First-Time Voting, Generation Born in the 2000s Is Coming

High Value on Safety, Diligence, and Sincerity
Similar Traits to Baby Boomers

[Asia Economy Reporters Lee Gwan-ju and Song Seung-yoon] Is our politics ready to welcome the 'smartest and most unique generation in history'?

On the eve of the 21st National Assembly election, Asia Economy interviewed 15 voters born after 2000 who are voting for the first time this year. Among them, subtle differences can be observed compared to the so-called 'Millennial generation,' born from the mid-to-late 1980s to the 1990s. They appear more practical, conservative, and non-ideological than previous generations. This calls for a different approach from efforts to analyze and apply Millennial characteristics to reality. Leadership consultant Lee Kyung-jin, CEO of Mindroot Leadership Lab, diagnosed, "Those born after 2000 value safety, diligence, and sincerity over risk-taking, which is similar to their parents’ generation, the Baby Boomers." Both generations share the experience of unprecedented intense competition in history.

"Political parties? No interest. Policies? Do they help me?"

Political parties that advocate specific ideological positions are not a prerequisite for choice. What matters most is "what policies" are proposed and whether those policies "mean even a little something" to the individual. Lee Jin-seon (18), a high school senior, said, "Recently, the mayor of Yeoju City decided to provide female sanitary pads to all teenagers, which I liked," adding, "I will vote for a candidate from the same party as the mayor." Im Jeong-won (20), a university freshman interested in gender issues, said, "I will support candidates who strictly punish sexual crimes, including the Nth Room case, and focus on youth employment policies."

Which party the candidate belongs to is a separate matter. Choi Jin-ho (20), a university student who already voted early, said, "I gave the highest score to candidates promising to reduce tax burdens." Another university student, Oh I-seok (19), said, "Since it’s my first vote, I feel a responsibility to exercise my rights properly. I will study the pledges and choose a good candidate."

"I will vote for someone who will fulfill their pledges. I don’t know which party they belong to."

The number of first-time voters born between 2000 and 2002 is about 1.8 million, accounting for roughly 4% of all voters. They search for candidates’ pledges on YouTube and Instagram, and use smartphones to gather information and understand the world. Their strong access to information gives them a balanced sense of reality and a high level of understanding of social issues. However, they also tend to collect only desired information and reinforce their own logic, showing bias. Their aversion to established politicians, symbolized by the term 'kkondae' (old-fashioned or condescending), is stronger than any critical view from other generations, which is evidence of this.

University student Kim Kyung-tae (20) said, "I excluded candidates from certain parties because I’m tired of watching politicians in the 'animal parliament' (chaotic politics)," adding, "I hope they don’t just greet us during election season but also maintain a humble attitude toward local residents regularly." University student Kim Geon-hee (20) said, "Both major parties seem to focus only on keeping their positions rather than the people," adding, "I understand that elections are a process to gain power, but honestly, I hope this election brings about a 'generation change.'" University student Park Yeon-su (20) said, "Every election, they promise to relocate our school, but no action follows. Politically, it seems they only wanted to use us."

How should our politics respond to the 2000s-born generation’s value of prioritizing pledges over parties, yet distrusting the pledges themselves? University student Jo Geon-hee (19) said, "I looked at candidates’ pledges and thought, 'Don’t they all just break these promises?' Of course, that’s a prejudice. So I decided to find and vote for someone who proposes feasible pledges. I don’t know which party that candidate belongs to."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.