Apathy vs interest among 20-somethings on general election
By Park Si-soo
Many young voters, who call their country "Hell Joseon," are expected to vote today in the hope that their ballots can help create positive change in Korean society.
However, a significant proportion of citizens in their twenties have said that they will not be voting because they will be "too busy" or regard the general election as "meaningless."
According to a survey by polling company Realmeter released Monday, 65.1 percent of the electorate in their 20s said they will cast their ballots, above the 59 percent of those in their 50s and 54.7 percent of voters in their 60s.
Jang Jeong-hyeon, 28, an office worker at an advertising company in Seoul is among those who value the right to vote.
"I will vote. I want to show that young people also have an interest in politics. I hope my ballot will become a prod forcing lawmakers to do things to resolve the hellish living conditions for the young," he said.
Some young voters said their vote will be a judgment on the current administration.
Lim Ha-kyung, 25, a female college student, also said "I will go to vote in an attempt to change the current regime. I know I cannot escape from the rat race even if the regime changes. However, I want the ruling party to feel a sense of crisis."
However, voter apathy is also severe among the young.
Jung Da-eun, 25, a college student, living in Yangcheon-gu, Seoul, said, "I will exercise my right not to vote. In fact, I don't have much interest in politics. Neither do I believe the election will change our society."
Others say they know little about candidates and their campaign pledges.
Kim Ji-hye, 25, a working woman living in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, said, "I don't really have any strong reason not to vote. But I just don't care about politics. I don't want to vote because there is no candidate whom I want to cast a ballot for."
Young people who live abroad are far from enthusiastic about the voting.
Lee Jae-sun, 28, a worker at a chemical company in the United States, said he did not cast his ballot. He said it is hard for Koreans living abroad to obtain information on the candidates.
"There are not enough advertisements promoting the fact that the general election is being held if you're not living in Korea" Lee said.
He said that polling places inside the states were only provided in large metropolitan areas such as New York, Chicago and Boston. The polling place that was closest to him was the Consulate General in New York, which is almost three hours away by car.
"It's impractical to drive a six hour round trip just to vote for politicians who don't even really care about Koreans outside Korea," Lee said.
Jung Jae-hun, 27, an office worker in Seoul, is also not voting because he believes there is little difference among party members.
"They boast about their educational background and careers, but they fail to recognize the real problems in their electoral districts. There will be little difference in my district no matter who gets elected into office," Jung said.
Ryu Jun-whan, 28, a graduate, says he will vote to express disapproval of the ruling Saenuri Party.
"I really don't care who gets voted into office, however I don't want the Saenuri Party to represent me in the National Assembly," He said.
He says that the governing party has failed the public since the 19th general election and has to realize this before moving forward.
Goh Bong-kwan, 24, a male college student living in Anseong, Gyeonggi Province, said, "I cannot vote because I have to study for the mid-term exam. To vote, I have to leave my school and go back to Anseong, I would rather use my free time to focus on studying."
Korea Times interns, Lee Han-soo, Kim Da-hee, Lee Jin-a contributed to this article.
By Park Si-soo
Many young voters, who call their country "Hell Joseon," are expected to vote today in the hope that their ballots can help create positive change in Korean society.
However, a significant proportion of citizens in their twenties have said that they will not be voting because they will be "too busy" or regard the general election as "meaningless."
According to a survey by polling company Realmeter released Monday, 65.1 percent of the electorate in their 20s said they will cast their ballots, above the 59 percent of those in their 50s and 54.7 percent of voters in their 60s.
Jang Jeong-hyeon, 28, an office worker at an advertising company in Seoul is among those who value the right to vote.
"I will vote. I want to show that young people also have an interest in politics. I hope my ballot will become a prod forcing lawmakers to do things to resolve the hellish living conditions for the young," he said.
Some young voters said their vote will be a judgment on the current administration.
Lim Ha-kyung, 25, a female college student, also said "I will go to vote in an attempt to change the current regime. I know I cannot escape from the rat race even if the regime changes. However, I want the ruling party to feel a sense of crisis."
However, voter apathy is also severe among the young.
Jung Da-eun, 25, a college student, living in Yangcheon-gu, Seoul, said, "I will exercise my right not to vote. In fact, I don't have much interest in politics. Neither do I believe the election will change our society."
Others say they know little about candidates and their campaign pledges.
Kim Ji-hye, 25, a working woman living in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, said, "I don't really have any strong reason not to vote. But I just don't care about politics. I don't want to vote because there is no candidate whom I want to cast a ballot for."
Young people who live abroad are far from enthusiastic about the voting.
Lee Jae-sun, 28, a worker at a chemical company in the United States, said he did not cast his ballot. He said it is hard for Koreans living abroad to obtain information on the candidates.
"There are not enough advertisements promoting the fact that the general election is being held if you're not living in Korea" Lee said.
He said that polling places inside the states were only provided in large metropolitan areas such as New York, Chicago and Boston. The polling place that was closest to him was the Consulate General in New York, which is almost three hours away by car.
"It's impractical to drive a six hour round trip just to vote for politicians who don't even really care about Koreans outside Korea," Lee said.
Jung Jae-hun, 27, an office worker in Seoul, is also not voting because he believes there is little difference among party members.
"They boast about their educational background and careers, but they fail to recognize the real problems in their electoral districts. There will be little difference in my district no matter who gets elected into office," Jung said.
Ryu Jun-whan, 28, a graduate, says he will vote to express disapproval of the ruling Saenuri Party.
"I really don't care who gets voted into office, however I don't want the Saenuri Party to represent me in the National Assembly," He said.
He says that the governing party has failed the public since the 19th general election and has to realize this before moving forward.
Goh Bong-kwan, 24, a male college student living in Anseong, Gyeonggi Province, said, "I cannot vote because I have to study for the mid-term exam. To vote, I have to leave my school and go back to Anseong, I would rather use my free time to focus on studying."
Korea Times interns, Lee Han-soo, Kim Da-hee, Lee Jin-a contributed to this article.
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