"Don't Avoid Quantum Debate"... People Power Party Proposes Practical Negotiations to Democratic Party

No-Show at 4-Person Debate Negotiation Meeting, Sticking to 'Two-Person Debate'
"Democratic Party's Trick to Avoid Support Rate Drop"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporters Park Jun-yi and Kwon Hyun-ji] The People Power Party (PPP) maintained its stance to push for a one-on-one debate with Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, during this year's Lunar New Year holiday. On the 28th, instead of agreeing to negotiations for a multi-party debate, they proposed meeting with the Democratic Party for practical negotiations on a one-on-one debate.

On the 28th, Seong Il-jong, a member of the PPP's presidential campaign TV debate negotiation team, held a press conference at the central party office in Yeouido, Seoul, stating, "The Democratic Party should immediately accept a one-on-one debate at 7 p.m. on the 31st," and "I propose meeting with Park Ju-min, head of the Democratic Party's broadcast debate content team, for practical negotiations on the one-on-one debate at 11 a.m." He reaffirmed the party's existing position. The previous day, the PPP had announced its intention to not participate in the 'multi-party debate' negotiations scheduled for that afternoon.

The PPP based its position on the fact that Lee had repeatedly proposed a 'one-on-one debate' to Yoon Seok-youl, the PPP presidential candidate. Seong said, "Lee proposed one-on-one debates numerous times on November 8, December 20, and 28 last year, and January 3 this year," emphasizing, "We hope the Democratic Party will honor the spirit of agreement."

They claimed that the Democratic Party was 'avoiding' the one-on-one debate by citing the multi-party debate as a reason and suggested there was a political motive behind this. Hwang Sang-mu, a special advisor on the negotiation team, explained, "A multi-party debate only provides an opportunity for excuses, and a one-on-one debate is suitable for proper verification," calling it "a trick to avoid a drop in approval ratings."

While they are open to future negotiations regarding the multi-party debate, their position for the day's practical negotiations between the two parties is that only the 'one-on-one debate on the 31st' should be decided. They also emphasized that if the one-on-one debate is held on the 31st, it will take place at a 'third-party location' under the joint supervision of both ruling and opposition parties, with plans to allow broadcasting coverage.