The Kickoff of By-election TV Debates... Seize the 'Comeback Chance'

People Power Party to Hold First Head-to-Head Debate for Seoul Mayor Candidates on the Afternoon of the 16th

On the 8th, at the People Power Party Central Office in Yeouido, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, during the 'Seoul Mayor Candidate Media Day,' former lawmaker Oh Shin-hwan (from left), former Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, former lawmaker Na Kyung-won, and Seocho District Mayor Cho Eun-hee are holding balls marked with their respective numbers and posing for a photo. (Photo by Asia Economy DB)

[Asia Economy Reporter Kum Boryeong] As the TV debate season for the April 7 by-elections kicks off, each candidate has begun rallying their support base. In particular, candidates with relatively low name recognition are attempting to "turn the tables" starting with the TV debates.

The People Power Party will hold the first head-to-head debate for the Seoul mayoral candidates at 2 p.m. on the 16th at the Baekbeom Kim Koo Memorial Hall in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Following this, debates are scheduled for the 19th, 23rd, and 26th.

Heavyweight candidates have devised strategies to increase their favorability through the TV debates. The camp of former lawmaker Na Kyung-won, who passed the first round of the People Power Party’s Seoul mayoral primary in first place, explained, "We will approach the debate with dignity and confidence." Former Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, who ranked first in a general public opinion poll, is in a similar position. His camp stated, "We will praise the strengths of opposing candidates while simultaneously elevating ourselves."

Among the People Power Party candidates advancing to the main primary, former lawmaker Oh Shin-hwan and Seocho District Mayor Cho Eun-hee, who have relatively low recognition, are viewing this debate as an opportunity to boost their approval ratings. Oh said about the debate, "I will approach it with a determined resolve," adding, "I will show how well prepared I am." Oh had previously urged for an increase in the number of debates. Mayor Cho, in a statement last month, said, "A fierce contest between well-known candidates and fresh newcomers is a surefire way to attract attention," and requested that TV debates be held before the Lunar New Year holiday.

TV debates have historically played a role in influencing election outcomes. Because the difference in debate skills among candidates is revealed not only by their basic knowledge but also by their quick thinking, it is common for candidates with low recognition to suddenly rise. In the last presidential election, Justice Party candidate Sim Sang-jung performed well in the TV debates, raising her support rate from below 5% to the 8% range. On the other hand, then presidential candidate Ahn Cheol-soo of the People’s Party did not achieve significant effects from the debates.

The power struggle over TV debates between Ahn, who is pushing for a third-party unification, and former lawmaker Geum Tae-seop is understood in this context. From Ahn’s perspective, who has high approval ratings, there is no reason to rush the debates, but Geum sees the TV debates as an opportunity to rebound his support and has advocated for as many debates as possible. Their much-delayed TV debate is scheduled for the 18th.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.