Will Lee Jae-myung and Lee Nak-yeon Stop Their 'Final Showdown'?

Morning of the 28th: 'One Team Agreement Ceremony' Held
First TV Debate in Main Primary Is Crucial
Candidate Verification and Negative Campaigning Boundaries Unclear
Song Young-gil: "Everyone Must Become a Campaign Committee Chair"

Democratic Party presidential primary candidates Rep. Lee Nak-yeon and Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung attended the 20th presidential candidate 'One Team' agreement ceremony held at the central party office in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 28th. After the event, they exchanged greetings. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] Can the negative exchanges between candidates Lee Jae-myung and Lee Nak-yeon, which had escalated into a 'final showdown,' be subdued by a 'gentlemen's agreement'? On the morning of the 28th, the Democratic Party of Korea held a 'One Team Agreement Ceremony' at the Yeouido party headquarters, pledging fair competition during the presidential primary process.

Party leader Song Young-gil said, "Once anyone becomes the party's candidate, the other five must become campaign committee chairs and work together as comrades," adding, "We must remember that the 2012 presidential election, marked by discord among candidates, ended in a narrow defeat."

Among the six primary candidates, Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung and former Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon, who have recently been in sharp conflict, also responded. Governor Lee said, "I deeply reflect on the situation that requires holding the One Team Agreement Ceremony." Former leader Lee also stated, "I will faithfully implement the One Team declaration and accept all policies proposed by public office candidates."

The candidates will participate in the first round of the main primary TV debate later that afternoon. The second TV debate will be held on the 4th of next month. As former leader Lee's support rate continues to rise and the two-strong candidate structure solidifies, the possibility remains open for the resumption of negative exchanges between the two candidates.

Another candidate, former Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun, expressed after the agreement ceremony that "normal verification and negative campaigning should be distinguished." Former Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae also said, "Attacks based on past issues or regionalism are exhausting, but questions about the fulfillment of pledges should be distinguished from negative campaigning."