Hmmm, I’ll answer this from personal experience. I haven’t heard of any official, widespread movement against conscription in South Korea, but from what I’ve observed, I seldom come across a lot of young Koreans who are exceptionally happy about the idea of it.

Very, very generally speaking, because I’m super sure there are tons of exceptions, many are not blatantly against it because they understand that it’s a social obligation, to both their families and their country; and they sort of accept it as something that’s unavoidable. 

On the other hand, they’re not super supportive of the idea as well. Today’s generation is less engaged in broad social, or even nationalist, causes more than they are in their personal lives. Most young Korean males I’ve talked to have some sort passive animosity against conscription because they feel it’s a huge disruption in their studies, their personal obligations (and relations); and if given the choice, they wouldn’t give up two years of their lives to serve in the military. They rather work, concentrate on their studies, spend time with families and friends, etc. This is also common among those who have done their time. Though they do admit that it was a very enriching experience, they wouldn’t go through it again. Among young Korean females, they don’t like the fact that their friends and boyfriends are torn from them. I have friends whose boyfriends are in the military, and to them it feels like being in long distance relationships. It’s very inconvenient, and very vulnerable to strained dynamics and even breakups.

To reiterate, the attitudes are very passive. It’s a huge difference between today’s generation and that of the past. Patriotism and nationalism back then was more conspicuous and widespread than they are among young Koreans today, but it’s still accepted as something Korean men have to go through. Serving the country continues to be a value of high importance today, but it’s something that’s so deeply internalized it’s rarely explicit, overt, or actively and passionately expressed on a day-to-day basis. 

Thanks for your message!