[Changing the World M] ① A New Force Emerges Following the 86 Generation

The 'Me Too movement' that struck Korean society in 2018, the controversy over performance bonuses at SK Hynix, Hyundai Motor, and Naver in early 2021, followed by the birth of MZ (Millennial + Generation Z) labor unions, the election of 36-year-old Lee Jun-seok as the leader of the People Power Party in the summer of 2021, the rise of MZ labor unions in 2023, and the founding of the 'Young Lawyers Association for a New Future.'

At the center of recent societal changes in Korea is the Millennial generation (born 1980?1996).

There is an analysis that these changes follow a similar pattern to the social changes brought about by the May 16 coup in the 1960s and the successful June Democratic Uprising in 1987.

The 30?40 Year Power Cycle Theory

Korea experienced industrialization and democratization in a compressed timeframe compared to other countries. In this process, key figures who changed the world emerged at intervals of 30 to 40 years. They transformed society and enjoyed power and wealth for 30 to 40 years based on their successful experiences and abilities. This is known as the 30?40 year power cycle theory.

The industrialization generation mainly consists of those born in the 1910s and 1920s. In politics, there are figures such as Park Chung-hee (born 1917) and Kim Jong-pil (born 1926), who led the May 16 coup, and in the opposition, Kim Dae-jung (born 1924) and Kim Young-sam (born 1928), who pushed out the old guard with the '40s generation theory.' Kim Jong-pil served as the director of the Central Intelligence Agency in his late 30s, becoming the second most powerful figure, and along with Kim Dae-jung and Kim Young-sam, dominated the era known as the 'Three Kims' period into the early 2000s, well past their 70s. In the economic sector, most first-generation chaebols belong to this group, including Lee Byung-chul, founder of Samsung Group (born 1910), Chung Ju-yung, founder of Hyundai Group (born 1915), Koo In-hoi, founder of LG Group (born 1907), and Choi Jong-hyun, founder of SK Group (born 1929).

The democratization generation is represented by the '86 generation' (born in the 1960s). In politics, figures such as Woo Sang-ho (born 1962), Lee In-young (born 1964), and Lim Jong-seok (born 1966), who were part of the 1980s student activist movement, belong to the democratic camp. The '86 generation' activists were recruited as 'young blood' from the late 1990s, proving their abilities by winning in fiercely contested general election districts. They took control of the Democratic Party in the 2000s. In the conservative camp, professionals such as lawyers, judges, prosecutors, and broadcasters include Oh Se-hoon (born 1961), Na Kyung-won (born 1963), Won Hee-ryong (born 1964), and Nam Kyung-pil (born 1965). In the economic sector, the late 1990s to early 2000s venture boom saw founders like Lee Hae-jin of Naver (born 1967), Kim Beom-su of Hangame and Kakao (born 1966), Kim Taek-jin of NCSoft (born 1967), and Lee Jae-woong of Daum (born 1968) create success stories.

Deprivation Creates the Protagonists of History

Who will be the generation to inherit the industrialization and democratization generations? Generation X (born 1970?1979) is currently in their mid-40s to mid-50s but has not left a distinct impression. Following them are the Millennial generation (born 1980?1996), Generation Z (born 1997?2009), and the Alpha generation (born after 2010). What differences exist?

The industrialization generation lived in an era of deprivation of 'living'?a developing country period where it was hard to make a living and starvation was common. In the 1960s and 1970s, this deprivation of 'living' was resolved through rapid economic growth. Those born in the 1930s to 1950s lived according to this trend following the 1910s?1920s industrialization generation.

The democratization generation experienced a period of deprivation of 'freedom and democracy' as basic needs were somewhat met but they desired a dignified life. This deprivation was somewhat alleviated by the 1987 democratic uprising and the inauguration of the civilian government in 1993. At least formal democratization was achieved. The Generation X cohort, who entered university in the 1990s, lived according to this trend.

The Millennial generation spent their youth in an environment similar to that of developed countries. Corporal punishment and physical abuse in schools and the military weakened, and freer expression became possible. After the 2008 global financial crisis, while developed country companies faltered, Korea’s leading companies such as Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics, and Hyundai Motor made leaps as global enterprises. The power of the Korean Wave (Hallyu) deepened further. This was the time when Korea was felt to have become a developed country.

However, they felt various injustices in society and the workplace. Although they grew up in a developed-country-like environment, the established society remained rooted in outdated, developing-country-like culture, and substantive democracy was still distant. They could not tolerate the deprivation of 'rationality and common sense' and have acted on it. This is the reality of the transformation occurring in our society.