Korea: The birth of the New Political Generation Online

Since the content of the US-Korea Beef Trade agreement was publicized in Korean society, many things have happened. Unexpected scenes of teenage students’ active participation in candlelight vigils against the trade and policies of the current government and their continual activities (not just temporary participation) have been ongoing. Even though the central government ordered schools and teachers to discourage students’ participation, the schools warned the participating students with disciplinary punishment, and the teachers go to the vigils to find their students, students seem not to be discouraged and continue to participate.

On the internet, non-teenager netizens are shocked with this wave. From apologies that they had prejudice toward the teenagers, such as being individualists and strangers to political and social issues, to expressions of appreciation for what teenagers are doing now, all kinds of opinions are bursting out on internet sites in Korea.

Tech-savvy teenagers make use of portal sites and their own blogs to express their opinions about the current political issues and spread graphics that they made to discuss the meaning of mad cow disease and why they have to fight against this trade. It is not just within Korean portal sites. They utilize Youtube and other international popular internet sites. The teenagers make those graphics and share them with other netizens. The ripple effect of these graphics and content spreads fast.

Nobody knows how this issue will end, but this incident seems to give a chance for all ages in Korea to interact with each other through the internet and talk about what they think about the issue and about each other – communication which did not transcend age groups in the past.

The 18th of May was the anniversary of the Gwangju Democratization Movement and a teenage netizen compares the current demonstration to that time.

정확하게 28년 전 광주에서 대규모 시위가 있었습니다. 전두환 군사 정부에게 외치는 민주화 항쟁이었고, 이에 군사정부는 비상 계엄령을 내려, 폭력적인 진압으로 최소 207명 이상이 죽었습니다. (전두환은 지금도 잘 살고 있다고 합니다.) 요즘 세상에는 생각도 할 수 없는 일입니다. 국가에서 폭력적으로 진압을 하려 들고 사상자까지 낸다는 것은 말도 안되는 일이죠. 그러나 현재 이명박정부의 모습을 보면 군사정권으로의 회귀가 실현되지 않을까, 그저 두렵기만 합니다. ‘촛불문화제'라는 이름으로 매주 진행되고 있는 촛불집회 다들 많이 알고 계실거라고 생각합니다. 요즘 작성되는 관련 기사들을 보면, ‘사법 처리’, ‘탄압'등과 관련된 내용을 많이 보실 수 있습니다.

조금 더 가까운 예로, 제가 다니고 있는 학교에서 학생들에게 전달된 사항입니다.”쇠고기 수입 관련 집회•시위에 참여하였다가 발각될 시, 징계 처분을 하도록 하겠다.” 고등학교의 ‘징계’ 개념은 그냥 ‘징계'의 개념이 아닙니다.생활 기록부에 단 한번의 징계 기록이 있어도 후일 취직과 진학에 큰 영향을 미칠 수 있습니다. 이것이야 말로 공권력의 횡포, 폭력 탄압 아니겠습니까?

우리의 국민들에겐 의견을 표출할 수 있는 권리가 있습니다.그러나 현 정부는 이 같은 사실을 부정하기라도 하듯 시위마다 경찰을 동원하고 해산시키지 못해 안달입니다.계속 이러한 태도로 국민들의 의견을 받아 친다면,박통, 전두환 군사정부때와 다를게 무엇이 있겠습니까?

• of people 국민의
• for people 국민을 위한
• by people 국민에 의한

대한민국의 정부는 이같은 민주주의의 기본 이념을 다시 한번 각인시키고 국민들을 대하는 태도, 국민들의 의견을 대하는 태도등 많은 것을 개선할 필요가 있다고 생각합니다.

Exactly 28 years ago, there was the big demonstration in Kwangju. It was the struggle for democratization against the Chun Doo Hwan’s military government. At that time, the military government proclaimed martial law and with the violent suppression at least 207 people were killed (But Chun Doo Hwan still lives without any problems). It’s impossible that it would happen now. It’s no way that the government suppresses the people violently and causes casualties. But looking at the Lee Myung Bak government, I’m afraid that it would go back to the military government. I am sure that all you know about candlelight vigils that happen every week with the name of ‘candlelight cultural activities.’ Reading related news articles, I can spot words, ‘judicial treatment’ and ‘suppression.’

download2.jpg
In 1980 and In 2008

download11.jpg
In 1980

download21.jpg
In 2008

Another clearer example is that I got the message from my school, ‘when you’re disclosed to have attended demonstrations related to the US beef trade, you will be submitted to a disciplinary measure.’ The concept of ‘disciplinary punishment’ at high school is not a simple matter. If you have only one record of disciplinary punishment, it gives a big influence on finding a job and entering a college. Isn’t it the tyranny of public power and violent suppression?

We people have the right to express opinions. However, the current government seems to deny this truth and is eager to dispel the demonstration, mobilizing the police. If the government treats peoples’ opinions in such an attitude, how is it different from the period of the military government of Park Jung Hee and Chun Doo Hwan?

- of people
– for people
– by people

The Korean government rethinks the basic principle of democracy and should change the attitudes how to treat the people and the people’s opinions.

A teenage netizen writes a letter to her(his) mother about her(his) and other students’ activities.

엄마, 제가 쇠고기 문제로 시위에 나간다고 했을때 말리셨죠. 그런데 가봤자 도움 안된다고, 시위같은데 뭣하러 가냐구요. 쇠고기 수입도 우리나라 사람들이 너무 민감하게 받아들이는 안건이라구요. 저는 정말 가고 싶었습니다. 물론 다른 사람도 그러하였고, 부모님이 허락을 안해도 간 아이들은 많았겠죠. 저도 가고 싶었지만, 걱정하실까 그게 조금은 두려웠던것 같습니다. 거기다 제 나이가 고 3인지라, 대학에만도 민감한 상황에, 그런데 가면 대학가는데 불리할 수도 있다는 말을 하셨죠. 글쎄요, 저는 달랐습니다. 제 친구들의 생각도 달랐습니다. 우리는 결국 청계천에서 모였고, 다른 어른들이 생각하는 문제아가 되었습니다. 쓰잘데기없는 인터넷 여론에 휩싸여 일시적인 충동으로 시위에 나간 아이가 되었죠. 그 후로도 저와 제 친구들은 참여했습니다. 언제까지 일시적인 충동으로 보일지 모르겠지만요.

엄마는 조선일보 보시죠?저도 신문을 보려고했습니다. 나라에서, 학교에서, 신문에서 논술이 중요하다고 했으니까요. 요즘, 그나마 나이가 들었다고 머리에 무언가 찬 저로썬 신문을 보니 웃음밖에 나오지 않았습니다. 작년기사 기억하시나요?쇠고기 등뼈 한조각 나왔다고 들고 일어났던것이 우리가 지금 보고있는 조선일보입니다. 그런데 또 아시나요? 이제는 소고기가 안전하다고 말하는 것 또한 조선일보라는 사실이요. 저는 너무 불안합니다. 제 미래를 소고기따위에 맡겨야 한다는게요.

오늘도 학교에서 급식이 나왔습니다. AI 의 위험으로 학교에선 닭고기가 더이상 나오지 않아요. 대신 친구들과 저는 소고기에 대한 두려움으로 밥을 먹고 있습니다. 고기 하나만 나와도 먹을지 말지 고민하고 있습니다. 정부가 이렇다할 약속도 해주지 않은 상황에서 과연 제가 학교에서 밥을 제대로 먹을 수 있을지 고민되는군요.

[…] 글쎄요, 엄마께서 모르시는건지 제가 젊은 혈기에 이러는건지 몰라도 저는 그냥 안쓰럽습니다. 신문만 곧이 곧대로 받아들이는 엄마를 보면, 아직 한참 어린 자식으로써 이러면 안된다고는 배웠습니다만 가슴이 답답해집니다. 저는 아직 제가 알고 있는것이 진실이라고 생각합니다. 국민으로써, 국민의 권리를 지키고 싶었고 보호받고 싶었을 뿐입니다. […]

Mom! When I said I will join the demonstration, you dissuaded me under the pretext that it won’t help. We take the issue about importing beef as way too sensitive. I really wanted to go. Of course others did as well. There were friends who went without parents’ permission. I was afraid that you would be worried so I didn’t go. And I’m in the third grade of high school. You said that it will give me disadvantages for entering college. Perhaps… but what I thought was different. What my friends thought was different. We gathered together in Cheongyecheon and became problem children according to other adults. We became the children who got wrapped up by unnecessary internet opinions and use our temporary instigation. After that, my friends and I continued to attend. It might be still seen as temporary instigations.

Mom. Don’t you read Chosun Newspaper? I tried to read that newspaper because in our country, at school, and in newspapers, I heard that the essay questions are important. But maybe it’s time for me to have my own ideas and opinions. I can’t help but to laugh while I’m reading the newspaper. Do you remember an article in the newspaper? The critical article about how a piece of cow rib is imported was from the Chosun Newspaper. But do you know? Now it is the Chosun Newspaper that emphasizes that the current deal with importing beef is safe. I’m not comfortable. I feel not safe that my future could change due to the beef.

Today’s menu at the school cafeteria. Due to the danger of AI, chicken is not going to be provided anymore. Instead, we are eating beef with anxiety. We’re confused whether we have to eat even after finding a piece of meat at the meal. The government doesn’t say anything and we have to be afraid every moment when we have a meal.

[…]Maybe mom thinks I am doing this with youthful folly, but I feel sorry for mom. When I see mom who just believes whatever newspapers say, I feel bad for her. Still now, I think what I know is the truth. As the people, I would like to keep the right of the people and to be protected as the people. […]

anet01_36277911.jpg
Scene in the Street “My house is against importing mad cow disease.”

A netizen announces the birth of a new political generation.

386 세대 이후 딱히 없었던 새로운 스타일의 대한민국 정치세대가 등장한 듯 합니다. IT 강국 대한민국에서만 나타날 수 있는 인터넷을 이용한 직접 민주주의 시작…간접민주주의 1.0세대에서 발전한 바로 민주주의 2.0세대… 그 중에서도 대표격인 아고리안(Agora+Korean)의 등장… 한미 소고기 협상을 반대하면서 촛불시위와 다양한 정보를 생산한 다음아고라, 다음 아고라에서 활동하는 수많은 아고리안들… 당신들이 있어 대한민국의 미래를 밝습니다. 나이와 성별과 학력을 벗어버리고 새로운 스타일과 양식으로 민의의 만드는 국민들…그들은 386도 아니오, 88만원 세대도 아닌 민주주의 2.0 세대.. 바로 그대표들인 아고리안이라는 새로운 정치세대가 등장하였습니다.

The new political generation of Korea is seemingly born since the 386 generation. The beginning of the democratization that uses the internet directly could appear in a country with IT power… Direct democratic 2.0 generation has been evolved from the indirect democratic 1.0 genearation. The emergence of Agorian (Agora+Korean). Daum Agora, which generates various information including candlelight vigils against the US-Korea beef trade. Many Agorians in Daum. Owing to you, our future is bright. Disregarding age, sex, and education level, people make their will for democratization in new styles and methods. They’re not the 386 generation, not the 88manwon generation, and but the democratic 2.0 generation. The new political generation, Agorian, appeared.

For the reference, I put a post that explains the definition of Agorian below.

아고리안(Agorian): Daum아고라에 주로 서식하며, 퇴근 직후부터 잠 자는시간까지 아껴가며 정치, 사회, 문화, 군사, 외교 전반에 관한 토론에 매진하는 종족. ‘아고리안(Agorian)’이라 불리는 이 종족은 온라인 안에서 잘한 것은 칭찬하기 위해 인터넷 성지순례를 다니며, 부조리한 것을 보면 단결된 힘으로 해당사이트를 초토화시키는 무서운 전투본능을 가진 종족이다. 뿐만 아니라 오프라인에서까지 실력행사를 하는 등 그들의 신념을 실천하는 것으로도 유명하다.

[사례]
1. 태안 삼성중공업 기름유출 사고 자원봉사
2. 삼성특검, 이명박 특검에 대한 의견타진과 언론사 제보
3. 2007년 대선 당시, 대통령 후보에 관한 격론을 벌이다
4. 이명박 탄핵 청원을 올린 안단테 학생을 정부에서 사법처리하는데 반발, 변호사 비용 모금 청원
5. 미디어와 정부의 잘잘못을 파헤쳐서 언론 뿐 아니라 정당과 국회에까지 정보, 의견을 제시한다.
6. 미친소 수입반대 촛불 문화제 개최 및 가두행진으로 미국산 소고기 협상 정부 고시를 연기시켰을 뿐만 아니라 대통령 탄핵 운동을 이어나간다.
7. 편협한 언론인 조중동의 구독 반대 운동, 대기업의 부조리에 불매운동매진(삼성, 농심, 동원참치, 롯데)
8. 경향신문에 대한 정부의 공공광고 제한에 반발, 십사일반 모금운동으로 광우병 홍보광고를 하다.

노무현은 조중동과 싸웠고 이명박은 초중고와 싸운다.

Agorians: Who mainly inhabit the Agora section of a portal site, Daum and are actively involved with panels related to politics, society, culture, military, and diplomatic issues, saving their sleeping time after finishing their work. They’re surfing the internet. When they find the right things, they start the internet pilgrimage to encourage them. But when they find immoral things, they are full of fighting power to dispel related internet sites. In addition, they’re famous for having off-internet activities in order to practice what they believe.
[Examples]
1. Voluntary activities for the Oil Spil in Taean of Samsung Heavy Industry
2. Encouraging special investigations into Samsung and Lee Myung Bak and giving information to the press
3. Providing discussions about presidential candidates in the 2007 president election
4. When the Lee Myung Bak government tried to give the judicial measure to the Andante student who made the signature campaign to impeach the Lee Myung Bak in the internet, Agorians started a fund-raising campaign to hire a lawyer.
5. Investigating mistakes of media and the government, Agorians suggest opinions and give information to the press and the National Assembly.
6. Launching and encouraging candlelight vigils against the US-Korea beef trade, Agorians delayed the public announcement of the government about the finalization of the trade and continue the impeachment campaign against the current government
7. Campaign against the conservative media, Cho-Joong-Dong (Chosun newspaper, Joongang Newspaper, and Dong-a Newspaper) and campaign not to buy their products against corrupt conglomerates (Samsung, Nongshim, Dongwon Tuna, and Lotte).
8. Against the government’s limitation of public advertisement of Kyunghyang Newspaper, Agorians had fund-raising and put the advertisement against the US-Korea beef trade in the newspaper.

Roh Moo Hyun fought against Cho-Joong-Dong, but Lee Myung Bak fights against primary and secondary students.

5 comments

  • Sonagi

    Unexpected scenes of teenage students’ active participation in candlelight vigils against the trade and policies of the current government and their continual activities (not just temporary participation) have been ongoing.

    Unexpected? Uh, not by those of us who’ve lived in Korea long enough to recognize that the Korea Teachers’ Union is a very politically active organization that strives to teach Korean students “correct” thinking. Some examples:

    childrens’ drawings expressing anti-Japanese sentiments displayed inside subway station:
    http://aog.2y.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=1550

    a KTU-produced video for classroom use depicting conversation between Bush and Roh in which the f-word is heard several times: http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200511/200511010011.html

    Students organizing themselves is fine, but it is unprofessional for teachers to indocrinate students politically and use them to further the KTU’s political agenda. A professional teacher teaches students how to think, not what to think. Rather than threatening the kids, the government should discipline teachers who step outside their professional boundaries by leading their students to political rallies.

  • […] Korea: The birth of the New Political Generation Online Since the content of the US-Korea Beef Trade agreement was publicized in Korean society, many things have happened. Unexpected scenes of teenage students’ active participation in candlelight vigils against the trade and policies of the current government and their continual activities (not just temporary participation) have been ongoing. Even though the central government ordered schools and teachers to discourage students’ participation, the schools warned the participating students with disciplinary punishment, and the teachers go to the vigils to find their students, students seem not to be discouraged and continue to participate. On the internet, non-teenager netizens are shocked with this wave. From apologies that they had prejudice toward the teenagers, such as being individualists and strangers to political and social issues, to expressions of appreciation for what teenagers are doing now, all kinds of opinions are bursting out on internet sites in Korea. Tech-savvy teenagers make use of portal sites and their own blogs to express their opinions about the current political issues and spread graphics that they made to discuss the meaning of mad cow disease and why they have to fight against this trade. It is not just within Korean portal sites. They utilize Youtube and other international popular internet sites. The teenagers make those graphics and share them with other netizens. The ripple effect of these graphics and content spreads fast. […]

  • […] the US military’s behaviour back then was less then admirable and it is easy to see why many 386 generation Koreans still hold negative stereotypes of the US military based off their experiences from back then […]

  • Tan

    Yeah, You never know what is on south Korea. Good things to wait to die there.

    Thanks Tan

  • […] the US military’s behaviour back then was less then admirable and it is easy to see why many 386 generation Koreans still hold negative stereotypes of the US military based off their experiences from growing up […]

Cancel this reply

Join the conversation -> Tan

Authors, please log in »

Guidelines

  • All comments are reviewed by a moderator. Do not submit your comment more than once or it may be identified as spam.
  • Please treat others with respect. Comments containing hate speech, obscenity, and personal attacks will not be approved.