Naturalized Ethnic Korean Goes to the Polls for His First Vote

“I feel that I have finally become a Korean. I had to just watch others vote in the past 10 years. I am deeply moved. I finally voted.”

With face flushed with excitement, Choi Kang, a 41-year-old researcher at a biotechnology firm, came out of a voting station at a cathedral on April 15 at about 9:20 a.m.

Choi is an ethnic Korean who was born and raised in China. In 1995, he received a PhD degree in Korea. Choi was naturalized last year, nine years after he set foot in the country. The elections on April 15 were the first elections in which he cast a vote as a Korean.

“I was surprised at many things. I was surprised that election days are a holiday. I was surprised that some people don’t go to the polls, nevertheless.”

Choi said “image politics” which was rampant in the elections was another surprise.

“All parties appear to have tried to do whatever they could to rally support. What is more important is their sincere attitude towards the pledges they have made. I have watched them for more than 10 years. Roars during campaigns appear to end in silence after elections,” he said, setting the April elections in a positive light. “However, democracy is increasingly advancing in Korea.”

“In China, we were almost herded into the polling stations in the middle of work. I threw a ballot, without giving much thought to it. I did not have any sense that my single ballot can change the future of the country,” Choi said. “The Koreans cast their votes out of responsibility and self-confidence. I am so proud of them.”

Wan-Bae Lee TK Sohn roryrery@donga.com sohn@donga.com