Pro-Moon Faction: "Let's Take Away Voting Rights from People in Their 20s" vs. 2030 Generation: "Still Not Waking Up"

Controversy Erupts as Pro-Government Community 'Clien' Posts 'Ban 20s from Voting' Article
"20s Should Be Humble and Learn from Seniors," Criticism
"Inexperienced People Should Not Participate (in Politics) Recklessly," Advice
Youths Respond, "Still Not Waking Up, That's Why You're an 'Old Party'"

A post suggesting the deprivation of voting rights for people in their 20s was uploaded on the pro-Moon Jae-in online community "Clien." Although it can be seen as a venting post related to the by-elections, it has sparked controversy as it advocates taking away the constitutional right to vote. Photo by Clien bulletin board capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] A post suggesting the deprivation of voting rights for people in their 20s has sparked controversy on the pro-government online community 'Clien'.

Although it appears to be a venting claim following the ruling party's defeat in the April 7 Seoul and Busan by-elections, the extreme statement to completely strip young people in their 20s of their constitutionally guaranteed suffrage has drawn criticism among youth, with comments such as "The Democratic Party still hasn't come to its senses."

At 11 p.m. on the 7th, a post titled "Depriving voting rights of people in their 20s is a reasonable idea" was uploaded on Clien. The timing of the post was approaching midnight on the 8th, when the winners of the Seoul and Busan mayoral elections were becoming clear, effectively confirming the Democratic Party's defeat and the People Power Party's overwhelming victory.

Given the situation, there are criticisms that Clien users, many of whom are pro-government supporters, are venting their anger over the by-election defeat on young people in their 20s.

The author of the post pointed out, "People in their 20s still need to experience reality and are a humble generation with much to learn from their seniors. Inexperienced youngsters should not participate (in politics) recklessly."

On the 7th, Kim Tae-nyeon, Acting Party Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is leaving the seat with a stern expression at the Central Party Headquarters' vote counting situation room in Yeouido, Seoul, as the joint exit poll results from the three major broadcasters (KBS, MBC, SBS) predict that Oh Se-hoon, the People Power Party's candidate for Seoul mayor, is leading Park Young-sun, the Democratic Party's candidate for Seoul mayor.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

He added, "There is a limit to treating them as cute just because they are young. The wise people in their 40s and 50s should teach the 20s, the media should correct itself, and as a mature Democratic Party nation progresses, then it would be appropriate to conditionally restore voting rights to some healthy-minded individuals in their 20s."

However, such claims are extreme statements advocating the deprivation of citizens' constitutionally guaranteed suffrage. The suffrage defined by the constitution and laws includes the right to vote in presidential elections, National Assembly elections, and elections for local council members and heads of local governments.

The exercise of voting rights is based on the principles of one person, one vote; equality; universal, direct, and secret free elections. This is a claim to completely take away such rights from citizens in a democratic country. The addition of the 'conditional' clause can also be interpreted as a suggestion to temporarily grant voting rights only to those young people in their 20s who are favorable to the Democratic Party.

On April 7 by-election, O Se-hoon, the People Power Party candidate who secured victory as Seoul mayor, is seen receiving a bouquet and celebrating around midnight on the 8th at the vote counting situation room in the party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Young people in their 20s responded to these claims with ridicule. They pointed out that Democratic Party supporters are venting their frustration on people in their 20s instead of analyzing the causes of their electoral defeat.

A 20-year-old university student, Lee, said, "I want to ask what exactly people in their 20s did wrong," adding, "The idea of blocking voting rights makes me think the Democratic Party is doomed no matter what it does now. It has become an 'old party' that cannot read the times."

Another young person in their 20s criticized, "Seeing the behavior of the Democratic Party and its supporters, people in their 20s have no choice but to turn their backs. Why do they keep pointing fingers and trying to teach? That's why people in their 20s don't support them."

He added sarcastically, "The funny thing is they make people stop supporting the Democratic Party and then get upset again," and said, "From now on, the Democratic Party should just give up on the '2030 votes.' That might be better for both sides."

Meanwhile, in the April 7 by-elections, Oh Se-hoon, the People Power Party candidate, was elected mayor of Seoul. According to the Central Election Commission on the 8th, Oh won more than 50% of the votes in all 25 districts of Seoul. Notably, in Guro-gu, where Park Young-sun, the Democratic candidate, had been elected three consecutive times from the 18th to the 20th general elections (Guro-gu Eul), Oh received 108,763 votes (53.21%), shaking Park's support base.

In Busan, Park Hyung-joon was elected mayor with 62.67% (961,576 votes). Democratic candidate Kim Young-chun lost with 34.42% (528,135 votes).