Choices in 2020: The future of Korea

Jan 01, 2020, 09:30 am

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The sun is rising over the National Assembly building in Seoul./ Photographed by Kim Hyun-woo (cjswo2112@)

By AsiaToday reporter Kim Jong-won

A new year has just begun. The general election for the 21st National Assembly, slated for April 15, will be the first historic election that will open the future of Korea in the 2020s. Each vote will change the future of Korea and your life. The fate of the Republic of Korea depends on the choice the people make.

“The 21st legislative election will be a significant one that will transform the system for the 20th century into the one for the 21st century,” said Lee Kwang-jae, secretary-general of Korea Manifesto Center, in AsiaToday’s New Year interview. “It’s a global transition period in which all life paradigms change rapidly. Voters must vote for candidates that are competent enough to address issues that the people need in terms of politics, economy, society, and culture.”

Regarding the skills needed for a legislator, Lee said, “We don’t need Santa Claus that gives away presents. We have to pick candidates who are willing to solve problems that people have through parliamentary authority – right to legislation, right to budget settlement, and right to audit state.”

“The 20st National Assembly was really a mess,” said Kim Hyung-joon, a politics professor at Myongji University. “Parliamentary reform and party reform should be carried out first so that legislators can be active in parliamentary politics with autonomy,” Kim said. “Politicians have to show new politics and reforms to the people.”

“The 20st National Assembly is regarded as the worst one ever,” said Insight-K director Bae Jong-chan. “It is irresponsible to say you have to pick the right one. With the pressure of public opinion, more women and youths should enter into politics. At least 40 percent of candidates should be women and young people,” Bae said. “Three things will be judged in this year’s general election,” political commentator Park Sang-byung said. “It’s about judging the Moon Jae-in administration, the right-wing Liberty Korea Party, and the multi-party system.”

With regard to the general elections, R&Search director general Kim Mi-hyun said the April general election will be a key barometer of public opinion of Moon administration as well as the opposition parties. “It is not easy to predict the result of the election and it is expected to be a very close race.”

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