaper criticized President Yoon Suk-yeol for ignoring the human rights issue of Xinjiang.
[40] South Korean major liberals mainly criticize mainstream conservatives, distancing themselves from any heritage and relationship with the military dictatorship, insist on political reform and the rule of law, supporting the foreign policy of reconciliation with North Korea.
(The socially conservative tendency of South Korean liberals is not traditional conservatism based on Confucianism, but is more influenced by Christianity.
Silhak criticized the existing Confucian conservatism and Sadaejuui, aiming for political reform and pragmatism, and also argued for the superiority of Western science and technology.
[44] Other nationalist elements are alarmed by the intrusion of Christianity and turns towards Donghak neo-Confucianist movements to counter Western influence.
However, South Korean liberal democracy collapses in less than a year in a 1961 military coup caused by Major Park Chung Hee.