[My Election] The 4.15 That Is Too Desperate for Me

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Cheol-eung] The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has torn daily life apart. It is an 'inconvenience' for everyone, but especially some are worried not only about health but also about 'economic survival.' Amid this, a general election is being held. It makes us reconsider the role of the nation and politics. It is not a 'someone else's election' but 'my election.' This is a proposition that applies to everyone without exception. We met five voters: a mother anxious about the postponed school opening, a pharmacist on the front lines of the mask war, a startup CEO hampered by regulations, a businessperson who calls the Kaesong Industrial Complex era a "golden age," and a self-employed person with nothing but sighs.

"There are mothers who quit their jobs because of their children. Online classes differ in method from school to school, and in some households with means, children are sent to private tutoring or small-sized academies. Many mothers worry about the widening learning gap."

This is the 'anxiety' conveyed by Kim Min-seo (38), who has an elementary school child. Kim said, "From the mothers' perspective, there is regret that the government should have prepared equipment and taken action in advance before continuously postponing school openings every two weeks."

The most urgent need is safety. Disturbing news makes hearts drop. She said she has been closely watching the behavior of each political party in this general election. Kim said, "I think it will be very different depending on which party takes the lead. The urgent matter right now is to increase the home childcare allowance."

"When masks were scarce, many people got angry asking why they weren't given out, but these days they ask why their desired color, size, or brand isn't available. I've been scolded so much that I think I'll live long." Pharmacist Jo Han-seok (40) said with a wry smile.

He said that selling public masks does not yield much profit and involves a heavy labor burden. On the contrary, he said he has been hit directly by a drop in sales due to fewer hospital visits.

The key point of this general election is focused on medical benefits. For him, 'my election' is 'study.' Pharmacist Jo said, "Rather than what candidates say during the campaign, the most important criterion is to look up past articles to see what kind of actions they have taken." He added, "Isn't it hardest for the economically vulnerable to receive medical benefits? I want to cast a vote for politics that can practically show consideration."

"I thought, 'Since they are going to use empty houses anyway, what regulations could there be here?' But it wasn't so. Politics? If it were a company, it would be grounds for dismissal. Still, I can't help but have hope."

Nam Seong-jun (46), CEO of the accommodation-sharing startup 'Dajayo,' seemed to be in a complicated state of mind. Many Korean startups are hitting walls, but he believes that if they overcome them, they can leap into global companies.

So for him, 'my election' is 'the future.' Nam emphasized, "I hope there will be more young politicians who can prepare well for such a changing future. Just as the world's first free internet phone came out of Korea in the past, I believe global companies will emerge in the future. The premise is changes in regulation and perception."

"I think President Trump will try to restore relations with North Korea ahead of the presidential election. He has no other cards. North Korea is in desperate need of even a loaf of bread. Tremendous things will happen to our people over the next four years, and the political world must surely play its role."

Park Yong-man (60), CEO of Green Textile, is a representative inter-Korean cooperation entrepreneur who participated from the early days of the Kaesong Industrial Complex. He said he spent about 11 years in the Kaesong Industrial Complex until its full suspension in February 2016, calling it a "golden age."

For him, 'my election' is 'history.' Park emphasized, "Regardless of ideological orientation, all citizens must exercise their voting rights to choose so that our history goes in the right direction," adding, "Expanding exchanges and meeting to find common ground in different perceptions brings us closer to unification."

Lee Dong-hwan (45), who runs a cooking pub in Seoul, is going through a painful time no different from other self-employed people. The most urgent issue in this election is, again, how much the rent burden can be practically reduced. Beyond that, it is necessary to establish a survival foundation for the self-employed. For him, 'my election' is 'common sense.' "First of all, it must start from common sense. The more difficult the times, the more important dialogue is, and for that, many people with common sense must be elected as members of the National Assembly. There are no votes for those who only pursue their own interests."