EXPLORATION OF THE SOURCES OF STUDENT ACTIVISM: THE CASE OF SOUTH KOREA

This article, using the 1989 ‘Ideological Orientationof Korean College Students Study’ survey, investigatesthe sources of student activism by addressing the issue of whystudents turn to activism and what precipitates student demonstrationand movement. Also examined are the relative effects of socialbackground and college socialization factors on levels of politicalactivism to distinguish which one is more important in determiningpolitical activism in Korea. This article contends that collegesocialization experience and political beliefs play a significantrole in influencing students' decisions to participate in protestactivity. It is found that students who are radically socializedvia left-wing organizations and issues are more likely to showhigher levels of approval of communism and more support forprotest activity. Moreover, contrary to the findings in priorstudies, social background factors play a minor role in determiningthe amount of political activism that a student would engagein.