In South Korea, discussions have emerged about the potential to lower the voting age to 16 years old. This proposal raises concerns regarding whether young individuals at this age are truly equipped to participate in political processes, despite being legally allowed to join political parties. The article suggests that while 16-year-olds can join political parties, they are seldom seen engaging in political activities. This reflects a broader issue where opportunities for youth to discuss political issues or voice opinions on policies affecting them are almost nonexistent, leading to questions about the real implications of granting this demographic voting rights without proper political education and engagement pathways.

The article also draws comparisons with OECD nations where youth are actively involved in political activities from a young age, accumulating political experience through participation. Examples include former US President Bill Clinton, who was involved in political education at age 16, and former UK Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, who joined the Labour Party at the same age. The stark contrast with South Korean youth, who appear distant from politics, highlights the need for initiating conversations about political engagement early in life.

Moreover, the article addresses the constraints faced by teachers due to the constitutional regulation of political impartiality, which hampers their ability to participate in political discourse. Teachers are prohibited from political activities while in school but face disciplinary actions even for minor expressions of political beliefs outside work. This restriction contributes to a scenario where the educational environment becomes less politically engaged, negatively impacting students who seek guidance on pertinent social and political issues. Ultimately, the discussion points to the urgent need for re-evaluating how political engagement is fostered among both youth and educators in South Korea.