Kim Moonsoo Selects Han Donghoon, Ahn Cheolsoo Picks Kim Moonsoo
Hong Junpyo and Han Donghoon Choose Each Other... Showdown Debate
All Matchups Are "Pro-Impeachment vs. Anti-Impeachment"... Spotlight on Public Interest
The matchups for the one-on-one debates among the four candidates who advanced to the People Power Party's second presidential primary have been decided. Former People Power Party leader Han Donghoon and former Daegu Mayor Hong Junpyo selected each other as debate opponents, signaling an intense showdown.
On the afternoon of the 23rd, the People Power Party's Election Management Committee held a "2nd Primary Debate Media Day" at the party's central headquarters in the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, and designated debate opponents for the four candidates who passed the first primary: former leader Han Donghoon, former mayor Hong Junpyo, former Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Moonsoo, and lawmaker Ahn Cheolsoo.
On the 23rd, at the People Power Party Central Headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, presidential primary candidates Kim Moonsoo (from the left), Ahn Cheolsoo, Han Donghoon, and Hong Junpyo posed during the 2nd primary debate media day. Photo by Yonhap News
The right to choose a debate opponent was granted in the order in which the candidates delivered their "reasons for running" speeches as close to 60 seconds as possible during the first Media Day.
Former Minister Kim Moonsoo selected former leader Han Donghoon as his opponent for the debate scheduled for 4 p.m. on the 24th. Kim Moonsoo said, "I have many questions for Han Donghoon and there is much to discuss," adding, "I want to ask him whether it was during his time that we had no choice but to hold another election after former President Yoon Sukyeol was impeached."
Former leader Han Donghoon said, "We cannot avoid the issues of martial law or impeachment," and added, "I hope we can have an honest conversation and a productive debate."
Lawmaker Ahn Cheolsoo chose Kim Moonsoo as his opponent for the debate to be held at 5:30 p.m. on the same day.
Ahn Cheolsoo said, "During the first debate, the time was too short and I couldn't finish my questions," and added, "I think it's important for the public to hear about Kim Moonsoo's steadfast beliefs, which is why I chose him."
Previously, during the first primary debate for Group A held on the 19th, Ahn Cheolsoo had engaged in a heated exchange with Kim Moonsoo over artificial intelligence and martial law, even remarking, "You don't know much about AI, do you?"
On this day, Kim Moonsoo commented on Ahn Cheolsoo, saying, "Although he is a doctor, he doesn't practice medicine; although he founded AhnLab, he doesn't work at AhnLab but is in politics. I have high expectations for what he will do next, and I hope that as an outstanding entrepreneur, scientist, and doctor in Korea, he will cure all diseases."
On the 23rd, at the People Power Party Central Party Office in Yeouido, Seoul, presidential primary candidates Kim Moonsoo (from the left), Ahn Cheolsoo, Han Donghoon, and Hong Junpyo of the People Power Party are clapping during the 2nd primary debate media day. Photo by Yonhap News
On the 25th, a debate between Han Donghoon and Hong Junpyo will be held consecutively in the afternoon, as both selected each other as opponents.
Han Donghoon said, "Right now, our goal is not just to win the People Power Party primary, but to defeat Lee Jaemyung. We need to engage in fierce debate during the primary. I thought we should be the ones to do that, which is why I made my choice."
In all of these one-on-one debates, candidates who supported impeachment (Ahn Cheolsoo and Han Donghoon) will be facing those who opposed it (Kim Moonsoo and Hong Junpyo). Ahn Cheolsoo and Han Donghoon are classified as pro-impeachment, while Kim Moonsoo and Hong Junpyo are classified as anti-impeachment.
On the 26th, all four candidates will gather for a group debate.
After the debates, the People Power Party will conduct the second primary through public opinion polling from the 27th to the 28th. This time, responses from the general public and party member electoral college will each account for 50%. The results of the second primary will be announced on the 29th.
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