As the Constitutional Court’s ruling on the impeachment trial of President Yoon Suk-yeol draws near, data shows that those who subscribe to YouTube channels are more likely to be hardcore supporters of either political camp. Moreover, people who primarily consume news through YouTube are more inclined to reject the court’s decision if it goes against their expectations, compared to those who rely on other media platforms.
A survey conducted by the Inclusive Society Research Institute (Director: Professor Jongseong Yoo, Visiting Professor of Public Administration at Yonsei University), commissioned by Open Net, investigated political polarization and media consumption patterns between March 29 and April 1 through online and in-person interviews.
The results show that 97.5% of respondents believe that political polarization and conflict in South Korean society are serious (with 86.3% saying “very serious” and 11.2% saying “somewhat serious”).
According to Table 1, a clear majority (71.8%) agreed with the general principle that “regardless of the Constitutional Court’s decision on impeachment, it must be accepted,” indicating broad consensus across both pro- and anti-impeachment groups. However, when the question was framed more specifically—whether “anti-impeachment protesters should accept the decision if the impeachment is upheld” or “pro-impeachment protesters should accept it if the impeachment is dismissed”—responses diverged significantly along partisan lines. Notably, the data also reveal marked differences between YouTube subscribers and non-subscribers.
[Table 1] Acceptance of the Constitutional Court’s Decision on Impeachment
| Accept the Constitutional Court’s decision | All respondents | Pro-impeachment | Oppose impeachment |
| Strongly agree | 24.5% | 24.7% | 24.1% |
| Generally agree | 47.3% | 47.2% | 48.4% |
| Generally disagree | 18.8% | 20.8% | 14.7% |
| Strongly disagree | 9.4% | 7.3% | 12.6% |
As shown in Table 2, only 52.1% agreed that “anti-impeachment protesters should accept the decision if the impeachment is upheld,” while 30.2% disagreed. Even within the anti-impeachment camp, a clear divide emerged based on media consumption: 66% of non-YouTube subscribers expressed agreement, and only 15.9% disagreed. In contrast, among anti-impeachment YouTube subscribers, just 40.4% agreed, while 42.3% opposed the statement.
[Table 2] Agreement with “Anti-impeachment Protesters Should Accept the Decision if the Impeachment is Upheld”
| Accept the citation | Pro-impeachment | Oppose impeachment | YouTube Subscribers among the group opposing impeachment | Unsubscribers among the group opposing impeachment |
| Strongly Agree | 86.0% | 25.0% | 21.2% | 29.6% |
| Generally Agree | 8.4% | 27.1% | 19.2% | 36.4% |
| Neutral/Don’t know | 3.4% | 17.7% | 17.3% | 18.2% |
| Generally Disagree | 1.1% | 8.3% | 7.7% | 9.1% |
| Strongly Disagree | 1.1% | 21.9% | 34.6% | 6.8% |
Table 3 further illustrates the partisan divide. Among impeachment supporters, only 27% agreed that “pro-impeachment protesters should accept the decision if the impeachment is dismissed,” while 64.1% disagreed. Among pro-impeachment non-YouTube users, 42.9% agreed and 49.5% disagreed. However, among YouTube subscribers in this group, agreement dropped dramatically to 10.4%, while opposition rose to 79.3%.
[Table 3] Agreement with “Pro-impeachment Protesters Should Accept the Decision if the Impeachment is Dismissed”
| Accept the dismissal | Pro-impeachment | Oppose impeachment | YouTube Subscribers among the group opposing impeachment | Unsubscribers among the group opposing impeachment |
| Strongly Agree | 18.0% | 52.6% | 9.2% | 26.4% |
| Generally Agree | 9.0% | 31.6% | 1.2% | 16.5% |
| Neutral/Don’t know | 9.0% | 12.6% | 10.3% | 7.7% |
| Generally Disagree | 13.5% | 2.1% | 19.5% | 7.7% |
| Strongly Disagree | 50.6% | 1.1% | 59.8% | 41.8% |
As seen in Table 4, respondents’ primary sources of news and daily information were TV (55.1%), online news and portals (50.5%), YouTube (50.5%), and newspapers (21.8%). Among pro-impeachment rally participants, the most commonly used sources were online news and portals (60.0%), YouTube (60.0%), TV (43.3%), and KakaoTalk (22.2%). Anti-impeachment participants showed a stronger reliance on YouTube (64.5%) and TV (48.4%), followed by newspapers (22.6%) and online news/portals (22.6%). In contrast, those who did not attend either type of rally relied most on TV (63.4%), online news and portals (50.9%), YouTube (41.6%), and newspapers (24.5%), indicating relatively lower use of YouTube in this group.
[Table 4] Primary Media Sources for News and Daily Information (Multiple Responses Allowed)
| News Source | Total | Pro-Impeachment Rally | Anti-Impeachment Rally | No Rally Participation |
| Newspapers | 21.8% | 15.6% | 22.6% | 25.5% |
| TV | 55.1% | 43.3% | 48.4% | 63.4% |
| Radio | 6.7% | 3.3% | 6.5% | 8.7% |
| Internet press, portals | 50.5% | 60.0% | 22.6% | 50.9% |
| YouTube | 50.5% | 60.0% | 64.5% | 41.6% |
| KakaoTalk | 13.0% | 22.2% | 19.4% | 6.8% |
| Other | 2.8% | 2.2% | 3.2% | 3.1% |
As shown in Table 5, significant differences in primary news sources emerge depending on respondents’ views on martial law. Among those who believed the declaration of martial law was justified, YouTube was the most frequently cited source (66.7%), followed by TV (52.8%). Conversely, those who viewed martial law as unjustified but still opposed impeachment relied more on TV (61.9%), with a lower rate of YouTube usage (46.0%). Among pro-impeachment respondents who did not support imprisonment for insurrection, an overwhelming majority (91.3%) identified TV as their main source of information, followed by online news and portals (43.5%) and YouTube (only 21.7%). In contrast, those who supported both impeachment and strong punitive measures for insurrection showed a stronger reliance on online news and portals (60.5%) and YouTube (52.9%), while TV usage among them stood at 46.5%.
[Table 5] Primary News Sources by View on Martial Law
| News Source | Martial Law is Justified | Martial Law is Wrong, but Oppose Impeachment | Support Impeachment but Oppose Insurrection Charges | Support Impeachment and Strong Punishment for Insurrection |
| Newspapers | 22.2% | 36.5% | 30.4% | 14.6% |
| TV | 52.8% | 61.9% | 91.3% | 46.5% |
| Radio | 2.8% | 7.9% | 12.0% | 5.7% |
| Internet press, portals | 25.0% | 44.4% | 43.5% | 60.5% |
| YouTube | 66.7% | 46.0% | 21.7% | 52.9% |
| KakaoTalk | 22.2% | 11.1% | 4.3% | 13.4% |
| Other | 0.0% | 4.8% | 0.0% | 2.5% |
In terms of the media primarily used by younger and older age groups, younger respondents relied most on online news and portals (69.5%), followed by YouTube (57.6%), TV (37.3%), and newspapers (16.9%). In contrast, respondents aged 60 and above showed a different order of preference: TV (59.8%) was most common, followed by YouTube (48.4%), online news and portals (46.1%), and newspapers (23.7%).
While older adults showed a relatively higher reliance on traditional media such as TV and newspapers compared to younger people, their use of digital media was also remarkably high—showing only modest differences from the younger group. In particular, the relatively high rate of YouTube usage among the older population is notable.
[Table 6] Primary News Sources Among Younger and Older Adults (Age 60 and Above)
| News Source | Under 60 | Over 60 |
| Newspapers | 16.9% | 23.7% |
| TV | 37.3% | 59.8% |
| Radio | 10.2% | 5.9% |
| Internet press, portals | 69.5% | 46.1% |
| YouTube | 57.6% | 48.4% |
| KakaoTalk | 13.6% | 12.3% |
| Other | 5.1% | 2.3% |
YouTube subscribers were also found to be more likely, on average, to endorse claims that lacked a strong factual basis or that reflected extreme or conspiratorial views. For example, among anti-impeachment respondents, 57.1% believed the claim that there was a systematic election fraud organized by the National Election Commission. This belief was significantly more prevalent among those who relied primarily on YouTube for information—70.8% of them believed the claim—compared to 41.9% of those who did not use YouTube as a primary information source. Similarly, among pro-impeachment respondents, 47.2% believed the allegation that there was a plan during the martial law period to kill between 5,000 and 10,000 people. Again, belief in this claim was notably higher among those who primarily used YouTube (62.5%) compared to those who did not (32.6%).
[Table 7] Belief Among Anti-Impeachment Respondents in the Claim of “Systematic Election Fraud by the National Election Commission”
| View on Election Fraud | Anti-Impeachment Respondents | YouTube Subscribers | Non-YouTube Subscribers |
| True | 57.1% | 70.8% | 41.9% |
| False | 20.9% | 14.6% | 27.9% |
| Don’t Know | 14.6% | 14.6% | 30.2% |
[Table 8] Belief Among Pro-Impeachment Respondents in the Claim That “There Was a Plan to Kill 5,000–10,000 People During Martial Law”
| Anti-Impeachment Respondents | YouTube Subscribers | Non-YouTube Subscribers | |
| True | 47.2% | 62.5% | 32.6% |
| False | 26.7% | 14.8% | 38.0% |
| Don’t Know | 26.1% | 22.7% | 29.4% |
When asked about concerns that algorithms on platforms like YouTube may reinforce confirmation bias, 43.8% of respondents said they “try to evaluate both sides objectively.” Another 29.3% acknowledged that “there may be times when I or my side do not fully understand the facts.” However, 22.8% expressed the view that confirmation bias is a problem not of themselves or their side, but of the opposing side.
[Table 9] Views on the Concern That Algorithms on Platforms Like YouTube Reinforce Confirmation Bias
| Confirmation bias | Total | Pro-Impeachment Rally | Anti-Impeachment Rally | No Rally Participation |
| The Other Side | 22.8% | 34.4% | 46.4% | 12.3% |
| Me and My Side Too | 29.3% | 33.3% | 17.9% | 29.7% |
| Objectively Evaluate Both Sides | 43.8% | 30.0% | 32.1% | 52.9% |
| Other | 4.0% | 2.2% | 3.6% | 5.2% |
Finally, when asked about their willingness to participate in an educational program on how to identify misinformation and disinformation on YouTube, social media, and the internet—as well as how to avoid phishing—38.7% of respondents expressed interest (4.7% definitely willing, 34.1% willing if possible).
This survey was conducted over a four-day period from March 29 to April 1, 2025, with 83 respondents interviewed in person and 202 surveyed online via Google Forms, resulting in a total of 285 participants. In line with the study’s objective of examining media usage and political polarization among older adults, individuals aged 60 and above were intentionally oversampled. As a result, the sample included 219 respondents aged 60 or older, 59 respondents under 60, and 7 with unspecified age. Since the sample is not nationally representative, the political orientation and impeachment stance of respondents are not disclosed. However, differences in media usage by political orientation and the attitudes and perceptions within each subgroup—depending on their primary media sources—still offer valuable insights.
The findings underscore the urgent need for digital media literacy education, especially for older adults, in response to the rapid growth of digital platforms and the widespread dissemination of false, manipulated, or distorted information. Beyond basic training on how to use digital devices, it is clear that more comprehensive media literacy programs are required. Such education is especially important for mitigating social conflict and fostering national unity in the aftermath of the Constitutional Court’s ruling on the impeachment case.
Open Net and the Institute for an Inclusive Society plan to conduct focus group interviews on media use, inviting 4 to 5 participants each from both pro- and anti-impeachment groups following the Constitutional Court’s decision.
April 3, 2025
Open Net
Institute for an Inclusive Society
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