By Jung Sung-ki
Staff Reporter
The 2007 presidential election betrayed the tradition that young voters are in more favor of progressive ideas than conservative ones, as they valued bread-and-butter issues more this time than ideological and ethical standards, political experts said.
In the Dec. 19 ballot, over 40 percent of those in their 20s and 30s funneled their votes to businessman-turned-politician Lee Myung-bak, who campaigned on his economic credentials, helping him win a landslide victory over liberal-minded Chung Dong-young whose pledges focused on North Korean affairs, ideology and ethical issues.
Young Voters Become Pragmatic
According to final figures released by the National Election Commission, Lee won 42.5 percent of support from those in their 20s, while Chung had 20.7 percent from the same bracket.
Lee won 40.4 percent of support from 30-something voters compared to Chung with 28.3 percent.
The results marked a stark contrast to those of the 2002 election when liberal candidate Roh Moo-hyun won some 60 percent of support from those in their 20s and 30s against Lee Hoi-chang who earned some 30 percent from the brackets.
Kim Ho-ki, professor of sociology at Yonsei University in Seoul, said the liberal camp failed to read the trends among young people.
``Most of those in their 20s and 30s now witnessed the financial crisis 10 years ago when they were children,'' Kim said in a televised debate Thursday. ``Unfortunately, they themselves are experiencing similar economic difficulties now, such as unemployment and housing issues. That means they cannot help voting for the candidate who can satisfy their needs of livelihood.''
Judgement on Roh government
Professor Kim Hyung-joon of Myungji University in Seoul said Lee Myung-bak's landslide victory was largely attributable to the South Korean public's frustration of incompetent Roh Moo-hyun government and ruling forces, which had been indulged in ideological and political disputes.
``The outcome of the election reflected the public's punishment on the Roh government,'' Kim said. ``Most people, even those who supported Roh in 2002, were disappointed by Roh's failed management of state affairs.''
Professor Kang Won-taek of Soongsil University in Seoul said, ``There are many people voting for Lee Myung-bak just because they don't like Roh. People felt the need for change because the Roh government failed to come up with solutions on economic problems."
Conservative Prevails
Arguably, conservatives dominated this election. Though Lee Myung-bak is often considered a reform-minded politician, most of his policies are based on a conservative platform.
In Wednesday polls, Lee won 48.7 percent of the votes, beating out Chung Dong-young with 26.1 percent. It was the biggest margin of victory in the 20-year history of democratic elections in South Korea
Right-wing candidate Lee Hoi-chang had 15. 1 percent. That means more than 63 percent of voters supported conservative candidates.
``People appeared to desperately feel the need for change, being tired of 10 years of liberal rule. And that kind of sentiment was reflected in the election,'' said Professor Kim Min-jeon of Kyunghee University in Seoul.
Regionalism Lingers
Lee Myung-bak won in 13 out of 16 cities and provinces in the country. But he only received single-digit support in southwest regions, which experts call a sign of lingering regionalism.
The southwestern Jeolla provinces and Gwangju have long been considered the home turf of liberal politicians led by former President Kim Dae-jung.
Votes Shift in Seoul
Traditionally, voters in the Seoul area tend to split between conservative and liberal forces, and liberal votes often dominated the elections. But not this time around.
More than half of Seoul and Gyeonggi voters supported Lee. He won 53.2 percent in Seoul and 51.8 percent in Gyeonggi Province. In west Incheon, Lee won 49.4 percent of the votes.
Experts said Lee's visible achievements during his service as Seoul mayor including the restoration of the Cheonggye stream and reform of bus services in Seoul were crucial for the shift.
Lowest Voter Turnout
The voter turnout recorded a record-low of 63.1 percent. The rate is far below the 70.8 percent turnout of the 2002 election and the 80.7 percent of the 1997 election.
Poll experts attributed the lowest-ever turnout to the early daunting lead of the President-elect and growing public apathy toward politics and negative campaigns during the presidential race.
gallantjung@koreatimes.co.kr
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