A growing number of South Korean millennials and Gen Z voters, raised with progressive education policies – including the absence of corporal punishment and relaxed mobile phone restrictions in schools – are increasingly supporting conservative political parties. This trend puzzles many older generations who expected these voters to lean left. Analysts suggest factors contributing to this shift include economic anxieties, particularly regarding employment and housing affordability, and a perceived failure of progressive policies to address these concerns. Concerns about national security and a desire for stability are also cited as potential motivators. The phenomenon challenges conventional assumptions about the link between educational background and political affiliation in South Korea. This unexpected alignment is prompting a re-evaluation of voter demographics and political strategies ahead of upcoming elections. The trend indicates a complex interplay of social, economic, and political factors influencing the country’s evolving political landscape.