劉 "Are you trying to become the second Jeon Du-hwan?" Yoon replies, "We must not hesitate to use any means for jobs"

On the afternoon of the 20th, candidates posed before the joint debate for the People Power Party's presidential primary candidates from Daegu and Gyeongbuk held at Daegu MBC. From left to right: Hong Joon-pyo, Won Hee-ryong, Yoo Seung-min, Yoon Seok-youl. October 20, 2021. Photo by Yonhap News.

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] Former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol's remarks seemingly defending former President Jeon Du-hwan sparked controversy during the People Power Party's presidential primary joint debate in Daegu and Gyeongbuk. Earlier, Yoon visited Busan and said, "Although former President Jeon made mistakes, many say he did well in politics except for the military coup and the May 18 incident. Quite a few people in Honam also say so," which stirred debate.

Former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min asked Yoon during the debate, "Do you think you will become a second Jeon Du-hwan?" Yoon responded, "Even during my university days, I presided over a mock trial sentencing life imprisonment for the December 12 military rebellion that occurred just before the May 18 incident," adding, "My historical awareness has not changed, and it seems you only cut out the part I said yesterday."

Yoo pressed again, "I watched the entire statement. Do you think the mock trial is a play, and is it appropriate to say 'except for May 18'?" Yoon explained, "To take care of the people's livelihood and create jobs for the youth, we must use any means necessary, and any government should adopt good practices or policies."

However, when Yoo said, "You say he did well in politics, but during Jeon Du-hwan's regime, there was human rights suppression, opposition party suppression, and media suppression," Yoon replied, "Politics is about entrusting the best experts. If you continue to misinterpret what I said after hearing everything..."

Judging that his response time was insufficient, Yoon emphasized during his questioning turn, "I have always argued that the May 18 incident should be sublimated into the spirit of liberal democracy and become the foundation for the prosperity of Gwangju and Honam regions," adding, "If I come to power, I will make every effort not only for Daegu and Gyeongbuk but also for the development of the Honam region."

Lawmaker Hong Joon-pyo also questioned the remarks. Hong said, "Was there politics during the Fifth Republic? There was only dictatorship," adding, "People from Yoon's camp asked me what I did during the Fifth Republic, but I was a prosecutor then who even put Jeon Du-hwan's brother in jail." Yoon retorted to Hong, "Didn't you say during the last presidential election that you would inherit Park Chung-hee and Jeon Du-hwan?"

Hong again said, "It's not right for aides to go on broadcasts and say things like 'What did Yoo Seung-min and Hong Joon-pyo do?'. Control them," to which Yoon countered, "Didn't you also say you would inherit President Jeon Du-hwan?"