Taeyoungho "We Must Reflect on Why We Still Haven't Won the 'Edae Women' Vote"

"Policy Changes in the 20s Demand Alternatives"

People Power Party's Seoul mayoral candidate Oh Se-hoon held a focused campaign rally on the 28th of last month at the COEX East Gate Plaza in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, appealing to voters for support. Assemblyman Tae Young-ho is giving a support speech. Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] Tae Young-ho, a member of the People Power Party, commented on Oh Se-hoon's victory in the April 7 by-election for Seoul mayor, saying, "Rather than feeling relieved that we have won the hearts of people in their 20s, we need to reflect on why we still failed to gain the support of 'Idaenyo (women in their 20s)."

On the same day, Tae posted on his Facebook, "At a gathering of People Power Party lawmakers last night, one member told Joo Ho-young, the floor leader (currently acting party leader), 'Young people in their 20s supported our party's candidate in this election. Now, our party must bring about structural changes for the youth. Otherwise, the 20s will be disappointed and leave.'

He added, "My staff also said that the key to this election was capturing the votes of people in their 20s. Following my poor attempts at rapping and dancing, on the evening of the last day of the election, the 6th, I even hosted a 'mukbang communication live' on my YouTube channel 'Tae Young-ho TV,' eating 'Rose Tteokbokki,' a menu popular among people in their 20s."

Recalling that 72.5% of 'Idaenam (men in their 20s)' voted for Mayor Oh Se-hoon, Tae noted, "However, experts analyze that it is difficult to interpret this phenomenon as 20-something men becoming right-leaning, conservative, or increasingly supporting the opposition party. In fact, it is more accurate to say that young men in their 20s withdrew their support from the Democratic Party rather than actively supporting the People Power Party candidate."

He emphasized, "It is not enough to just try to understand and approach the hearts of young people. We must bring about policy and structural changes on issues that trouble the youth, such as employment, housing, and fairness. Young people are not simply asking for their tears to be wiped away; they are demanding policy changes and alternatives."

He also analyzed the voting behavior of late teens and women in their 20s in the Seoul mayoral election. Their turnout showed 44.0% support for former Minister of SMEs and Startups Park Young-sun, 40.9% for Mayor Oh, and 15.1% for minor parties. Tae said, "Rather than feeling relieved that we have won the hearts of people in their 20s, we need to reflect on why we still failed to gain the support of 'Idaenyo.'"

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