Recently, during my trip to Seoul, I delved into the complex dynamics of South Korea’s 386 Generation. This group, characterized by its anti-American, anti-Japanese, and pro-communist beliefs, appears to be reminiscent of Japan’s New Left generation from the 1970s.
While the latter is now stepping back from the limelight in Japan, the 386ers in South Korea, all in their 50s, are set to shape the country’s political landscape for the next two decades. This reality leaves me torn between optimism and pessimism regarding the future of Japan-South Korea relations.
A friend recently shared an intriguing theory with me – the idea of human history operating in 70-year cycles. According to this hypothesis, cultures and philosophies rise, mature, and eventually fade away in intervals of about 70 years, or roughly four generations. It’s a fascinating concept that sheds light on the ebb and flow of dominant ideologies over time.