The presidential election is less than a month away. While talking with friends about politicians that we know, we could list only five or six of them. It is not important to know the names, but it was quite surprising to hear that as we can memorize all the names and birthdays of more than 10 K-pop idol group members. Currently, society says that young people in their 20s and 30s are very uninterested in politics. I agree to some extent. However, at least during the election season, we vote regularly. Nevertheless, can it be concluded that young people lack of political interest?
Looking at the actual turnout, the participation rate of young people in their 20s in the election has been steadily rising from the 18th general election, which briefly slowed down, to the 20th general election. In addition, according to “University Tomorrow’s 20s Research Institute,” 90% of people in their 20s and 30s said that they would vote in this presidential election. Of course, voting is not all about politics, but also it cannot be said that there is no connection between them at all. I think they are making efforts to exercise their rights at least. Rather, is politicians’ “temporary care” of the public during the election season not the reason why young people move away from politics? Or is it not the reason why young people turn their heads away from politics?
When I hear from my friends, even if they tried to find out interest in politics, they gave up looking into it since they could not know where to where it is a related case and what is the result as it is too complicated. Also, even when they were old enough to vote, they did not feel politically efficient since they did not get the results they expected. There is a problem with young people in their 20s and 30s who recklessly find politics difficult, but I think it is also due to barriers made by the elderly and incompetents and ambiguous politicians who disturb Korea’s politics that make it so.
Parents’ generation should help their children establish proper political values around the time they grow up. However, brainwashing the children to follow parents’ political tendencies is problematic. There are also many friends who follow their parents’ opinions. If this happens, indifference will inevitably continue. This is because they might think that there is a fixed path even if they are not interested. My grandparents and parents often make a disappointed face when I express different opinions with them. Young people should not react passively to this and try to have a view of judging right and wrong well.
Election greetings sometimes make people laugh in vain. I cannot shake off the idea that “Be nice in usual.” I know politicians’ busy schedules, but they should have listened to the opinions of young people, established and revised policies. However, they always appear in the square only during the election season and only show up at debates. I think it is also a big problem for candidates and political parties to compete first to bite off their opponents’ weaknesses. Political scenes will be improved only when they compete for the policies that are feasible and necessary for people. Additionally, I think the moral issue of candidates and members, which account for the largest portion of biting, is one of the other reasons why young people turn their heads away. They are sick and tired of those pictures. Everyone may have minor flaws, but they should not be involved in illegal things while shouting integrity. There is breaking news that always comes out when turning to the news channel, so they have to shake their heads whether they are interested or not interested in politics.
It should not be measured what comes first and next, saying, “Young people’s attention comes first!” and “Politicians’ desirable moves come first!” In their respective positions, young people should care about politics and check politicians’ actions, and politicians should move quickly in the right direction.
Ji Kyung-hwa wlrudghk7856@naver.com
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