A wave of disillusionment sweeps through the youth of South Korea as they grapple with political candidates failing to address their concerns in the recent election.
Disenchanted Youth: South Korea's Young Voters Reject Election Choices
Disenchanted Youth: South Korea's Young Voters Reject Election Choices
Young South Koreans express disappointment with limited political options amid pressing societal issues.
As South Korea navigates the aftermath of President Yoon Suk Yeol's controversial martial law declaration, young voters are expressing disappointment over their electoral choices. Demonstrators previously rallied against the president, underscoring their discontent with the current political landscape as important issues—such as youth unemployment and women's rights—remain unaddressed.
An Ye-young, a 20-year-old college student, characterized the elections as a "feast with nothing to eat," reflecting the frustrations shared by many in her age group. Despite the removal of Yoon from office following his impeachment, there is a deep sense of dissatisfaction with the candidates on the ballot who fail to engage with pressing topics.
This disillusionment is mirrored in statistics; the unemployment rate for youth aged 15 to 29 has spiked to 6.8%—the highest in four years—offering a harsh reminder of the challenges facing young South Koreans today. As they cast their votes in the most recent election, many are left feeling that they have been overlooked, intensifying the disconnect between the political establishment and the younger generation.
An Ye-young, a 20-year-old college student, characterized the elections as a "feast with nothing to eat," reflecting the frustrations shared by many in her age group. Despite the removal of Yoon from office following his impeachment, there is a deep sense of dissatisfaction with the candidates on the ballot who fail to engage with pressing topics.
This disillusionment is mirrored in statistics; the unemployment rate for youth aged 15 to 29 has spiked to 6.8%—the highest in four years—offering a harsh reminder of the challenges facing young South Koreans today. As they cast their votes in the most recent election, many are left feeling that they have been overlooked, intensifying the disconnect between the political establishment and the younger generation.
