21st Presidential Election Candidates' First TV Debate Records Approx. 20% Viewership
The first TV debate among candidates for the 21st presidential election recorded a high viewership of approximately 20%.
Hosted by the Central Election Broadcasting Debate Commission, this debate was broadcast live simultaneously by six broadcasters, including three terrestrial channels and three comprehensive programming channels, from 8 PM to 10 PM on the 18th.
According to viewership ratings from Nielsen Korea, among individual broadcasters, MBC recorded the highest viewership at 7.2% (based on national households). Following that was SBS at 4.2% and KBS 1TV at 3.5%, bringing the total viewership for the three terrestrial channels to 14.9%.
MBC recorded the highest viewership at 7.2% (based on national households).
Among comprehensive programming channels, TV Chosun had the highest viewership at 1.8% (based on national paid households), followed by MBN at 1.7% and Channel A at 1.2%.
The total viewership for the three comprehensive programming channels reached 4.7%, while the overall viewership for all six broadcasters recorded 19.6%.
Policies Centered on the Economy Were Debated
In the debate, candidates Lee Jae-myung from the Democratic Party, Kim Moon-soo from the People Power Party, Lee Jun-seok from the Reform Party, and Kwon Young-guk from the Democratic Labor Party participated in a policy showdown centered on the economy.
The candidates engaged in heated discussions on various economic issues, including measures to revitalize the economy for ordinary citizens, responses to U.S. tariff policies, the issue of extending the retirement age, and policies regarding nuclear energy and renewable energy.
In particular, they also presented their visions and policies on topics directly related to national competitiveness, such as fostering AI and advanced industries, strategies for balanced development through local regulation relaxation, responses to North Korea's nuclear issues, and diplomatic and trade policies with major countries like the U.S., China, and Japan.
Following the economic debate, upcoming TV debates on social issues are scheduled for the 23rd and on political issues for the 27th.
Considering the high viewership of the first debate that has captured the interest of voters, expectations for the subsequent debates are also rising.
Image source: On the 18th, at the SBS Prism Tower in Mapo-gu, Seoul, candidates from each party vowed to campaign during the 21st presidential election candidates' debate hosted by the Central Election Broadcasting Debate Commission / News1, News1
