On March 14, the National Election Broadcasting Debate Commission hosts a ceremony for celebrating the 10^th anniversary of its establishment and a seminar to be attended by members of the National Assembly, academic circles, social groups, representatives of university students, etc.

p Footsteps made by the NEBDC over the last decade

The NEBDC is the organization established within the NEC and Si/Do Election Commissions since March 15, 2004 to replace outdoor campaign rallies among political parties held in the past for which audience was illegally mobilized, and to create a media-based culture of election and debate.

The NEBDC manages in a fair manner debates among candidates for promoting their political views and policies, along with policy debates for promoting platforms and policies of political parties.

Over the last decade, the NEBDC has taken a leading role in increasing voters’ participation in election and interest in a culture of debate through the hosting of TV debates (1,226 times), policy debates (35 times), etc. among candidates and has constantly endeavored to provide broadcasting debate services of high quality

As part of those efforts, the NEBDC, as a national agency leading a culture of debate, has taken on various roles - hosting TV debates among prospective candidates, undertaking research on debate techniques, operating public evaluation groups in relation to debates, etc.

Also, ‘TV program review’ services are provided via the Internet/mobile phone to enable people to access election broadcasting debates without time/space constraints.

In addition, the NEBDC has hosted the ‘National Debate Contest for University Students’ (9 times) and the ‘National Debate Contest for High School Students’ (10 times) to foster a proper culture of debate among democratic citizens that will contribute to resolving social conflicts through communication and compromise and has actively promoted various projects such as hosting a variety of seminars and undertaking academic research, etc.

p A ceremony to mark the 10^th anniversary of NEBDC

The NEBDC hosts a ceremony on March 14 to mark the 10^th anniversary of its establishment, which will be attended by executives of Broadcasting/Media companies, personnel from academic circles and relevant agencies including the Standing Commissioner of NEC, the Chairperson of the Korea Communications Commission and the President of the Korea Cable TV Association.  

The ceremony consists of a briefing on the progress made over the last decade, opening remarks by the Chairperson of NEBDC, awards handed out to those who have made contributions, congratulatory remarks by such VIP guests as the Chairperson of KCC and others, etc.

In particular, there will be the introduction of NEBDC’s new CI and slogan and a declaration of future visions of NEBDC that is about to take a leap forward, celebrating the 10^th anniversary of its establishment.

p A seminar among voters to mark the 10^th anniversary of NEBDC

The NEBDC also hosts a debate in which voters take part following the ceremony.

The debate is held under the theme of ‘Election broadcasting debates for the past 10 years, move forward the future through self-reflection’ and attended by 7 participants including members of the National Assembly, persons from academic circles and social groups and university students.

It also comprises a presentation by a professor at Kyungpook National University, a group discussion among the participants, and a comprehensive discussion based on questions from the audience – which is to fulfill the purpose of the ‘debate among voters’ – to arrange a forum for communication as well as to attract general voters’ participation in discussion.

The NEBDC stated that it would re-establish its status as the Commission working with voters and make its best efforts under the slogan of ‘Open Debate, Right Choice’ as a national agency specializing in debate, aiming at ‘leading a debate culture that attracts public participation and achieving social integration through conflict management’, such as by accommodating debates, revitalizing a debate culture, spreading an open culture of debate for managing social conflicts.