 |
| A girl points to a display showing the signatures of Korea's independence fighters in Seoul, Tuesday, as the nation celebrates the 78th anniversary of its liberation from the 1910-45 Japanese occupation. Yonhap |
By Jung Min-ho
More than one out of four young Koreans who were born between 1995 and 2009 are not sufficiently aware of the meaning of National Liberation Day, with more than 10 percent saying they had no idea, a recent poll shows.
According to survey results released Monday, the day before the national holiday marking Korea's independence from Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule, 15.6 percent of respondents in that age group said they were "not well aware" of its meaning, while 11.2 percent said they were "completely unaware."
Among those respondents, described as members of Generation Z by PMI, a pollster, only 21.9 percent said they were well aware of the day, including the date, year of independence and meaning, while 51.4 percent said they were somewhat aware.
Their awareness rates are the lowest among all the different age groups surveyed. The older people are, the more aware they are of the day, the poll demonstrates.
Those born in 1964 or before, the oldest bracket, show the highest rates, with 92.3 percent saying they were well or somewhat aware of it.
The poll also suggests Gen Z values personal freedom more than older generations. Asked if traveling to Japan on that holiday would be appropriate, 32.6 percent said they would have no problem with it as the decision should depend on individuals' freedom. The rate is higher than the average of 29.5 percent among other age groups.
![[INTERVIEW] Korea has great opportunity to lead green transition](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/7321cddf734c43269db9ae00b4d9ddd7.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
![[INTERVIEW] Namseoul University leads adoption of innovative IB education programs](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/5291e6a2f3df420e83c62c2c4f712591.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
![[INTERVIEW] Song Kang discuss shortened screen time in 'Sweet Home 2'](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/e276a5e482b0485f9221a23f7de99c0d.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
![[INTERVIEW] Meet the man behind giant rubber ducks that once took over Seoul](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/df32c60c8204448e98ccdb9841366bec.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
