"Not Anti-Japanese but a Human Rights Issue" 2030 Responded to Universal Values

A Generation Enjoying Travel to Japan and Favorable to Japan
Yet Showing the Highest Participation and Support for Boycott Movements

Resisting Japan's Unfair Measures, Not Historical Sentiments
Supporting Hong Kong Protests from a Democratic Perspective

Not a Deliberately United Group by Values
Individuals Gather via SNS to Form Groups
Acting Based on Thoroughly Individualized Judgments

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Donghoon Jeong] #NotGoing #NotBuying #NotSelling

Last year, the 'NO JAPAN' movement that heated up Korean society and the pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong were two very different movements led by the younger generations of each country. What commonalities exist between these movements? At what points did the 2030 generations in Korea and Hong Kong feel anger, and what triggered their actions? Examining this can provide clues to understanding the emotions, intolerances, and fundamental values deeply rooted in the psyche of the 2030 generation.

◆ Justice, fairness, human rights... 2030 responds to universal values = Korea's 2030 generation frequently traveled to Japan and grew up watching Japanese animation, making them a generation with less animosity toward Japan than any other since liberation. It is insufficient to simply dismiss their NO JAPAN movement as mere 'anti-Japanese sentiment.'

'Maltijeuneun Chamjianhgi' (29, nickname), a cable TV producer working for five years, said, "It is regrettable that our ancestors who suffered forced labor did not receive proper compensation," adding, "Since we understand the hardships of labor, shouldn't we raise our voices against the unjust actions of the Japanese government?" The key points in Maltijeuneun Chamjianhgi's words are not 'our ancestors' or 'hardships of labor' but rather the emphasis on 'forced' and 'compensation.'

'Malseonsaeng' (33), a teacher in Cheongju, Chungbuk, said, "The NO JAPAN movement demands sincere apologies and responsible measures from the Japanese government for historical atrocities," and described it as "a political and humanitarian movement led by citizens." Professor Jinbong Choi of the Department of Journalism and Broadcasting at Sungkonghoe University also saw universal human rights issues as the background for the boycott's impact. Professor Choi said, "Issues like the comfort women and forced labor, which gained momentum connected to the recent Me Too movement, are universal human rights issues that resonate with the younger generation."

◆ Hong Kong demanded a universal 'normal society' = The Hong Kong pro-democracy protests began last June in opposition to the extradition bill (also known as the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance). The driving force behind the protests, which saw up to 2 million participants daily in a city of 7 million, was Hong Kong's younger generation. Protesters continuously posted photos and videos on social media to appeal for global support.

Many in Hong Kong recalled Korea's past and present. Maltijeuneun Chamjianhgi said, "Watching the Hong Kong protests reminded me of the 2016 impeachment protests against former President Park Geun-hye," and added, "I hope the Hong Kong protesters ultimately achieve freedom." 'Incheon Sen Unni' (35) said, "I think Korea's situation is not very different from Hong Kong's," and noted, "Although political freedom is somewhat guaranteed, Korea's younger generation remains unliberated within the vertical structure of capital and generations."

This is the context in which Korea's 2030 generation supports the Hong Kong protests. 'Chwieopseonggongnam' (30) said, "The Chinese government's act of violently suppressing the Hong Kong protesters who demand universal values of democracy and human rights must be eradicated," and expressed hope that "through continued protests, the winds of democratization will blow not only in Hong Kong but also in China."

Freedom of expression is a universal value in Korea. Its violation is an unacceptable 'abnormal' state. The strong aversion to Chinese international students damaging banners on domestic university campuses is in this same context. Guaranteeing freedom of expression is essential for forming a healthy and progressive social discourse.

'Malseonsaeng' said, "Intervening in universal values is necessary for social development," adding, "In the 1970s and 1980s, when Korea was not yet democratized, Western advanced countries' media and civil society played the same role."

◆ But indiscriminate solidarity is disliked = The 2030 generation respects individual choice and freedom. They do not blindly support causes based on ideological camps. Freelancer 'Freeman' (33) said, "If you look closely, many smartphone precision parts are Japanese-made, so the boycott target becomes too broad," and added, "The boycott should have a clear justification, such as 'Japanese companies with a history of war crimes' or 'Japanese companies supporting historical distortion and right-wing groups.'" He continued, "Even if someone travels to Japan, there are reasons for each person; is it right to indiscriminately label and criticize them as 'traitors'?"

There was a trend of mocking those who pressured others to join the boycott or excessively emphasized international affairs by calling it 'King-sikuk' or 'God-sikuk' (derogatory slang). Ultimately, the 2030 generation's NO JAPAN movement and their perspective on the Hong Kong protests are thoroughly based on the justification of 'my issue' and 'violation of universal values.' Although it may appear that a dominant shared value exists among the younger generation, in reality, they are immersed in their actions through individualized judgments.

A solidarity rally resisting state violence and human rights violations in Hong Kong was held on November 24 last year in front of Exit 9 of Hongdaeipgu Station, Mapo-gu, Seoul. Participants held signs supporting the Hong Kong democracy protests and urging acceptance of the five demands of the protesters. The five demands are the complete repeal of the extradition law, an independent investigation into the police's strong crackdown, withdrawal of the designation of protesters as "rioters," unconditional release and non-prosecution of arrested protesters, and direct election of the Chief Executive. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

◆ Fragmented individuals and collective technology = Through the NO JAPAN movement, the younger generation demonstrated the power each consumer holds as a consumer force. The 2030 generation grew up with computers, the internet, and smartphones from childhood. Digital technology transfers power to individuals. They choose and control when they want and value freedom. They do not underestimate individual power and have learned how to organize like-minded people through social media.

Japanese media ridiculed the NO JAPAN movement, citing past examples and predicting it would not last long. Mocking this, Korea's younger generation carried out the NO JAPAN movement quickly, accurately, and continuously. Their anti-Japanese movement was far from burning the Japanese flag or throwing filth in front of the Japanese embassy. Their method was posting canceled Japan flight tickets on Instagram with hashtags. Incheon Sen Unni said, "Power that is not used and does not gather is powerless," and added, "The NO JAPAN movement is a declaration by the 2030 generation as a subject power that 'we will not live submissively.'"

A public opinion poll conducted by Gallup Korea in early July showed that 66% of respondents in their 20s intended to participate in the boycott of Japan. In an early August Realmeter survey, just before Japan announced its removal of Korea from the whitelist, the participation intention among people in their 20s rose to 76.1%. This was the highest figure among all age groups, including those in their 70s and 80s who experienced the Japanese colonial period and the middle-aged generation who were explicitly educated with anti-Japanese sentiment.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.