[Summary] Even After Criticizing All Three Rival Candidates... Yoon Seok-yeol Does Not Apologize for 'Jeon Du-hwan Remarks'

"During the 5th Republic, there was no politics, only dictatorship" Ryu, Won, Hong fiercely criticize Yoon Seok-yeol
Yoon maintains stance, "To take care of people's livelihood, all means and methods must be used"

Former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol attending the joint debate for the People Power Party presidential primary candidates from Daegu and Gyeongbuk held at Daegu MBC on the afternoon of the 20th. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] On the 20th, during the People Power Party's presidential TV debate, sharp criticisms from competing candidates continued regarding former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol's 'defense of Chun Doo-hwan' remarks made the previous day (19th). Despite criticism that his historical awareness is problematic, former Prosecutor General Yoon maintained his stance, saying, "(My remarks were) taken out of context and distorted."

At the joint debate for the People Power Party presidential primary candidates from Daegu and Gyeongbuk, former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min brought up the remarks defending former President Chun, asking Yoon, "Former President Park Chung-hee also had both merits and demerits (like former President Chun), but no evaluation is even made regarding former President Chun’s merits and demerits. Do you know what the difference is?"

Former lawmaker Yoo continued, "Former President Park seized power through the May 16 coup d'?tat, an improper method, but he did not kill civilians like during the May 18 incident. The Chun Doo-hwan regime denied Article 1 of the Constitution that the Republic of Korea is a democratic republic," adding, "Even if the economy was good, it cannot be evaluated positively. Do you, candidate Yoon, think 'I will become the second Chun Doo-hwan'?"

In response, former Prosecutor General Yoon said, "During my university days, I conducted a mock trial on the December 12 military coup that led to the May 18 democratization movement and sentenced it to life imprisonment. My historical awareness from that time remains unchanged even now."

When former lawmaker Yoo asked again, "If you exclude May 18, do you think the Chun Doo-hwan regime was legitimate?" Yoon repeated his previous explanation, saying, "For a president to take care of the people's livelihood and create jobs for the youth, means and methods should not be restricted, and any government should pick and use policies that work well." He then protested, saying, "You are cutting off only the beginning of my remarks."

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 the left, Hong Jun-pyo, Won Hee-ryong, Yoo Seung-min, and Yoon Seok-youl. Photo by Yonhap News.

Assemblyman Hong Joon-pyo also joined the criticism against former Prosecutor General Yoon. Hong pointed out, "For over 30 years, efforts have been made with bloodshed to break away from the Fifth Republic. Was there politics during the Fifth Republic? There was only dictatorship." He added, "I worked as a prosecutor during the Fifth Republic and even arrested Chun Doo-hwan’s brother. That’s why I was exiled to Gwangju." In response, Yoon countered, "(Assemblyman Hong) also said in the last presidential election that he would inherit former Presidents Park Chung-hee and Chun Doo-hwan, didn’t he?"

Former Jeju Governor Won Hee-ryong did not directly criticize former Prosecutor General Yoon during the debate, but at a press conference held at the Daegu City Party Office that morning, he said, "No matter how you look at it, it was a serious gaffe, and frankly, it is a reckless remark that reveals his historical awareness and some intellectual shallowness." He added, "He should sincerely apologize to the people and receive a correction of his views on history and the role of the president."

People Power Party leader Lee Jun-seok also indirectly criticized former Prosecutor General Yoon at the National Assembly that day, saying, "Since the emergency committee led by Kim Jong-in was established, efforts have continued in vulnerable regions such as Honam, and even after I became the leader, I have inherited Kim Jong-in’s line. I hope prompt measures are taken to prevent the situation from worsening."

Earlier, on the 19th, former Prosecutor General Yoon sparked controversy by stating at a meeting of party members in Haeundae-gap, Busan, "There are people who say former President Chun did well in politics except for the military coup and May 18. Quite a few people in Honam also say such things." Regarding this, Yoon explained on Facebook, "If I become president, I intend to appoint experts and talents in each field appropriately to maximize my capabilities," but he did not apologize for the remarks themselves, which has intensified public criticism.