In this blog post, I will summarize the causes of deepening inequality in Korean politics as raised in “Gangnam Left 2,” along with the author’s diagnosis and solutions, and briefly examine the book’s main arguments and implications.
Main Content and Issues Raised in the Book
“Gangnam Left 2” builds upon its predecessor, shedding light on the Gangnam Left and the polarized political landscape in light of the current situation, and offers a critical perspective on the ruling party rather than taking a neutral stance. In particular, the book addresses the nature of the conflicts triggered by the Cho Kuk scandal and proposes solutions to overcome them, while offering an unfiltered perspective on the 386 generation (now known as the 586 generation), which has played a central role in Korean society.
The author points out that while the so-called 386 generation contributed significantly to South Korea’s democratization, they have now become a vested interest group, labeled “old fogies” by the younger generation and exhibiting hypocritical behavior. The core argument is that they have transformed into “Gangnam Leftists”—a contradiction in which their political rhetoric is leftist while their lifestyle enjoys the sweet fruits of capitalism.
The Scope of Inequality and Interpretation of the Cho Kuk Scandal
In line with the book’s subtitle, “Why Does Politics Exacerbate Inequality?,” the author focuses on the wealth gap. The author argues that viewing wealth inequality solely as a “99% versus 1%” dichotomy is nonsense, and insists that we must expand the scope to include the top 20% to grasp the true nature of inequality and devise solutions to address it. As seen in the Cho Kuk scandal, the “Gangnam Left” revealed a disconnect between the ideologies they once fought for and their current actions.
An example that epitomizes this anger is a mother in her 50s who said in an interview, “I can understand Ms. Na Kyung-won’s actions to some extent, but Mr. Cho Kuk’s actions make my blood boil.” Cho Kuk, who had long advocated for a just society, displayed an indifferent attitude toward his family’s issues—a classic case of “do as I say, not as I do”—which sparked public outrage. Figures from the “386 generation” who hold key positions in the current administration are also rife with contradictions no less than Cho Kuk.
The author interprets the Cho Kuk scandal as directly linked to the Moon Jae-in crisis. Although President Moon Jae-in promised in his inaugural address that “opportunities will be equal, processes will be fair, and outcomes will be just,” the Cho Kuk scandal raises questions about whether that promise has been fulfilled. The movement to defend Cho Kuk, linked to the president’s perception of a crisis, led to rallies by his supporters.
Intergenerational Conflict and Policy Responsibility
The author also diagnoses that people in their 20s are experiencing severe frustration. Many are so desperate—due to employment difficulties and an uncertain future—that they refer to the country as “Hell Joseon.” The author argues that the reason this generation cannot directly bring about political change is not a lack of capability, but rather that the barriers to entry are excessively high. The author contends that the 386 generation bears significant responsibility for exacerbating this structural problem.
The author questions whether the “top 1% reform” advocated by the privileged top 20% is actually feasible. He argues that Korean politics wastes unnecessary energy amid these contradictions, thereby exacerbating inequality. Therefore, he emphasizes that the key to improving the political situation lies in the younger generation forming a new political paradigm and fostering hope.
The Author’s Recommendations and the Demands of the Times
While the author states that the “Gangnam Left” should be respected, he also urges that not all politicians should become part of the “Gangnam Left.” He argues that the mission of progressivism is to resolve inequality, and that politics and policy must be directed toward that goal. Furthermore, he advises the administration—now at the midpoint of its term—to fulfill the promises made in its inaugural address.
‘Gangnam Left 2’ offers a diagnosis and solutions regarding Korean politics and the deepening inequality. However, it remains uncertain whether policymakers will heed the author’s voice. We hope they will respond to the author’s well-intentioned advice by demonstrating a complete transformation.
Especially during these difficult times brought on by COVID-19, the majority of ordinary citizens are suffering from worries about making ends meet. Politics that wisely overcomes this crisis and gives hope to the people, politics that gradually reduces inequality, and politics that resolves problems through dialogue can alleviate the public’s burdens. The author urges efforts to help ordinary citizens through practical measures, such as the formulation of a supplementary budget.
