Election campaigns are regrettably being held hostage by the illegal surveillance of civilians by President Lee Myung-bak’s administration when there are so many sensitive issues that merit keen attention from the electorate. They range from security against North Korean provocations to taxation and policy on chaebol, or family-controlled business conglomerates.

True, assigning government officials, including police officers as alleged, to keep a close watch on civilians was so serious a breach of law that some go so far as to insist that Lee deserves impeachment. As such, it should be a key election issue. Yet, it must not be allowed to crowd out other important issues such as those concerning national security and overall economic policy, including welfare.

Still, the ruling Saenuri Party and the main opposition Democratic United Party are single-mindedly fighting against each other over what to do about civilian surveillance. As the prosecutors’ office has been conducting an investigation into the case, the rival parties are well advised to take a step back and seek a compromise on their respective proposals.

Moreover, it is not an urgent task to start an investigation by an independent counsel, as the ruling party proposes, or to hold a National Assembly hearing, as demanded by the opposition party. Either of the proposals is what the next National Assembly will have to do.

One of the urgent issues that need to be addressed is the security threat from North Korea, which, ignoring the international community’s opposition, vows to go ahead with its plan to launch a missile between April 12 and 16. Even more ominous is North Korea’s threat to conduct a third nuclear test. But they keep silent on the security threat though it is their obligation to inform the electorate on where they stand.

Another crucial issue is welfare spending. The electorate needs access to informed opinion to compare the welfare programs advocated by the rival parties. As such, public debate should be encouraged among economists and other experts. But the administration, as advised by the National Election Commission, should refrain from airing its opinion as it can be biased in favor of the ruling party.

With only four days to go until election day, the rival parties are now urged to address a broad range of issues, instead of focusing on civilian surveillance, and help the electorate develop a balanced opinion and decide which party to vote for.