What are young South Korean voters' concerns ahead of the 2018 local elections
- 6 years ago
Turning to the upcoming local elections in South Korea that will take place on June 13th,... and with the two-day early voting period set to start on Friday.
Unlike past years where the turnout rate of young adults had been falling, the country's younger generation has recently become more energized about making their vote count.
Our Kim Mok-yeon takes a closer look at what policies matter to Korea's young people.
Young voters play a crucial role in this year's local elections as voters between the ages of 19 and 39 amount to nearly one-third of South Korea's 42.9 million potential voters.
According to a recent survey by the National Election Commission on some 1,500 eligible voters aged 19 and above, 70.9 percent said that they will definitely cast their ballots in this year's local elections, a clear increase from the 55.8 percent tallied in the 2014 local elections.
The number of likely voters in their 20s and 30s also rose dramatically by around 10 percent and 30 percent respectively compared to four years ago.
When it comes to campaign pledges, many of these young voters said that they are looking for realistic promises on issues such as employment and inequality.
"I think that in the local elections we should focus on local issues. I'm going to choose a candidate who's sincerely interested in solving the problems facing local communities."
"I'm still a student, so I'm interested in what the candidates want to do about employment. I'm looking for someone with feasible solutions to that issue."
"I'm looking for candidates who share my thoughts, especially when it comes to employment, real estate and public benefits."
Rival parties have been working to win the hearts of these people in their 20s and 30s, proposing campaign pledges that they hope will attract voters in this age bracket.
The three biggest parties in Korea, the Democratic Party of Korea, Liberty Korea Party and the Bareun Mirae party put young people's livelihoods as one of their top priorities, laying out supplementary policies that can help people struggling with employment and housing problems.
"With the 2018 local elections just around the corner, young South Koreans are hoping that the elections could help them get a step closer to the society they dream of living in."
"I hope to live in a society where there's firm trust in the leadership. I hope we elect leaders who keep their campaign pledges."
"I'm expecting our new leaders to bring about real social change. I'm looking forward to a society free of discrimination, where the voices of minorities can be heard."
"I want to live in a country that protects public health. I hope we can live our daily lives not worrying about the health risks of fine dust pollution."
Kim Mok-yeon, Arirang News.
Unlike past years where the turnout rate of young adults had been falling, the country's younger generation has recently become more energized about making their vote count.
Our Kim Mok-yeon takes a closer look at what policies matter to Korea's young people.
Young voters play a crucial role in this year's local elections as voters between the ages of 19 and 39 amount to nearly one-third of South Korea's 42.9 million potential voters.
According to a recent survey by the National Election Commission on some 1,500 eligible voters aged 19 and above, 70.9 percent said that they will definitely cast their ballots in this year's local elections, a clear increase from the 55.8 percent tallied in the 2014 local elections.
The number of likely voters in their 20s and 30s also rose dramatically by around 10 percent and 30 percent respectively compared to four years ago.
When it comes to campaign pledges, many of these young voters said that they are looking for realistic promises on issues such as employment and inequality.
"I think that in the local elections we should focus on local issues. I'm going to choose a candidate who's sincerely interested in solving the problems facing local communities."
"I'm still a student, so I'm interested in what the candidates want to do about employment. I'm looking for someone with feasible solutions to that issue."
"I'm looking for candidates who share my thoughts, especially when it comes to employment, real estate and public benefits."
Rival parties have been working to win the hearts of these people in their 20s and 30s, proposing campaign pledges that they hope will attract voters in this age bracket.
The three biggest parties in Korea, the Democratic Party of Korea, Liberty Korea Party and the Bareun Mirae party put young people's livelihoods as one of their top priorities, laying out supplementary policies that can help people struggling with employment and housing problems.
"With the 2018 local elections just around the corner, young South Koreans are hoping that the elections could help them get a step closer to the society they dream of living in."
"I hope to live in a society where there's firm trust in the leadership. I hope we elect leaders who keep their campaign pledges."
"I'm expecting our new leaders to bring about real social change. I'm looking forward to a society free of discrimination, where the voices of minorities can be heard."
"I want to live in a country that protects public health. I hope we can live our daily lives not worrying about the health risks of fine dust pollution."
Kim Mok-yeon, Arirang News.