Table 2 Analysis of the Liberal vs. Conservative Newspapers’ Editorials in Response to the Symbols and Feedback.
What to Observe | Newspapers’ Reaction | |
|---|---|---|
Liberal | Conservative | |
Negative Opinion of Park Administration (President, ruling party, the Blue House) | - 791 times negative opinion - Focusing on blaming the Park administration | - 303 times negative opinion - Less negative opinion of the Park administration than the liberal one, blaming the social system, crews, and captain instead |
Emotional Symbol (Condolence to victims) | - 409 times positive opinions of victims | - 188 times positive opinions of victims |
Cognitive Symbol (Retrieved bodies) | - Sometimes offering condolences to victims’ bodies | - Rarely mentioned |
Resignation of Prime Minister Chung (Negative → Positive Feedback) | - Criticizing the President rather than the Prime Minister, saying that the President avoided her responsibility, passing it to the Prime Minister. | - Requesting public employees to do their best even after the Prime Minister’s resignation while offering condolences to the victims. - Criticizing the administration’s decision to retain Prime Minister Chung’s post, supporting the president’s decision not to appoint a new Prime Minister. |
Chasing Mr. Yoo (Negative → Positive Feedback) | - Criticizing the President, saying that the President and government avoided her responsibility, passing it to Mr. Yoo. | - Criticizing Mr. Yoo and his company, supporting the argument to redirect the cost to him and his family. - Supporting Yoo Byung-eun Law |
Announcing the dismantling Korean Coast Guard (KCG) (Positive Feedback) | - Criticizing the President, saying that the President avoided her responsibility, passing it to Mr. Yoo’s company, KCG, and MOSPA. | - Emphasizing that the KCG’s role is still important for marine defense even though KCG was dismantled. - Supporting the president’s decision to dismantle KCG rather than blaming the Park administration. |
Passing Bills and Ending Mission (Positive and Negative feedback) | - Offering condolences to the victims. | - Offering condolences to the victims. - Few mentioned this issue. |
Establishing MPSS (Negative feedback) | - Temporarily criticizing the Park administration because the chief of MPSS came from the military. | - Being cynical of the MPSS rather than criticizing the president. - Temporarily expressing concerns because the chief of MPSS came from the military. |
