단상斷想

 In 2025, South Korea faces a dire reality where, behind plausible economic growth figures, the top 10% monopolize 46.5% of the total income, deepening the divide. The fact that the bottom 50% survive on a mere 16% of the income is evidence of a collapsing ladder of hope, and these statistics are stark proof that Korean society has already degenerated into a 'hereditary class society.' If the media is a group and doesn't address and conceals this secret, another situation will occur where the public votes for foolish politicians unless they become smarter on their own.

It is no coincidence that 19 out of 33 major inequality indicators have worsened over the past 20 years. This is the result of structural and systematic deepening of inequality, and an inevitable consequence of the growth-oriented paradigm our society has followed. Of particular note is the fact that this deepening inequality has accelerated further since the COVID-19 pandemic. During the pandemic, the assets of the wealthy increased rapidly due to rising asset prices, but the middle and working classes suffered even more from employment insecurity and income decline. This starkly revealed the nature of inequality, in which the socially vulnerable are hit harder in times of crisis. The COVID-19 vaccine killed many people due to side effects, and countless small business owners committed suicide. It was a situation in which there was no national benefit other than the accumulation of huge wealth by vaccine developers, including Pfizer. Oh, there is one thing. There are speculative reports that Minister nominee Jeong Eun-kyung earned a large sum of money from vaccine-related stocks. If the facts are confirmed, will the common people realize something?

The surge in real estate prices has become a decisive force in solidifying class divisions, going beyond a simple economic phenomenon. House prices in Seoul and the metropolitan area have reached levels that are impossible to catch up with through labor income alone, and the reality that parents' assets determine their children's social status is becoming entrenched. This signifies the revival of a feudal class society where congenital conditions, rather than individual effort and ability, determine fate. For young people who cannot afford to buy their own home even if they work hard, the older generation's motto of 'If you try, you can do it' has become an unconvincing lie. The daughter of Prosecutor General Shim Woo-jung and the son of Kwak Sang-do also wanted a life where they did not hesitate to choose an easy life with their father's backing. The illegal inheritance of wealth by the undisclosed children of high-ranking officials will only be laughed at behind the scenes, no matter how many pro-people policies the government creates.

More serious is that whether or not you own real estate has become a core element in the formation of lifetime assets, going beyond the simple issue of housing. The class that owns real estate accumulates more wealth through the rise in asset value, while the class that does not own real estate is deprived of even the opportunity to form assets due to the burden of high rents. This shows that housing inequality has spread into a society-wide problem to the point where new terms such as 'House Poor' and 'Rent Poor' have emerged. There are people who endure with imported cars and imported camping equipment even if they give up on housing issues, but in essence, they not only do not know that they cannot climb the ladder of wealth, but rather waste more money on strange hobbies.

Inequality in educational opportunities is another barrier that blocks the possibility of social mobility. The gap in educational opportunities between metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas, the indiscriminate expansion of the private education market, and unfair practices in entrance exams and employment are undermining the very foundation of fair competition, starting from the home. The vicious cycle in which parents' economic power determines their children's educational opportunities, which in turn leads to the inheritance of social status, is becoming entrenched. The fact that parents are not given time to cultivate their children's talents, but rather constantly introduce their unfulfilled dreams or imitations of their parents' jobs, turning their children into mindless puppets, is completely destroying the traditional myth of social mobility through education in Korean society. In fact, South Korea's spending on private education is the highest in the OECD, and the gap in private education spending between high-income and low-income households continues to widen. The gap in educational infrastructure between the Gangnam 8 school district and small provincial cities is creating 'educational regionalism,' where the region of birth determines educational opportunities. The gap between regions and classes in the rate of admission to prestigious universities and the rate of employment in large corporations has already become a structural barrier that is difficult to overcome with individual effort. The blind, animalistic love of Korean parents for their children is something that needs to be avoided, even to the point of thwarting dictator Chun Doo-hwan's attempt to eliminate the private education market. It is time for an exit strategy, even if it is too late.

The dual structure of the Korean labor market is a key factor that further exacerbates inequality. Wage gaps between large and small businesses, regular and non-regular workers, and the public and private sectors are widening. In particular, young people have to invest heavily in "building specs" in the job search process, and in many cases, they have to stay in an unstable employment status even after getting a job. This deepens inequality between generations and increases anxiety about the future of young people. Furthermore, the wage gap between skilled and unskilled workers is widening in the process of the 4th Industrial Revolution and digital transformation. As educational and re-educational opportunities to adapt to technological changes are differentiated by class, a vicious cycle occurs in which technological gaps lead to income gaps. This is not simply a matter of individual ability, but a structural problem stemming from a lack of social infrastructure and support systems. The increase in workers being driven to Coupang is evidence that society is going to hell with fixed status, like neighboring Japan. Getting things quickly and cheaply is the reality of the common people who are doomed to be consumer slaves for companies by selling quickly and cheaply. We must realize that in a world where values are reversed, the development of artificial intelligence is threatening human jobs and existence itself.

The serious issue is the response from the political sphere. Instead of fundamental solutions to address inequality, they are discussing policies that strengthen the inheritance of wealth, such as easing inheritance taxes, and are showing a tendency to protect vested interests. At least, the previous government did. If the Lee Jae-myung government pursues pro-people policies, young far-right individuals, already exceeding the bounds, freely spout calculations, calling it socialism. This is because they do not know the past history where politics has been an accomplice in consolidating the existing inequality structure, rather than being the subject of solving social problems, and therefore, they do not know the history of that policy at all. If the wealthy do not turn away from the side of dictatorship and pro-Japanese remnants and extend their hands towards the common people, Korea will follow in the footsteps of the United States, peaking and then declining like America. Ray Dalio is not someone who inherited high education and high specs from his parents. Only those who do not do what they dislike and design their lives arbitrarily will be able to develop their individuality within the short cycle of biological life. I believe that Korea has encountered a wall like the present because parents and children have not lived their lives separately.

The political cynicism and anger that have spread among young people are a natural reaction to this political incompetence and bias towards vested interests. Politicians should not shout empty 'fairness' and 'justice' every election - those words are from the Fifth Republic era - but should be able to calculate the adverse effects that actual policies, which are still tailored to the interests of the privileged, will have on the next generation. We must reflect on the history of the political ecosystem, where people with low intelligence and full of desires have formed a political ecosystem like bugs swarming in the political world. In the case of real estate policy, policies that cater to short-term popularity rather than fundamental expansion of housing supply or curbing speculation have been repeated, and the new government must watch as the ignorant desire of the 70s to make money from real estate wanes, starting with loan regulations. Basically, you can't invest in stocks if you're ignorant. We must monitor government policies to ensure that smart and diligent real ants can become rich. We must also realize whether tax policies are focused on nominal policies, and that political incompetence results in a lack of ability to solve social problems.

Inequality in Korean society is not limited to differences in income and assets. It has become a multi-layered structural problem involving class, generation, region, and gender. The poverty rate and income inequality among socially vulnerable groups such as women and the elderly are at the highest level in the OECD, which shows that the inclusiveness and integration of our society have been seriously damaged. The instability of the labor market, especially the increase in non-regular workers and the employment insecurity of young people, is completely destroying the ladder of class mobility. In particular, gender inequality is evident in women's economic participation rate and wage gap. Career interruptions due to childbirth and childcare, limited promotion opportunities due to glass ceilings, and discriminatory wage payments for the same work are driving women into economically vulnerable groups. However, radical feminism should be prevented from becoming a political organization. Homosexuality in politics must also be prevented. Order collapses when the harmony of yin and yang is broken. Modern politics, which has completely forgotten the past history in which that law was useful in human society, should not recklessly allow homosexuality in politics. Homosexuality and pseudo-religions lead the weakness of human nature to uncontrollable destruction.

The elderly poverty rate is also at a serious level. The problem of elderly poverty among the baby boomer generation, who retired without sufficient preparation for old age, is expected to become even more serious. The liberation generation will become a sandwiched generation, dying without receiving treatment for physical poverty and mental emptiness. The resentment of not being able to eat and learn due to poverty is so great that it can lead to dementia. Society and politics used them as tools for brainwashing and used them as Red Guards in the name of anti-communism, but did not nurture them as proud citizens of the true Republic of Korea. Because the more pigs and dogs, the better. The immaturity of the national pension system, the lack of private pensions, and the decline in the quality of elderly jobs are the results of this practice. The complex interplay of crushed and abandoned history and corrupt politics is exacerbating the phenomenon of elderly poverty becoming a burden on the next generation and a negative example.

The deepening of inequality weakens social cohesion and threatens the foundations of democracy. Democracy thrives when communication between classes is smooth, and a simple and peaceful coexistence society exists where social conflicts due to relative deprivation do not increase. The spread of political populism is closely related to economic inequality. In particular, inequality is a serious threat to the development of democratic politics, as it leads to avoidance of political participation by the youth and the spread of social cynicism, and it undermines social trust. As the belief in fair competition and just compensation disappears, members of society tend to pursue only personal gain, and jealousy and gambling cross the line. This weakens the sense of community based on social cooperation and solidarity and lowers the development engine of the entire society.

What is needed now is a policy shift that moves away from a growth-oriented paradigm and realizes distributive justice, social solidarity, and practical equal opportunities. Without fundamental remedies such as strengthening taxation on unearned income from real estate and assets, providing fair education and employment opportunities, and expanding the social safety net, the cracks in Korean society will only deepen. Specifically, the following policy directions are needed.

First, it is a shift in housing policy that suppresses real estate speculation and guarantees residential stability. Real estate should be established as a means of housing, not a target of speculation, by greatly expanding public rental housing, introducing the concept of land disclosure, and strengthening real estate holding tax and capital gains tax.

Secondly, it is educational system reform to resolve educational inequality. Policies are needed to reduce reliance on private education, strengthen public education, and resolve educational disparities between regions. The level of third-rate instructors and third-rate professors is also a serious problem, so universities that fail to keep up with social changes must be boldly reorganized.

Third, it is a shift in labor policy to resolve the dual structure of the labor market and protect workers' rights and interests. Institutional mechanisms must be in place to reduce discrimination between regular and non-regular workers, realize the principle of equal pay for equal work, and guarantee workers' basic rights.

Fourth, it is the expansion of the social security system and the resolution of welfare blind spots. We must strengthen the social safety net through the expansion of national employment insurance, sickness allowance, and child allowance, and systematize welfare services for each life cycle.

This is not just a policy adjustment, but a fundamental change in the values and systems of society as a whole. We must create a virtuous cycle structure in which individual success leads to the development of society as a whole, and build a society where all members have fair opportunities and can realize their potential.

The government and political circles alone cannot solve the problem of inequality. Active participation and social solidarity of civil society are needed. Civil society must continuously raise the issue of inequality, propose policy alternatives, and play a role in forming social consensus. Resolving inequality is not just a problem for the current generation. It is an essential condition for passing on a sustainable society to future generations. Considering the challenges that future society will face, such as climate change, population aging, and technological change, social cohesion and cooperation will become even more important. Therefore, policies to resolve inequality should be designed based on a long-term vision, not short-term prescriptions. We must develop the capacity to adapt to future society through educational innovation, technological development, and social system improvement, and establish a support system that allows all members to adapt to change.

Korean society is at a crossroads, deciding whether to develop into a truly democratic society or regress into a class society. Now, the wisdom and courage of all of us are being tested. Change does not come automatically. It is time to face the unequal reality and take concrete and practical actions to solve it. The government must make courageous policy decisions, companies must fulfill their social responsibilities, citizens must actively participate, and the media must fulfill their respective roles through healthy criticism. To pass on hope to future generations, we must act now. Breaking down the walls of inequality is the most important task of our time, and realizing it is the responsibility of all of us.