Understanding the Selection Criteria for Presidential Debates
Televised presidential debates are a crucial platform for candidates to present their policies and connect with voters. However, not every candidate gets this opportunity. For the upcoming 2025 presidential election, only four candidates—Lee Jae-myung, Kim Moon-soo, Lee Jun-seok, and Kwon Young-guk—have been invited to participate in the highly anticipated TV debates. This raises the question: why are only these four candidates selected when seven are officially running?
The Legal Framework Behind Candidate Selection
The selection of candidates for televised debates is not arbitrary. It is governed by specific legal criteria outlined in the Public Official Election Act, particularly under Article 82-2. To be invited to these debates, a candidate must meet at least one of the following criteria:
1. Represent a party with at least five seats in the National Assembly.
2. Belong to a party that secured at least 3% of votes in any of the last presidential, general, or local elections.
3. Have an average approval rating of 5% or more in polls designated by the National Election Commission.
These criteria aim to streamline the debate process, but they inevitably limit participation to a select few.
Who Made the Cut and Why
For the 2025 election, four candidates met these criteria:
– Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party qualifies through his party’s significant National Assembly presence and past electoral performance.
– Kim Moon-soo of the People Power Party also fulfills these criteria with his party’s parliamentary seats and electoral history.
– Lee Jun-seok of the Reform Party, despite fewer seats, maintains an approval rating exceeding 5%, allowing his inclusion.
– Kwon Young-guk, while lacking parliamentary representation, benefits from his past association with a party that met the 3% vote threshold.
The Excluded Candidates
Candidates Goo Ju-hwa, Hwang Kyo-ahn, and Song Jin-ho do not meet any of these conditions. Goo Ju-hwa’s party lacks representation and significant electoral history. Hwang Kyo-ahn, running as an independent, does not benefit from party-based criteria, and his approval ratings fall short. Similarly, Song Jin-ho, another independent, does not meet the necessary benchmarks.
Opportunities for Non-Invited Candidates
All is not lost for candidates who do not meet the primary criteria. They are offered a single opportunity to participate in a “non-invited candidate debate.” However, these debates are often scheduled during late-night hours, significantly reducing their viewership and impact. For instance, during the 2022 election, candidate Huh Kyung-young participated in such a debate at 11 PM, which he criticized for its limited exposure despite paying the same deposit of 300 million won as other candidates.
Is the System Fair?
While the criteria might appear objective, critics argue they disproportionately favor established parties and candidates. Emerging parties and independents face high barriers to entry, often lacking the media presence needed to boost their approval ratings to the required levels. This leads to a cycle where only those already in power or with substantial backing can effectively participate, limiting political diversity and voter choice.
Calls for Reform
Reforming the debate inclusion criteria is a topic of ongoing debate. Suggestions include hosting multiple debates to offer more visibility to all candidates or ensuring at least some debates occur at more viewer-friendly times. Moreover, ensuring that candidates who meet the official registration and deposit requirements receive fair media exposure is deemed crucial for maintaining democratic integrity.
In conclusion, while the current system allows Lee Jae-myung, Kim Moon-soo, Lee Jun-seok, and Kwon Young-guk to participate in prime-time debates, it potentially stifles new political voices. As such, it is imperative to reassess these criteria to foster a more inclusive and representative electoral process. Television debates are not merely a media event but a vital democratic exercise, necessitating an inclusive approach to candidate representation.