Seven out of 10 Koreans were optimistic about the future 20 years ago, but now six out of 10 Koreans believe that the future is grim, a survey shows. Some 20 years ago, 69.3 percent of Koreans expected relations between the two Koreas to improve. But now, 70 percent think inter-Korean relations will get worse or remain unchanged. The survey was conducted by Gallup Korea at the request of the Chosun Ilbo and the Korea Association for Survey Research.
Koreans have increasingly opted for sustainable economic growth, while betraying signs of fatigue with the process of democratization. Twenty years ago, only 16.5 percent put rapid economic growth before stability and social harmony. But now, 55.6 percent choose growth over social stability.
In a survey in 1988, some 78.8 percent said further democratization was needed, which was indeed what was happening at the time. Now, the figure stands at 36.8 percent. On the contrary, the number of people who think the nation has been sufficiently democratized has increased eight-fold from 3.9 percent to 30.9 percent.
Seo Woo-seok, a professor at the University of Seoul's College of Urban Science, said Koreans’ confidence in their ability to overcome social obstacles has weakened and the nation’s growth engines such as aspirations to greater democracy have faded over the last 20 years.
(englishnews@chosun.com )
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