Lee-Yoon Tense Over TV Debate Schedule... People Power Party Says "31st is Suitable"

Democratic Party Mentions 'Scheduled for 27th' in Morning Briefing on 18th
People Power Party Refutes in Afternoon, Saying "Not True"

Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party of Korea (from the right), Ahn Cheol-soo of the People Party, and Yoon Seok-youl of the People Power Party, presidential candidates, are attending the New Year's Greeting Ceremony of Daegu-Gyeongbuk Residents in Finance and Economy held at the Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul on the 17th, posing for a commemorative photo. (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Kum Bo-ryeong] The People Power Party (PPP) has issued a statement saying that the claim that the one-on-one TV debate between Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, and Yoon Seok-youl, the PPP presidential candidate, is scheduled for the 27th is "not true."

Seong Il-jong, the PPP representative of the TV debate negotiation team, held a press conference on the 18th at the PPP central party office in Yeouido, Seoul, stating, "We sent an official letter to the terrestrial broadcasters requesting cooperation to hold the debate before the Lunar New Year and asked for their opinions. The response came back with the date (27th), and it seems that this was probably released as is," he said. Earlier that morning, Park Joo-min, the Democratic Party's head of broadcast debate content, announced that the TV debate between the two parties' candidates is scheduled to be held on the 27th, hosted by the three terrestrial broadcasters, from 10 PM for 120 minutes.

In response, Representative Seong said, "The three terrestrial broadcasters sent us a suggestion that the 27th would be good. We will consult with the Democratic Party to agree on which date is more appropriate," adding, "The proposal from the People Power Party is for a time slot when the most people can watch."

The PPP considers the 31st to be the most suitable date, emphasizing the "prime time" slot. Representative Seong said, "Since the day before Lunar New Year's Day is when all generations gather, I think the 31st is the most appropriate. After 10 PM seems a bit difficult. If possible, I hope the debate can take place during prime time," he explained.

It is reported that Representatives Seong and Park will meet to discuss the detailed contents of the TV debate. Representative Seong said, "I spoke with Representative Park earlier, and we will try to meet even today."

However, they drew a line regarding multi-party debates instead of one-on-one debates. Ahn Cheol-soo, the People Party presidential candidate, is demanding a multi-party debate. Regarding this, Jeon Ju-hye, spokesperson for the PPP election campaign headquarters, said, "This debate was requested by the Democratic Party as a one-on-one debate, and we agreed to that. Since the request was originally for a one-on-one debate and that was agreed upon, we believe this is not a matter for us to discuss."

Meanwhile, the People Party strongly criticized the one-on-one debate. The People Party central election campaign spokesperson group issued a statement saying, "This is an outrage against democracy that robs the people's right to know, based on the vested interests of the two major parties," and criticized it as "the worst decision that deprived the opportunity to compare and verify presidential candidates who will be responsible for South Korea's next five years through a free multi-party debate."