By Shim Jae-yun
Civic activist Park Won-soon’s becoming Seoul mayor has triggered various debates on the results and implications of the Oct. 26 by-elections. The talk of the town has been the influence of the voters in their 20s, 30s and 40s who gave huge support to Park against Na Kyung-won of the ruling Grand National Party (GNP).
A local daily came up with an eye-catching analysis, comparing the outcome with a pre-election survey on the degree of “instability” among the people. Interestingly enough, while around 60 percent of those in their 20s, 30s and 40s expressed a sense of instability about their future almost the same portion of people in each age category supported Park.
This has caught the political sector off guard. And the consequence of the poll means a humiliating defeat for both the governing GNP and the main opposition Democratic Party. The GNP suffered losses in almost all districts in Seoul while the DP failed to field its own candidate for the capital’s mayoral race, giving way to Park as the unified candidate of the liberal camp.
Research shows that those in their 20s are nervous about the possible failure to find work amid a growing jobless rate. The sprouting colleges and universities across the country have largely failed to provide the students with opportunities to land employment.
Instead they have worsened the situation in the job market as they produce graduates without specialized vocational knowledge and skills. The rapid rise in the number of higher education institutes has only contributed to raising tuition fees, inflicting huge burdens on both parents and their children. This is a case of total failure in education policy in the name of liberalizing the establishment and quotas at universities. The previous governments should have focused on establishing more vocational institutes and a relevant system whereby those with less education can have easier access to the job market.
Those in their 30s are suffering from difficulties in raising their children and buying houses. Many of them managed to buy houses with bank loans years ago when the real estate market was flourishing. At that time, they were full of expectations for soaring house prices. But reality worsened amid aggravating economic conditions as seen in the eurozone crisis and the downgrade of U.S. credit rating in addition to the subprime debacle in the United States. Despite the continued fall in house prices, they need to pay off the interest and principals, with their frozen wages.
Those in their 40s are suffering from the spiraling cost of educating their children, mainly, middle, high school and university students. Many of them also need to take care of elderly parents. Given this, they have no money to save what they need for retirement.
In contrast, those in their 50s and 60s seem to face a relatively comfortable situation compared to the younger generations. They may feel easy with the fact that they are relatively free from the yoke of having to educate their offspring with a stable income and their own houses. They were major supporters for Na Kyoung-won in the by-elections.
Despite the dire situation facing the relatively younger voters, the political parties have failed to read their minds and understand their reality. GNP chairman Hong Joon-pyo tried to play down the election outcome, describing it as a draw for the party, citing GNP victories in many provinces. But the significance of the election in Seoul cannot be underestimated.
The DP has been absorbed in its fight against the long-stalled free trade agreement with the United States. The party has also come under criticism for trying to secure its own political interests regardless of people’s welfare and livelihoods.
Former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula said in a recent media interview that politics should be like a mother who cares for all her children with a special attachment to the weaker and less privileged ones. Only when the underprivileged people can live stably without worrying about their future, other more well-to-do people can live better. It is high time for those with vested interests, including politicians and business tycoons in particular, to have more maternal minds, based on mutual prosperity and co-existence.
A recent poll conducted by the Ministry of Special Affairs on the political consciousness of the younger generation showed 84 percent of the respondents in their 20s and 30s saying they see no political parties promoting their interests.
This can herald a phenomenal change in the political landscape. Unless the political parties make profound self improvement in consideration of the younger people’s suffering they will probably face a serious demise in the forthcoming next year’s general election in April and presidential election in December.