On June 10th, about 20 years ago from the present day, 500million people came out and fought against the dictatorship. They fought against the government doing unfair politics and took their right back through their efforts. At the end of the long fight and effort, there were sweet berries. However, there were also bitters: Yonsei University student Han-Yeol Lee died in action by the riot police. Likewise, there are lots of young students trying to change the society following 'June Democracy Movement.' And, we can say that we are looking at ourselves 20 years ago. However, how much are today's students interested in politics and how much do they give out their thoughts compared to the past? According to the recent total vote rate of local election, 3rd local election in 2002 and 4th local election in 2006 showed vote rates of 48.9% and 51.6% each. But, the vote rate of twenties was much lower compared to the total vote rate. (In 2002: 36,3%, and in 2006: 38.3%) As you look at the data, twenties' low vote rate is serious. And we can say that low vote rates indicates the lack of students' interest. However, despite these low vote rates, some movements are taking place. There are efforts to increase the twenties' participation to the politics.

▲ As you see in the paragraph, twenties' vote rate was the lowest in the latest elections.

Preparing for the coming June of local election, Students' Association of 8 universities in Busan area united and held a ceremony on May 11th. They said "We will make students of Busan area to participate voting much more. And we also held campaigns for encouraging twenties' voting around university and main places of Busan.

Also, Many 'Student voters regiment' progressed 'Establishing absentee voting place movement' in around 30 universities. It was the highest level compared to the last general election in 2008 that absentee voting place was established only in 3 universities. However, because of the Election Commission's hard standard, 'Establishing absentee voting place movement' was not that easy. That is, they made a rule that absentees must be more than 2000. Nevertheless, Korea University absentees are more than 2800 and Gyeongsang University absentees are also more than 2400 that each universities made efforts to pass the rules.

Twenties reserved candidates who run in the election for basic congressmen and tries to increase a turnout of twenties university students, in this 6.2 local election. These candidates are shaking up voting intentions of twenties, arguing important matters such as unemployment crisis, 880,000won generation and tuition problem.

The number of candidates who are in twenties is 32. The motivations which made them to be involved on politics were unusual. As a university student, expressing the thoughts is limited, like participating at student's movement and voting at elections. Also, we could not see the essential change of them. That's the main reason that young candidates want to participate in the politics directly. They will try to change the fixed thoughts of present politicians. That means, they are intending to change the politicians' habits. Most Korean politicians are the aged that cannot substitute various thoughts of all ages and both sexes. Young candidates are exposing their confidence that they can handle these problems. That is, harmonizing the age of youth, middle, and the prime while doing politics.

However, these young candidates may find high walls while they are doing the election campaign. According to current laws of the Republic of Korea, it mentions 'Of the people over the age of 25 has the right to run for the elections.' So limitation of age for candidacy in the issue may exist. In accordance with current law, various classes can`t participate that it tries to keep the door closed. Besides these institutional problems, especially as a title of 880,000won generation and suffering from high tuition fees, these candidates of twenties' big and realistic problems are the election campaign's funds. There are some cases like friends, party members, supporters collect money, and also get donations. But in fact, considering that some of the candidates have the debts, lack of funds is the most difficult spots for young candidates. These difficulties do not end here. They can receive negative images to older generations of election candidates and voters because of lack of experience. Their elections campaign is not easy because of older generation who tries to take ambition away from politician and saying “They are wet behind the ears..."

Thus, their results may not be as good because of social prejudices and the lack of funds about enrolled in candidates. But, we must never forget the spirit and ambition of 'young candidates' who directly jump into the politics to change the fixed political society.

This 6.2 local election is anticipated that it is the biggest event which select a local government head, a drafting member of the committee, metropolitan council head, and superintendent of education after start of local self-government; 1995. However, a turnout of twenties is expected very low. So university students' participation is very important. University students are spending everyday with anxious about the future in serious financial difficulties and unemployment crisis. As you can see with 'the declaration of Kim Ye-Seul' of Korea University which represented our university students' resentment, to see the successful result from this local election, we need young people who participate in the politic with real interests and reproaches not just criticize.