Do it by yourself, then

With the June 3 local elections approaching, controversy is growing over the lack of televised debates between major candidates. Opposition People Power Party candidates in key races, including the Seoul mayoral election and the Busan Buk-gap by-election, have called for additional debates beyond the legally required sessions hosted by the National Election Commission. However, several Democratic Party candidates have declined, saying they will participate only in official debates. Critics argue that avoiding debates limits voters’ opportunities to compare policies, examine allegations and make informed decisions, increasing concerns about image-driven “blind voting.” [PARK YONG-SEOK]