Lee Junseok Criticizes Lee Jaemyung's Debate Tactics
Says "Time-Wasting Debate Style Would Not Be Accepted Internationally"
On the 27th, Lee Junseok, the presidential candidate of the Reform New Party, criticized Lee Jaemyung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party, stating, "As the public has witnessed, Lee Jaemyung's risks related to diplomacy and national security are even more serious than his judicial risks." Regarding the pressure to unify candidacies with Kim Moonsu, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, Lee dismissed the idea, saying, "I have no intention of accepting unification."
After the third debate of the 21st presidential election, held that day at the MBC Sangam Media Center in Mapogu, Seoul, Lee Junseok met with reporters and pointed out, "Even today, Lee Jaemyung seemed to consistently avoid giving clear answers to questions directed at him."
During the debate, Lee Junseok raised issues with Lee Jaemyung's past remarks that the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system is for the defense of the United States, attacking him for accepting the views of China and conspiracy theorists. He also pressed Lee Jaemyung on allegations of remittances to North Korea.
Lee Jaemyung responded, "It is right for Korea's defense to rely on its own independent missile defense system," adding, "There was a lot of controversy at the time, but the deployment is already complete. Continuing to make this an issue is not desirable for Korea's diplomatic and security strategy." Regarding the allegations of remittances to North Korea, he said, "There is no basis whatsoever for the claim that I was involved in remittances to North Korea, and it is unbelievable to say that they sent money on my behalf."
Lee Junseok, the presidential candidate of the Reform New Party, is preparing for a political TV debate held at the MBC studio in Sangamdong, Mapogu, Seoul on the 27th. 2025.5.27 Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group
In response, Lee Junseok remarked, "(Lee Jaemyung) has a distorted perception, and above all, if the president is involved in matters related to remittances to North Korea, it inevitably undermines our country's diplomacy." He continued, "He keeps blaming the prosecution and investigative agencies for his own judicial risks. This shows how much he disregards the judicial system," he emphasized.
When Kwon Youngguk, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Labor Party, pointed out during the debate that Lee Junseok was only making personal remarks rather than discussing policy issues, Lee countered, "That is because Lee Jaemyung has so many problems."
When a reporter asked for his assessment of the final TV debate, Lee Junseok replied, "I have no choice but to point out that in all three debates, Lee Jaemyung's debate manners were poor. Even today, he continued to evade questions and mislead the public by talking about unrelated matters," adding, "Would this kind of time-wasting debate style be accepted in the international community? He would be regarded as a strange person." He asserted that Lee Jaemyung is not qualified to be president.
In response to a question about whether he had received any contact regarding unification with Kim Moonsu, Lee said, "I have never received any such proposal, and I have no plans to meet," shutting down the unification controversy.
When asked if he would meet if approached, Lee emphasized, "There is no way of knowing whether I will be at my home in Dongtan today or in another region," adding, "They probably have no idea where I am."
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