Far East: What Societal Issues Are Gen Z South Koreans Most Concerned About?
Reuter
The current government of South Korea, headed by President Yoon Suk Yeol from the conservative People Power Party (PPP), faces significant domestic challenges. In the nation's 22nd General Election in April, Yoon's party lost to the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), which secured 67 more seats in the 300-seat National Assembly. The election highlighted a growing rift between the government and younger voters, especially Generation Z (aged 18-29), who expressed a strong preference for the opposition as a counterbalance to Yoon’s administration. Many of these Gen Z voters felt overlooked by older conservative voters, who often prioritize issues that do not align with Gen Z’s concerns, particularly economic challenges, such as fierce competition in education, high living costs, and a bleak job market. This situation raises important questions: Why are Gen Z voters dissatisfied with the Yoon government’s approach to socioeconomic issues? Additionally, how will the differing interests across generations shape political preferences in future elections?
The Hans India
For Gen Z voters in South Korea, societal stability, including access to education, job opportunities, and affordable housing, is often the primary consideration when casting their ballots. During Yoon's first year in office, he attempted to address some of these issues through initiatives aimed at improving housing quality, supporting cutting-edge industries, and relaxing regulatory restrictions. While these efforts temporarily boosted his approval ratings, they were insufficient to sustain long-term support. The economy grew by just 1.3% during his first year, hampered by deep-rooted challenges such as declining fertility rates and increased competition in both education and employment. According to Andrew Yeo, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution’s Asia Center, Yoon's unpopularity is largely due to a “lack of real progress on economic issues," noting that prices, inflation, and housing costs remain high, while political polarization persists. These economic struggles have intensified Gen Z’s frustration with the government.
Chinadaily
One key factor contributing to young voters' discontent is the significant generational divide in voter turnout. Older generations have historically turned out to vote in much higher numbers than their younger counterparts, skewing election results toward policies that favor the elderly. According to the National Election Commission report, voter participation among those aged 60 and over was as high as 89-94% in the 22nd General Election, while only 50.3% of voters aged 18-29 turned out. This disparity leaves many younger voters feeling that their concerns are being ignored in favor of policies that prioritize the needs of older generations. Lee Min-ji, a 23-year-old student at Seoul’s Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, expressed frustration with the government’s neglect of younger generations. She pointed to the 2022 Halloween crowd crush in Itaewon, which claimed the lives of over 150 people—mostly her peers—as an example of this neglect. "Young people are dying every day, yet the focus is on us not getting married or having children," one of her protest posters read, reflecting the belief that the government unfairly blames the youth for the country’s demographic crisis, a problem rooted in long-standing policy failures.
Many young South Koreans have grown increasingly critical of both the liberal and conservative parties. A Gallup Korea poll conducted after the election found that 38% of voters aged 18 to 29 “don’t support any parties,” compared to 27% who support the DPK and 25% who back the PPP. Jaung Hoon, a political science professor at Chung Ang University, noted that younger voters are disillusioned by both parties' negative campaigning and are increasingly questioning their ethical standards. This dissatisfaction has driven some young voters to align with populist movements.
Reuter
Another issue polarizing young South Koreans is gender equality. Yoon has long denied the existence of structural gender discrimination while blaming feminism for South Korea's declining birth rate—the lowest among OECD countries—and pledging to abolish the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family during his election campaign. This stance has alienated young female voters under 30, who were the least supportive demographic for Yoon in the recent election, with only 34% voting for him, according to exit polls. Yoon’s anti-feminist rhetoric is perceived as an attempt to exploit growing anti-feminist sentiment among young Korean men to win votes. Kwon Soo-hyun, director of the civic group Korea Women's Political Solidarity, observed that politicians were using gender divisions to their advantage in the election rather than addressing the real concerns of young voters.
The political climate in South Korea remains deeply polarized, with strong divisions between generations with different policy preferences. According to the most recent Korean Gallup Survey, President Yoon Suk Yeol’s approval rating has plummeted to its lowest point of 20% since he took office in May 2022. This decline reflects widespread dissatisfaction with his government’s handling of critical issues such as economic inequality, housing affordability, and job prospects—concerns that resonate most acutely with younger voters. With societal rifts continuing to widen, addressing the concerns of South Korea’s younger generation will be essential for fostering a more inclusive and unified political landscape.