Rise of YouTube politicians tests S. Korea's democratic resilience

A YouTube “silver play button” has become an unlikely new status symbol in South Korean politics. As lawmakers seek more direct ways to reach voters, the silver button, awarded to channels with over 100,000 subscribers, has become a mark of success. But the shift to direct communication carries both political opportunity and hidden costs. In the 300-seat National Assembly, lawmakers are increasingly using the US-based video platform to bypass traditional media and speak directly to voters, with

By The Korea Herald