6 out of 10 Koreans No Longer Believe “Hard Work Pays Off” | Be Korea-savvy

6 out of 10 Koreans No Longer Believe “Hard Work Pays Off”


Conducted by pollster Uri Research and Consulting, the study revealed that of 1,000 adults surveyed, only 36.2 percent said they agreed with the validity of the statement “hard work pays off”. (Image: Yonhap)

Conducted by pollster Uri Research and Consulting, the study revealed that of 1,000 adults surveyed, only 36.2 percent said they agreed with the validity of the statement “hard work pays off”. (Image: Yonhap)

SEOUL, Nov. 24 (Korea Bizwire) Survey results have revealed that South Koreans are on the whole pessimistic and are distrustful of the government and the fourth estate. 

Conducted by pollster Uri Research and Consulting, the study revealed that of 1,000 adults surveyed, only 36.2 percent said they agreed with the validity of the statement “hard work pays off”.

The respondents’ bleak outlook intensified when it came to the public arena, as 55.9 percent disagreed with the statement “the government stands for the powerless” and a whopping 74.1 percent shook their heads to the statement “the press speaks for the powerless”. 

The People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy, one of two civic organizations that had commissioned the survey, said regarding the findings, “It appears to be the case that the government and the press must work extremely hard to regain the public’s trust.” 

The survey also gathered citizens’ opinions on the current political climate, with 67.5 percent saying the Moon Administration’s “cleaning house” initiative of long festering corruption and wrongdoing in government was “deserved punishments meted out based on illegal activity”, while 25.7 percent thought the underlying motivation for the anti-corruption procedures to be “political revenge against the previous administration”.

Nearly a quarter said they had participated in the candlelight protests (28.4 percent), and three quarters said they approved of them (75.1 percent). (Image: Yonhap)

Nearly a quarter said they had participated in the candlelight protests (28.4 percent), and three quarters said they approved of them (75.1 percent). (Image: Yonhap)

Answers were roughly equal on matters of prospective constitutional amendments. Specifically, 43.9 percent thought that a vote on constitutional amendments should be held during next year’s regional elections, while 35.1 percent responded that the vote should happen after.

The study also revealed that 43.7 percent believed that the amendments should focus on ensuring greater protection of citizens’ basic rights, and 38.1 percent said that the existing power structures need to be reorganized.

Nearly a quarter said they had participated in the candlelight protests (28.4 percent), and three quarters said they approved of them (75.1 percent). Only 17.3 percent agreed that “the candlelit vigils had accomplished their purpose as former president Park is now impeached”, with 71.1 percent agreeing with the statement “deep-rooted reforms need to be fully implemented going forward”.

 

S.B.W. (sbw266@koreabizwire.com)

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