Sae Won Chung

This study investigates the North Korean defector phenomenon by approaching YouTube as an internet forum for public discourse, using the novel analytic approaches of social network analysis, text mining and semantic analysis. The research produced three main findings. First, individual YouTube content creators are most influential in the video networks pertaining to the subject of North Korean defectors. Second, on YouTube space, the image of North Korea tends to be negative because of the prevalence of defectors' testimony of their life experiences. Finally, such negative narratives of North Korea on YouTube might have a negative influence by blocking the reunification of Korea. In conclusion, this study suggests the South Korean government and other relevant global actors should conduct thorough and continuous examinations of North Korean defectors' perceptions of South Koreans and vice versa. This study calls for the international community to take further action to formulate proper policy instruments.

This study revisits the concept of multitude analyzed by Michael Hardt and Antonio Negri, based on a case study of candlelight vigils and national flag rallies in South Korea (Republic of Korea), and questions whether mass mobilization similar to multitude always contributes to democracy. Since the 2000s, candlelight vigils have been regarded as an excellent example of multitude in Korean politics. The social media-based demonstrations were impactful, particularly in 2017 when these vigils led to the impeachment of the former President. However, the positive outlook was seriously undermined when the pro-authoritarian national flag rallies against the impeachment were also based on Internet-based mobilization. This paper adopts social network analysis that will show the forms of the candlelight vigils and the national flag rallies. In particular, it will explore the structural similarities and differences between the two sorts of mobilization by measuring the YouTube networks of both rallies. Finally, this study concludes that Internet social networks on their own do not guarantee the development of democracy and multitude-like rallies on social media do not necessarily promote democracy. This analysis will contribute to the further discussion of emotional mobilization and the possibilities of network politics, while broadening the theoretical approaches of Hardt and Negri.