Amid the backdrop of President Yoon Suk Yeol's controversial martial law declaration and subsequent removal from office, young South Koreans are struggling to find hope in the candidates on the ballot. Many youthful voters, who fervently protested against the administration's policies last winter, now express disillusionment over the lack of attention to pressing topics such as youth unemployment and gender inequality. As the unemployment rate among young individuals reaches alarming numbers, their voices call for meaningful representation in politics.
South Koreans, especially Youth, Disillusioned by Presidential Candidates
South Koreans, especially Youth, Disillusioned by Presidential Candidates
The recent election has left many young South Koreans feeling disappointed with their choices amid pressing issues.
After President Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea briefly imposed martial law in December, many young people in the country took to the streets for the first time, demonstrating against his administration. The protesters spent months advocating for his removal, rallying with K-pop light sticks and custom-made flags. When Yoon was ultimately impeached and ousted, young supporters felt a sense of victory, believing their efforts had borne fruit. However, as Election Day neared, feelings of disenchantment with the available candidates began to emerge.
“My one thought on this election is disgust,” expressed An Ye-young, a 20-year-old student preparing for her college entrance exams. She joined the protests against Yoon in December, marking her debut as a demonstrator. “It’s a feast with nothing to eat,” she lamented, reflecting on her early voting experience over the weekend.
For many young South Koreans, candidates did not address critical issues such as job opportunities, pension reform, and the discrimination and abuse that women encounter. The job market for young individuals has hit a snag: the unemployment rate among those aged 15 to 29 climbed to a four-year high of 6.8 percent in the first quarter of the year. As South Korea finds itself in tumultuous political waters, the younger generation's hopes for substantive change hang in the balance, emphasizing the urgent need for their concerns to be taken seriously in future policymaking.
“My one thought on this election is disgust,” expressed An Ye-young, a 20-year-old student preparing for her college entrance exams. She joined the protests against Yoon in December, marking her debut as a demonstrator. “It’s a feast with nothing to eat,” she lamented, reflecting on her early voting experience over the weekend.
For many young South Koreans, candidates did not address critical issues such as job opportunities, pension reform, and the discrimination and abuse that women encounter. The job market for young individuals has hit a snag: the unemployment rate among those aged 15 to 29 climbed to a four-year high of 6.8 percent in the first quarter of the year. As South Korea finds itself in tumultuous political waters, the younger generation's hopes for substantive change hang in the balance, emphasizing the urgent need for their concerns to be taken seriously in future policymaking.
