"There Is a Video of Tears" vs "Election Fraud Lies"... Criminal Complaints Filed a Day After TV Debate

Debate Deteriorates into Mutual Accusations Instead of Verification
Candidates Respond with Criminal Complaints over False Information
Only Lee Junseok Voices Concern over "Judicialization of Politics"

The second televised debate, which unfolded amid fierce clashes under the banner of verification, has ultimately escalated into mutual criminal complaints for the dissemination of false information under the Public Official Election Act. The Democratic Party and the People Power Party have each filed complaints against the opposing candidate on charges of announcing false information.

On the 24th, the Democratic Party announced its intention to file a complaint with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, alleging that Kim Moonsoo, the People Power Party candidate, made false statements during the previous day's televised debate. During the debate, Lee Jaemyung, the Democratic Party's presidential candidate, remarked, "It is regrettable that you have not yet severed ties with Pastor Jeon Kwanghoon, to the extent that you shed tears when he was imprisoned." In response, candidate Kim Moonsoo said, "You should not be spreading false information. What tears are you talking about?" When Lee Jaemyung replied, "There is a video showing you in tears," Kim Moonsoo retorted, "If you are caught again for disseminating false information, it will be a repeat offense."

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

The Democratic Party stated that a 2019 video from Kim MoonsooTV, operated by Kim Moonsoo himself, shows Kim saying, "Our pastor must never be taken away," while appearing emotional. The Democratic Party added that, at the time, Pastor Jeon Kwanghoon was the one offering comfort to Kim Moonsoo.

Regarding this, the Democratic Party emphasized, "The mere fact of shedding tears is not what's important," and criticized, "When confronted about failing to sever ties with the far right, Kim Moonsoo deflected by raising the issue of disseminating false information, attempting to frame his opponent as a liar."

The People Power Party has also decided to file a complaint against Lee Jaemyung.

Choi Kisik and Joo Jinwoo, co-heads of the Negative Response Team of the People Power Party's Central Election Committee, stated on this day, "During the debate, candidate Lee claimed that he was referring to election fraud in the context of National Intelligence Service comment manipulation, not ballot counting manipulation, which is a false explanation. This is an intentional and clear lie and constitutes a violation of the Public Official Election Act's prohibition on announcing false information, so we will file a criminal complaint."

According to them, Lee Jaemyung has asserted on his social media accounts, "This presidential election is a fraudulent election worse than the 3.15 fraudulent election; there must be a special investigation to uncover the truth and punish those responsible" (January 28, 2015), "Hand counting is necessary to prevent ballot counting fraud" (January 7, 2017), and "The worst fraudulent election in history, surpassing the 3.15 fraudulent election" (January 8, 2017).

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 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

The Negative Response Team pointed out, "Lee Jaemyung has so aggressively raised suspicions of election fraud that the National Election Commission even issued a press release urging 'Lee Jaemyung, Mayor of Seongnam, to refrain from raising suspicions of ballot counting fraud.' Lee Jaemyung has previously stated that he cannot provide evidence for these claims."

Meanwhile, Lee Junseok explained, "Although there were calls within my circle to file a complaint against Lee Jaemyung under the Public Official Election Act, the prevailing opinion within the Reform New Party is that we should prevent the judicialization of politics, so we have decided not to file a complaint against Lee Jaemyung."