Growing Pessimism: South Korean Youth’s Perceptions of a Korean Reunification

Abstract

Persisting division of the Korean Peninsula has caused scholars to observe that younger generations of South Koreans are becoming less optimistic about reunification. Past studies have found that “Generation Z,” the population born between 1997 and 2012, is characteristically more pessimistic about reunification than older generations, and predict that this trend will continue. They have also found that young women are less hopeful of a reunification than young men. These past studies were conducted on a larger scale through surveys or public polls. In order to achieve a more nuanced discernment on Gen-Z’s attitudes, I conducted ten interviews with South Korean Gen-Z nationals. Despite the small sample size, my study confirms previously identified patterns among the youth. I found that female participants are more skeptical, and that Gen-Z might support reunification under different circumstances. This study also found that Gen-Z holds a South Korean-centric national identity, where North and South Korea are seen as separate entities. They feel no particular obligation to aid North Korea or work towards peninsular reunification. Instead of pursuing reunification, my interviewees felt that the South Korean government should devote its resources to other issues that are more pertinent to them. More importantly, however, this study argues that Gen-Z is flexible in their beliefs and may support reunification if the circumstances were different.