Welcome to the Primer page. Here you will find explanations for some of the terms and concepts I frequently use in my posts, which might be unfamiliar to those who are not closely following South Korean politics and society. To be updated frequently.

Glossary

Minjoo (Democratic Party of Korea)

The Democratic Party of Korea, often referred to as “Minjoo” (which means “Democratic” in Korean), is the main liberal/progressive political party in South Korea. It is the party of former President Moon Jae-in and current leader Lee Jae-myung. The party typically draws strong support from the “Gen-86” generation (see below) and generally advocates for engagement with North Korea, labor rights, and social welfare programs.

Gen-86 (386 Generation)

The term “Gen-86” (derived from the earlier “386 Generation”) refers to the generation of Koreans who were born in the 1960s, attended university in the 1980s, and were in their 30s when the term was coined in the 1990s. This generation was the driving force behind the pro-democracy movement against the military dictatorship in the 1980s. Now in their 50s and 60s, they have become the mainstream political establishment, holding significant power within the Minjoo Party and other sectors of society. Understanding this generation is key to understanding the current political landscape in South Korea.