[Democracy and Cooperation] Youth Generation and Korean Democracy

YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CpTkdRVuls

The East Asia Institute (EAI) produced a documentary video on the theme of "Youth Generation and Korean Democracy." This video contains interviews and discussions with three young individuals from the MZ generation actively engaged in politics. The individual interviews covered their motivations for becoming interested in politics, their main activities, and future goals. Subsequently, they gathered to engage in in-depth discussions about Korean politics as viewed by young people, youth political agendas, and what the younger generation expects from older generations.

This documentary video was produced as part of the Korean Democracy Storytelling Project, supported by the National Democratic Institute (NDI).

■ Contact and Editing: Yoon Ha-eun EAI Researcher

Contact: 02 2277 1683 (ext. 208) | hyoon@eai.or.kr

Video Script

Hello, I am Kim Jong-min, a resident of Gwangjin-gu, currently attending Konkuk University Law School. I was active for many years in a youth organization called Nabi 1020, but I am currently taking a break due to my studies and preparation for the bar exam. Hello, I am Lee Yoon-jeong. I am currently serving as a member of the recruitment committee for the People Power Party. I also conduct educational activities for individuals challenging themselves in local politics and local councils. Hello, I am Kim Tae-hwan, a young person from Dobong-gu. I am currently in my final semester of my fourth year in the Department of Political Science and International Relations at Konkuk University. I am also serving as the university student committee chair for the Democratic Party of Korea.

Ah, it was probably around 2011. The Seoul mayoral election at the time was what sparked my interest in politics. I witnessed how unverified information, such as fake news, was being indiscriminately spread through what is called new media. This made me feel a sense of crisis regarding democracy, which then led me to politics. Currently, I am interested in how democracy should adapt to the changing media environment and the social environment of low birth rates and aging population. Yes, the reason I became interested in politics was that I had the opportunity to serve as the student council president of my college.

During that time, I directly experienced how a community leader, by dedicating effort, time, and striving for improvement, could bring about significant social change. I realized then that if a leader can bring about change even in such a small community, there must be even more potential in the political sphere. I became convinced that politics is truly the fastest path to promote social change, a conviction that grew stronger through my activities in local and national politics. Yes, I graduated from high school after five years.

It was a long path for adolescents, and I faced many difficulties during that process. As a result, I began to see the social structure more clearly. I saw the contradictions within society, not just individual behaviors, and I wanted to change these things. This led me to decide to become a politician. My particular area of interest is local democracy. I believe that for a better democracy after democratization, more cooperation and self-governance are needed at smaller scales. In Gwangjin-gu, where I live, a resident self-governance committee is being piloted. I aim to create a model where this resident self-governance committee can fulfill a role similar to that of the National Assembly and local councils. The activity that gave me the most experience was my four years in the youth organization 'Hongik Ingan' under Nabi.

I believe it was the research on preparation for future generations. While doing such things, I felt a generational barrier. I realized that as Korean society has undergone rapid changes, the shared experiences among generations have become vastly different. So, I wondered how this could be improved, and from that perspective, I came to believe that it is time for democracy to change.

Through these various direct and indirect experiences, I have had both great expectations and significant disappointments. I have come to question why mistakes are repeatedly made, as I observed the limitations of what can be achieved within political parties and the actions that cannot be taken outside of them. I am now focusing on identifying and raising issues to prevent the repetition of mistakes, and on attempting various approaches with different friends.

I first joined a political party in 2014, at the age of 19, the legal age for party membership. I gained various experiences through activities in the university student committee and youth committee, and I have continued my activities for seven years until 2021. I have also felt much disappointment in the field, and have been hurt by the negative aspects of established politics. However, I have maintained my party membership because professional politicians require a period of training, and there is much to learn within the party. I believe that the issue of 'youth politics' is not something to be solved by that term alone; ultimately, it is a matter of the nation's foundation. Therefore, to realize my ideals, I first need to get involved myself. I have often thought about this. In the short term, I want to study law systematically to understand the media system and institutions. I also want to research ways to address the decline of democracy's influence on future generations. I want to serve as a bridge so that many people, even if they are just committee members, can express their opinions in decision-making positions and participate.

As a member of the People Power Party's recruitment committee, I intend to do my best to ensure that many young political newcomers can advance in the upcoming local elections. I will strive to actively recruit good individuals who can have good opportunities to run for office. I plan to run for the Gwangjin-gu council in the 2022 nationwide local elections. Currently, young politicians are active in various parties in national politics. I intend to approach my activities with the motto that all change begins at the local level.

I want to achieve small but lasting changes starting from the grassroots. We... Ah, thank you. Yes. Ah, yes. Fundamentally, I believe the most important aspects of politics are accountability and responsiveness. When accountability and responsiveness to the public's voice are combined, politics functions well, and the public can feel it. However, looking at Korean politics, there is no one who takes responsibility. I believe the biggest problem in Korean politics is a politics that does not take responsibility for the future.

Yes, as our representative mentioned, the keyword 'future' is absent in politics, and the deeply entrenched culture of irresponsibility is indeed prevalent. While that is true, I believe that ultimately, the deciding factor is people. Politics changes when people change, whether it's the top decision-makers or those engaged in grassroots political activities. Therefore, if people with the right mindset, empathy, and preparedness, aligned with the agenda of the times, are introduced, then politics can improve.

Yes, as our Tongmil representative mentioned, there is no keyword of 'future' in politics, and a flawed culture where no one takes responsibility has become deeply entrenched. While that is true, I believe that ultimately, the person who decides all of this is the problem. Ultimately, because it is a matter of people, whether it is the highest decision-maker or those engaged in political activities in grassroots democracy, politics ultimately requires a change in people. I believe that politics will improve only when more people with ideas that fit the agenda of the times, empathy, and preparedness are introduced.

I believe the biggest problem is the lack of representation. Gwangjin-gu has the second-highest proportion of young people among Seoul's 25 autonomous districts, second only to Gwanak-gu. However, among the 14 council members in Gwangjin-gu, there is not a single young person. There are almost no policies or projects specifically for youth. Even existing ordinances are merely copied and pasted. Therefore, for young people to gain a sense of political efficacy that directly impacts their lives, rather than focusing on grand national discourse, representation is crucial, and I believe that 'life politics' should be more actively promoted.

From the perspective of young people, the keyword 'fairness,' which has recently emerged as a major theme, is inevitably the most important. When we look at the keyword 'fairness,' the biggest issue is that things I couldn't choose, things I couldn't control, are determining my situation, leading to discrimination. The problem is that fair competition and fair outcomes, which should be natural, are being obstructed by various justifications and institutional privileges. It seems that many issues are indeed culminating in the problem of fairness.

While that seems to be the case, I tend to focus on a different aspect: isn't it ultimately a matter of opportunity? The opportunities to work, to demonstrate one's abilities, and even to challenge oneself seem limited. This, I believe, leads to the perception that things are unfair. When people feel that things are unfair, if a fair playing field were to open up, I believe that well-prepared, trained, and capable individuals would be able to demonstrate their abilities and achieve success. However, I do not believe that everyone has grown up in a fair environment under meritocracy. Therefore, there is a need to supplement this institutionally. The political sphere needs to provide institutional support for those who could not even stand on a fair competitive line due to environmental factors, enabling them to succeed.

You mentioned the 'power of the youth.' Lee Jun-seok, a symbolic figure, a young politician in his mid-to-late thirties, became a major topic of discussion by defeating established party leaders to win the election. However, not all young people aspiring to enter politics can become Lee Jun-seok. Currently, the right to vote for candidates is held by authorized party members, namely 'rights-holding members' and 'responsible party members.' However, public opinion is difficult to reflect in this process. The party is isolated within its own sphere, losing its original meaning of representing the people. Therefore, while Lee Jun-seok and the meritocracy he symbolizes have been realized to some extent, I believe there are still structural problems that prevent them from being fully realized. For this reason, I believe quotas are necessary.

If a certain percentage is allocated to youth in party rules and regulations for nominations or party positions, then there will be a fair start and opportunities will be provided, and common sense will be established. The reason why young people must enter politics is that the agenda must change, which is our primary recognition. However, I believe that the voices of young people who have overcome the older generation and entered politics will carry more weight. Therefore, it is necessary to break down these institutional barriers created by the older generation, rather than artificially raising them through another quota system. I realized that the youth generation can have an impact centered on this agenda in local elections. If we provide opportunities for the youth generation to lead in setting this agenda, then the change in people I mentioned can gradually occur, and the older generation can step aside. Therefore, I earnestly ask the older generation to yield to the youth generation, starting with the setting of the agenda.

Rather than worrying, I would prefer if you would trust us and give us a chance. I believe that we, the young MZ generation, are quite well-trained. It's just that we haven't had the opportunity to work. And if our political and governmental training is somewhat lacking, it can be addressed through mandatory training and talent development programs within major political parties. I believe the X generation can serve as a bridge in various ways between the 586 generation and the MZ generation. I hope they will show courage.

There is one case, however. In the field of governance, young people have united on several occasions. Through grassroots movements for a Youth Basic Ordinance and the allocation of youth autonomous budgets, they united across the political spectrum and achieved success. This was subsequently adopted by the central government, and the Youth Basic Law was enacted, with youth policies being systematically implemented under the Prime Minister's Office. Therefore, my argument is that the MZ generation, which has united in the field of governance, should now advance into institutional politics. Wouldn't this be how Korean politics changes?

Simultaneously, I hope that voices from the grassroots, rather than grand discourse from the center, will be conveyed and acted upon. For young people, the most important values are diversity and the formation of individuality. Honestly, I question whether there is a need for others to place such importance on these values. Must all young people be the same just because they are called 'youth'? I don't think that young people uniting will solve everything. We still need to persuade some of the older generation, and ultimately, politics changes when the general public's will is present. Therefore, I believe it is important to have platforms where grouped young people can voice their opinions. I believe the characteristic of the MZ generation is customization. Policy should also be customized. Therefore, it seems we have entered an era where it is impossible for us to unite under a single banner like 'A.' However, if there is agreement on a specific policy, it can be sharply presented as an MZ generation agenda. Therefore, it is now difficult to group the MZ generation together and have them unite or define them as one. We must quickly acknowledge this and adopt an approach of customized policies and customized services.

I believe there are sufficient opportunities for young people to unite. However, we can draw multiple battle lines, in politics, economics, society, and culture, in each field. Nevertheless, when it comes to politics, I believe it is still necessary to raise our voices together. While it is necessary for the MZ generation to become the voice of Korean society, we are structurally bound to move forward together with the older generation. Therefore, I hope we can continue to move forward while maintaining this awareness.

Therefore, I believe it is important to have platforms where these grouped young people can voice their opinions. I believe the characteristic of the MZ generation is customization. Policy should also be customized. Therefore, it seems we have entered an era where it is impossible for us to unite under a single banner like 'A.' However, if there is agreement on a specific policy, it can be sharply presented as an MZ generation agenda. Therefore, it is now difficult to group the MZ generation together and have them unite or define them as one. We must quickly acknowledge this and adopt an approach of customized policies and customized services.

I believe there are sufficient opportunities for young people to unite. However, we can draw multiple battle lines, in politics, economics, society, and culture, in each field. Nevertheless, when it comes to politics, I believe it is still necessary to raise our voices together. While it is necessary for the MZ generation to become the voice of Korean society, we are structurally bound to move forward together with the older generation. Therefore, I hope we can continue to move forward while maintaining this awareness.