Lee Jae-myung "Competence Matters More Than Dignity" Lee Nak-yeon "Who Are You to 'Rush'?" (Summary)

On the 28th, the 'One Team Agreement Ceremony' Day
First TV Debate of the Main Primary Held
Sharp Exchanges Between Lee Jae-myung and Lee Nak-yeon
Next TV Debate Scheduled for the 4th of Next Month

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] The first debate of the Democratic Party's presidential primary, held on the 28th?the same day as the 'One Team Agreement Ceremony'?featured a calm yet sharp exchange of words. Former Representative Lee Nak-yeon opened the salvo, but Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung immediately counterattacked, creating a tense confrontation between the two candidates.

In the joint TV debate hosted by Yonhap News TV and MBN that afternoon, Governor Lee targeted former Representative Lee, raising the level of his offensive by mentioning 'achievements and performance as a public official.'

He repeatedly pointed out the ambiguity of former Representative Lee's pledge fulfillment rate and achievements. He said, "If someone who has not kept promises in the past, who seems to have done little despite having held important positions, and who has faced various issues regarding integrity suddenly becomes president, can we expect them to suddenly keep promises well, become honest, and demonstrate competence? I have doubts about that."

Lee Jae-myung, Governor of Gyeonggi Province and a presidential candidate in the Democratic Party of Korea's primary, is looking at Assemblyman Lee Nak-yeon performing the key pledge "One Team" puzzle matching performance at the 20th presidential candidate 'One Team' agreement ceremony held at the central party office in Yeouido, Seoul on the 28th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

Governor Lee said, "Former Representative Lee has had a long career as a public official, but according to the media, his pledge fulfillment rate does not seem very impressive," adding, "I wonder why the pledge fulfillment rate is so low. Did he make promises he couldn't keep, or did he just not fulfill promises he could have?" He continued, "(Former Representative Lee) spoke a lot about dignity, and dignity is important," but asked, "Between incompetence, lack of integrity, corruption, lack of ability, and breaking promises to the people, and dignity, which do you think is more important?"

In response, former Representative Lee said, "Both are necessary. I can guess what aspects of me are being criticized, but some points are hard to accept," and added, "I don't know what problems there are with my relatives, but I am willing to disclose everything."

Regarding the criticism of his achievements, he defended himself by saying, "I have never heard that I failed to produce results or did a poor job wherever I was," and added, "During my time as governor, I received the Comprehensive Job Award in my first year. As Prime Minister, I achieved groundbreaking results in responding to disasters and accidents such as avian influenza, swine fever, MERS, wildfires, and typhoons. So much so that the president even encouraged me to write a book about my disaster response experience on the day I stepped down."

The Democratic Party presidential primary candidates attended the 20th presidential election candidate 'One Team' agreement ceremony held at the central party office in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 28th, taking the oath for a 'fair and square primary.' Preliminary candidates Chu Mi-ae (from left), Park Yong-jin, Lee Nak-yeon, Chung Sye-kyun, Kim Du-kwan, and Lee Jae-myung. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

On the other hand, former Representative Lee Nak-yeon criticized Governor Lee's blunt remarks and focused more on defense. He said, "Regarding disaster relief funds, Governor Lee called it a 'smash-and-grab.' I wonder if that is a reasonable comment." He added, "Governor Lee's attitude toward the National Assembly seems inconsistent. When the ruling and opposition parties agreed on universal disaster relief funds but the opposition later reversed their position, he criticized the opposition for breaking the agreement. Yet yesterday, he demanded the withdrawal of the ruling-opposition agreement to hand over the chairmanship of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee. Which is your true position?"

In response, Governor Lee said, "I did not change my words; the situation changed. Universal disaster relief is the right approach. I have consistently maintained that position." In his closing remarks, Governor Lee criticized former Representative Lee, saying, "You must take responsibility for bringing up the ghost of regionalism."

Meanwhile, the second TV debate of the main primary, featuring six candidates (Lee Jae-myung, Kim Du-kwan, Chung Sye-kyun, Lee Nak-yeon, Park Yong-jin, and Choo Mi-ae), will be held on the 4th of next month.