First TV Debate of the Previous National Assembly... 'Pro-Yoon vs. Anti-Yoon' Expected to Clash Fiercely

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] As the main round of the People Power Party's leadership election is underway, attention is focused on the first TV debate scheduled for this afternoon. Broadly, a confrontation between the Pro-Yoon (친윤) and Anti-Yoon (비윤) factions is highly likely, and the rise of minor candidates is also noteworthy. The president's 'party affairs intervention' and allegations of election fraud are also hot topics.

Cheon Ha-ram, a candidate from the 'Lee Jun-seok faction,' criticized the recent surge of the party's 'party-government unity theory' on KBS's 'Choi Kyung-young's Strong Current Affairs' on the 15th, saying, "Are they going to create another Yongsan branch office?" and raised opposition.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Recently, within the party, Pro-Yoon faction lawmakers have expressed the need to reconsider the separation of party and government, and proposals such as President Yoon Seok-yeol taking the honorary party leader position have been discussed. However, candidate Cheon stated, "The party should have a broader spectrum than the president. With about 800,000 party members, their thoughts are very diverse," adding, "It is normal for some members of the ruling party to express critical opinions about any policy direction of the president," firmly upholding the party-government separation policy.

Candidate Kim Ki-hyun responded to the party-government unity theory at the Busan campaign committee launch ceremony held the day before, saying, "The party and government are a community of destiny." Earlier, he also expressed concerns that "if a presidential candidate becomes the party leader, there is a risk of President Yoon's impeachment." Candidate Hwang Kyo-ahn also said on CBS radio the day before, "If there is a difference of opinion with the president, ultimately, it is right to follow the president's will."

The issue of 'election fraud' is also expected to be a topic. Previously, candidate Cheon proposed a public debate with candidate Hwang regarding election fraud. Hwang, a former leader of the United Future Party, is the only candidate among the main party leadership contenders who advocates the 'April 15 election fraud theory.' Hwang said, "Let's talk on the TV debate. Isn't there a framework called a TV debate? Normally, we should talk there, not separately go out and do it just the two of us," rejecting separate discussions.

Whether the support rates of the two leading candidates will change amid Cheon's surge is also a point to watch. Former People Power Party leader Lee Jun-seok said on CBS radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show,' that as the main round progresses, Cheon's upward trend will be visible, stating, "If this trend continues, it could become a 'Kim Ki-hyun vs. Cheon Ha-ram' scenario," and pointed out, "Candidate Ahn Cheol-soo's side is likely to fumble and fail to effectively challenge either side."