YouTube

YouTube is immensely popular in South Korea, boasting 41.8 million active users out of a population of 51.6 million. In September alone, these users collectively spent a staggering 1.38 billion hours on the platform, as data provider Mobile Index reported.

Interestingly, YouTube has become a go-to platform for current affairs programs seeking to reach wider audiences and enjoy greater freedom of expression. One example is "Modesty is Nothing," which emerged as the revamped version of the radio show "News Factory" after it was taken off the air due to a dispute with the government.

South Korea exhibits a high penetration rate of YouTube usage. According to Statista, a market, and consumer data statistics site, the country had over 46 million YouTube users as of January this year, accounting for more than 90% of the population, significantly surpassing the usage rate in the United States, which stands at over 70%.

Both traditional media outlets and smaller independent companies spanning the political spectrum have embraced YouTube as a platform. Many of these entities have established their own YouTube channels, including right-wing Tubeshin, with 1.46 million subscribers, and left-wing Newstapa, with over 1 million subscribers.

The growing influence of YouTube was evident during the previous general election in South Korea. Yoon, a candidate for the People Power Party, experienced a decline in popularity following a less-than-stellar performance in a Christmas Day YouTube interview conducted by 3ProTV.

Website: https://www.youtube.com/