A recent case underscores the changing trend of Korean whistleblowers — and the longstanding challenges they continue to face.
It is an undeniable fact that YouTube has become a daily obsession for many people worldwide. The platform is used by 1.8 billion logged-in users each month, and that figure is only growing.
In South Korea, however, YouTube is emerging as more than an entertainment hub. The video platform is becoming a new channel for whistleblowers.
In the, latest example, a former government official posted video clips purporting to expose wrongdoings of the South Korean government.
Shin Jae-min, 32, who identified himself as a former deputy director of South Korea’s Ministry of Economy and Finance, alleged the Presidential Blue House tried to replace the CEO of Korea Tobacco & Ginseng or KT&G, although South Korea’s largest tobacco company is a private company.
Shin’s claim was made in a YouTube video that ran for about 12 minutes and was uploaded onto his personal channel on December 29. His video attracted more than 300,000 views in just a few days and has been republished by mainstream media outlets.
Becoming a whistleblower is a sensitive subject anywhere in the world, but the cultural aspect has made it more challenging in South Korea. Often mentioned factors for this additional pressure include the emphasis on the community or group, collectivism, and a top-down culture coupled with a ranking system at work.
Therefore, in the past, it was common for whistleblowers to seek support from third parties with more influence such as religious circles, civic groups, or the media instead of acting alone.
