The results of the "2025 Social Integration Survey" released by the Korea Institute of Public Administration on July 7 present a complex and serious challenge for South Korean society. According to the survey, the most significant social conflict perceived by the public is the ideological divide between conservatives and progressives, scoring 3.2 out of 4, which is the highest among various conflicts. This figure surpasses class conflict (2.9) and labor-management conflict (2.8). Interestingly, the percentage of respondents identifying as progressive has increased by 2.7 percentage points to 27.1%, while those identifying as conservative has decreased to 29.6%. Although the political landscape has shifted toward progressivism, the response indicating that "growth is important" has risen to 30.3%, while the belief that "distribution is important" has dropped by 5.4 percentage points to 31.2% over the past year. This indicates a paradoxical trend where those with progressive leanings are opting for pragmatic growth policies in economic matters.
This divergence between ideological leanings and economic demands is attributed to the current severe social and structural crisis. As the global economic downturn, high inflation, and rising interest rates become more pronounced, a survival instinct is spreading, suggesting that "the pie to be shared may disappear." In the past, the progressive camp's core principle was to resolve polarization through welfare and distribution. However, with increasing youth unemployment and sluggish domestic demand, there is a growing belief that the economy must first expand to create jobs and secure welfare funding, leading to a pragmatic prioritization of growth.
Ironically, this economic survival crisis is further deepening ideological conflicts. The extreme opposition between conservatives and progressives in South Korea has long transcended mere policy differences. In the political arena, efforts to maximize the interests of respective factions have led to the demonization of opposing sides, with media, YouTube, and social media amplifying this political polarization. The resulting ideological conflict, devoid of dialogue and compromise, is undermining the social capital of trust and causing critical structural reform tasks related to pensions, labor, and education to drift. If this conflict continues, the ladder of social mobility will be severed amid low growth, leading to a fragmented society where mutual animosity deepens.
Ultimately, the solution lies in establishing a "virtuous growth model" where the warmth of growth leads to distribution, and distribution, in turn, becomes a driving force for growth. It is time to move beyond the binary ideological framework of conservatism and progressivism. The government and political sphere must transition to a practical policy paradigm that harmoniously incorporates the public sentiment revealed in this survey, namely the dual demands for "securing future growth through growth" and "building a social safety net." Sustainable growth must be pursued while ensuring that no marginalized groups are left behind in the process of inclusive growth.
Furthermore, the ultimate goal for South Korean society should be the restoration of a community of social integration and solidarity. To bridge the gaps of conflict, institutional innovation in the political sphere is essential, as well as fostering a social tolerance that recognizes differing opinions as "different choices" rather than "wrong thoughts." Only when fragmented individuals unite for common prosperity can we hope for a sustainable future. Now, as a social consensus on the necessity of growth to expand the pie is forming, it is the right time to move beyond ideological confrontation toward coexistence and integration in South Korea.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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