[Opinion] Why Does the Conservative Camp Keep Dividing?

It has now become common knowledge that conservatism collapses due to division. These days, it is showing almost the peak of division. Division does not only mean a party splitting apart. Even if they are under the same party, if they are psychologically divided, it is the same as division. It is not difficult to imagine what lies at the end of endless division.

At its inception, the Yoon Seok-yeol administration was broadly a coalition of traditional conservatives (Yoon Seok-yeol) + 2030 generation (Lee Jun-seok) + centrists (Kim Jong-in). President Yoon narrowed his own ruling base by distancing former emergency committee chairman Kim Jong-in and ousting former party leader Lee Jun-seok. However, he did not attract a new support base either. Even Kim Ki-hyun, the 'pro-Yoon candidate' and party leader, stepped down before completing a year. Following that, the Han Dong-hoon leadership emerged. President Yoon is also in conflict with Han, who was once his close aide. Politically, it seems the two have already crossed a bridge of no return. A single photo taken on the 21st at the Yongsan Presidential Office, showing the two meeting at a square table, said it all. It is a division of the conservative forces, unprecedented in history, with the president and party leader in conflict. With most voters turning away in frustration, the approval ratings are unsurprisingly low.

The conservative forces firmly took control of the political mainstream through the three-party merger (Democratic Justice Party, Unified Democratic Party, and New Democratic Republican Party) in 1990. However, starting with the founding of the United Liberal Democrats in 1995 and Lee In-je's founding of the People's New Party in 1997, division began. Parties like the Min-guk Party in 2000 and the Pro-Park Alliance in 2008 were also born from conservative splits due to dissatisfaction with candidate nominations. Yet, until then, the broad conservative trend was maintained. The voter landscape was similar between conservatives and progressives, or conservatives held a slight edge. This changed dramatically from the 2020 21st general election held after the 'Park Geun-hye impeachment'. Conservatives received 41.54%, while progressives received 52.2%, with progressive supporters outnumbering conservatives by 10.66%. In the most recent general election, the gap widened to 12.24%. Conservatives are now clearly a 'minority'. The division of a majority can lead to either victory or defeat, but the division of a minority leaves no option but defeat.

Why do conservatives divide? The first reason is arrogance. They are immersed in the illusion of "I am right," the dogmatism of "listen to me," the sense of authority of "you're too young," and a strong elitism of "who do you think I am?" They forget that they exist because of the dedication of many and believe they have reached their current position because they are superior. An individual who has worked in conservative politics for over 30 years said, "When things go well, they neglect those around them, and when things are difficult, they seek them out, so respect does not arise from the heart. Generally, the elitist mindset is too strong."

Also, there is no figure in the current conservative political sphere who exercises integrative leadership. This applies to both active politicians and elders. Without leadership that humbles oneself, listens to others, and embraces the whole, they are quick to criticize opponents and focus only on factionalism. There is no one who shows a respectable, trustworthy, and follow-worthy image. Therefore, scattering and advancing individually is perhaps inevitable.

Another reason is that many are bound by interests rather than philosophy or vision. If they shared philosophy or vision, they would unite even in difficult situations, but since they do not, they waver according to interests at the moment. Without firm principles and with candidate nominations depending on whose side one is on, conflicts intensify.