The Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) recently held a convention to elect a new leader and five Supreme Council members, sparking concerns about the impact of fandom-driven politics. The event underscored how passionate supporters can sway political outcomes through coordinated voting. This collective action not only helps their favored candidates secure positions but also has the potential to disadvantage those who lose their support.

Former lawmaker Jung Bong-ju became a casualty of fan-fueled politics. After failing to secure a candidacy in Seoul’s Gangbuk-B district during the April 10 elections, he sought a comeback by running for a seat on the DPK’s Supreme Council. Competing against seven other candidates for five available positions, Jung initially gained strong support. However, his campaign faltered dramatically after he criticized a faction of politicians allied with Rep. Lee Jae-myung, who was ultimately reelected as the DPK leader.

Lee’s controversial support group, known as the “gae-ttal” or “d
aughters of revolution,” launched a boycott against Jung after he labeled Lee’s aides as a “cancer” that needs to be removed from the party. This comment, coupled with previous criticisms questioning Lee’s suitability for the presidency, incited outrage among Lee’s supporters. They organized a campaign against Jung, mobilizing members of the online fan café “Jaemyung’s Village” to vote for other candidates in a bid to oust him. As a result, Jung failed to secure a position on the party’s Supreme Council, finishing sixth in the final vote.

This incident illustrates how fervent supporter groups can manipulate election outcomes and sway party decisions. Politicians, recognizing the influence of these loyal factions, might be tempted to depend on them, much like celebrities rely on their fan bases for success. However, this dependence on fanatical support can be risky and fraught with potential consequences.

Fan-fueled politics is not a new phenomenon. Before Lee, other politicians also had fervent followings.
Former Presidents Moon Jae-in and Park Geun-hye are notable examples of leaders with intensely devoted supporters.

A Gallup survey released on May 6, 2022, just days before Moon left office, showed his approval rating at 45 percent. This made him the first Korean president to have an approval rating above 30 percent near the end of his term. His relatively high rating indicated that, compared to his predecessors, Moon had a larger base of strong supporters who remained loyal despite his administration’s mismanagement of several key policy areas, such as housing and foreign policy.

As demonstrated by Moon’s supporters, fanatical followers often back their favorite politicians not for their job performance but out of personal attachment to the politician.

Blind allegiance from fanatical supporters often does more harm than good. The recent DPK elections highlight how these groups can be manipulative, using boycotts and other collective actions to influence party decisions. Although politicians need a strong
support base, they must be wary of becoming overly reliant on emotionally driven fans, who can be unpredictable and quick to shift their loyalty.

Supporters and fans are not the same. Supporters make decisions based on a politician’s policy vision and legislative record, behaving as reasonable voters. In contrast, fans are driven more by emotion and are less predictable. Relying on these volatile groups to determine a politician’s fate is inherently risky and dangerous.

The growing influence of fanatical supporters in politics is a troubling trend. Unfortunately, there are no binding measures in place to limit their collective actions, as such restrictions could infringe on freedoms of association and expression. Politicians need to think creatively to develop strategies that encourage a culture of healthy political participation among their supporters, ensuring that engagement remains constructive and balanced.

Source: Yonhap News Agency