20250128 Chun Hyun-woo main1

Chun Hyun-woo, pictured at a disused factory in Changwon city, says disaffected young men demonstrating at rallies calling for Yoon's reinstatement are "looking for something to belong to." (Photo by Jean Chung)

South Korea's Yoon draws support from casualties of cutthroat economy

Welder-turned-writer sees young men backing impeached president as job, life prospects dim

CHANGWON, South Korea -- Watching images of raucous street protests in Seoul on his smartphone, author Chun Hyun-woo's eyes are drawn to the young men in the crowds yelling for South Korea's impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol to be returned to office.

Chun sees the 20- and 30-somethings chanting slogans and waving placards as casualties of a harshly competitive economy. "They're looking for something to belong to," Chun, 34, told Nikkei Asia in an interview. "The old life path of graduation, finding a job at a company and staying there forever isn't around any more, so they lack a feeling of connection."

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