"Asphalt Far-Right Are a Minority... Politicians Exploit the Younger Generation" [Who Are the Far-Right Youth?]

④ "The 'Asphalt Far-Right' Are Only a Minority"
"Young People's Voices Must Be Heard and Reflected"

Editor's NoteIn 2025, there was a noticeable increase in young people participating in pro-martial law rallies that shook the South Korean political scene. While some in politics have labeled them as "far-right youth," others argue that such stigmatization is excessive. How did these young people end up on the streets and become classified as far-right youth? This article examines how our society in 2026 can embrace far-right youth.

The scene at a rally held on December 6, 2025, on Dongdaemun Street. Protesters are marching and shouting slogans at a pro-martial law rally hosted by the conservative university student group Liberty University. Photo by Juhyung Lim

Experts unanimously warn that it is dangerous to simply label the young people speaking out at pro-martial law rallies as far-right forces. They advise that it is necessary to ease the intensified anti-China and Sinophobic sentiment that has grown since COVID-19, listen closely to the difficulties faced by these youth, and ensure their voices are more fully reflected in real-world politics.

"There Aren't Many 'Asphalt Far-Right'... Stop Exploiting the Younger Generation"

Political commentator Jonghoon Lee stated, "The current rightward shift among South Korean youth is part of a global backlash against immigration," adding, "In Europe, there are many protests calling for the expulsion of foreign workers, but in Korea, this rightward trend is manifesting as anti-China sentiment directed at our neighbor." He continued, "After the deployment of the THAAD missile defense system by US Forces Korea in 2017, China imposed the Hanhanryeong, a ban on Korean cultural imports, and as a reaction, anti-China sentiment has grown stronger in Korea."

Lee explained, "So-called 'asphalt far-right' youth who support far-right groups are only a tiny minority. While there are a few violent young people who have caused incidents like the occupation riot at Seoul Western District Court, we cannot lump together all youth who take to the streets as members of the asphalt far-right."

He further emphasized, "In fact, some politicians tend to exploit the younger generation. They keep provoking and trying to organize them with extreme opinions. Since far-right youth are not the majority among protesters, we should have more faith in the health of our society."

Professor Yoon Seokjun of Anglican University also pointed out, "The current far-right discourse in Korea is like conflating the common cold and the flu as the same disease. Stigmatizing all conservative youth as far-right could unjustly brand them, much like the 'commie' controversy of the past." He added, "Fundamentally, we need to first resolve the sentiment of hostility toward groups different from ourselves in order to find a solution to the problem."

"Sinophobia Beyond Anti-China Sentiment Is Dangerous... Need to Strengthen Self-Regulation"

There are also calls to pay attention to and correct the excessive spread of anti-China sentiment, especially on social networking services (SNS). Han Namseok, Professor of Chinese Language and Culture at the University of Seoul, said, "Anti-China sentiment among young people has become extremely strong since the COVID-19 crisis. Now, it has gone beyond anti-China to outright Sinophobia, to the point where that is no exaggeration." He continued, "Conspiracy theories about Chinese spies infiltrating Korea and fake news about special admissions for students of Chinese descent to medical schools are spreading rapidly, mainly through far-right YouTube channels, leading more young people to fall into these narratives."

He added, "China, which was once a land of opportunity for older generations, is now seen by the younger generation as a powerful competitor. Opportunities for entering the Chinese market or for student exchanges are closing, and Korea's main export products are now competing with China's advanced technology. Just as anti-Korean sentiment grew in Japan in the past, Sinophobia is now growing in Korea."

Professor Han advised, "To prevent Sinophobia from spreading further, civil society's self-purification function is crucial, and the media's fact-checking role must be strengthened. Politicians should also moderate their rhetoric that could stoke anti-China feelings, and there is a need to create opportunities for youth from both countries to interact and exchange views."

"We Need to Listen Sincerely to the Voices of Young People"

Experts say it is important to listen to the various difficulties faced by young people and ensure their voices are more fully reflected in real-world politics. Jinwook Shin, Professor of Sociology at Chung-Ang University, explained, "Today's young people in their 20s and 30s are in a very precarious economic and social situation. Youth unemployment is severe, and they are relatively excluded from the asset market, so their anxiety about the future is great. They are at high risk of being exposed to far-right and conspiracy theories spreading on SNS and of being swept up in herd behavior."

Professor Shin stressed, "The political world needs to objectively face the reality experienced by young people. By listening sincerely to their difficulties and reflecting their voices in real-world politics, we can prevent them from falling into far-right tendencies and gradually narrow the space for far-right forces to operate."