Elite Politics, Mass Discontent and Political Inequality in South Korea: Who Represents Me?

In an era of heightened public skepticism toward political institutions, understanding the perceived divide between political elites and the general population has become increasingly essential. This study examines how Korean citizens perceive their political representatives, focusing on the socio-economic and demographic disparities between political elites and the wider public. To achieve this, this study concentrates on three core elements: citizens’ perceptions of politicians, the social networks of elite politicians, and the socio-economic and demographic attributes of these elites in comparison to the general population. Employing a data-driven approach—including text analysis, clustering, social network analysis, and visualization techniques—this study investigates data on political elites alongside district-level data. The findings reveal significant socio-economic and demographic disparities between political elites and the public, with elites predominantly emerging from narrow backgrounds characterized by affluence, high education, and an overrepresentation of males above the age of 60. These results underscore the need for measures that promote transparency, accountability, and inclusivity within the political system, highlighting the importance of bridging the divide between political elites and the general public to cultivate a more representative and responsive political environment.