Hong Jun-pyo Mentions 'Mother-in-law and Wife Risks', Yoon Seok-yeol Counterattacks with 'Brother-in-law's Prison Sentence'
Presidential candidate Yoon Seok-yeol, former Prosecutor General from the People Power Party (right), and Representative Hong Joon-pyo are attending the '1-on-1 Debate' held on the evening of the 15th at the MBC building in Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul. (Photo by Yonhap News)
[Asia Economy Reporter Kum Bo-ryeong] Yoon Seok-yeol, former Prosecutor General and presidential candidate of the People Power Party, and former lawmaker Hong Jun-pyo engaged in a fierce exchange over 'candidate qualifications' and 'morality.' Hong attacked Yoon by saying his "morality is on par with Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung," while Yoon retorted by asking for a higher level of debate decorum.
On the evening of the 15th, during the 'People Power Party Presidential Primary 1-on-1 Debate' held at the MBC building in Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, Hong asked Yoon his first question: "Was your remark about disbanding the party in Jeju made out of anger?"
Yoon explained, "I was expressing my thoughts," adding, "If we don't get our act together and prepare fiercely for the next election, it would be better for the party to disappear." On the 13th, Yoon had said to his competing candidates, "If we don't change this mindset, it is right for our party to disappear."
Hong also pointed out issues regarding Yoon's morality. He said, "There are many problems when it comes to Yoon's morality," and criticized, "There are several issues involving him, the main ones being the allegations of involvement in the 'report solicitation' scandal and the possible connection to the Yoon Woo-jin case."
Yoon responded, "I am confident," and said, "Hong is framing me to attack, but these issues have been raised since two years ago when I opposed this government and conducted investigations into the living powers. This is not a recent matter."
Hong further raised moral concerns by mentioning allegations related to Yoon's wife and mother-in-law. He said, "I have never seen a candidate with so many risks?personal risk, wife’s risk, mother-in-law’s risk," and added, "How do you expect to beat Governor Lee with that? Many say that in terms of morality, it’s a stalemate."
Yoon countered, "If you want to talk about morality, talk about my morality," and questioned, "Hong’s brother-in-law was sentenced to prison for a prison construction contract?does that have nothing to do with his morality?" Hong replied, "It has nothing to do with me," to which Yoon said, "It’s the same."
As Hong continued to mention morality, Yoon repeatedly urged for a higher level of debate decorum. He said, "You have protected the party for 26 years, served five terms, and been a governor?please show some decorum," and criticized, "Raise the level of the debate. Why act like this after 26 years in politics?"
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