Election Campaigning 'Public Places' Best at Traditional Markets... 'Speeches Prohibited' on Trains

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[Asia Economy Reporter Kum Bo-ryeong] Traditional markets are the most preferred locations for candidates to campaign during elections. On the 25th, the official campaign period for the April 7 Seoul and Busan mayoral by-elections began, and Park Young-sun, the Democratic Party candidate for Seoul mayor, visited Yeongdeungpo Traditional Market, while Oh Se-hoon, the People Power Party candidate for Seoul mayor, visited five traditional markets in one day, including Namdaemun Market and Inwang Market. Traditional markets are ideal as 'public places' where candidates can easily promote themselves without violating the Public Official Election Act.

According to Article 79, Paragraph 1 of the Public Official Election Act, candidates may give speeches or hold dialogues in public places during the campaign period to promote their party's platform, policies, their own views, or other necessary matters. Paragraph 2 defines public places as roadsides, squares, open spaces, community centers, markets or stores, and other places where many people pass by as stipulated by the Central Election Commission regulations.

The issue lies in how broadly the scope of public places can be interpreted. Ahead of the 2019 by-election for the National Assembly in Changwon, Seongsan, Gyeongnam Province, former Liberty Korea Party leader Hwang Kyo-ahn campaigned with candidate Kang Ki-yoon at a professional soccer stadium, sparking controversy over whether the stadium qualifies as a public place. Some argued that places requiring the purchase of a 'ticket' for entry are not public places. Ultimately, Gyeongnam FC was fined 20 million won, and the Changwon Seongsan District Election Commission sent a 'Request for Cooperation in Fair Elections' letter to candidate Kang and former leader Hwang's camp.

Subway stations are also complicated under election law. Article 80 of the Public Official Election Act designates subway station premises as prohibited places for speeches, but Article 43, Paragraph 1 of the Central Election Commission regulations considers the waiting area (concourse) before ticket inspection as a public place. Additionally, speeches or dialogues are prohibited inside ships, trains, electric cars, airplanes, as well as within terminals, hospitals, clinics, libraries, and research institutes.

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