{"id":2201874,"date":"2023-08-02T19:09:07","date_gmt":"2023-08-02T10:09:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/?p=2201874"},"modified":"2023-08-03T17:01:25","modified_gmt":"2023-08-03T08:01:25","slug":"a-democratic-party-officials-remarks-ignite-debate-on-ageism-in-south-korea","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2023\/08\/a-democratic-party-officials-remarks-ignite-debate-on-ageism-in-south-korea\/","title":{"rendered":"A Democratic Party official\u2019s remarks ignite debate on ageism in South Korea"},"content":{"rendered":"
A South Korean politician known for her unfiltered rhetoric has found herself in the eye of a political storm after her description of senior citizens as those \u201c<\/span>with a short future<\/span><\/a>\u201d ignited a debate about ageism that has transcended party lines.<\/span><\/p>\n The controversy over the remarks by Kim Eun-kyung, head of the Innovation Committee for the main opposition Democratic Party (DP), has become a national issue, with critics questioning Kim\u2019s appropriateness for her role and her party\u2019s credibility in managing its members.<\/span><\/p>\n The upcoming parliamentary elections, slated for April next year, are a significant event for the DP, offering a chance to maintain its majority control of the National Assembly or increase its representation and influence within the government.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n But the growing debate over her remarks risks derailing the party\u2019s chances with one of the country\u2019s largest voter demographics.<\/span><\/p>\n CONTROVERSIAL REMARK<\/b><\/p>\n Kim made the contentious statement during a youth discussion session held by the Innovation Committee on July 30. Seeking to highlight an argument made by her son, Kim employed the phrase \u201cthose with a short future,\u201d a term <\/span>widely interpreted<\/span><\/a> as a dismissive reference to the elderly.<\/span><\/p>\n The context of the conversation was voting rights and the influence of older people on issues predominantly affecting the younger generation. Kim told the audience \u2014 people in their 20s and 30s \u2014 that when her son was younger, he questioned why older people decided the future of young people and argued that voting rights should be exercised proportionately to one\u2019s remaining life span.<\/span><\/p>\n She told the audience that she told her son he raised a \u201creasonable point\u201d but that his idea could not be implemented because democratic countries guarantee the \u201cone person, one vote\u201d doctrine.<\/span><\/p>\n Critics latched on to her choice of language, implying the diminishing relevance of senior citizens in future-oriented decision-making, decrying it as disrespectful and ageist. They <\/span>argue<\/span><\/a> that her remarks undermine the dignity and significance of older citizens, who constitute a <\/span>sizable portion<\/span><\/a> of the South Korean population and, notably, the electorate.<\/span><\/p>\n Despite the outcry, a spokesperson for the DP\u2019s Innovation Committee initially stated that there is <\/span>no need to apologize<\/span><\/a> for the remarks, explaining that Kim said such proportional voting is unacceptable in a democratic country. Kim defended herself, <\/span>stating<\/span><\/a> on Tuesday that she had no intention of demeaning senior citizens and that her original remarks were taken out of context.<\/span><\/p>\n However, this stance has done little to placate critics. Many, including the Korea Senior Citizens Association (KSCA), are <\/span>demanding<\/span><\/a> an official apology; some are even calling for her <\/span>resignation<\/span><\/a>. DP lawmakers Han Byeong-do and Lee Hae-sik visited KSCA\u2019s office to <\/span>apologize<\/span><\/a>, but Kim Eun-kyung did not join them, citing scheduling conflicts.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n