Exploring “Despair” in South Korea: A Situational Analysis of Media Reports
JIN Yu
Hunan Normal University
Page 142-154
Abstract: This study explores the phenomenon of “despair” in South Korea through a situational analysis of media reports. Despite economic growth, South Korea faces severe social issues including one of the world’s lowest birth rates, highest suicide rates, and significant wealth inequality. Drawing parallels to the “deaths of despair” observed in the United States, this research investigates how socio-cultural factors contribute to widespread despair in South Korea. Using Big Kinds, a Korean news big data system, the study analyzes 1,091 despair-related news articles from 2009 to 2024. Through situational, relational, and positional mapping, the research identifies key themes such as unemployment, non-regular employment, and suicide as major contributors to despair. The findings reveal that despair in South Korea is deeply intertwined with structural issues like meritocracy, inequality, and the lack of social safety nets. The study concludes that addressing despair requires comprehensive policies to foster hope, ensure job stability, and strengthen social support systems, alongside addressing individual psychological factors.
Keywords: despair, deaths of despair, South Korea, situational analysis, socio-cultural factors, meritocracy
DOI: 10.53397/hunnu.jflc.202502012
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