"Only the Presidential Candidate Enters the TV Debate Stage"... Lee, Yoon, Ahn, and Shim in Study Mode

Presidential Candidates Four-Person Debate Broadcast at 8 PM on the 3rd
Ling-Yoon Bilateral Meeting Canceled, Lingering Resentment Remains

[Asia Economy Reporters Naju-seok, Lee Hyun-joo, Park Joon-yi] Ahead of the first TV debate, a critical turning point in the upcoming presidential election, the four major party candidates have entered a ‘study mode’ without scheduling any other engagements. Given that public sentiment will be determined immediately after the Lunar New Year holiday, they are putting in special effort.

Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, visited Sinjang Market in Hanam-si, Gyeonggi-do on the 25th, responding to cheers from supporters. Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers.

On the 3rd, according to both ruling and opposition parties, Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, went to the Yeouido party headquarters to review key issues. A Democratic Party official explained, "Candidate Lee is preparing for the debate by reviewing materials at the party headquarters, focusing on key issues." Park Chan-dae, chief spokesperson for the Democratic Party’s election campaign committee, appeared on a radio show that day and said, "(Candidate Lee) intends to present hope and policies through the debate rather than undergo verification," adding, "(He) doesn’t seem to have prepared much for the verification-related parts." This indicates a strategy to refrain from negative attacks highlighting controversies such as the allegations involving Kim Gun-hee, wife of People Power Party candidate Yoon Seok-youl, and instead actively emphasize policies and candidate competitiveness.

Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, attended the "We Are Yoon Seok-yeol!" Victory Resolution Rally for National Assembly members and out-of-office party association chairpersons held at the Korea Federation of SMEs in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 26th. After delivering his greeting, he raised his fist. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

Candidate Yoon is reportedly preparing for the debate at an undisclosed location. After a joint meeting between the election campaign headquarters and the party’s floor leadership, Kwon Young-se, head of the People Power Party’s campaign headquarters, told reporters, "Since today’s debate covers the overall state affairs, I understand that preparations are being made comprehensively." A People Power Party official introduced plans to highlight the current administration’s failures to emphasize connections with candidate Lee and to form a joint front with other presidential candidates. The official explained, "For example, when asked about the current government’s real estate policies, candidates Ahn Cheol-soo of the People’s Party and Sim Sang-jung of the Justice Party will likely be asked as well," adding, "I expect it will naturally form a one-against-three dynamic."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Candidate Ahn plans to focus on highlighting differences from candidates Lee and Yoon. A People’s Party official said, "We are preparing for the debate with a strategy to emphasize certain differentiators." This includes pointing out family issues related to candidates Lee and Yoon while also emphasizing Ahn’s unique science and technology pledges.

Candidate Sim intends to ask questions collected online during the Lunar New Year holiday through segments like ‘Sim Sang-jung Asks on Your Behalf.’ A Justice Party official said, "Like in the previous presidential election, we plan to introduce ‘Sim Sang-jung’s One Minute,’ where the candidate lends one minute to the public."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Reducing verbal slips is also a point of caution for the candidates. Since the four candidates will enter the debate with different strategies, the flow and direction of the debate are expected to be variable, so the candidates are focusing on being able to respond flexibly.

There is also interest in whether a one-on-one meeting between candidates Lee Jae-myung and Yoon Seok-youl will take place after the four-way TV debate. However, since the bilateral debate was canceled over issues with bringing materials during the Lunar New Year holiday, a new catalyst is needed for such a meeting. Head Kwon Young-se criticized, "The bilateral debate was canceled due to the Democratic Party’s unreasonable demands. They suggested splitting topics and limiting time, and eventually insisted that bringing materials was not allowed." Spokesperson Park Chan-dae harshly commented, "If we had known (Candidate Yoon) would avoid it to this extent, wouldn’t it have been better to negotiate more with broadcasters and proceed with a three-way debate even if Yoon Seok-youl did not attend?"

Meanwhile, the presidential TV debate will be broadcast live at 8 p.m. on the three major terrestrial broadcasters.

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