The South Korean presidential campaign continues to gain public attention because personal scandals and verbal fights have dominated the discussion of political policies just before the election. The ongoing political fight for leadership between liberal candidate Lee Jae-myung and conservative candidate Kim Moon Soo has turned into an aggressive competition of personal attacks.
During the intense last debate of the week Kim referred to Lee as “a harbinger of monster politics and dictatorship” yet Lee responded by calling Kim “Yoon Suk Yeol’s avatar.” The current political climate features intense mudslinging between candidates which pushes out vital topics including economic recovery and security policy.
The conservative presidential candidate faces criticism because of his history of legal issues together with his history of unethical conduct. The opposing campaign has used their advertising efforts to portray Lee as dangerous and unstable in addition to presenting evidence of his potential instability. Many of the attacks against Lee focus on his recent coffee shop comment that Kim’s supporters interpret as showing disrespect to those who face economic difficulties.
The former president’s disgraced status weighs on Kim’s political standing as questions emerge regarding his relationships with influential conservative donors and his appearance of being tied to the former president. Social media users have spread many reports about the candidates receiving campaign gifts such as Chanel bags and luxury entertainment at “room salons” which has decreased public trust in both candidates.
The political theater has created voter dissatisfaction according to analysts who also note that South Korean youth desire structural reform along with generational change. The political competition has devolved into an ideological struggle between candidates who want to utilize scandals as their main political weapon according to Seoul-based political scientist Ji-Hyun Park.
The first day of voting will take place on Thursday leading up to the June 3rd general election. High voter turnout is predicted because people are deeply invested in the nation’s future direction while facing strong political polarization.
The victorious candidate will encounter a difficult task to rebuild national unity and restore respect for politics after the election because of the current spectacle surrounding the campaign.
