Politicians' TV appearances raise eyebrows

By Kim Rahn

Controversy is rising over a TV show featuring politicians who are expected to run in the Seoul mayoral by-election.

Other potential candidates are raising the fairness issue, while there are also concerns that their TV appearances may eclipse their political and administrative suitability.

Former main opposition People Power Party lawmaker Na Kyung-won appeared on a show titled “Taste of Wife” on TV Chosun, Jan. 5. In the program she revealed some aspects of her personal life, with scenes showing her having a meal and singing at home with her husband and her daughter, who has Down's syndrome.

It was the first time for the former four-term lawmaker to give the public a glimpse into her private life, and the episode drew huge attention, recording a 15.4 percent viewer rating, the highest achieved by the show.

SMEs and Startups Minister Park Young-sun also appeared on the show, Tuesday, showing her spending time with her husband such as going for a haircut and taking photos of each other.

After shooting the program, Na said it was a “new way to connect with the people” and Park said it gave her the “time to reflect on the value of family.”

Regardless of the large attention, controversy is rising over whether it was appropriate for them to appear in a TV program ahead of the April 7 by-election. Na said Tuesday she would announce her candidacy for the mayoral race on Wednesday, and Park is also widely expected to quit her post soon to run in the by-election.

From a legal standpoint, their appearances did not violate the Public Official Election Act ― the regulations on a candidate's appearances on TV and other media are not applied until 60 days before a by-election. The broadcaster also tried to avoid criticism about political bias by having both Na from the opposition bloc and Park from the ruling bloc.

But critics say viewers ― who will be voters later ― could be affected by politicians' stories shown on reality-type shows and other programs. And this can also be disadvantageous for less popular potential candidates who are not invited to appear on such programs, raising issues of fairness.

Rep. Woo Sang-ho of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), who announced his bid to run in the Seoul mayoral by-election, said, Monday, “Even though it was an entertainment program, it highlighted specific candidates of two parties, who have not passed their respective primaries yet. Thus it is a clear intervention in the election and is against fairness.”

Rep. Kim Jin-ai of the minor opposition Open Minjoo Party, who also plans to participate in the mayoral race, wrote on Facebook, Saturday, “I'm not sure whether she lacked confidence, needed to clean up her image or wanted to enjoy privilege…”

The Citizens' Coalition for Democratic Media urged TV Chosun not to feature influential politicians for its viewer ratings.

“It is very inappropriate to cast politicians, who are very likely to run in the Seoul mayoral by-election, to raise the viewer ratings only about three months before the election, as their attitude and stories, publicized by the program, could directly affect the election,” the civic group said in a statement, Jan. 6.