Midterm Essay: Changes in Korea society

Midterm Essay: Changes in Korea society

How is the Korean society changing? Is it changing for the better? How will those changes affect you personally?


  There is an idiom following in Korea: "The greatest change since Dangun." 
Dangun is the progenitor of the Korean people. In other words, this idiom means that the biggest change has been taking place since Korea founded. I think the most appropriate time to use this idiom is the 2020 year, namely, now.

  North Korea has long been treated as the main enemy of South Korea. Each other has been the greatest threat and greatest enemy, and it has been forgotten that we are one ethnic. But recently the tension between the south and the north gradually decreased. The core of diplomacy is up to the president and the foreign minister. we can know that President Moon achieved success for improvement relationship between south and north with the foreign minister KyungWha Kang. North Korea is facing an internal big change. 
Unlike the time in Kim Jung-il was in power, North Korea's control of information has weakened a lot. North Korea's economic situation remains unimproved, and people have been tired by the endless poverty. Few people rely on only government-controlled economic systems, and the underground economy is already following the capitalist system. It means that Kim Jung-eun must find a way to solve this problem he faced and must cooperate with South Korea through a diplomatic gesture. So, we can know a part of the result of this situation. Fortunately, he shows a cooperative attitude at this moment, at least. This is clearly evidence that Korean society is changing in a better direction.

  Recently Korean society is faced a political inflection point. The election of members for the National Assembly result given a shock to people for both president Moon's supporters and non-supporters. Only a few years ago, no one could predict these results. It's a sign of change. Ferry disaster on Apr 16 was the biggest problem in Park Geun-Hye administration. Many people died of Park's incompetence. It was a tragedy and It was a background of the trigger. All changes happened fast. Young people are more interested in politics than in the past, and there was a clear increase in voter turnout at all ages. In particular, the National Assembly elections on April 15 achieved the highest turnout ever, it's a positive sign for society. There is no guarantee that President Moon will remain a positive leader on most of the people forever. However, the increased political interest among young people and the increase in voter turnout are clear positive signals. 
The current government's handling of the COVID-19 virus is an example of the importance of political attention. In the past, the government of Park Geun-hye dealing with the MERS epidemic was a terrible level. Despite being a far-off country in the Middle East, South Korea had been seriously exposed to the risk of MERS, because of bad handling about it. However, in the past few years, Korea has changed noticeably and has become a model country in the field of infectious diseases. This is evidence of positive social change.

  Even in the cultural field, Korean society has changed. 
In the past, PSY promoted Korea to the world through his song Gangnam Style, but now BTS and Bong Joon-ho's time. 
The movie "Parasite" showed Korea's potential in the world. The Academy Awards were not just an honor for Bong Joon-ho's individual or these actors. All Koreans were happy and proud of Bong Joon Ho's Academy Award. BTS also the same as this. Asians still take a large part of the victims of racism. Racism crimes have decreased, but Asians are still minor in Western society. It was hard to imagine that many people all over the world enthusiastic about Asian boy groups. This situation is that gives a positive message not only to Korea but also to all Asian peoples. 

  "Is there still discrimination against women in Korea?" This is still a controversial issue in Korean society. But no one can say 'no'. At least socially, women are still discriminated against in Korean society. 
In Korea in the past, feminism was a minor study. Most people didn't know Feminism. But now most people aware of feminism and they have an opinion about this issue. Sometimes, we can see people who hostile to the terms of feminism. They tend to ignore history and keep an eye on the situation before them. Feminism was a tool to combat discrimination and a key factor. Usually, because of extreme people, productive discussions are not held. All the positive effects of feminism are opposed by anti-feminist, and this often treated as evil from them. Radical-feminist attacks men with extreme sexual logic. This is not productive. However, in terms of discrimination against women, Korean society has shown positive changes over the years, which is positive. 

  Recently, the startup market in Korean society is successful. Some have successfully entered the market, and there are constant challengers. The startup market is friendly to the IT field. Recently, Korean startups tend to imitate Silicon Valley's startup form. Horizontal communication, thorough a merit system and high salary. This is the opposite of the past Korean companies, but it is positive for most young people. Silicon Valley startup companies are extremely productive and creative. If this trend continues in Korea, successful IT companies will emerge such as Naver, Kakao constantly. 


  So far, we have discussed various changes in Korean society. These changes mean a lot to me personally as well. 
I had seen the unpainted face of an incompetent government when I was a teenager. At that time, I didn't have the right to vote, and the unchangeable regime was frustrating to me. However, not long after I became an adult, Korean society changed greatly. This situation gave me a will to judge what was right. It also gave me the courage to fight against injustice. I also felt a sense of duty not to pass on the helplessness I felt in the past to the next generation. 
The news that the startup market has been activated gives me hope. I'm dreaming of starting a startup in the future, and maybe I can get a job at a startup. It's good news for me that there are more options.
I believe that more positive changes will continue in Korean society in the future. Also, many indicators are proving it. The various events and variables we have looked at so far show that Korean society is moving to a higher level.


Written by Jaehoon Kim (김재훈)

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