Publication

Where Does Age Representation in Korean Politics Narrow?

Institute for Reform Issue Brief 2026-35 (October 19, 2026), Part 7 of the "Politics and Generations" series, asks at which of the stages from voters to elected office the difference in the share of those aged 39 or younger is largest. In both National Assembly elections and local elections, those aged 39 or younger are around 30% of electors but 5 to 11% of district candidates, and the difference between candidates and winners is smaller. The interval with the largest difference lay before, rather than in, the electoral stage that follows the choice of candidates. Whether that earlier stage is the intention to run, the application for nomination or the selection by parties cannot be determined.