Generation gap likely to be a key factor in general, presidential elections next year


Voters in their 20s to 40s, who have grown largely disillusioned with the ruling Grand National Party, have been key to independent Park Won-soon’s victory in Wednesday’s Seoul mayoral by-election, political analysts said Thursday.

By giving overwhelming support to Park over GNP candidate Na Kyung-won, the young voters have vented their disappointment with the ruling camp, which has failed to address their key concerns ― a bleak job market, high college tuition fees and a ever-widening income gap between rich and poor, the pundits said.

“(Younger voters) appear to have become more disillusioned with established politics, which have failed to address livelihood issues during the economic crises,” said Shin Yul, a politics professor at Myeongji University in Seoul.

The generation gap will prove to be a key factor in parliamentary and presidential elections next year, he predicted.

Data show that Park, a civic activist who presented himself as an icon for change, managed to get young disillusioned voters out to back him.

Park defeated Na of the GNP by a larger than expected margin of 7.2 percentage points.

Exit polls show that voters in their 20s to 40s gave an overwhelming support to Park.

Voters in their 20s preferred Park over his female rival by 69.3 percent to 30.1 percent. Park’s lead widened among 30-somethings to 75.8 percent over Na’s 23.8 percent. In the 40-something age group, Park garnered support from 66.8 percent, while Na captured 32.9 percent.

Only from people aged in their 50s and 60s did the conservative candidate receive more votes than Park.

Usually, young voters are considered less likely to vote. But this time, they turned out in droves, particularly in the hours before and after work.

The turnout rate stood at 10.9 percent at 9 a.m., higher than previous elections of a similar scale. The figure went up by 8.7 percentage points during the final two hours ― between 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. to close at 48.6 percent.

During the mayoral race, several media reports added to the woes of the GNP and its candidate, already viewed by many young voters as the party for the rich and privileged.

It was reported that Na goes to an exclusive skincare clinic, with an annual membership of 100 million won.

In another blow to the GNP, President Lee Myung-bak came under public criticism over his plan for a costly retirement house and had to give up the plan.

GNP leaders on Thursday vowed to make fresh efforts to win back the hearts of younger generations.

“We should reach out to those in their 20s and 30s, with new policies and communication tools,” Rep. Hong Joon-pyo, the party’s chairman, said at a meeting with party leaders.

By Lee Sun-young (milaya@heraldcorp.com)