Liberal, conservative figures turn to TV talk shows to reach public ahead of elections

The following is the fourth of a series of articles on Korean politics in 2012, when general and presidential elections take place in the same year for the first time since 1992. ― Ed.


There was something more than a little fishy with a recent joke by Grand National Party leader Park Geun-hye.

“Which is superior, a whale, or a shrimp? I say a shrimp. Whales are made into pop corn-sized snacks (‘goraebap’ chips) but shrimps can be bar-stick crackers (‘Saewukkang’).”

If this crack had been made by a comedian, they would have been mocked. But coming from Park, the GNP’s leading presidential hopeful ― who has been called an “ice queen” ― on TV talk show “Healing Camp,” the panelists and crew members burst into laughter. The next morning, the media praised her sense of humor. 

Moon Jae-in, Park’s potential presidential rival from the opposition field, appeared on the same program a week later and smashed five bricks on the spot with his bare hands.

He confessed later on Twitter that he had to put his fingers in a cast, lamenting that he was no longer a youngster strong enough to break bricks as he did during his military service 30 years ago. His message was retweeted to tens of thousands of his supporters.

Politicians are appearing more on TV entertainment shows and concerts and less on debate programs or at political promotional events. They sing, dance, make jokes and do anything to draw public attention. They tweet their everyday lives and befriend strangers through Facebook. They show up at youth events that they had not visited before.

They are all struggling to ditch their old, staid images and foster charisma with next-door-neighbor familiarity.

“This is the era of communication,” declared Park on “Healing Camp.” Struck by the power of young voters putting so much on communication, she is striving to approach the public in a different manner.

Park, who is currently leading the emergency board of the GNP, recently decided to use social networking services in its selection for candidates for the upcoming general elections.

The GNP and its think-tank, Yeouido Institute, held a month-long “Dream Talk” show touring universities around the country, as part of its efforts to better connect with young voters.

“It is true that the political circles have not been too keen on listening to the needs of the young generation. We are aiming at embracing people from all generations and backgrounds,” said Han Dong-yeop, researcher of the institute.

So why has communication suddenly become key?

Political analysts point to widespread public discontent with President Lee Myung-bak, nicknamed “bulldozer” for his charismatic leadership and determination to push his agenda.

They say such a sentiment also led to the “Ahn Cheol-soo phenomenon,” the rise of a software mogul to political stardom.

Ahn, a well-respected venture entrepreneur, is leading Park, the top ranker for the past four years, in most polls.

Political pundits said alongside his righteous image, Ahn’s “talk concerts” communicating with youths have attracted the younger generations.

Ahn and online finance pundit, Park Gyeong-cheol, held “Chungchun (youth) Talk Concert,” last year, in which they toured universities around the country.

Instead of one-way speeches, Ahn and Park received questions from the audience, listened to their problems and tried to answer them based on their own experiences.

“We wanted students who are less privileged in access to cultural and other benefits than those living in Seoul or its metropolitan areas. We wanted to encourage and inspire them to fight this reality and achieve what they truly want. We wanted to tell them about social justice and what was right,” they said to the media before kicking off the months-long tour.

“I have enjoyed the keener approach of the politicians, who had never given us the impression that we are respected,” said Kim So-yeon, a university student in Daegu. She had been to one of Ahn’s talk concerts and said it was encouraging.

“I hope it is not a gimmick. I hope they really care. We can feel it. We will keep our eyes on them,” she added.

Cho Sung-ju, manager of the Youth Union, said the craze has definitely helped them gain access to more policy makers and see their demands reflected in policy.

His group also held a “talk concert” with Ryu Si-min, one of the most promising politicians from the liberal field. “We are planning more events of this kind ― Roh Hoe-chan, former leader of the New Progressive Party, will be having a pub talk with the members and more liberal politicians are joining the line. I could feel the change coming. It is a good sign,” he said.

But some are more cautious. They say that President Lee has sought communication but failed.

“It is a natural thing that the presidential office has stressed communication for a long time but yet not seen any progress,” an official said.

Shin Yool, a political commentator, said: “TV and concerts are attractive tools to widen accessibility to the public for politicians. However, they should really be careful on what to talk about rather than what to show. In the end, people know what you are trying to deliver anyway.”

By Bae Ji-sook (baejisook@heraldcorp.com)