How did e-petition systems influence the dynamics of agenda-setting?: A case study of Yemeni refugee crisis in South Korea

Governments have increasingly adopted electronic petitions(e-petitions) as a mechanism to incorporate public opinions into governance. This study examines the case of the Yemeni refugee crisis in South Korea, highlighting how a government-sponsored e-petition facilitated direct public communication with the government, notably in petitions opposing the acceptance of Yemeni refugees. Analysis of daily counts of the e-petition indicates that it played a significant role in the agenda-setting process. The public utilized the e-petition platform not only to reinforce negative political perceptions of refugees but also to influence policy change regarding refugee acceptance. Our findings suggest that the e-petition system provides the public with a novel channel to affect information dissemination, agenda-setting, and policy transformation.