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Education sector divided over lowering minimum age for political party membership

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Students study in a classroom of a high school in Daegu, in this Oct. 19, 2021 photo. Newsis
Students study in a classroom of a high school in Daegu, in this Oct. 19, 2021 photo. Newsis

By Jung Da-min

The education sector has been divided over the recent passage of a bill that lowered the age of eligibility for joining a political party to 16. Some welcomed the change which could open up chances for political participation to younger people, while others expressed concerns over possible consequences like ideological conflicts and divisions among students.

On Tuesday, the National Assembly passed the revision bill to the Political Parties Act to lower the minimum age for joining a political party from 18 to 16, meaning high school freshmen can join a political party and seniors can run in an election. It followed an earlier decision to lower the age limit for those running in general and local elections from 25 to 18.

With a series of major elections set to be held this year, including the presidential election and Assembly by-elections on March 9 and local elections on June 1, more young people are expected to participate in politics by joining political parties or running in such elections as candidates in addition to voting.

Many political parties and political watchers have welcomed the lowering of the age requirement, saying the changes will ensure young people have the opportunity to present solutions for their own issues, such as job creation or gender conflicts.

However, opinions are divided in education circles.

Those expressing concerns said other measures should also be discussed to protect minors from possible consequences of their political activities.

The Korean Federation of Teachers' Associations (KFTA) said that other relevant laws should also be revised to protect students' right to learning. They said political activities such as election campaigns, political parties' ads and recruitment should not be allowed on school grounds.

"The classroom can be transformed into a battleground for political parties or camps, if campaigns for or against a specific political party or candidate are staged in schools," said Shin Hyun-wook, head of the policy division of the KFTA.

"The National Assembly and the education authorities should take steps to prepare supplementary and protective measures, such as legislation of laws to prevent schools from being used for certain electoral or political ends, so that schools do not get caught up in unnecessary controversies and conflicts."

Lawmakers pass a revision bill to the Political Parties Act, aimed at lowering the age limit for joining a political party from 18 to 16, at a plenary session of the National Assembly on Seoul's Yeouido, Tuesday. Yonhap
Lawmakers pass a revision bill to the Political Parties Act, aimed at lowering the age limit for joining a political party from 18 to 16, at a plenary session of the National Assembly on Seoul's Yeouido, Tuesday. Yonhap

However, liberal education organizations have welcomed the changes.

The Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union (KTU) said in a commentary: "The process in which young people actively exercise their political rights will be the process of developing their capacity for life as a citizen."

The KTU also said the minimum age limit for political party membership should ultimately be abolished. It also called for the abolishment of a clause requiring those between 16 and 18 to get the consent of a parent or legal guardian when joining a political party.

Political commentators also said reducing the age limit in political activities is a necessary step for the country's politics and any concerns stem from distorted images of politics created by established politicians.

"Politics should not be considered a dirty thing but rather be about changing the world. Politicians themselves have built the wrong perception that it is not good for young students to pay attention to politics when they should be focusing more on studying," political commentator Choi Young-il said.

"So far, politics have widely been considered an area where older generations participate and became boring. This negative image of politics should be changed to be considered as something that should be learned from a young age to learn how to change society."


Jung Da-min damin.jung@koreatimes.co.kr


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