Lee Jae Myung: "Korea Initiative", Kim Dong Yeon: "Economic President", Kim Kyung Soo: "Sweeping Social Reform"

Democratic Party presidential primary candidates Lee Jae Myung, Kim Kyung Soo, and Kim Dong Yeon held their first TV debate on the 18th.

Democratic Party presidential primary candidates Lee Jae Myung, Kim Kyung Soo, and Kim Dong Yeon are taking a commemorative photo on the 18th at MBC in Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, before starting the first TV debate. Photo by Yonhap News

During MBC's 100-Minute Debate on the evening of the same day, Lee stated, "Under the Yoon Suk Yeol administration, which attempted a loyalist military coup, South Korea's international credibility has declined and the economic situation is difficult. However, the people are overcoming these challenges through a revolution of light," and added, "With the Korea Initiative and the power of the people, we will surely overcome and pave a new path of hope."

Kim Dong Yeon said, "I have valuable experience in managing South Korea's economy. I also have the know-how to overcome economic crises, having done so several times," and continued, "By uniting the hearts of the people, I will become a confident economic president who will surely overcome the economic crisis."

Kim Kyung Soo emphasized, "We must pursue sweeping social reforms through an overwhelming change of government," and added, "I will create new growth axes through five regional megacities. By connecting artificial intelligence (AI), digital transformation, climate economy, green industry, and a talent-driven republic to these five megacities, I will lead innovative growth."

The three candidates also addressed the punishment of insurrectionist forces and institutional reforms in relation to the 12·3 Martial Law Incident. Lee said, "The most important thing is a thorough investigation of the truth," and added, "There are still people within the government who hide the identities of insurrectionist forces and wield power."

Kim Dong Yeon said, "The most urgent task is to dismantle the republic of vested interests," and added, "We must reform the electoral system to prevent political, economic, and social elites from maintaining and expanding their privileges, and we must change the framework of economic management."

Kim Kyung Soo stated, "The first task is to punish the insurrectionist forces," and added, "To achieve this, an overwhelming change of government is necessary."