[Yeouido Interview] A Member of the National Assembly Pulling a '22-Inch Carrier'

Taeyoungho Includes Laptop for YouTube
Strategy to Survive in Korea Without School or Regional Ties

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] Tae Young-ho, a member of the People Power Party, brought a 13-inch laptop from his desk to the sofa table where the interview was taking place and opened it. The laptop seemed as familiar to him as it was to the reporters. He brought the laptop to search whether the title of the book he found most impressive, 'Deunge' (등에), is used with the same word in Korea. While most people search using smartphones, Representative Tae seemed more comfortable with the laptop. He always carries a laptop even to the party's floor strategy meetings. He explained that this is because he needs to keep revising the manuscript he will read until just before the meeting starts.

There was another laptop on Representative Tae's desk. It was 2 to 3 inches larger than the one he brought to the table. "It's exclusively for YouTube," he explained.

Using two laptops daily, Representative Tae also carries smartphone attachment lenses, microphones, auxiliary batteries, and other equipment necessary for YouTube filming. The devices, which seemed to weigh over 5 kg, did not look like something he could carry on his back. Therefore, he always pulls a 22-inch black carry-on suitcase. The worn suitcase accompanied Representative Tae wherever he went and was carefully placed on the sofa until just before the interview.

Tae Young-ho, member of the People Power Party. Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@

The reason Representative Tae went to such lengths to carry the suitcase for YouTube filming was because he could not properly perform his legislative activities due to the impact of COVID-19. He said, "When I first entered the National Assembly in April 2020, indoor meetings were almost impossible," adding, "Even dining with more than four people was not allowed, but the first thing a member of the National Assembly, a politician, should do is communicate and meet people, which was not possible." He continued, "Since policy seminars and meetings with residents were also not possible, I thought about how to communicate and decided to focus intensively on YouTube, accelerating my efforts."

Photo of a carrier taken and sent directly by Tae Young-ho, a member of the People Power Party, on the morning of the 17th. Whenever he goes somewhere, Representative Tae carries a carrier containing two laptops. When something important happens, he records it on video as a record. (Provided by Representative Tae Young-ho)

The Gangnam (Gap) party association, his electoral district, still holds weekly meetings via video calls. They have already held 79 sessions. Representative Tae said, "Because it is done through virtual space, party members can participate just by turning on their mobile phones at home," adding, "We created a space where members can also make presentations, so even though COVID-19 has eased, we still use it."

Representative Tae emphasized, "For politicians, communication with people is the most important. No matter how skilled I am at promoting myself, it is difficult to meet more than 100 people, but on YouTube, tens of thousands can watch, and when comments are posted, I can respond, so it becomes a space where communication with the public is never cut off at any moment."

This was also how a politician from North Korea, with no academic, blood, or regional ties, survived. He said, "I did not know anyone in Korea, but now supporters from all over the country send encouragement through my YouTube channel," adding, "Small donations of 5,000 or 10,000 won are collected little by little." Currently, the 'Tae Young-ho TV' channel has 280,000 subscribers and has uploaded over 700 videos.