Cheong's 'Cheong Project'... Come Back, People in Their 20s

President Moon's Approval Ratings Lower Among 20s Than 70s... Blue House and Democratic Party Appoint Figures to Communicate with Younger Generation

[Asia Economy reporters Ryu Jeong-min and Kang Na-hum] Although President Moon Jae-in's approval rating appears to have escaped its worst situation, the trend among the generation aged 20 and under has not changed significantly. The youth generation, once the core support base for President Moon, turning into an 'anti-generation' poses a burden on national governance. The Blue House is currently deliberating solutions, including appointing figures who can communicate with the youth in recent personnel changes.

According to a public opinion survey conducted by Realmeter commissioned by tbs, targeting 1,517 people nationwide aged 18 and over from August 31 to September 2, the approval rating for President Moon's national governance among the group aged 20 and under was 39.0%. This is the lowest approval rating among all age groups, including those aged 70 and over (45.0%).

This characteristic is no different from the public opinion survey conducted in the second week of August, when President Moon's approval rating was at its lowest. Realmeter, commissioned by tbs, conducted a survey targeting 1,507 people nationwide aged 18 and over from August 10 to 12, and President Moon received 34.6% support among those aged 20 and under. This was the lowest level along with the 60s age group (33.4%). For detailed information, please refer to the Central Election Poll Deliberation Commission website.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

While President Moon's approval rating has generally recovered amid the resurgence of COVID-19, especially in the metropolitan area, critical sentiment among the generation aged 20 and under has not subsided. Three years ago, in a September 2017 survey, the approval rating among those aged 20 and under was about 80%, not significantly different from those in their 30s and 40s, but now it shows a different trend.

Um Kyung-young, director of the Sidae Spirit Research Institute, analyzed, "After the general election, the support base for the ruling party has somewhat expanded among the elderly, but those in their 20s are withholding support. The 20s generation has a strong tendency to be non-partisan and non-ideological. Nearly half have become undecided voters."

Experts analyze that disappointment with policies, criticism over gender controversies, and difficulties in employment are intertwined, making it difficult for the youth to open their hearts. The decline in support among those in their 20s is also an Achilles' heel for the Democratic Party of Korea.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

In the first week of September, the approval rating among those in their 20s recorded 28.5%, showing the lowest level. Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon nominated Park Seong-min, a 24-year-old youth spokesperson, as a Supreme Council member, which is seen as a strategic move aimed at recovering support among the 20s generation.

The Blue House personnel appointments also strongly reflect an appeal to the younger generation. The recent trend in appointments is "younger and even younger." For the position of Blue House deputy spokesperson, Im Se-eun, born in 1981 and former senior administrative officer of the Blue House Youth Secretary Office, was appointed. Deputy Spokesperson Im expressed her ambition, saying, "I will listen carefully to and represent the voices of our youth, who may become a generation that lost their chance to enter society due to COVID-19."

It is also noteworthy that Im, who served as an outside director at IBK Investment & Securities and as the Blue House youth communication policy officer, was appointed to the Blue House deputy spokesperson position, which had previously been filled by those with extensive 'Yeouido politics' experience.

This appointment focuses more on economic expertise and youth communication skills rather than profound knowledge of politics and political affairs. Both the Blue House and the ruling party are sending messages of change through personnel appointments, but the general analysis is that there is still a long way to go before regaining support among those in their 20s.

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