Why Only Four Candidates Participate in South Korea’s Presidential TV Debates
As South Korea gears up for its presidential election, a pressing question arises: Why do only four candidates—Lee Jae-myung, Kim Moon-soo, Lee Jun-seok, and Kwon Young-kook—get to participate in the televised debates, despite there being seven registered candidates? This selection is not merely a programming decision by the broadcasters; it is deeply rooted in the legal framework set by the country’s election laws.
Legal Criteria for Presidential Debate Participation
The Public Official Election Act specifies criteria for participating in televised debates, referred to as “invited candidate debates.” According to Article 82-2, a candidate must meet at least one of the following conditions to be invited:
- Be a candidate from a political party with at least five seats in the National Assembly.
- Have a political party that received at least 3% of the votes in the most recent presidential, National Assembly, or local elections.
- Have an average approval rating of at least 5% in public opinion polls designated by the National Election Commission.
The Four Invited Candidates
In the 2025 presidential election, four candidates meet these criteria. Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party satisfies both the National Assembly seats and past election vote share requirements. Kim Moon-soo of the People Power Party also meets the criteria through his party’s seat count and past electoral performance. Lee Jun-seok of the Reform Party, while lacking the required seats, maintains an approval rating above 5%. Kwon Young-kook of the Democratic Labor Party qualifies due to the historical vote share from the Justice Party era, despite having no current seats.
The Exclusion of Other Candidates
On the other hand, candidates like Koo Joo-hwa, Hwang Kyo-ahn, and Song Jin-ho do not meet the invitation criteria. Koo Joo-hwa’s Liberty Unification Party holds no National Assembly seats and lacks significant past electoral performance or current poll support. Hwang Kyo-ahn, running as an independent, naturally does not meet party-related criteria, and his approval ratings are insufficient. Song Jin-ho, also independent, lacks both party support and a track record in past elections or polls to qualify.
Limited Opportunities for Non-Invited Candidates
Non-invited candidates are not entirely excluded from debates. They are offered a single opportunity in a “non-invited candidate debate,” typically aired late at night when viewership is low. For example, during the 2022 presidential election, candidate Huh Kyung-young expressed dissatisfaction after participating in a debate that began at 11 PM, despite having paid the same candidate deposit of 300 million won as others.
Is the Invitation Criteria Fair?
While these criteria appear objective, they often favor established parties. Emerging parties without seats cannot meet the assembly requirement, and achieving a 5% polling rate is daunting without media exposure, creating a significant entry barrier for new or independent candidates. Although Lee Jun-seok’s case shows it’s possible to gain traction, it remains a rare exception rather than the norm.
Calls for Reform in Debate Participation
Given the constraints of broadcasting schedules, it’s impractical to feature all candidates simultaneously. However, limiting non-invited candidates to a single late-night debate is widely considered inadequate. Proposals include hosting multiple debates or scheduling them at more accessible times to ensure broader exposure to all candidates’ policies.
Conclusion: Rethinking Debate Participation Criteria
The participation of only four candidates in prime-time TV debates is dictated by legal criteria they meet. However, these criteria may not align with the contemporary political landscape or voter expectations. To foster political diversity and expand voter choice, it is crucial to move from formal equality to substantive fairness. TV debates are not merely a broadcast event but a vital public asset for democratic decision-making. Reforming this system is an urgent task to ensure that all candidates have a fair chance to present their visions to the electorate.