[Politics That Day] Jeong Dong-yeong's Ageist Remark That Was a Great Support to the Grand National Party

March 26, 2004 Elderly Disparagement Remarks Controversy
Grand National Party Revives Ahead of 17th General Election
Jung Dong-young Apologized, but Became Major Negative Factor in Election

Editor's Note‘On That Day in Politics’ is a series that looks back on Korean politics through the ‘recollection of memories’ related to notable scenes, events, and figures.

“I prostrate myself and ask for forgiveness. My words encouraging the voting participation of young people in their 20s and 30s were wrong.”

On April 2, 2004, Jeong Dong-young, then chairman of the Uri Party, held a press conference and asked for forgiveness by prostrating himself. He did not just apologize verbally; he visited senior citizen organizations, bowed deeply, and repeatedly asked for forgiveness.

This was a situation where a figure equivalent to the ruling party leader created a massive political setback ahead of the 17th general election. The Grand National Party, worried about a crushing defeat, found an opportunity for revival. Jeong Dong-young’s remark changed the election landscape, becoming the infamous 2004 senior citizen disparagement controversy.

To understand the so-called Jeong Dong-young senior disparagement incident, it is necessary to grasp the political situation in 2004. President Roh Moo-hyun was elected as the candidate of the Millennium Democratic Party, but the ruling party was divided. The Uri Party, which split from the Democratic Party, took on the role of the de facto ruling party.

Jeong Dong-yeong, Former Chairman of the Uri Party / Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

The Grand National Party and the Democratic Party attempted to impeach President Roh Moo-hyun but faced a strong backlash from public opinion. With the 17th general election approaching, the Uri Party wave swept the nation. Even Daegu and Busan, strongholds of the Grand National Party, saw the party struggle as public sentiment fluctuated.

Amid this situation, the Jeong Dong-young senior disparagement incident broke out. The incident began with a remark by Jeong Dong-young on March 26, 2004. Although it was a casual comment in front of media cameras, the issue quickly escalated. What exactly did Jeong Dong-young say?

“The future belongs to those in their 20s and 30s. In that sense, if you think a step further, it’s okay if those in their 60s and 70s don’t vote.”

Jeong Dong-young explained that the intent of his remark was not to discourage voting among those in their 60s and 70s but to emphasize political participation among people in their 20s and 30s. He claimed the true meaning of his words was misunderstood. However, the statement that those over 60 or 70 do not need to vote itself intensified the controversy.

On June 1 last year, the day of the 8th nationwide local elections, voters cast their precious votes at Yeonhui-dong 6th polling station set up at Seodaemun-gu Office in Seoul. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

About a week after Jeong Dong-young’s remark, it was widely exposed by the media. The Grand National Party focused on exploiting the senior disparagement incident, and the Uri Party was visibly distressed. The concern became reality.

Before the senior disparagement incident, polls suggested that the Uri Party could secure 200 seats. However, public sentiment shifted dramatically, and the possibility of even a simple majority became uncertain.

The Grand National Party gained momentum in the final stages of the 17th general election, while the Uri Party considered drastic countermeasures.

Ultimately, just three days before the election on April 12, 2004, Jeong Dong-young announced his resignation as party chairman and co-chairman of the joint election committee. This meant the party’s control tower collapsed right before the election.

The Grand National Party did not miss the change in momentum. At the time, Park Geun-hye, leader of the Grand National Party, appealed to voters, saying, “When the country is heading toward danger, there must be a power to check it,” and “Please help us so that the Grand National Party can fulfill that role.”

Before the election, the Uri Party’s dominant lead in polls was also a burden. As voter desire for checks and balances revived, the controversy over Jeong Dong-young’s remark further fueled the fire.

What was the result of the 17th general election on April 15, 2004? The Uri Party won 152 seats, successfully securing a majority, but the number fell short of initial expectations. Meanwhile, the Grand National Party won 121 seats, successfully securing enough seats to check the ruling party.

Politics is such that a single incident can snowball and change the entire election landscape. This is why politicians are extremely cautious about verbal missteps. Recently, as controversy arose over Kim Eun-kyung, the Innovation Committee Chair of the Democratic Party, disparaging seniors, Jeong Dong-young’s incident from back then was recalled.

Though nearly 20 years have passed, it still remains a damaging issue that haunts politician Jeong Dong-young and the Democratic Party.