June 3 Presidential Debate Turns into Battleground... 'Personal Attacks Dominate'

Policy Discussion Missing from Debate
Candidates Focus on Personal Attacks
Negative Campaigning Intensifies

Ahead of the June 3 presidential election, a televised debate among the presidential candidates devolved into a battleground filled with personal attacks and disputes over private matters. Despite the debate’s stated focus on social integration, the event was marked by personal attacks, and compared to the first debate on economic issues, the level of negative campaigning under the guise of candidate vetting intensified.

During the TV debate hosted by the National Election Commission on the 23rd, the candidates engaged in mutual slander rather than policy verification. Kim Moonsoo, the People Power Party candidate, began his opening remarks by criticizing Lee Jaemyung, the Democratic Party candidate, for his campaign slogan "Now, the Real Republic of Korea," asking, "Does that mean everything before was a fake Republic of Korea?" Kim Moonsoo continued his attack by referencing Lee Jaemyung's personal history, asking, "Is someone who says this a real bachelor or a fake bachelor? A real prosecutor or someone impersonating a prosecutor?" He added, "If you want to be a leader and achieve national unity, shouldn’t your own family be united first?"

On the 23rd, at the KBS headquarters studio in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, candidates prepared for the second presidential candidate debate of the 21st presidential election hosted by the National Election Broadcasting Debate Commission. From the left, Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party, Kim Moon-soo of the People Power Party, Lee Jun-seok of the Reform New Party, and Kwon Young-guk of the Democratic Labor Party. May 23, 2025 Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers Association

In response, Lee Jaemyung addressed the time allocation debate, saying, "My family's private matters have become an issue, and I apologize for my lack of discretion." However, he countered, "Kim Moonsoo is in no position to say such things. This is a private family matter, but haven't you abused your power? You called a firefighter and said, 'This is Kim Moonsoo~'?what was that supposed to mean?"

Lee Jaemyung also launched an aggressive counterattack against Kim Moonsoo. He stated, "You still maintain close ties with far-right figures like Jeon Kwanghoon," and added, "Only by severing these ties can you become a legitimate president of a democratic republic." He continued, "It is regrettable that you cannot break off a relationship where you shed tears when Jeon Kwanghoon was imprisoned."

When Kim Moonsoo responded, "You shouldn't spread false information. What tears are you talking about?" Lee Jaemyung replied, "There is a video showing you in tears."

Kim Moonsoo also brought up the incident when Lee Jaemyung was attacked with a weapon in Busan and was transported by helicopter to Seoul National University Hospital, saying, "Wasn’t that a royal helicopter? You were acting like royalty even before becoming president." Lee Jaemyung explained, "The reason I was taken to Seoul National University Hospital was because my family needed to be hospitalized for an extended period, so we thought it would be better to go somewhere near Seoul. The medical staff also recommended Seoul National University Hospital."

Lee Junseok, the Reform New Party candidate, also launched a fierce attack against Lee Jaemyung. Referring to Lee Jaemyung’s pledge to strengthen coverage for nursing care expenses, he said, "Lee Jaemyung hesitates to cut scientifically unproven treatments, but is quick to promise more benefits. This is exactly like Chavez." Chavez was a populist dictator in Venezuela who came to power through a military coup.

On the 23rd, presidential candidates posed for a commemorative photo ahead of the 2nd candidate debate for the 21st presidential election, hosted by the National Election Broadcasting Debate Commission, held at the KBS headquarters studio in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. From the left: Lee Jaemyung of the Democratic Party, Kim Moonsoo of the People Power Party, Lee Junseok of the Reform New Party, and Kwon Youngguk of the Democratic Labor Party. 2025.5.23 Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group

In addition, Lee Junseok criticized Lee Jaemyung for his past social media posts regarding the Cheonan warship incident and election fraud. Lee Junseok said, "Lee Jaemyung has shared content related to election fraud centered around Kim Eo-jun," and "He also shared claims that the Cheonan incident was the result of a collision with a submarine."

Lee Jaemyung responded, "When I mentioned election fraud, I was referring to the National Intelligence Service’s manipulation of online comments. I was not claiming, like former President Yoon Sukyeol, that there was manipulation of vote counting." He added, "Regarding the Cheonan incident, I have officially stated multiple times, in line with the government’s announcement, that it was caused by a North Korean attack." Lee Jaemyung then criticized Lee Junseok for not participating in the vote during the December 3 12·3 Martial Law. He said, "You pretended to fight but actually opposed the lifting of martial law. I wonder why you didn’t just climb over the wall."

As Lee Junseok continued his attacks, Lee Jaemyung also criticized his attitude, saying, "This debate is not easy," "You are young, but your thinking is very old," and "You are narrow-minded."

The aftershocks continued after the debate. Lee Junseok targeted Lee Jaemyung, saying, "It’s truly pitiful," "He seems to be trapped in paranoia," and "He shamelessly proved once again that he lies." Lee Jaemyung commented, "As the debate goes on, there seem to be more and more slander and baseless attacks rather than discussions about the country’s future vision. Nevertheless, I will do my best to focus on policy debates about how to improve the future of this country and the lives of our people."