"Please Respect Preferences" Leading Veganism Among 2030s [Heo Midam's Youth Report]

Over 1.5 Million Vegetarians Estimated in Korea
6 out of 10 Adults Say "Vegetarianism Seems to Be Recognized as a Personal Preference"
Experts Say "Vegan Culture Among 2030 Generation Linked to 'Conscious Consumption'"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] [Editor's Note] How is your youth remembered? From teenagers to college students and office workers, we share the joys and sorrows unique to 'youth.'

# College student Kim Mo (25) recently decided to start intermittent vegetarianism. He said, "I recently watched a video filmed at a pig slaughterhouse. It was shocking to see pigs being mercilessly slaughtered by humans," adding, "I gradually started feeling uncomfortable about having eaten such suffering creatures without any guilt." He continued, "After that, I began to think about what I could do for animals, and from then on, I decided to go vegetarian," adding, "Nowadays, there are many lunchboxes for vegetarians, so I don't feel any inconvenience when eating."

Recently, the number of people pursuing 'veganism' has been increasing, especially among those in their 20s and 30s. Veganism refers to a vegetarian diet that completely excludes animal-based foods such as meat, fish, eggs, and dairy products. It also includes avoiding products tested on animals and the consumption of animal-derived products.

Unlike the older generation who became vegetarians for health reasons, the millennial generation appears to choose vegetarianism based on their beliefs, such as animal rights protection. Experts analyze that young people are considering ethical values like environmental protection and animal welfare.

The vegan market size is gradually expanding. Consulting firm Grand View Research forecasts that the global vegan market has grown at an average annual rate of about 9.6% since 2018 and is expected to reach $24.06 billion (approximately 28.4482 trillion KRW) by 2025.

The number of vegetarians in South Korea is also on the rise. According to a survey by the Korea Vegetarian Union, the domestic vegetarian population increased more than tenfold from about 150,000 in 2008 to approximately 1.5 million in 2018.

A woman visited an all-you-can-eat meat restaurant in June last year and posted a video on Twitter showing her protesting against the business, claiming "meat-eating is violence." Photo by Online Community

As a result, public perception of vegetarianism is also changing positively. According to a survey by Trend Monitor of 1,000 adult men and women on perceptions of 'vegetarianism,' 66.8% agreed with the statement, "Nowadays, vegetarianism seems to be respected as a personal preference."

Office worker Yoon Mo (27), who identifies as a vegetarian, said, "My friends and colleagues know I'm vegetarian, but they don't seem to care much. In fact, when we go to restaurants with vegan menus, they always take pictures and send them to me," adding, "At work, I just eat separately for lunch, so it doesn't bother me much. Especially now, with remote work, I eat what I want without worrying about others' opinions."

However, some voices criticize 'veganism.' Some find it burdensome when certain vegetarians impose their diets on others.

Another office worker, Lee Mo (26), said, "One of my acquaintances is vegetarian and subtly gives me a hard time when we eat together," adding, "Even when we go to restaurants, they pick vegan menus saying, 'I can never eat meat because I feel sorry for animals,' and 'It's cruel,' but isn't what I eat a personal freedom?"

He continued, "Eating meat is a natural habit for me, but hearing such comments every time we eat made me feel bad," adding, "It feels like being forced to go vegetarian."

Especially last year, when a vegetarian entered an all-you-can-eat barbecue restaurant and staged a protest disrupting business, resentment toward vegans grew stronger.

In June last year, a woman appearing to be an animal rights activist entered an all-you-can-eat barbecue restaurant and protested shouting, "Meat-eating is an act of violence," causing controversy. The woman held a sign saying, "This is not food but violence," and claimed, "Just as humans have the right to live humanely, pigs have the right to live like pigs, cows like cows, and animals like animals."

Afterward, netizens criticized, "While agreeing that the livestock slaughter process is inhumane, this woman's actions are no different from forcing vegetarianism."

The photo is unrelated to specific expressions in the article. Photo by Getty Images

Experts analyze that the 'ethical consumption' pursued by the 20s and 30s generation is related to vegan culture. Ethical consumption refers to purchasing goods and services considering their impact on the environment and society.

Lee Wonbok, head of the Korea Vegetarian Union, said, "In the past, middle-aged and older people mainly led veganism for health reasons. But now, millennials are leading vegetarianism, and this phenomenon is common not only in South Korea but also in the European Union and the United States," adding, "Especially in South Korea, many people keep companion animals. The domestic companion animal population is about 15 million. Living with pets makes people think about life and simultaneously consider reducing meat consumption."

He continued, "Recently, many people in their 20s and 30s want to consume in ways that positively impact the environment and animals. In other words, as interest in 'ethical consumption' grows, opposition to animal cruelty has also increased," adding, "Considering these factors, it appears that the 20s and 30s generation is leading the vegetarian culture."