On March 9th, 2022, the 20th Presidential Election will take place, where 18 year olds will be able to vote for the first time. What types of policies and pledges has the next potential president put forth for their 5 year term to create a nation where no one is excluded? Let’s take a deeper look into the election promises and statements regarding youth/minority issues from candidates from 4 political parties: Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party, Yoon Seok-youl of the People’s Power Party, and Sim Sang-jung of the Justice Party. 

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No. 1: Lee Jae-myung 

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[Enactment of Anti-Discrimination Law] Lee has said that there’s a need for a “public consensus” regarding the law, which concretely outlaws discrimination based on sexual orientation/identity, past medical history, and disabilities. On Dec 7, 2021, Lee met with a group of protestors who demanded that he apologize for claiming a need for consensus. Lee proceeded to laugh at the protestors, asked them if “[they’re] done,” and then turned to leave the scene.

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[Jobs for Young People] “Annual payment starting in 2023 to people between ages of 19-29 of 1 million KRW basic youth income (youth dividend),” “introduction of a basic youth finance system (basic borrowing and saving)”, “full mobilization of government policy to increase youth employment by 5% throughout term by incrementally increasing required rate of youth employment in public institutions from 3% to 5%, etc.” - January 22, 2022 Lee Jae-myung Website

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No. 2: Yoon Seok-youl

[Enactment of Anti-Discrimination Law] “Because there is a lot of room for controversy, we have to give careful consideration…Because the enactment of the Anti-Discrimination Law is related to the interpretation of the Constitution, we should not solely emphasize equality.” - December 14, 2021 Guanhoon Club Invitation Debate 

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[Low Birth Rate and Feminism?] “In the end, (there are) many reasons for the low birth rate. Not so long ago, I saw some comments saying that feminism is being too politically abused where even wholesome relationships between men and women are being emotionally restricted.” - August 2, 2021 People’s Power Party New-Elects Meeting 

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No. 3: Sim Sang-jung

[Enactment of Anti-Discrimination Law] The only candidate to have the Anti-Discrimination Law as a main promise, Sim during the 2017 presidential election when the then-Democratic Party candidate Moon Jae-in said he “opposes homosexuality” responded that “homosexuality is not something that you can agree or disagree with. Respecting the human rights and freedom of LGBTQIA+ communities is what a democratic nation is all about.” Like this, Sim has been an advocate for the rights of excluded groups from society such as women, the LGBTQIA+ community, and disabled people.

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[Youth Employment] “Free job placement education for COVID graduates, canceling debt from COVID-era cost of living and tuition, rapid expansion of youth regional jobs, and support for therapy, as you are the most important” – December 22nd, 2021 Press Conference for Measures to Compensate for Youth Loss of Opportunity

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No. 4: Ahn Cheol-Soo 

[Enactment of Anti-Discrimination Law] When asked whether he supports the Anti-Discrimination Law, which clearly states the reasons for banning discrimination based on sexual orientation and sexual identity, Ahn “refused to answer.” - The Seoul Newspaper  

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[Youth Employment] “The moment soliciting favors for recruitment or hereditary employment are detected, employment will be canceled and those involved will be punished  through the Fair Employment Procedure Act.” - January 19th, 2022 Ahn Cheol-Soo Official Homepage

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