On the streets of Seoul, political tension isn’t just about policies or party lines — it’s a full-blown battle over competing visions of what defines legitimacy in leadership. As South Korea enters a week of anticipation for critical decisions by the courts, it’s becoming increasingly clear that the political conflict gripping the nation is less a debate over left versus right and more a high-stakes struggle between two foundational narratives about who has the right to govern — and why.

The conservative narrative in South Korea, long represented by parties like the People Power Party, draws its legitimacy from a mix of anti-communism, national security, economic success and adherence to traditional values. Rooted in the legacy of rapid industrialization under authoritarian regimes like Park Chung-hee’s, conservatives often view themselves as guardians of the “Miracle on Han River” — a country that transformed itself from post-war ruin into an OECD member, all through discipline, sacrifice and technocratic governance.

To these actors, legitimacy flows from preserving the integrity of institutions and protecting the nation from perceived threats — be they North Korean aggression, leftist ideology or social upheaval. The legal system and national security apparatus are framed as tools to maintain a stable order. Their rallying cry is one of continuity: maintaining economic growth, national defense and restoring a sense of moral clarity in an era of........

© The Korea Times