A joint survey conducted by the Institute for Future Strategy at Seoul National University and The ChosunIlbo examined the political, economic, and social perceptions of South Korea’s younger generation, revealing a stark divide between those in their 20s and 30s and those in their 40s and 50s. The findings indicate that younger conservatives are increasingly dissatisfied with the country’s political system, which remains largely influenced by the so-called 86 Generation—individuals born in the 1960s who attended college in the 1980s and played a key role in South Korea’s democratization movement.
Many younger respondents also expressed negative views toward this generation itself. “The younger generation has become more ideologically conservative,” the institute noted, contrasting this trend with the progressive leanings of those in their 50s, a demographic largely composed of the 86 Generation.
①Men in their 20s and 30s show stronger conservative shift
Survey data confirmed a growing conservative trend among respondents in their 20s and 30s. Of those surveyed, 27% identified as conservative, while 24% of respondents in their 20s and 21% in their 30s described themselves as progressive. The ideological divide became more pronounced when analyzed by gender. On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 representing the strongest conservative stance, men in their 20s scored an average of 5.42, while those in their 30s scored 5.33. As younger demographics leaned more conservative, progressives remained concentrated in the 40s and 50s age groups. The only younger demographic to align with older progressives was women in their 20s, who scored an average of 4.64.
②Dissatisfaction with the political system
Respondents in their 20s and 30s were less likely than older generations to agree with the statement that “democracy is better than any other system.” While 67.6% of respondents in their 20s and 63.8% in their 30s supported democracy’s superiority, these figures were approximately 10 percentage points lower than those for respondents in their 40s (71.8%) and 50s (77.2%).
Younger respondents also expressed dissatisfaction with how the country’s democratic system functions. When asked to rate their satisfaction on a scale of 1 to 10, those in their 20s gave an average score of 4.76, while respondents in their 30s scored 4.74. In contrast, those in their 50s reported higher satisfaction, with an average score of 5.15. “Younger generations, particularly when compared with those in their 40s and 50s, tend to believe that strong leadership is necessary,” said Sung Ye-jin, a researcher at Sungkyunkwan University’s Center for Good Democracy.
③Growing resentment toward the 86 Generation
The shift toward conservatism among younger demographics appears to be accompanied by negative sentiment toward the 86 Generation. When asked to rate their favorability toward this generation on a scale of 1 to 100, respondents in their 20s gave an average score of 45.9, while those in their 30s rated it at 45.3. These scores were lower than those from respondents in their 40s (49.1), 50s (53.4), and 60s (46.6). The lowest rating came from respondents aged 70 and older, who scored the 86 Generation at 42.0. The divide was even more pronounced among younger men. Men in their 20s rated the 86 Generation at 39.4, while those in their 30s gave a score of 40.9.
“Younger generations see the 86 Generation, which entered politics through its involvement in the democracy movement, as part of the establishment,” said Kim In-kyun, a researcher at Sungkyunkwan University’s Institute for Future Policy Studies. “They perceive this generation as having benefited the most from democratization and continuing to do so, which contributes to their negative perception.”
④Nearly half of younger voters question election integrity
Nearly half of younger voters believe both the 22nd general election in April 2023—where the Democratic Party secured a decisive victory—and the 2022 presidential election, which brought President Yoon Suk-yeol to power, were unfair. In the 22nd general election, 45% of respondents in their 20s and 51% in their 30s said they believed the election was not conducted fairly. By contrast, those in their 50s were the most likely to view the election as fair, with 70% expressing confidence in its integrity.
Notably, skepticism was higher among those in their 30s than among respondents aged 70 and older, 46% of whom said they believed the election was unfair. A similar pattern emerged regarding the 2022 presidential election. Nearly half of respondents in their 20s (49%) and 30s (50%) said they believed the election was unfair, compared with 33% of respondents in their 50s.
⑤Low trust in the Constitutional Court and Election Commission
The survey also found that younger respondents expressed relatively low trust in the Constitutional Court and the National Election Commission—both of which have faced increased scrutiny in recent years over issues related to President Yoon’s martial law declarations and his ongoing impeachment trial. On a scale of 1 to 100, respondents in their 20s rated their trust in the Constitutional Court at 44, while those in their 30s gave it a 45, both below the all-age average of 48.
Trust in the National Election Commission was even lower, with respondents in their 20s and 30s both rating it at 42, compared with an overall average of 45 across all age groups. “The Constitutional Court and the National Election Commission serve as institutions that justify and legitimize the existing system, which may explain the lack of trust among younger respondents,” said Sung, the researcher at Sungkyunkwan University.
