The 386 generation

The 386 generation was the first generation of Korea who staged an extensive and collective demonstration for democracy. The word refers to a group of people who are now in their 30s, went to university in the 1980s, and born in 1960s. The 386s used to mean resistance to the establishment, but now they are actively working in all walks of life and some of them are the establishment themselves. So the color and pride the word ‘386’ used to connote turn pale.

The interesting thing is that as this government came to power, the 386s is given a new light, not least because government members themselves are the 386s. President Roh also believes he is a member of the 386s.

According to the survey on 1000 people by Sin-Donga, 68.1 per cent think the 386s have influence on the policy and personal management of the current government and 18.3 per cent say the influence is ‘great.’ 84.9 per cent say they have favorable opinion toward the 386s. But 69.7 per cent see political participation by the 386s as ‘not good.’

That many people view the 386s identical with the current government shows that the generation stands at a good chance to have more participation in the government but at the same time it can be a crisis for them when and if the Roh government fails miserably. As Roh’s approval rating is near at the nadir, the word ‘386’ is sometimes used with bad connotation such as contempt or caution.