| Abstract [eng] |
This master thesis tries to answer the question what is the features of nationalism among South Korea's youth (In Korean called isipdae) and what factors shapes this nationalism. The object of the research is nationalism among University of Seoul students. The aim of the paper is to answer the question what are the main features of nationalism among University of Seoul students and what factors shaped and constructed this nationalism. The goal of the paper is to prove these statements: 1. Ethnic nationalism which was dominating in South Korea for a long time is really changing into civic nationalism. 2. The concept of the nation makes a lot of impact on young South Koreans' attitude towards North and South Koreas unification. The opinion about unification depends on Uri Nara concept - if it includes North Korea or no. 3. The fact that Kim Jong Un has become North Korea's leader determines the negative University of Seoul students attitude towards South Korea. 4. The nationalism among current students asserts through public spirit. These feelings are caused by internal factors like corruption scandal of ex president Park Geun Hye. The tasks to be completed in order to reach the aim of the paper: • Introduce nationalism theories which are used in this research in order to explain how nationalism emerge, what significance it has and etc; • Make qualitative interviews with University of Seoul students; • Analyze the interviews and evaluate the results. The paper consists of three parts: • the first one covers the theoretical part; • the second one briefly describes methodology; • the third one is empirical part where the analysis of the interviews with students is made. The main findings of this paper: 1. The interviews showed how national identities are changing in the country. The respondents have different concepts of their nation - for bigger part of the students, Uri Nara means only South Korea, two students still consider North Korea to be in their concept of nation. Most of the students easily accept foreigners and immigrants in their country. That shows how ethnic nationalism is being challenged by civic nationalism in the country. 2. Most of the students think about unification of the Koreas in the positive way only if it brings some benefits for South Korea's country. (Previously the main reason to unify was the wish to unite the nation (Korean nation)). If students think that unification will bring disadvantages for South Korea - they think about it negatively. The concept of the nation for University of Seoul students has narrowed from Korea to South Korea. 3. Some students described the differences between North Koreans and South Koreans as the reason to not unify. Although there was a chance that Kim Jong Un, as a young (almost from the same generation) leader will change students' opinion about North Korea and North Koreans, actually their opinion only got worse. 4. Analysis shows that the main factors which have impact on students' opinion about their nation and country are internal: corruption and declining link with North Korea. The reaction to Park Geun Hye corruption scandal in 2016 - 2017 has showed that students' national feelings arouse because of the public spirit, respect to their country and desire to expand democracy and its norms. |
