The Gender Divide as a Structuring Cleavage : Political Polarization Among Young Generations in South Korea

Abstract Book of the 11th International Conference on Modern Approaches in Humanities and Social Sciences

Year: 2026

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The Gender Divide as a Structuring Cleavage : Political Polarization Among Young Generations in South Korea

Julien Peigne

ABSTRACT:

This paper explores the growing gender divide in South Korea and argues that it is emerging as a key structuring factor of the country’s political and social dynamics, particularly among younger generations. In a context of rapid economic development and social transformation, tensions between men and women have intensified, revealing deeper shifts in values, identities, and expectations.
Drawing on recent electoral data from the 2025 presidential election, as well as the analysis of feminist movements such as 4B, this study highlights a significant polarization between young women and young men. While young women tend to be more politically engaged and supportive of gender equality, many young men display forms of conservative resistance, sometimes expressed through antifeminist discourse.
The paper examines the underlying causes of this divide, including economic pressure, social competition, compulsory military service, and the persistence of patriarchal norms. These factors contribute to a sense of frustration and identity tension among young men, while reinforcing feminist mobilization among young women.
By combining empirical observations and theoretical perspectives, this research sheds light on the consequences of this polarization for social cohesion, gender relations, and demographic trends. More broadly, it suggests that the South Korean case reflects wider transformations observable in other contemporary societies, raising important questions about the future of gender relations in modern democracies.

Keywords: South Korea, Gender, Sex, Polarization, Politics, Feminism, Inequalities, Youth, Democracy, Society