[Reporter’s Notebook] Negativity Disguised as "Scrutiny"... Voters Growing Weary

As election season approaches, the specter of "smear campaigns" inevitably returns. Every day, sharp statements targeting rival candidates and sensational exposés dominate press conferences.

With policies disappearing and only mudslinging and slander remaining, the election landscape has become all too familiar. As both a journalist on the ground and a voter observing these scenes, I feel a deep sense of fatigue these days. Citizens I meet on the street also frequently sigh, saying, "Here we go again."

Joon Kyung Lee, Head of Honam Reporting Headquarters

Of course, rigorous scrutiny of public office candidates is an essential and indispensable process for the proper functioning of a democratic system. It is the voter's right to thoroughly question a candidate's criminal record, suspicions of wrongdoing, and their ability and qualifications to fulfill campaign pledges. The media, too, has a duty to investigate and report thoroughly if there is clear evidence. Reasoned criticism based on clear facts deserves praise as "genuine vetting."

The real problem is baseless smear campaigns conducted under the guise of "scrutiny." Acts such as cleverly framing legal conduct as if it were illegal, or spreading suspicions as if they were facts without solid evidence—following the so-called "if not, never mind" attitude—are a far more serious issue. Negative campaigning that rises to the level of personal defamation blinds and deafens voters, fundamentally undermining democracy, and is no different from a clear criminal act.

The rise of new media, such as social media (SNS) and YouTube, has further amplified these abuses. False claims of unknown origin instantly morph into public opinion and spread widely. Even if they are later proven false, the indelible mark has already been left in the minds of voters.

Some candidates attempt to justify their negativity by claiming, "We're just revealing the opponent's lack of morality," but this is nothing more than a cowardly excuse. When this structure—where both sides drag each other into the mud—becomes entrenched, elections devolve from a contest over "who presents a better vision" to a battle over "who can strike harder." Ultimately, voters are left to bear the brunt of the damage.

To break this vicious cycle, a painful process of self-cleansing is urgently needed. The National Election Commission must immediately and strictly clamp down on the spread of false information during the election period. The media must also break free from the practice of uncritically "copying and pasting" sensational attacks and instead firmly identify false narratives through fact-checking.

Above all, the most decisive key lies with the voters. Only when voters resolutely refuse to support candidates who seek to gain by relying on smear campaigns can our election culture truly advance. With the upcoming June 3 local elections, voters' sharp discernment to distinguish between legitimate "scrutiny" and petty "smear campaigns" is more crucial than ever.

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