Yoon Seok-yeol "Considering Lowering the Minimum Age for Presidential Eligibility"

"Through Facebook: 'Presidential Eligibility Age Should Be Lowered from Current Standard'"

Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, is attending a press conference hosted by the Seoul Foreign Correspondents' Club (SFCC) at the Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul, on the 12th, responding to questions from the press. Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers Group

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, proposed lowering the age eligibility for presidential candidacy from the current standard.

On the 13th, Yoon stated on Facebook, "If I become president, I will consider lowering the age eligibility for presidential candidacy, which is currently 40 years old."

Yoon targeted the 2030 youth vote with the post titled, "Wouldn't you like to become Korea's Obama or Macron?"

He said, "Currently, the minimum age for presidential candidacy is 35 in the United States, and in France, anyone 18 or older can run. Our country should also lower it from the current level. Of course, since this requires a constitutional amendment, I will discuss it with the National Assembly based on national consensus."

He added, "You will open a new era and change politics. I will be the bridge to your era."

Regarding the People Power Party's proposal on the 10th to lower the age eligibility for candidacy for National Assembly members, local government heads, and local council members as a party bill to amend the Public Official Election Act, Yoon said, "It's late, but fortunately."

He continued, "If the expansion of youth candidacy rights increases opportunities for youth political participation, discussions on various youth issues will naturally become more active in the political sphere," adding, "Youth influence will be strengthened on various issues affecting them, such as youth employment, university tuition, and military service, which will also provide a strong stimulus to the existing political establishment."