Presidential Candidates Clash Over Corruption and Legacy of State Violence
Sharp Exchanges on "Yoon Sukyeol Avatar" Label and Gwangju Massacre Responsibility
During a political TV debate held at the MBC Sangam Media Center on the 27th, Lee criticized Kim, saying, "Candidate Kim is not only a member of the forces behind the rebellion but also a protector of those forces."
Lee pointed out, "Candidate Kim recruited Jeong Hoyong, the former Minister of National Defense and the main person responsible for the Gwangju Massacre, to his campaign committee. He also opposed the Chun Doohwan Confiscation Law, and recently appointed Yoon Sanghyun, a key aide to former President Yoon Sukyeol, as co-head of the campaign committee. Moreover, he has not said a single word about former President Yoon's departure from the party."
In response, Kim said, "These claims are completely groundless, and candidate Lee cannot escape criticism for being the ringleader of corruption and irregularities."
When asked by Lee whether he would support a bill to exclude state violence crimes from the statute of limitations, Kim replied, "It is candidate Lee, who tries to avoid trial and pushes for the impeachment of the Chief Justice and a special prosecutor, who should be permanently retired from politics. I will pass a bill to that effect."
When asked whether he would pardon former President Yoon, who is on trial for acts of rebellion, Kim avoided a direct answer, saying, "It does not make sense to ask whether to pardon someone who has just begun their trial."
Regarding whether he would sever ties with former President Yoon, Kim firmly stated, "There is no relationship at all, not because of severance, but because he has already left the party."
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