Ruling Party Courts Young Voters in Their 20s and 30s

Ahead of the June 3 local elections, the Democratic Party is attempting a turnaround by releasing tailored policy pledges aimed at young voters in their 20s and 30s to overcome their low support rates in this demographic. The Democratic Party is seeking to reverse its fortunes by responding to the persistent weakness in support among 20s-30s youth.

Notably, candidates Chung Wonsik for Seoul Mayor and Kim Bu-gyeom for Daegu Mayor are clearly trailing behind their People Power Party rivals among this age group. In the Seoul mayoral race, Democratic candidate Chung Wonsik garnered 29.6% support among respondents aged 18-29 in a survey conducted by Straight News on March 20-21, showing a disadvantage compared to Oh Se-hoon of the People Power Party (47.5%). A poll by the Korea Society Opinion Institute (KSOI) on March 22-23 also showed Chung with 28.8% support among those in their 20s, versus Oh with 42.7%. Support for Chung among those in their 30s was 33.6%, compared to Oh's 41.4%. Chung unveiled startup-related pledges on March 28, campaigning to win their votes.

Democratic candidate Kim Bu-gyeom for Daegu Mayor is also struggling to gain traction with young voters in their 20s and 30s. In a Hankil Research poll commissioned by Maeil Shinmun on March 29, Kim received 36.6% support among those in their 20s, trailing People Power candidate Chu Gyeong-ho at 45.1%. An aide for Kim's campaign noted that the perception that low turnout and deepening political apathy among the 20s-30s demographic were advantageous to the Democratic Party has been reversed. On March 28, Kim announced pledges tailored for youth, including the creation of an 'Asia Global Youth Startup and Cultural Convergence Special Zone,' a 'Daegu Youth Startup Fund,' and the 'Youth Dandichaeum Savings Plan.'