Some scholars who study South Korean politics have observed that the conservative media presents a particular problem for those who are interested in democratic development. The conservative media, they argue, provides a support structure for the conservative political interests which must be challenged if there is to be a more democratic political structure developed in South Korea. (1)
Recently, large protests in the form of candlelight demonstrations have taken place in South Korea. Directed against the neoliberal policies of the Lee Myung-bak government, they have continued for over two months. The candlelight vigils began on May 2. Since then candlelight vigils, often followed by round the clock open public meetings and demonstrations, have been common.
Describing these demonstrations and the online communication that helped make them possible, Kim Dae-jung, a former president of South Korea, observed (3):
“We are experiencing an extraordinary phenomenon in Korea. We are witnessing the practice of direct democracy in Korea amid public participation and their keen interest for the first time since it was exercised in Athens 2,000 years ago. This direct democracy is practiced both on- and off-line via the Internet and text messages, and candlelight vigils on the streets.”
The OhmyNews International Citizen’s Reporters Forum titled Candlelight 2008 (4) held on June 27 explored the role of netizens and the new forms of journalism as the inspiration and catalyst for the development of these events. With the extensive wireless network in Seoul, netizens have been able to report on what is happening using their laptops and webcams and have been able to immediately make their reports available to others around the world.(5) Netizens watching the events, using the Internet, have been able to be in contact with others about what is happening and to find ways to contribute to the developments.
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