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Proof photos allowed in presidential election for first time

Proof photos allowed in presidential election for first time

Posted January. 23, 2017 07:12,   

Updated January. 23, 2017 07:18

한국어

Thomas the Apostle was not on the site where the resurrected Jesus returned. He later stubbornly insisted that “he shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side.” Appearing anew, Jesus let Thomas to do so before telling, “"Do you believe because you see me? Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.” If it happened today, Thomas’ suspicion would have been dispelled rather easily. One can simply show a proof photo of a finger inserted in the print of the nails.

In 2009, BBC Magazine singled out Facebook and Twitter as cultural phenomena that graced the first 10 years in the 21st Century. Social media took root as daily routines of the general public. Around that time, the 3G iPhone whose wireless Internet speed was three times that of the previous generation made debut. The combination of smartphone’s photography function that outperformed ordinary cameras and social networking services provided an environment wherein proof photo culture started to blossom. It was only a matter of time before the culture spread to political hotspots.

The October 26 re-elections and by-elections in 2011 is undeniably the time when proof photos wield its power for the first time in elections of Korea. “Proof photo-taking event” in which voters urge others to vote on the day of election widely spread on SNS at that time. Until then, the National Election Commission did not allow voters to make gesture that can remind others of the ID number of a certain candidate. As the National Assembly passed a revision bill to the Public Election Act on Friday, it will become possible for voters to make thumb up to indicate candidate No. 1, or V sign to suggest No. 2 as they take a proof photo shot beginning in the 19th presidential election.

Supporters of candidate No. 3 will likely need some thinking. We can think of three-finger salute used by Boy Scout. Some might wish to follow the gesture of affixing the thumb and the index finger and opening three other fingers by US NBA star Stephen Curry, dubbed the “king of three pointers.” Those who have to imply candidate No. 4 or higher number will have to agonize even more. The key here is supporter’s influence on SNS: how many followers does he or she have. A proof photo of fingers by a famous writer or singer who has hundreds of thousands or millions of followers could even change the trend on the day of vote. Would it be an exaggeration to say that the outcome of the upcoming presidential election will depend on how many “SNS giants” presidential candidates will secure as allies?