Criteria for Presidential Debate Participation in South Korea
In South Korea, not every presidential candidate gets a chance to participate in televised debates. Despite being officially registered as a presidential candidate, some may never appear on TV. This is because the criteria for being included in presidential debates are strictly regulated by law, specifically under the Public Official Election Act, Article 82-2.
Eligibility for Debate: The Invitation-Only Rule
According to the law, only “invited candidates” can join the official TV debates hosted by broadcasting stations. A candidate qualifies as an invited candidate by meeting at least one of the following criteria: their party holds at least 5 seats in the National Assembly, the party secured at least 3% of votes in either the last presidential, parliamentary, or local elections, or the candidate has an average polling support of 5% or more. Meeting any of these conditions allows a candidate to participate in prime-time debates.
2025 Presidential Election: Who Made the Cut?
For the 2025 presidential election, four candidates meet these criteria: Lee Jae-myung from the Democratic Party and Kim Moon-soo from the People Power Party both fulfill the requirements through parliamentary seats and past election results. Lee Jun-seok from the Reform Party surpasses the polling support threshold, and Kwon Young-guk from the Labor Party benefits from his party’s past electoral performance. These candidates are entitled to appear in prime-time debates three times.
Challenges for Non-Invited Candidates
Candidates like Koo Ju-hwa (Liberty Unification Party), Hwang Kyo-ahn (Independent), and Song Jin-ho (Independent) do not meet any of the invitation criteria. They lack parliamentary representation, past electoral achievements, and sufficient polling support. As “non-invited candidates,” they are limited to a single debate, often scheduled post-10 PM or even around midnight, as a recorded broadcast. This timing significantly reduces viewer engagement and public interest, as seen in the 2022 election when candidate Huh Kyung-young expressed dissatisfaction with this arrangement.
Is the Debate Selection Process Truly Fair?
While these criteria are legally defined, they are often criticized for favoring established parties. The requirement of holding at least five parliamentary seats is nearly impossible for new or independent candidates. Past election performance does not apply to new parties, and achieving a 5% polling average is challenging without media exposure. These factors can hinder political diversity and the fair competition of emerging parties.
Potential Reforms for a More Equitable System
Including all candidates in a single debate is impractical due to time constraints, but the current system of offering non-invited candidates only one opportunity is questioned for fairness. Suggestions include adjusting broadcast times for equity, increasing the number of debates for non-invited candidates, and making these available on major platforms for on-demand viewing. There’s also a call for ensuring equal speaking opportunities since all candidates meet the same registration and deposit criteria.
The Importance of Inclusive Political Debates
Presidential elections should not just be about casting votes; they should enable informed decision-making through comprehensive access to candidate information. It’s time to reassess whether the current debate selection criteria adequately support political fairness and voters’ access to information. An equitable system where all candidates can compete from the same starting line is essential for true democracy.