18-year-olds now able to run for South Korean parliament

Cut to minimum age ahead of presidential election aims to win over youth vote

20211231N South Korea voters

Voters cast absentee ballots in Seoul for the April 2020 parliamentary election. © Reuters

SOTARO SUZUKI, Nikkei Seoul bureau chief

SEOUL -- High school seniors can run for South Korea's National Assembly, thanks to legislation passed Friday that lowered the age of eligibility for national and local elections to 18 from 25.

The minimum age for presidential candidates will remain at 40.

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