Clash Over Voting During Martial Law
Lee Jaemyung: "Were You Against Lifting Martial Law?"
Lee Junseok: "I Protested the Unfairness Outside; Your View Is Distorted"
Lee Jaemyung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, on the 23rd pointed out that Lee Junseok, the Reform Party presidential candidate, did not attend the National Assembly vote on lifting the 12·3 Martial Law, questioning, "Does this mean you were against lifting martial law?"
The second candidate debate for the 21st presidential election is being broadcast live in the Seoul Station concourse on the 23rd. Photo by Yonhap News
During the second TV debate hosted by the National Election Commission that evening, candidate Lee said, "On the night of December 3 last year, while everyone else climbed over the wall to participate in the vote to lift martial law, why did you scold your aide who suggested climbing over the wall and ultimately not participate in lifting martial law?" He added, "Were you just pretending to fight, but in reality, opposed lifting martial law?"
Candidate Lee Junseok countered, saying, "This proves that candidate Lee Jaemyung sees the world in a distorted way."
Lee Junseok explained, "While I was taking a taxi to the National Assembly, I inquired about the situation, and after hearing that 170 lawmakers had entered, I felt relieved and protested outside against the unfairness of not being able to enter." He continued, "When the Constitutional Court made its ruling on the impeachment related to martial law, these circumstances were used as evidence."
He added, "I understand that there were Democratic Party lawmakers who also could not enter. By candidate Lee Jaemyung's logic, does that mean they had no intention of stopping martial law? Because of such a biased perspective, where you view lawmakers from your own party differently than those from other parties, people say that Lee Jaemyung divides people and considers anyone not on his side an enemy."
Regarding the controversy over a potential single candidacy between Kim Moonsu of the People Power Party and Lee Junseok, candidate Lee Jaemyung said, "In the end, I expect that candidate Lee Junseok will unify with candidate Kim, who is part of the rebellion forces," and added, "It appears there are offers to give you party leadership or appoint you as prime minister. Will you proceed with unification? Isn't making such deals illegal?"
Lee Junseok responded, "I have consistently said, without a single exception, that I have no interest in unifying with the People Power Party. Candidate Lee Jaemyung is trapped in his own delusions and has a narrow perspective."
Lee Jaemyung stated, "I will wait and see the results regarding unification."
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