The 2022 Korean Election
"우리 모두 죽을거야!"
As of writing this, a few days ago the people of the Republic of Korea elected Yoon Seok-yeol, a People Power Party (PPP) conservative politician; on May 10, 2022, he will be sown into office, concluding Moon Jae-in’s 5-year term.
WHY IS THIS A BIG DEAL?
Yoon is a controversial candidate, given his views on the minimum wage and labor laws, as well as social topics, such as women’s rights (in fact-- his victory has even been labeled a victory for Korea’s Idaenam movement [literally: man in his twenties; a term for wealthy young men who are anti-feminist]).
In the ROK, feminism has been a hot topic for many years, due to the perception that it could destroy traditional Korean values, take men out of their jobs, or even lead to false sexual assault and rape accusations.
Additionally, his stance on the minimum wage has infuriated many. Currently, the minimum wage in the ROK is ₩9,160 per hour, or about US$7.40 as of writing, however, Yoon has put this wage over flames, and, as clarified, doesn’t want to abolish it completely, rather aiming to abolish it for small businesses (think fruit merchants on the streets, not chaebols and large retailers). However, with the world’s economy, it seems that anything less than ₩9,160 would be valueless for all but the best-off workers.
WHO COULD’VE WON INSTEAD?
In my honest opinion, Korea looks like it has a multi-party system, at the local level and the National Assembly, at least, but when electing presidents, it becomes a two-party system, usually with whatever the leading liberal party and leading conservative party at the time is winning.
Ahn Cheol-soo, a centrist opposition candidate, has run in every presidential election since 2012, and has either lost or been forced to drop out (resulting in him endorsing a conservative candidate). The other opposition candidate, from the New Politics Alliance for Democracy (NPAD, also known simply as the Democratic Party, which is currently the ruling party) was Lee Jae-myung, who lost by less than one percent.
WHAT DOES THE WRITER THINK?
As an American citizen, the president of Korea has little to no impact on me, since the only thing I have to do with Korea is my email, web browser, cell phone, messaging application, and several contacts. For the average American, the only thing Korea has to do with them is (likely) their cell phone and television set, maybe even their car. However, I will state the following: I do not believe that Yoon will be the worst president. Rhee, Park (both of them), and Chun come off as far worse, considering that they were literal dictators, who tortured, imprisoned, and murdered anyone who got in their way.
Maybe if I had fallen to the level of degeneracy and depression that your average Ilbe Storehouse user has fallen to, I’d like Yoon more.
WHAT DO AVERAGE KOREANS THINK?
Based on the replies I’ve received, their outlook is bleak at best. I’ve heard comments ranging from “Yoon is Korean Trump” to “my life might as well be over.” I think this is because of the prospect of working more for less pay, however, I don’t want to stir the pot any more by inquiring further.
TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS ORDEAL:
Like it or not, Korea is stuck with Yoon until 2027, unless he commits an impeachable offense (and gets caught), dies in office, or the ROK falls to foreign forces. From a personal standpoint, I think he won’t be the worst president, however many Koreans do not like him at all.
WORKS CITED (IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER):
https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20220310125851502?section=theme-list/factcheck&site=factcheck
https://www.minimumwage.go.kr/main.do
https://www.yna.co.kr/election2022/results
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20220220001000315
https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2022/03/356_325357.html?fl