Yoon Faces Consecutive Competency Controversies
Attacks Expected from Hong Joon-pyo, Yoo Seung-min, and Others
[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] With the second cut-off for the People Power Party's presidential primary just 10 days away, the candidates will face off on foreign affairs, security, and unification policies during a TV debate on the afternoon of the 28th.
In this debate, it is expected that the candidates will continue to criticize former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol as an "unprepared candidate." Throughout the primary process so far, other candidates have concentrated their attacks on Yoon, who has been struggling to defend himself. A representative example was during the party debate on the 23rd when former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min asked, "Have you ever opened a housing subscription savings account?" to which Yoon replied, "I haven't because I don't own a house," sparking controversy. The candidates' offensive aimed at provoking gaffes from Yoon is expected to continue on this day as well.
In particular, foreign affairs and security?the main topics of this debate?are considered Yoon's "weak points." Previously, Yoon announced a policy pledge stating that "if the safety of the people is threatened, I will request the deployment of tactical nuclear weapons and nuclear sharing from the United States," which drew criticism from both the U.S. and China.
During the TV debate on the 26th, Yoon was also embarrassed when People Power Party lawmaker Hong Joon-pyo asked if he knew about Operation Plan 5015, and Yoon failed to provide a proper answer. Additionally, when Hong quoted a statement from Kim Yo-jong, the North Korean Workers' Party deputy director, warning former President Moon Jae-in not to disrupt the military balance and asked for Yoon's opinion, Yoon responded with "When did that happen? This time?" revealing his lack of familiarity with the content.
Since former lawmaker Yoo previously raised plagiarism allegations regarding Yoon's security pledge on "retroactive application of 5 points housing subscription bonus for military service veterans," a heated debate between Yoo and Yoon is also anticipated.
The People Power Party will narrow down the presidential primary candidates to four in the second cut-off on the 8th of next month. The final candidate will be decided through the party's presidential nomination convention on November 5.
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