University students want real 'participation' in politics but society, that is, political circles, only want us to vote. If we investigate the vote rate among university students, we could know for a fact that university students's participation degree about political issues is very low compared to other age brackets.

◈ We have an interest!

 In newspapers, we can read many articles that lament that many university students have little interest in politics. But, can you confirm that students are indifferent to political affairs? At this time, CAH investigated CAU student's thinking about university student's participation in politics. Students have enough concern about political affairs. The object of this research was 200 CAU students. One question was 'How do you think about the participation in politics of university students?' Although most students said they can't participate in politics because of realistic circumstances, they also said that they have interest in politics. Among 200 students, 97 students said so. And 37 persons said they want to participate in politics, but they don't know the way. Also, 35 persons remarked that university students must worry about social issues and participate in concerning affairs. There was just 31 students who were indifferent to political affair. 

◈ What does 'political participation of university students' mean? And what do students think of university student's political participation?

 First of all, what we must think is that 'political participation of university students' means. In the research, students answered this question, 'How suitable is students' participation in politics up to some degree?'. Among 200 students, 37 persons said only 'vote', 113 students said to 'taking an active part on the internet or a candle demonstration' and 38 students said 'participating in a political party or a civic organization'. If we put together these results, we could define that students think that 'participating politics' isn't just voting but also expressing their political opinion through the mass media. But political circles require students' political participation up to their vote. When CAH interviewed Kim Jung-hoon, the president of a society research of politics and diplomacy of university students, he said that when he works with a politician, he has difficulties because of the limited extent to which students can participate. He said politicians emphasize student's purity so they did not permit student access to substantial political affairs. Also the Grand National Party and the ruling Uri Party have a department for the youth, but this department is active mainly before or after the season of elections.
 Then, what do students think about participating in political affairs? Although most of students recognized their participation is needed, many students mentioned 'I don't want to participate because of my realistic problems or tiresomeness". We can see this phenomenon from the research. CAH also asked students : 'if a civic organization or a political party hold a political academy program, would you participate in that program?'. In result among 200 students, 143 answered they said 'No'.  

 

◈ A program for students' political participation

 There are many reasons for student's conflicting answers. One of the reasons, this society does not have a positive system in order that students participate in politics. There is no choice but to make the system by ourselves.
 There is a way that we can participate directly in political affairs through as our effort. The way is that we join the Democratic Labor Party or government monitor program of People`s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy, a leading shareholders` activists group. In the case of the Democratic labor Party, it doesn't have a public nomination system and they give to a member of their party the right to run for election to be a proportional representation as 100 people's recommendation. Through the election, in the party a university student can be a politician. Lee Ju-hee, a university student and the chairman of the youth committee of the Democratic Labor Party, was a candidate in the election of members for the 17th National Assembly. People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy has a program to supervise legislature. Through this program we can criticize the present National Assembly and it could be a power to change the legislature. If we make efforts, we could search many programs like internship programs. Those programs give us a political experience. If you have an interest in politics, participate in those programs.      

 Our society and university students understand the necessity of university students' interest and participation in politics. But we should not stop at that thinking.

CAH met Kim Jung-hoon. When he was a university student, 1 year ago, he made a society research of politics and diplomacy of university student. Although his organization existed during a very short term, after he made the organization, he participated in many events opened by political organization.  CAH asked some questions to him because he has a lot of political experience.

CAH : As a university student, is there any difficulty to create a political participating community and to participate in a political circle?
Kim : Beforehand, there was financial hardship. When my group did some event like a forum, we needed money to continue the event.
 Second, there is a limit made by political and diplomatic people. They emphasize student's purity and they don't permit substantial works.

CAH : You met many internal and external opposition people. When you participated and acted as a university student, how did they react? And how what did think about the political participation of university students? 
Kim : When I attended as only a university student among the attendance at a invitation dinner party for a Representative from America, he said that in Korea, students' political participation seems active because of my attendance. But some domestic Assemblyman said to him that this was not a common circumstance. They said most students' participation is very tough and negative by student activists. Like this, domestic Assemblymen have a negative perception of students' participation. And they limit the extent to which we can join. So students want to participate positively but there is a barrier. In America, students' participation is very natural and there are many ways for students to join. For example, at this time a young Egyptian woman is admitted as an assistant secretary charging people in America. She worked as a intern in Congress when she was a university student. Through intern activity she was recognized by her ability, so she was recommended at the White House, and now she became a assistant secretary.

CAH : Lastly do you have any comments for students who have an interest in politics?
Kim : Yes. I think politics is very a professional part. So we can participate effectively using special knowledge through our major. Study hard! Study either your major or another major when you can learn in university.        

                                                                                  By Kim Hyun-jin
                                                                                  Social & Political reporter
           

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