Campaign gestures

By Lee Sun-ho

During the 22-day campaign period leading up to Korea's 2022 presidential election, voters witnessed two vibrant campaign gestures demonstrated by Lee Jae-myung of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea and Yoon Suk-yeol of the main opposition People Power Party, respectively. One was a “high-kick” shown by the now-defeated Lee, while the other was an “upper-cut” performed by the successful candidate and now President-elect.

At first, the two distinctive signature moves or body gestures of the two main candidates were unfamiliar to the general public. As presidential election campaigns on the streets of the nation took place, however, voters hearing their campaign speeches and presentations, came to notice the distinctive physical movements of each candidate, for example, the use of their legs or arms when addressing the crowds.

At this point, we could only guess as to whether the two candidates meant to convey the meaning behind their now well-known political gestures.

A high-kick means to jump, fly, or kick with the foot. It is a famous technique from Taekwondo, Korea's martial art and when executed correctly, can be deadly. On the other hand, the upper-cut is a punch used in boxing and is capable of delivering a knockout strike.

All in all, however, the two then-candidates employed these gestures to convince Korean citizens that they were men of the people, willing to listen and respond to the opinions of the majority.

Persuading voters is, no doubt, the essence of a political campaign and this is often achieved by all means and methods. Any successful candidates must persuade voters that they deserve their vote. Campaigns still depend on tried and tested ways of persuading masses of voters, backed by song, trademark gestures ― like high-kicks or upper-cuts ― and direct contact between voters and candidates, in addition to election posters, promotion events, open talk shows, TV debates and the use of the internet and other social media tools in order to woo voters.

As the eighth provincial election season for local government and parliamentary candidates in Korea draws nearer (June 1) some more “campaign gestures,” be it, a high-kick, an upper-cut, or something else, are likely once again to be visible and make an impression on voters as they watch the upcoming campaigns and evaluate each candidate's manner and vision carefully.

An appealing election campaign encourages supporters of a candidate or party as well as undecided voters to take part in the election and vote for certain candidates. Such physical gestures, however, should not merely be a formality to find success in the political arena. Irrespective of a win or a defeat in the election, desirable policy pledges passionately declared by any candidate's body language need to be well reflected by the fulfillment of those promises fairly and reasonably.

The writer (wkexim@naver.com) is a freelance columnist living in Seoul.