Some of the candidates running for the 17th Presidential Election 2007
In addition, the voting age has been lowered from 20 to 19. This change of policy is for the betterment of university students. However, in contrast to the policy, voter turnout among university students has not changed. As the research shows, in every election, turnout by twenty-somethings is the lowest. Just 57.9% of 20~24year old people studying in university voted in the 2002 16th presidential election. That is a much lower rate than other age groups.
In the 2004 17th Assemblymen Election, a lower rate 46% was recorded. In the 2006 5.31 regional elections, a lower rate still of just 38.3% was recorded. As this is a very low rate in this election, political apathy amongst university students is a serious problem.
A survey of UOS students showed a relatively high voter turnout of 67%. But students who want to vote don`t know who a strong candidate is, what their election pledges are and so on. They want to vote but don`t know details. As the research shows, 20% of students know the candidates whereas 2% of students know their election pledges. 50% of students somewhat know their election pledges, 48% of students don`t somewhat know election pledges, and 34% of students support a political party.
In this way, the reason why the above results show discord is that people just regard voting as one of the duties of a citizen rather than expressing their opinion. That`s why they are indifferent to politics. This phenomenon will result in decreasing the voting rate. Kwon Young-ju, a professor in Dept. of Public Administration, said "The absence of big political issues causes political apathy among university students.
In the early 80`s, a rigged election made students get together to demonstrate against irregularities and corruption. Since that time, the more our society has had stability, the more university students have not been concerned about politics."
Besides, students` interests help to cause political apathy. Their interests have diversified into too many leisure sports, games, Internet shopping and so on because of developing IT technology. There are also many things they must do like getting high credits and TOEIC or TOFLE scores.
These phenomena make university students unconcerned about politics. Lim Seong-hak, a professor in the Dept. of International Relations, said "As our society has become individualitic, students don`t care for that which does not benefit them. That is, the absence of a link between politics and students gives them apathy for politics."
To solve political apathy among university students, it is necessary to make political issues. "Rather than proposing general public pledges such as a growing economy or becoming a low-governed country, it is necessary to issue policy the subjects related to university students, like employment" said Prof. Kwon. He also emphasized that it is important to educate students to perceive the significance of an election. Furthermore, it will make it possible to broaden their horizon for seeing the society.
Prof. Lim maintained students have social consciousness. "Not voting can`t change one student`s life or society. However, a little care and effort can make individuals and society develop to a high level. Politics affects students` lives not for the short-term but for the long-term" said Prof. Lim.
To have social consciousness, it is necessary for them to read newspaper and watch news. Although political apathy is not limited to university students, they should have more responsibilities than the general public. That’s because they take high-level education. Participating in politics is not asking a lot. Distinguishing between candidates and voting for a candidate who you like can be a big participation whenever there is an election.
Kim Jae-hoon Reporter Gong Jeong-ryeol Junior Repo
jaehoon114@uos.ac.kr hidenthuser@uos.ac.kr