From history lecturer to hard-line YouTuber, Jeon Han-gil shakes up Korea’s conservative politics

Outspoken conservative influencer Jeon Han-gil, right, attends the main opposition People Power Party's convention in Daegu, Aug. 8. Newsis

For months, Jeon Han-gil — a former history lecturer who gained national attention as a hard-line conservative commentator on YouTube during the impeachment proceedings against former President Yoon Suk Yeol — had operated on the margins of Korea’s main conservative opposition, the People Power Party (PPP).

Since joining the party in June, however, he has become a powerful and polarizing figure with a devoted online following, even though he holds no official title.

Then, one afternoon in August, as a crowd of supporters gathered for a party convention in Daegu, a conservative stronghold, Jeon made a surprise appearance. He was not a scheduled speaker and the move stunned both supporters and critics.

In a moment that captured the deep, and often uncomfortable, ties between the mainstream party and its most ardent online base, the lecturer-turned influencer, clad in a red tie, rose among the audience, raising his fist in the air.

“Betrayers!” Jeon shouted each time a PPP lawmaker who had voted for President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment appeared, rallying other supporters in the crowd.

Jeon Han-gil’s journey from an acclaimed Korean history lecturer to a towering figure of the country’s right-wing media landscape is a story of turbulence, timing and an internet-savvy embrace of hard-line politics.

For years, Jeon — whose real name is Jeon Yu-kwan — was a household name among students and jobseekers for his lively, accessible lectures. But in the wake of the political upheaval surrounding Yoon’s impeachment proceedings, he has reinvented himself as a full-time conservative influencer in Korea’s right-wing political scene.

Jeon Han-gil gives lecture on Korean history in this captured image of a video on his YouTube channel. Screenshot from Jeon Han-gil's YouTube

Jeon’s foray into politics accelerated visibly in 2024, as he began openly criticizing opposition figures during anti-impeachment rallies and positioned himself as a champion of Yoon — anchoring his broadcasts with the “Yoon Again” movement and claiming Yoon’s impeachment was a threat to Korean democracy.

Jettisoning academic neutrality, he became a megaphone for what the pro-Yoon base calls “liberal democracy.”

His message is simple but forceful: To defeat the current government, which he calls a “fraud” and “an evil monster that should have never appeared,” conservatives must shed compromise and unite behind a single, uncompromising identity.

His YouTube channel, Jeon Han-gil News, which has over 573,000 subscribers, gives him significant reach among conservative voters, regularly attracting tens of thousands of live viewers. During livestreams, the self-styled "reporter" calls out “betrayers” and demands tougher action against perceived internal dissenters, an uncompromising defense of Yoon’s legacy and loyalty among party members.

He recently boasted that if his subscribers, many of whom are not currently party members, all sign up to join the PPP, they could “make or break the party,” which currently has around 764,000 members.

Former history lecturer Jeon Han-gil protests the ethics committee’s disciplinary proceedings against him regarding his alleged disruption at the People Power Party convention in Daegu during a YouTube livestream at PPP headquarters in Seoul, Aug. 11. Yonhap

Remarkably, Jeon’s confrontational style and viral far-right commentary have filled a void in politics and party infighting. Promising “real action” in contrast to the traditional sit-ins that have long frustrated right-leaning Koreans, he is seen by many as a potentially charismatic counterweight to progressive figure Kim Ou-joon and the carefully cultivated fan base of Korea’s left-leaning camp — a cultural foothold conservatives have lacked for decades.

“The PPP hasn’t had someone like that until now,” said Kim Yong-hee, a party lawmaker, who speculated that Jeon’s entry could make him the party’s “warrior.”

Meanwhile, inside the party, reactions to Jeon are mixed. Some admit his influence is undeniable, likely to sway future nominations and policy priorities. Kim Jae-won, a senior party figure, acknowledged that Jeon’s endorsement “could affect everything from candidate selection to grassroots engagement.”

Some senior officials, like Supreme Council member Kim Min-soo, have appeared in Jeon’s broadcasts, clearly courting his fans and borrowing his combative slogans.

But others have sounded the alarm over potential long-term consequences.

“His impact is limited by the narrowness of his fan base and the radical style of his message,” warned former spokesperson Yun Hee-seok. Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok, while grateful for the energetic support, has signaled his intent to broaden his coalition and “move to the center,” raising questions about the durability of Jeon’s appeal. Establishment figures like Ahn Cheol-soo and Cho Kyoung-tae have distanced themselves from Jeon, warning of the dangers of catering exclusively to a volatile fandom and alienating moderates.

Meanwhile, Jeon’s rise has not been without setbacks. Recently, his channel faced a blow when YouTube revoked its monetization privileges, citing alleged violations of a platform policy linked to “sensitive issues.”

Jeon addressed the ban on a podium at an event called “Truth Forum” held in Washington, D.C., claiming it was “clear censorship” aimed at silencing conservative voices.

“Perhaps it was a sensitive issue because I criticized Lee Jae Myung. I have never committed any illegal acts, committed any crimes or spread any false information. I have simply reported honestly,” he said.

He claimed he could be a target like U.S. far-right activist Charlie Kirk, who was shot and killed during an event at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10.

“I, too, don’t know when I might die,” Jeon said, revealing that he purchased a bulletproof vest for protection, “but I want to inherit a free Korea for the future generation. For that, I will sacrifice my life.”

Jeon Han-gil speaks on a podium at the “Truth Forum” held in Washington D.C., Sept. 13. Screenshot from Jeon Han-gil's YouTube

Experts emphasize that Jeon's rapid rise and the conservative party's embrace of his combative style signal a pronounced shift toward far-right politics.

"The PPP's willingness to echo Jeon's talking points reveals a party eager to capitalize on ultra-conservative energy, even if it means alienating centrists or escalating internal divisions," political commentator Park Sang-byeong said, adding that such radicalization could undermine the rule of law and threaten democracy.

Professor Park Chang-hwan of Jangan University added, "Historically, fringe voices were tolerated only at the margins; now they're guiding policy priorities. This is uncharted territory for mainstream Korean politics."

Yet, questions remain as to whether this new direction will lead to lasting change or is rather a moment of high-pitched reaction.

"The PPP leadership will continue to support Jeon to promote its rhetoric against the current administration ... but shifting to the far-right risks not just losing moderate voters, but also fosters an atmosphere where polarization drowns out substantive policy debate," the professor explained, noting recent far-right remarks made by the party's leadership.

While acknowledging Jeon’s current influence, the political commentator questioned his ability to sustain appeal to a broader audience over the long term.

"Jeon's approach may energize his supporters but makes it difficult to attract moderates or expand beyond his already defined following," he said.