hankyoreh

By Kim Ji-hoon　

A large number of citizens who cast their votes for a by-election on Oct. 26 uploaded pictures of them taken in front of polling stations, proving they had exercised their right to vote. Putting the so-called “voting evidence photos” in cyberspace is of the new trends that recently emerged among people in their 20s, thanks to the advent of social network services (SNS).

In a bid to keep up with youth election culture, portal site Daum opened up a page under its debate forum “Agora” in which people could pinpoint voting sites on a map by uploading voting evidence photos.

Voters actively talked about the election on Twitter and other SNS networks by sharing their pictures and enjoying their civil liberties. The SNS activity gained attention in light of the National Election Commission’s (NEC) recently introduced set of controversial guidelines, placing restraints on the freedom of expression for voters, especially in regards to SNS. The NEC banned voters from uploading pictures and posting any message that could be interpreted as recommending or inducing others to support for a particular candidate. The move by the commission sparked criticism from the public that it fell far short of properly addressing the SNS culture enjoyed by people in their 20s and 30s.

Celebrities were at the forefront of the SNS activities despite the NEC’s newly imposed regulations.

“Socialtainer” Kim Je-dong posted a picture at the polling site where he covered half his face with his training suit. The picture was accompanied by a tweet that read, “It is hard to confirm that it’s me, right?” Kim’s humorous post on Twitter hinted at recent NEC’s decision to restrict influential people from taking part in the SNS movement such as posting voting evidence pictures on the election-day.

“I will do whatever I can to support people’s right to vote within the legal boundaries set up by the NEC. But I will not be afraid of its regulations,” said best-selling novelist Lee Eui-soo.

Netizens posted comments satirizing the NEC’s perceived outdated and impractical regulations on election campaigning culture.

One Twitter user(@koixxxx) posted a tweet that read, “The NEC should arrest Premier League South Korean soccer player Park Chu-young, since he carried out obvious campaigning for unified opposition candidate Park Woon-son in violation of election laws. Player Park, with his number 10, the same number candidate Park was given on ballots, scored last night over a goalie with the number 1, the same ballot number ruling party candidate Na Kyung-won was given.” .

A number of bars and hospitals offering free food and treatment for those who exercised their voting rights also drew attention.

(Translated by Kang Jin-kyu, intern)

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