By Bernard Rowan
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South Korea is now a leading nation, and her ascent has been rapid. Social pathways create pressures on individuals. Today's young adults expect to do as well as or better than their parents, but find it difficult. Unfortunately, it's often unrealistic, and for no fault of the young adults or the parents. But the feelings remain. That's on top of all the competition that makes Korea Korean, if I may say so. The recent college exams saw calls for more social support, and some for ending it. The exams take a huge toll on tens of thousands of Koreans each year. Many feel stigmatized by the results ― needlessly.
What I've learned about "K-rage" or "kimchi temperament" is not specific to young people. It's also not particular to South Korea. We worry about angry young people because it prompts the reaction: "This shouldn't happen." They're so young to be so lost.
A recent Korea Times report noted 37 to 38 people (of all ages) commit suicide in Korea each day, a sobering statistic. Most are older males. Growing numbers are younger. When we add acts of bullying, hazing and related behavior, however, the incidence of young people who suffer or perpetrate anger increases.
Korean traditional thinking is slow to accept anger and depression as illness. These maladies have a social part, a medical or wellness part, and a personal or individual part. Economics always matters too, including unemployment and underemployment. If a Confucian society stresses bonds between classmates, seniors and juniors, it also isolates those who don't "fit in." Too many young adults and teens lack mentors, people inside or beyond their families to whom they can turn to vent, to share frustrations, and to seek advice. Too many refuse help, medical and psychological, out of shame and guilt. Not enough help presents!
I've written about the Korean idea of "han." Koreans keep their opinions and feelings in. Koreans don't "let it out" normally. Han allows expressing anger in confined circumstances ― or it's viewed as a vice. The self-control and propriety of grown-ups in Korea forbid taking out one's frustrations on others, scapegoating, or random acts of anger. However, this "bad behavior" grows! The old thinking stales.
Today, han shows its face. Intropunitive behavior continues, yes, but Koreans now act out deep-seated angst. Saving face doesn't matter. Rage and violence follow the stage of Korean social advance. Today the Korean person or identity includes more individuality, and social pressures bearing on youth and young adults worsen in severity.
Don't deny gender's impact. Young Korean women aren't immune, but overwhelmingly the acting out is a matter of male behavior. Too many boys and men spend too much time in virtual isolation. The internet cafes have shaded into worlds where one's phone is life. Men, including Korean men, don't need to play the alpha male game! That's not the way to happiness. Few realize it's impossible as society reaches the advanced stage ― and senseless. Anger borne of alienation frustrates social and life possibilities. South Korea should launch a long-term policy effort to rival its industrial policy of the last century. Life doesn't end at 20 if one hasn't "made it" according to one's expectations.
What must we do? Today's young adults need the active development of mental health supports and mentoring from older generations. Anger and suicide need recognition of mental illness. Korea must invest in stopping youth and young adult anger by sharing income and wealth, jobs and opportunities. Lead in the cause of stopping the crisis.
Bernard Rowan (rowan10@yahoo.com) is associate provost for contract administration and professor of political science at Chicago State University. He is a past fellow of the Korea Foundation and former visiting professor at Hanyang University.
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