Discussion Among Yeo's Supreme Councilor Candidates
Non-Establishment Candidates Fail to Receive Nominations
Min's "Don't Ask About the Past" Attitude Sparks Controversy
On the 27th, the candidates for the Supreme Council member of the People Power Party's March 8 party convention engaged in fierce exchanges during a broadcast debate, divided into pro-Yoon (친윤, pro-Yoon Seok-yeol) and anti-Yoon (비윤, anti-Yoon Seok-yeol) factions. Notably, during the 'leadership debate,' the pro-Yoon candidates spent most of the time exchanging friendly questions and answers among themselves, while the anti-Yoon candidate Kim Yong-tae was never called upon, drawing attention.
In the leadership debate that day, the pro-Yoon candidate Min Young-sam received the most questions. All candidates except Kim Jae-won directed their questions to Min. Candidate Tae Young-ho jokingly asked Min to return the title of 'defector hero,' and Min responded by saying that although there are differences, he wants to "use it together," transcending the "destructive regionalism."
Candidate Kim Byung-min asked Min, "Currently, the media (press) is a tilted playing field leaning left; what winning strategy do you have for the general election?" Min replied, "Fists over law," adding, "We must protest to make the broadcasting stations hesitate, so everyone should unite their party strength. We need to have the spirit of wearing the crown."
Candidate Cho Soo-jin praised Min during her debate time, saying, "This leadership seems to be evenly positioned inside and outside the National Assembly," and added, "The role of Supreme Council members outside the Assembly is also necessary."
People running for the Supreme Council of the People Power Party are taking a commemorative photo before the broadcast debate at a studio in Gangseo-gu on the 27th. From the left: Min Young-sam, Kim Byung-min, Cho Soo-jin, Kim Yong-tae, Jung Mi-kyung, Heo Eun-ah, Tae Yong-ho, Kim Jae-won. [Image source=Yonhap News]
Min also presented policy pledges such as creating a 'Bitter Words Plaza' to publicize frank criticism during the debate, but when faced with unfavorable questions, he showed evasive attitudes like "Don't ask about the past," "I haven't thought about it," and "I have no opinion."
When Kim Yong-tae asked, "Ahn Cheol-soo, a candidate for party leader, used the term 'Yoon-Ahn alliance'; do you think that is wrong?" Min answered, "I have no opinion," and when Rep. Park Soo-young said that Yoon's support lies with candidate Kim Ki-hyun, Min said, "I haven't thought about it." When Kim asked, "Do you admit to chameleon politics that only chase power?" Min retorted, "Don't ask about the past," calling it a "personal attack."
Candidate Heo Eun-ah also pointed out during the leadership debate that there was forgery of official documents related to the dismissal of Cho Soo-jin's aide and requested Min's response, but due to lack of time, Min did not actually answer.
Candidate Tae said in his closing remarks, "I was called upon six times (in the leadership debate)," adding, "It seems like they are trying to make this a debate to boost me. If you just push me a little, I will become a Supreme Council member. Kim Jong-un will probably clutch the back of his neck in surprise."
In fact, Tae was questioned by four candidates: Kim Byung-min, Kim Jae-won, Min Young-sam, and Jung Mi-kyung. He received concentrated attention from the pro-Yoon candidates. Especially, Kim Jae-won devoted most of his leadership debate time to Tae, asking about his views on the 'Kim Jong-un-Kim Ju-ae' succession structure as a North Korea expert and about the difficulties he faced as a South Korean politician, effectively creating a debate platform for Tae.
However, the pro-Yoon candidates focused sharp attacks on the anti-Yoon candidates. Candidate Heo Eun-ah became the target of crossfire. Kim Byung-min questioned Heo in a Q&A format, asking about the Yoon Seok-yeol administration's national vision and governance principles. Heo appeared flustered and failed to respond, later defending herself strongly by saying, "Rather than trying to get answers like a quiz, I worked hard as a spokesperson during the presidential election period," calling it "questions for attack."
Heo's drunk driving controversy also came under scrutiny. Candidate Tae was the first to bring it up, and when Heo pressured Cho Soo-jin about the forgery of official documents related to aide dismissal, asking, "If indicted, would you resign even if elected as a Supreme Council member?" Cho responded, "I have not committed disgraceful crimes like drunk driving."
As the candidates continued to argue about Heo's past drunk driving record, she apologized in her closing remarks, saying, "I am truly sorry to the party members," and revealed, "I surrendered my driver's license. I have thought about what actions I can take, not just words."
Anti-Yoon candidate Kim Yong-tae was never called upon by other candidates. Jung Mi-kyung also did not receive questions from any candidates except Kim Jae-won. Becoming desperate, Jung split her allocated seven minutes by briefly questioning all candidates. However, due to lack of time, she did not question Kim Yong-tae.
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