Generational Divergence, Structural Cleavages, and Contingent Optimism in South Korean Unification Attitudes

• 발행기관: 한국학술연구원
• 저자명: Seungwoo Han
• 간행물 정보: 『Korea Observer』Vol 57, No 3, 475~508쪽, 전체 34쪽
• 주제분류: 사회과학 > 정치외교학
• 파일형태: PDF
• 발행일자: 2026.09.30

국문 초록

Public support for Korean unification is no longer a settled national consensus but a reflection of generational experience, structural division, and political context. This study examines how age, domestic cleavages, and episodic diplomatic events interact to shape domain-specific expectations about unification's integrative potential. Drawing on perspectives from political sociology, political psychology, and comparative politics, it investigates whether unification is perceived as a means to reduce economic inequality, mitigate regional disparity, or alleviate political polarization. Using nationally representative data from the Unification Perception Survey (2013-2024), the analysis reveals a clear generational gradient: older individuals consistently report higher expectations, whereas younger individuals express lower optimism. Despite prevailing skepticism among those in their twenties, a pronounced but short-lived surge in optimism emerged in 2019, coinciding with the period of intensive 2018 inter-Korean diplomacy. The findings suggest that while symbolic events can temporarily activate receptivity among younger generations, such effects fade quickly without credible policy follow-through. Sustaining support for unification therefore requires aligning symbolic initiatives with tangible, domain-specific outcomes.

목차

Ⅰ. Introduction

Ⅱ. Generational Perspectives on Korean Unification: A Theoretical Framework

Ⅲ. Methods

Ⅳ. Results

Ⅴ. Conclusion

Reference

키워드

Korean unification generational attitudes structural cleavages period effects public opinion