Forget North Korea, the Campus Focus Is Jobs

Kim Seung-hyun, and Jung Gang-hyeon

Kim Seung-hyun, and Jung Gang-hyeon. 2004. ¡°Forget North Korea, the Campus Focus Is Jobs.¡± JoongAng Daily, October 28, 2004.


econd in a series. October 28, 2004 — College life for the so-called ¡°386 generation,¡± Koreans in their late 30s and early 40s, was all about committing themselves to campus activism. A discussion society on ideological issues was one of the common ways for the students to participate in groups, along with student governments that usually organized demonstrations on social, political issues.

But now, not many of those in Korea¡¯s ivory towers want to emulate their seniors.

In a recent survey of more than 2,000 college students conducted by two professors at Chonbuk National University and Yonsei University, 32 percent of the students said they preferred to join hobby groups on their campuses. Those interested in student government numbered only about 5 percent.

Political discussions were favored by 17 percent but the majority looked for get-togethers with alumni or after-class study sessions.

¡°Students tend to avoid group activities that might require some sacrifice of their own time and effort,¡± said Han Jun, a sociology professor of Yonsei University and a co-author of the study with a Chonbuk National University professor, Seol Dong-Hoon. ¡°Korean society is influenced in general by the neo-liberal policies that everyone is subject to competition and accomplishments. College students are jumping on that social bandwagon.¡±

At Seoul National University, a new group was formed calling themselves by a Korean term meaning, ¡°Study of Liberalism.¡± The group of about 150 students said they could no longer stand the noise student governments were making through loudspeakers in front the library to promote rallies. The group was in essence an anti-demonstration group demanding silence so they could study.

¡°A group¡¯s rights cannot override an individual¡¯s rights,¡± said Lee Gyu-jin, a 29-year-old senior studying law at the school and also a member of the group. Mr. Lee said he thought the student government had tendencies toward ¡°group egoism.¡±

As students lose interest in campus activities, the student government at Seoul National University said it was concerned about the dwindling number of voters in the annual student body election.

They called off the election in November 2003 because not enough students voted to make the election valid. Though the election was extended to another week, only 47 percent of the students at the school turned out to vote. The council wants to move the election to March, when new freshmen might be inspired to participate.

The Seoul branch of Hanchongryon, a federation of student governments, said it would hold a job fair for their fellow students at the end of the month. The pro-North Korean group finds itself turning to activities other than ideological ones.

¡°Hanchongryon always tried to understand what students were worried about,¡± said a Dankook University member ¡°But we admit that we never helped them substantially.¡± by Kim Seung-hyun <shyun@joongang.co.kr>, Jung Gang-hyeon <foneo@joongang.co.kr>