This article delves into the escalating desensitization towards peace within neoliberal South Korea, illuminating the unconscious adoption of a colonialist perspective towards North Korea. In a milieu where survivalism and economism reign supreme, cooperation with ‘the impoverished and pre-modern’ North is no longer a societal priority. The subconscious perception of North Korea as inferior or barbaric impedes the conception of it as an equal partner in the pursuit of peace. Despite the government’s purported emphasis on peace and reunification on the Korean Peninsula, North Korea is predominantly viewed as a “resource” or “market” for South Korea’s prosperity. The prevailing pessimism about the future is exacerbated by the pervasive apocalyptic sentiment stemming from intense societal competitiveness, fostering a cynical indifference to historical imperatives such as peace on the Korean Peninsula. Nevertheless, this article endeavors to reinterpret the prevailing apocalyptic sentiment as a potential wellspring of new hope, aspiring to establish a different paradigm and dismantle existing social conditions. Ultimately, the focal point is on transforming pessimism about the future into opportunities for the present.