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By Kwon Tae-ho, Washington Correspondent
　　
As of Sunday, with one week remaining until the deadline, the rate of registration for overseas Korean voters has failed to pass 4%. Overseas voting is being introduced for the April 11 general election this year. The low rate of registration among those residing permanently overseas and comparatively high rate among those temporarily abroad, is ending the common notion that the overseas votes would work to the advantage of the ruling party.
Data released on Sunday by the National Election Commission shows that 3.8% of those eligible to vote as part of the overseas voting system (14,193 overseas voters and 69,870 absentees abroad) had registered at one of Korea’s 158 diplomatic offices overseas. Among overseas Koreans that registered to vote, the number of short-term absentees, such as students and workers posted abroad, was almost five times higher than those with permanent residency in other countries. The rate of registration among those with permanent residency abroad and without citizen’s ID numbers in Korea, at 1.5%, was much lower than that among short-term absentees, which stood at around 5.3%.
One significant reason for low registration among permanent overseas residents is that emigrant life tends to lead to a loss of interest in Korean politics. This is compounded by the fact that those who are permanently overseas must visit a diplomatic office in order to register. Koreans living abroad temporarily may register by mail.
Permanent foreign residents are known for their conservative tendencies. “It is highly likely that the majority of those with permanent residency status abroad are conservative because of a strong tendency to desire stability in their mother country, while short-term overseas residents such as students are relatively progressive,” said Yonsei University politics professor Yang Seung-ham.
In contrast to the general election, interest among Koreans residing permanently overseas is greatly increasing, as evidenced by a proliferation of support groups for various candidates, prompting expectations that a different situation will unfold for the presidential election.
　
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