[Democracy Cooperation] Korea Democracy Storytelling Interview III: Korean Democracy Through the Eyes of Youth

YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bakfcGuGbE0

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As part of the Korea Democracy Storytelling project, launched in July 2020 with the support of the National Democratic Institute (NDI), the East Asia Institute conducted interviews with Lee Yoon-jung, former local councilor in the 6th National Simultaneous Local Elections (the youngest female councilor nationwide), and young Koreans, to discuss democracy from their perspectives. The interview video, approximately 10 minutes long, covers topics such as the democracy that young Koreans aspire to, strengthening youth representation through the restoration of party democracy, fostering young Korean politicians, and the qualities required of future Korean leaders. To widely disseminate the examples and lessons of Korean democracy domestically and internationally, the interview video has been supplemented with Korean and English descriptions and English subtitles.

Video Script

I believe we must first understand the specific characteristics of the current youth generation to discuss the next steps. I think the two main points that the current youth generation is focusing on are fairness and rationality. Therefore, in many aspects, at the very threshold of democracy, the youth generation, when faced with numerous social phenomena and issues, asks: 'Is this fair? Is this rational?' Only when these questions are understood and accepted to a certain extent can further in-depth discussions or additional conversations take place.

Therefore, if established politicians and the older generation wish to engage in discussions with young people, I believe more substantive conversations can occur if they first examine whether they can meet the fundamental threshold of fairness and rationality. This, I believe, is a characteristic of the younger generation. As for the reasons behind this characteristic, I think this: the generation referred to as millennials is highly specialized with high credentials.

Despite possessing highly standardized qualifications and credentials, they face a lack of opportunities for advancement. Therefore, based on the characteristics of this generation, while there are various points of aspiration, fairness and rationality are fundamental issues that must be addressed. I believe this is a characteristic of the youth generation. I still feel it is insufficient. For the voices representing the youth generation to be more prominently heard, I believe that party democracy in Korean society must be restored. Only then can young politicians be nurtured, and the pool of young speakers diversify and expand both quantitatively and qualitatively, creating an environment where the various issues of young people can be publicly discussed and represented. Currently, South Korea's politics is led by a structure dominated by two major parties.

Within that governing structure, democracy itself is not firmly established. Therefore, if democracy is properly established within parties through a 'back to basics' approach, then within this ecosystem, where fairness and rationality are guaranteed by fair and rational rules, young people can be trained. If trained young politicians are then produced through local and general elections, a situation where young people can be adequately represented will surely be created. Although South Korea has gone through numerous electoral processes to produce young politicians, the accumulation process has not been stable or deeply rooted. Therefore, I believe we must ask the fundamental question: what is the core issue? In response to this question, I am convinced that only when party democracy is fully established within parties can political culture become healthy, and within that healthy political culture, numerous young politicians can be produced, leading to a quantitative and qualitative expansion of speakers who can represent the youth generation.

I have two ideas. First, establishing a basic and advanced education system. The prerequisite for this is to concretize it through the training of candidates and aides, and to establish such educational programs. This would be the first step. Second, I believe we need to create a political ecosystem for youth. In the current political landscape, young politicians are not receiving partnership, companionship, or respect from established political actors. Therefore, until these foundational aspects are firmly established, a culture for that generation must be solidified, and a stable pool is needed where potential young politicians can compete, learn from each other, and grow. I believe this pool is the youth political ecosystem. This issue, along with the basic and advanced education programs mentioned earlier, is challenging to initiate and crucial, but its sustainability is truly important.

It should not be a fleeting achievement that disappears momentarily. Rather, considering the 100-year future of our Republic of Korea, it requires mid- to long-term investment. Recognizing this, all interested members, all members within the parties, need to focus on this. I believe the essential competency for future politicians is what I call political literacy. In the past, the primary competency required of political leaders was problem-solving ability; how quickly and swiftly they could resolve an issue. Currently, in addition to problem-solving ability, the competency to empathize and communicate is also required.

In the future, I anticipate that political literacy will be highly necessary. Literacy here refers not just to simple reading and writing, but a flexible form of literacy that can be utilized in various aspects such as accurate diagnosis of information, environments, and changes, leading to the formulation of visions, messages, and plans through the in-depth understanding of issues. Therefore, I believe that future politicians are those who can accurately perceive and analyze the rapidly changing social and cultural phenomena of the future, prepare legislatively for those agendas, and proactively prepare for the future.

The historian Yuval Noah Harari said, 'Change is the only constant.' I strongly agree with this. In this era of rapid change, established politicians and aspiring future politicians must accurately diagnose the rapidly changing society and study and learn to keep pace. Also, as we often say 'convention,' there are many instances of falling behind. Such practices should be avoided as a political culture. I believe the role required of future politicians is to lead the future and provide direction. I believe political literacy can fulfill that role.

Recently, we had general elections this year. Some high school students exercised their right to vote. At this point, we must reflect on whether, while granting these students the right to vote, we have provided them with adequate information, a proper educational environment, and a balanced foundation. I believe this is something many adults must reflect upon. To establish a solid, healthy, and developing foundation for democracy, I truly believe that democracy education for youth is essential.

I hope that the Republic of Korea will not overlook this aspect and that not only schools but also political parties, corporations, and other organizations with many communities will play a role, whether through education or campaigns.