'Do You Believe in Election Fraud?' Han Donghoon Criticizes... Kim Moonsoo Says 'It's Not That There Was None, But...'

Fierce Debate at People Power Party Presidential Candidate TV Forum
Han Donghoon: "Running on That Claim Means Certain Defeat in the Presidential Election"

Kim Moonsoo, a former Minister of Employment and Labor and a presidential primary candidate for the People Power Party, faced criticism over suspicions that he harbored doubts about election fraud in last year's general elections. His rival, former People Power Party leader Han Donghoon, expressed concern, saying, "If former Minister Kim runs for president on the basis of election fraud, it will be a sure defeat."

During the People Power Party presidential candidate TV debate broadcasted on MBN on the 26th, Han Donghoon asked Kim Moonsoo, "Do you believe the April 15 parliamentary election last year was fraudulent?" In response, Kim Moonsoo said, "It's not that there was no election fraud at all, but I don't think everything was determined by fraud."

On the 26th, presidential primary candidates of the People Power Party are taking a commemorative photo before the debate at the party's 2nd primary candidate debate held at the Maeil Business Newspaper Media Center in Jung-gu, Seoul. From the left, Ahn Cheolsoo, Han Donghoon, Kim Moonsoo, and Hong Junpyo. Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group, Yonhap News Agency

Han Donghoon then followed up by asking, "So do you believe there was actual manipulation of the votes?" Kim Moonsoo replied, "There are various issues that can be raised." Regarding Kim Moonsoo's answer, Han Donghoon stated, "It is natural to raise issues. There is no problem at that stage, but believing that the election results were manipulated is a serious matter," adding, "Former Minister Kim has said he believes that, and if he runs for president on that basis, it will be a sure defeat."

In response to Han Donghoon's criticism, Kim Moonsoo said, "Whether or not there was vote manipulation must be proven as a matter of fact," and added, "Simply making claims does not make one an election fraud theorist."