South Korea: Too Much Activism? (pro-North leftwing in tailspin)

The country's idealistic '386 generation' helped usher in democracy, but has bungled its political opportunity.

Nov. 27, 2006 issue - Song Young Gil and Won Hee Ryong epitomize South Korea's 386 generation—the dynamic group of activists who took it upon themselves to transform the country. They gained political power in their 30s, helped to usher in democracy in the '80s by ousting a military regime, and were born in the 60s. Like America's anti-Vietnam War generation, the 386ers demanded greater economic equality and more social justice.

Six years after being elected to the National Assembly, however, both Song and Won are frustrated. Not only because the idealistic goals of the 386ers have not been attained, but also because the movement itself has been humbled, having largely bungled its political opportunity. About 20 of President Roh Moo Hyun's top advisers are 386ers—and critics blame them for the divisive political climate in the country, and for a slowdown in economic growth. The Roh administration is deeply unpopular. "Our generation was good at fighting for democracy," says Song. "But we were poor at building something new." While Song belongs to the ruling Uri Party, a disillusioned Won has remained in the conservative Grand National Party.

As Korea's own "we generation," the 386ers were expected to make the country a better place to live. Their liberal dedication to the common good, demonstrated during their democratic struggles in the 1980s, were seen as rare assets in an age of selfish individualism. But the progressives haven't been able to translate lofty values into sound government policy. Inexperienced and often dogmatic, the 386ers have polarized Korea. Press Secretary Yang Jung Chul, for example, has waged a fierce battle with conservative publications critical of Roh.

They are like McGovernites back in 70's. They were trounced by Nixon, but in S. Korea they managed to take power. The difference would be that many of their supporters are in 30's and 40's unlike McGovern. There are many who have not grown up since their college days in S. Korea.

Now some of them say that they took power too soon before they mature. I am not so sure. To me, they got exposed too early. Had they not taken power, they can still pretend that they are the ones who can carry out wonderful reforms and make them work. Too bad that few of them outside 386 generation would be so trusting anymore.

There are complaints that it is unfair that the whole generation is tarred for the action of small number of them. However, the large majority of 386 generation were their enablers and supporters in one form or another. They trumpeted those in government now as the representatives of their generation, and were pretty exhuberant. Now they try to distance themselves. Too little, too late. They do not even flatly and unequivocally disavow the ones in power.

Some of them now package themselves as "New Right" and embark on another crusade to purge "right-wing extremists." Not all of "New Right" are bad, but there are enough of them in the movement. These guys are real disappointments. They still wage their generational warfare against older generation, even when their agenda are not viable.

They have to furiously convince themselves that they have not failed. They thought they are so much better than old bags, but it may turn out that they are not. That really kills them.

Re #4

Yep, they will cement their reputation as collaborators of mass murderers on the level of Stalin and Hitler.

They have to weave endless excuses and lies to deflect their responsibility. Many of them show by example what the 'banality of evil' is about.

Thanks for the post. I've been puzzled by the popularity of the conciliatory attitude of S.K. to N.K. and this explains it. They were a reaction against the military government.

Their failure is the best thing that can happen for S.K. Their idealism is a good motivating factor, but as policy it fails. What is the chance of a more pragmatic approach appearing?

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