First 4-Person TV Debate of Presidential Candidates: Strategies of the Four

Lee Jae-myung Emphasizes Policies... Yoon Seok-yeol Brings Lee Daejangdong Suspicion to the Table
Ahn Cheol-soo Highlights Cleanliness and Competence... Sim Sang-jung Expected to Show Presence

On November 25 last year, before the opening of the '2021 KOR-ASIA FORUM' held at the Westin Chosun Hotel in Seoul, presidential candidates Sim Sang-jung of the Justice Party (from the right), Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party, Yoon Seok-youl of the People Power Party, and Ahn Cheol-soo of the People Party were applauding. (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Kum Bo-ryeong] The four presidential candidates from both ruling and opposition parties?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?will face off in a four-way TV debate on the 3rd. Especially since the swing voters’ preferences are likely to be decided by this debate, all four candidates are focusing on their respective strategies.

According to political circles on the 2nd, the four-way TV debate will be broadcast live for two hours from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. on the 3rd at the KBS studio. The broadcast will be simultaneously aired live on the three terrestrial broadcasters: KBS, MBC, and SBS.

Candidate Lee is emphasizing “policy.” He plans to showcase the “policy superiority” by organizing his previously announced pledges such as “So-hwak-haeng” (small but certain happiness). Along with this, he is expected to highlight his administrative experience and political execution ability gained from serving as mayor of Seongnam and governor of Gyeonggi Province. However, he is also mindful of potential negative reactions stemming from his “eloquent speaker” image.

Candidate Yoon will also confront Lee on policy. He is expected to exploit Lee’s policy flip-flops and discord between the party and government. Additionally, he plans to defend against anticipated attacks, including his pledge to deploy additional THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) systems. The Daejang-dong scandal involving Lee will also be a key topic. Yoon intends to bring up various allegations related to Lee, including the Daejang-dong scandal, Seongnam FC-related suspicions, and allegations of attorney fee payments.

As this election is turning into a “disliked election,” Candidate Ahn is likely to emphasize his “cleanliness” and “competence.” Moreover, he plans to focus questions on Lee and Yoon’s failure to clarify their positions on pension reform. Ahn’s main focus in this debate is to solidify the three-way race including himself.

Candidate Shim is highlighting “communication with citizens” in preparing for this debate. The Justice Party’s election committee is collecting questions that Shim should emphasize and ask other candidates through the “Shim Sang-jung Asks on Your Behalf” campaign. Shim is expected to firmly establish her presence amid the “top two and one middle” dynamic through this debate.