Political parties flood Korean Americans with symbolic titles amid election law limits

As South Korea’s 21st presidential election approaches, major political parties are scrambling to court overseas voters. In the United States, this has resulted in hundreds of honorary appointments to Korean American community members. However, critics argue that these titles are symbolic at best, with no real authority or impact due to restrictive overseas election laws.

Despite being named regional chairs, advisers, and special envoys, many appointees find themselves unable to act. Strict campaign rules effectively silence them, while the political parties that issued the appointments have shown little interest in amending the legal framework that limits their roles.

Symbolic Titles, No Campaign Tools

With overseas voting scheduled from May 20 to 25, Korean-American supporters of presidential candidates are entering the election period unable to campaign. The two major parties—Democratic Party of Korea and People Power Party—have both launched campaign organizations in North America.

Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung sent appointment letters to over 300 individuals in cities like Los Angeles and New York. However, many are frustrated by campaign restrictions that prohibit organized gatherings, public endorsements, print advertisements, and even banner displays.

Choi Ah-sook, the Democratic Party’s chief special advisor for the Americas, said, “We’ve conveyed local opinion to the party’s legal team, stressing the need to amend the overseas election law.”

The People Power Party also appointed Rep. Kim Seok-ki as its overseas Koreans committee chair, with efforts underway to mobilize overseas voters. However, Korean nationals abroad face what many are calling a “blind election,” lacking both information and the ability to actively participate.

Legal Restrictions Frustrate Community Leaders

Lee Yong-tae, vice chair of the PPP’s overseas committee and president of the LA chapter of the Peaceful Unification Advisory Council, said, “The current election law makes it nearly impossible to conduct any meaningful campaign. At the very least, we should be able to use newspaper ads and banners like domestic campaigns.”

While parties encourage overseas voting, they have been largely silent on reform. Rep. Kim Seok-ki did not respond to two formal requests for comment on the matter as of May 16.

Choi expressed her frustration, saying the party has made no clear commitment to reflect overseas public opinion or to push for change. Lee Yong-tae echoed the sentiment, noting that party officials only emphasize compliance with the law, without addressing the law’s flaws.

Voting Underway for Overseas Citizens

This year, 258,254 Koreans abroad registered to vote in the presidential election. Of those, 51,885 are in the United States, with 10,341 registered in Los Angeles.

Overseas voting is being conducted at 182 Korean diplomatic missions worldwide, including four locations under the jurisdiction of the Korean Consulate General in LA:

• LA Consulate (2nd Floor)

• Orange County Korean Association Hall

• San Diego Korean Association Hall

• Asiana Market in Maricopa, Arizona

  BY HYOUNGJAE KIM [kim.ian@koreadaily.com]