In a recent surge of activity, numerous political YouTubers flocked to Seoul National University Hospital (SNUH), where South Korea’s main opposition party leader, Lee Jae-myung, is receiving treatment following an attack. This influx of YouTubers started even before Lee’s transfer from Busan on Jan. 2. Notably, many were seen walking around the hospital, broadcasting live without masks. Among these YouTubers, some, presumed to be Lee’s supporters, expressed their distress with cries of “my heart is racing” and demands to “find out who’s behind this.”
The incident escalated as some YouTubers stayed up throughout the night, live-streaming the situation while the hospital established a security cordon to prevent accidents. In one instance, a YouTuber with 100,000 subscribers resorted to coarse language when addressing dissenting views. A group of YouTubers also disrupted a press conference at SNUH on Jan. 4, leading to further tension.
This is not the first instance of such behavior. In December of the previous year, a similar controversy surrounded the funeral of actor Lee Sun-kyun. YouTubers live-streamed the funeral procession, prompting Lee’s agency to plead for restraint due to the excessive disturbance.
The trend of YouTubers livestreaming every notable event, especially those involving politicians and celebrities, has become increasingly common. These YouTubers often monetize their sensationalized content to attract subscribers. With the April general election approaching, political content is particularly rampant. Their unregulated status often makes these channels hotbeds for misinformation and fake news.
Regarding the recent attack on Lee Jae-myung, the police believe the assailant acted alone. However, Kim Ou-joon, a broadcaster supportive of Lee Jae-myung, speculated on YouTube, stating, “The attack on Lee is definitely a planned crime, and the people behind it must be found.” This post was followed by comments such as “It was done by an assassin sent by First Lady Kim Keon-hee” and “President Yoon paid for it to cover up the issue of Kim’s special investigation proposal.”
YouTube’s algorithm, designed to cater to user preferences, often exposes viewers to a single-sided narrative. This echo chamber effect is thought to exacerbate political polarization, a concern heightened by the fact that YouTubers’ income is directly tied to their viewership, often leading to inflammatory and unverified content.
The issue of political YouTubers transcends party lines. Yet, both parties have a notable reluctance to address it, likely to avoid alienating their own supporters who engage in this practice. The individual responsible for attacking Lee was reportedly an avid consumer of political YouTube content, underscoring the urgency of this issue. It is time for both ruling and opposition parties to seek solutions to this growing challenge collaboratively.
