Final TV Debate of Yeo Presidential Candidates Preliminary Primary
Lee Nak-yeon: "Governor Lee's Attitude Toward the National Assembly Seems Inconsistent"
Lee Jae-myung: "Former Representative Lee Proposed Limiting Pardoning Power During the Participatory Government, but Now Suggests Pardoning Former Presidents"
[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] Democratic Party presidential candidates held a 'One Team Agreement Ceremony' to prevent the escalation of negative exchanges and attended the first TV debate of the main primary. However, Gyeonggi Governor Lee Jae-myung and former Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon continued their competition by exchanging pointed remarks.
At the 20th presidential election Democratic Party candidate debate hosted by Yonhap News TV and MBN on the 28th, former leader Lee criticized Governor Lee, saying, "Your attitude toward the National Assembly seems inconsistent. Regarding the disaster relief fund issue, you said to push it through even by a 'railroading' tactic. Is that a reasonable request?" This referred to Governor Lee's earlier remark about 'railroading.' On the 15th, Governor Lee had said that "when it comes to what the people need, bold 'railroading' should be done," criticizing the government's opposition to the Democratic Party's party line on nationwide disaster relief payments.
Former leader Lee continued, "The heads of the ruling and opposition parties agreed on nationwide support, but when the opposition party opposed it and reversed the decision, you criticized the opposition for 'why did you reverse it?' You agreed to hand over the chairmanship of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee but then demanded the withdrawal of that agreement. What is the true intention of candidate Lee Jae-myung?"
In response, Governor Lee said, "The intent of the question seems to be 'why do your words change depending on the situation?' but it's not that my words changed, the situation changed," adding, "Regarding the Legislation and Judiciary Committee chairmanship, I have no authority, so I cannot tell them to change or not, but as a party member, I can express my opinion."
He added, "Some of candidate Lee Nak-yeon's criticisms are valid, but my position has not changed. Candidate Lee Nak-yeon also suggested limiting the presidential pardon power during the participatory government, but now he says to pardon former presidents. Then, when the situation changed, he said not to pardon again. He also opposed media reform but then changed his stance. I think these are bigger problems."
Former leader Lee criticized, "Governor Lee declared his candidacy with the slogan 'supporting the weak and restraining the strong,' but the nationwide disaster relief fund, which even the wealthy receive, does not align with that principle." Governor Lee explained, "It may seem so at the moment, but policies must consider long-term funding. High-income groups should also benefit to reduce tax resistance."
Former leader Lee retorted, "If payments are not made to the wealthy, it is called discrimination and exclusion, but discrimination and exclusion are logics that apply to the weak."
The Democratic Party presidential primary candidates are pinning badges on each other at the 'One Team' agreement ceremony for the 20th presidential election candidates held at the central party office in Yeouido, Seoul, on the morning of the 28th. From left: Choo Mi-ae, Park Yong-jin, Lee Nak-yeon, Chung Sye-kyun, Kim Du-kwan, Lee Jae-myung... Photo by Yonhap News
Meanwhile, on the 28th, six Democratic Party presidential candidates held a 'One Team Agreement Ceremony' and pledged fair competition.
Democratic Party candidates Lee Jae-myung, Kim Du-kwan, Chung Sye-kyun, Lee Nak-yeon, Park Yong-jin, and Choo Mi-ae (in order of ballot numbers) attended the 'One Team Agreement Ceremony' held at the Democratic Party headquarters in Yeouido on the morning of the 28th and declared, "We will do our best to propose future-oriented policy alternatives for the people and the Republic of Korea," and "As Democratic Party presidential candidates, we will uphold dignity and honesty as our highest virtues."
Party leader Song Young-gil expressed concern in his greeting, saying, "Party members are anxious about the recent exchanges during the primary process," and "Our party members all share the hope for victory in next year's presidential election, but there is great worry that if this continues, they might hurt each other," expressing concern over the mudslinging.
Gyeonggi Governor Lee Jae-myung said in his policy keynote speech, "As a candidate, I deeply reflect and feel sorry that our party has reached a situation where we must hold a One Team Agreement Ceremony today," adding, "We are competing, not at war."
Former leader Lee Nak-yeon also said, "We just declared ourselves as One Team. I will carry out this declaration to the best of my ability," and "I will approach this with the attitude of accepting all good policies proposed by my fellow candidates," reaffirming his commitment.
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