First Four-Candidate Debate for Presidential Election Possibly Held on 31st This Month... Three Broadcasters Send Official Letters to Each Party

Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, is announcing labor pledges at the Workers' Welfare Center in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province on the 26th. Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group

Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, attended the "We Are Yoon Seok-yeol!" rally for National Assembly members and non-incumbent party branch chairpersons held at the Korea Federation of SMEs in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 26th, posing with key attendees including Representative Lee Jun-seok. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] The first TV debate among presidential candidates is expected to take place either on the 31st during the Lunar New Year holiday or on the 3rd of next month right after the holiday, in the form of a four-way debate among Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party, Yoon Seok-youl of the People Power Party, Ahn Cheol-soo of the People’s Party, and Shim Sang-jung of the Justice Party.

According to the Democratic Party on the 26th, the three major broadcasters sent an official letter to the four ruling and opposition parties proposing to hold a joint presidential candidate debate on either the 31st or February 3rd.

They suggested the 28th as the date for a rule meeting to discuss the debate format and requested each party to inform them by the 27th whether their candidate would participate and to provide alternative possible dates. Accordingly, the four parties are expected to begin practical negotiations and consultations with the broadcasters.

The Democratic Party’s Broadcast Debate Content Team stated in a press release, "Candidate Lee Jae-myung accepts the invitation to the four-way debate hosted by the three broadcasters," adding, "He is available for both proposed dates but hopes the earliest date, the 31st, will be confirmed."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Lee Dong-young, chief spokesperson for the Justice Party, also said, "Candidate Shim Sang-jung is available for all proposed dates and believes the sooner the debate is held, the better for the public’s right to know," adding, "We hope the debate will be held on the 31st during the Lunar New Year holiday if possible."

Previously, the Democratic Party and the People Power Party had planned to hold a one-on-one debate between candidates Lee and Yoon on the 30th or 31st, but the court accepted injunction requests filed by the People’s Party and the Justice Party. In response, the two major parties expressed their intention to negotiate a multi-candidate debate.

Lee Yang-soo, chief spokesperson for the People Power Party’s campaign headquarters, also stated in a media announcement, "Candidate Yoon and the People Power Party have no objection to a multi-candidate debate. We will initiate negotiations with the ruling and opposition parties."