Hong "Five Extreme Choices Due to Brutal Investigation" vs. Yoon "What I Did as a Prosecutor"... First Debate Clash

The First TV Debate of the People Power Party Presidential Candidates

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] The eight candidates who passed the first cut-off of the People Power Party's presidential primary clashed in their first TV debate on the 16th. In particular, the two leading candidates, Hong Joon-pyo and Yoon Seok-youl, engaged in fierce exchanges.

During the leadership debate, candidate Hong criticized candidate Yoon, saying, "(Yoon) served as the head of the Park Geun-hye investigation team, directing the detention investigation and acting as the chief of the Central District Prosecutors' Office. At that time, he was promoted by jumping five ranks," adding, "He led the destruction of the conservative camp, summoned over 1,000 people for investigation, and five people committed suicide." He continued, "If that was the case, wouldn't it be appropriate to apologize to the public when entering our party?"

However, candidate Yoon responded, "I fulfilled my duties as a prosecutor at the time," and said, "I handled the work based on legal principles and evidence, so it is not appropriate to apologize for what I did as a prosecutor."

In response, candidate Hong criticized, "You say it was based on legal principles and evidence, but did five people commit suicide?" and added, "How harshly must the investigation have been conducted?" Candidate Yoon replied, "Who are the five people? I don't think that many people took extreme measures."

Hwang Kyo-ahn, Hong Joon-pyo, Ha Tae-kyung, Yoo Seung-min, Choi Jae-hyung, Won Hee-ryong, Ahn Sang-soo, and Yoon Seok-youl (from left) from the People Power Party, presidential primary candidates, are taking a commemorative photo at the first broadcast debate for the 20th presidential election candidates held on the 16th at the TV Chosun studio in Jung-gu, Seoul.
Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers Group

Meanwhile, candidate Hong directly questioned candidate Yoon regarding the 'accusation instigation' allegations. Hong asked, "Recently, regarding the accusation instigation allegations, you said you would sue an unidentified person from a specific camp who was with the whistleblower. Which specific camp is that?"

Yoon responded, "I was not involved in the accusation procedure. I have never said that the person belonged to a specific camp, so this is the first time I am hearing this," and explained, "It is a story widely spread in the media, and since it was not a case that two people could resolve, I asked for additional investigation."

Also, Hong mentioned various suspicions about Yoon, saying, "I have never seen a candidate with so many flaws in 26 years," and asked, "How will you overcome this?" Yoon replied, "During my time as Prosecutor General, the Liberty Korea Party completed all personnel verifications. Although these are allegations, nothing has come out so far."