Kim Du-gwan points out "'Presumption of Innocence' rumors are spreading"
Lee Jae-myung responds, "How would re-election help with judicial risks?"
At the Democratic Party of Korea's August 18 party representative candidate debate, candidate Kim Du-kwan accused candidate Lee Jae-myung of seeking re-election as party leader to defend against judicial risks. Lee responded that re-election as party leader would not help defend against judicial risks and expressed hope that the party would fight together.
Kim Ji-su (from left), Kim Du-kwan, and Lee Jae-myung, candidates for the Democratic Party leader, are posing for a commemorative photo on the morning of the 18th at the CBS building in Yangcheon-gu, Seoul, before the Democratic Party leader candidate debate. [Image source=Yonhap News]
On the morning of the 18th, during the first party representative candidate broadcast debate on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show,' candidate Kim said, "Isn't candidate Lee trying to serve another term as party leader because of judicial risks?" and added, "There is a saying going around that 'Yudae-muje' (guilt by association is impossible)." The phrase 'Yudae-muje' is interpreted to mean that if candidate Lee is re-elected as party leader, he can defend against judicial risks. Furthermore, Kim criticized, "Is there any reason to run for party leader while being subject to such speculation and misunderstanding?" and "Lee running for another term does not benefit either himself or the party."
Candidate Lee replied, "There is nothing to explain," adding, "The trial is already underway, and I have been indicted numerous times." He continued, "Serving another term as party leader will not help avoid (judicial risks) or be of any benefit. On the contrary, it takes up a lot of time and makes it difficult to respond," and said, "We are in a position to defend the fortress together, so instead of asking why I am being attacked so much, I hope we can fight together."
Lee and Kim also clashed over nominations for the 2026 local elections. Kim asked Lee, "Are you trying to be re-elected as party leader to nominate people from your side for the 2026 local elections?" Lee responded, "According to the party constitution and regulations, the party leader must resign one year before the presidential election, so even if I wanted to, I cannot make nominations (for local elections)," and added, "I have never thought about exercising nomination rights for local elections."
Lee further stated, "It is unclear whether the Yoon Seok-youl administration is properly managing state affairs or not, and it is engaging in politics more like a war than unity or harmony," adding, "I thought I had a role to play in resolving that issue."
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