CBS Democratic Party Leadership Candidate Debate
Lee·Kim Disagree on Chae Sang-byeong's Third-Party Recommendation
Conflict Over Lee Jae-myung's Leadership Re-election Issue
Lee Jae-myung, a candidate challenging for re-election as the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, refuted the expression "unipolar system." On the 18th, during the first broadcast debate for Democratic Party leader candidates held at the CBS studio in Yangcheon-gu, Seoul, Lee responded to the moderator's question, "Do you agree with the expression that the Democratic Party is a unipolar system?" by saying, "It cannot be called a system." He added, "In a situation where the party member approval rating exceeds 80%, it is not appropriate to describe the party members' decision as a system," and said, "(The expression 'unipolar system') could belittle the choice of party members."
On the other hand, candidates Kim Du-kwan and Kim Ji-soo said, "We sympathize with the unipolar system." Candidate Kim Du-kwan pointed out, "The lifeblood of our party is dynamism and diversity, but the DNA of the Democratic Party is being damaged." Candidate Kim Ji-soo took a step back, saying, "It looks like a unipolar system, but we (the candidates) are coming in and moving toward a multipolar system."
Opinions also diverged on the third-party recommendation plan for a special prosecutor for the Chae Sang-byeong special prosecutor law. Candidate Lee said, "Since the third-party recommendation involves multiple recommendations, the president ultimately appoints the special prosecutor," rebutting concerns about fairness. On the other hand, candidate Kim Du-kwan explained, "Since it is not easy for the special prosecutor law proposed by our party to pass, it is worth flexibly considering the (third-party recommendation) special prosecutor bill proposed by Han Dong-hoon, the People Power Party leader candidate."
Kim Ji-su (from left), Kim Du-kwan, and Lee Jae-myung, candidates for the Democratic Party of Korea's party leader, are taking a commemorative photo on the 18th at the CBS building in Yangcheon-gu, Seoul, before the Democratic Party of Korea party leader candidates' debate. Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group
The somewhat mild atmosphere of the debate became tense as exchanges over Lee Jae-myung's re-election issue intensified. Candidate Kim Du-kwan directly attacked Lee, saying, "Are you trying to serve as the leader one more time because of judicial risks?" He then questioned, "If Lee Jae-myung leads the nominations, will the party win the local elections, and if Kim Du-kwan leads the nominations, will the party lose the local elections?"
In response, Lee drew a line, saying, "According to the party constitution and regulations, the leader must resign one year before the presidential election, so even if I wanted to make nominations, I cannot." He also said, "I have never thought about exercising the nomination rights in the local elections."
Candidate Kim Du-kwan immediately responded to Lee's remarks, saying, "Since the party constitution and regulations have been amended, you can exercise the nomination rights for the 2026 local elections," and asked, "Can you promise not to make nominations for the 2026 local elections even if you become the party leader?" Lee avoided answering, saying, "I don't understand why I am being asked to make a promise."
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