Kwak Sang-eon: "Next Year's Local Elections Must Be the First to Eliminate Candidates Chosen by YouTube Power"

YouTube Power Shakes Up Party Nominations,
Serious Political Interference
"YouTube Candidates Must Not Be Allowed...
Next Year's Election Must Set Things Right"

Assemblyman Kwak Sang-eon of the Democratic Party of Korea recently issued a strong criticism against certain YouTube channels for their political interference, directly stating, "YouTube power is influencing party nominations." Kwak pointed out that YouTube channels have gone beyond being mere platforms for public opinion, now wielding political influence and even using politicians as commercial tools, which he described as "abnormal."

Sang-eon Kwak, member of the Democratic Party of Korea. Sang-eon Kwak Facebook

On September 29, through his social networking service (SNS) Facebook account, Assemblyman Kwak stated, "YouTube power is constantly intervening in politics and is particularly deeply involved in party nominations," adding, "This has moved beyond the 'entertainment of politics' to a full-scale 'commercialization of politics.'"

Kwak emphasized the core issue of political interference by citing remarks made about himself by progressive YouTuber Lee Donghyeong on a recent broadcast. He said, "The core of political interference is YouTube's involvement in internal party primaries." He further claimed, "Some YouTube power brokers have already selected candidates for next June's local elections. YouTube channels are virtually conducting election campaigns by featuring certain candidates regularly or through special programming. There may even have been exchanges of consulting fees for election services."

"YouTube Candidates Should Not Become Party Candidates"

Kwak Sang-eon, member of the Democratic Party of Korea. Kwak Sang-eon Facebook

He also asserted, "If a candidate chosen by YouTube power receives a party nomination and runs in next year's local elections, it is an admission that YouTube is dominating the political sphere," and insisted, "Candidates selected by YouTube power should not become official party candidates."

Kwak further criticized YouTube channel operators for inviting politicians to increase subscribers and views, while also using them for product promotions. He said, "Gaining commercial benefits by leveraging the credibility of politicians, such as members of the National Assembly, is essentially 'doing business with politics,'" warning, "Depending on the specific facts, this could become a criminal law issue."

He continued, "YouTube power remains silent in the face of counterarguments, instead attacking the individual politician who delivered the message. This is a typical fallacy used when the message is true," he criticized. Kwak declared, "The 2026 nationwide local elections must be the first election in which candidates chosen by YouTube power are eliminated," and added, "Political parties and the public must work together to correct this abnormal political interference."

In conclusion, he emphasized, "The root of the problem is not a particular individual, but the phenomenon of 'YouTube power dominating politics' itself," adding, "If any individual has used criminal means to maintain or commercialize this, they must be held accountable."