‘Usually Not Done, But Approaching Elections... SNS Communication?’

Jeonbuk Local Election Candidates Intensify SNS Promotion Targeting Election... Voters' Disapproval

[Jeonju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Han-ho] As next year's local elections approach, the social networking services (SNS) of prospective candidates have recently become more active.

However, voters do not view the one-time enthusiasm of those who only 'spark' during election times very favorably.

In the case of Mr. A, who is considered a leading candidate for next year's gubernatorial election, he has been posting updates on Facebook, a representative SNS, at intervals ranging from as long as one week to as short as 3-4 days since last August.

Mr. A hardly engaged in Facebook activities before, with only five posts in 2019 and 2020 combined.

He quietly started SNS activities when talks about the 2022 local elections began earlier this year, and recently seems to be paying much more attention.

The situation is similar for Mr. B, who is mentioned as a candidate for Jeonju mayor.

Mr. B posted only seven times in 2019 and three times in 2020 on Facebook. However, as the Democratic Party's presidential primary intensified, his posts increased sharply.

Recently, as he has been mentioned as a candidate for Jeonju mayor in local political circles and the media, Mr. B's Facebook posts have been updated on a weekly basis.

Another Jeonju mayoral candidate, Mr. C, only began SNS communication around mid-March this year.

Meanwhile, Mr. D, also a Jeonju mayoral candidate, has been inactive since November 2020, and Mr. E, a candidate for Jangsu county governor, has a Facebook account but has never posted anything himself.

In contrast, Mr. F, who is mentioned as a candidate for Jeonju mayor, has consistently communicated with voters through Facebook.

Voters have mixed views on the sudden SNS communication by prospective candidates running in next year's local elections.

It is certainly positive that voters can get to know candidates' private lives, values, and visions in advance.

Nevertheless, there is considerable criticism that candidates who rarely engage in SNS activities normally but suddenly start communicating as the election approaches are merely putting on a show.

Above all, since SNS serves as a major communication channel between politicians and voters, as well as a platform for policy proposals and feedback, the practice of only briefly engaging in social networking services during elections is pointed out as another form of political backwardness that must be eradicated.

Voter Yoon (38, female) said, "It is bitter to see candidates who have kept their distance from SNS suddenly rushing to communicate now," adding, "To truly win voters' hearts and effectively conduct contactless election campaigns amid COVID-19, candidates should show frequent SNS communication regularly."

Jeonju=Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Han-ho stonepeak@asiae.co.kr

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