Candidates Clash Fiercely in Political TV Debate
Sharp Exchanges Over Lee Jaemyung's Judicial Risks
Kim Moonsoo's Responsibility for Martial Law Under Scrutiny
The final TV debate before the 21st presidential election, held one week ahead of the vote, saw an unprecedentedly fierce exchange. Issues such as the judicial risks facing Lee Jaemyung, the Democratic Party candidate, and the responsibility of Kim Moonsoo, the People Power Party candidate, regarding the emergency martial law were brought to the forefront.
In the political TV debate held at the MBC Sangam Media Center on the 27th, the candidates engaged in heated discussions over resolving political polarization, political reform, constitutional amendments, and foreign and security policies.
From the very start of the debate, the candidates fiercely exchanged arguments over Lee Jaemyung's judicial risks.
Lee Jaemyung of the Democratic Party of Korea (from left), Kwon Youngguk of the Democratic Labor Party, Kim Moonsoo of the People Power Party, and Lee Junseok of the Reform New Party presidential candidates are posing ahead of a political TV debate held on the 27th at the MBC Studio in Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul. Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers Group
Kim Moonsoo stated, "Candidate Lee Jaemyung is currently facing five trials, and none of them are ordinary cases. They involve the Daejang-dong and Wirye New Town (development suspicions), as well as charges of spreading false information." He added, "He is even trying to create a law that would suspend trials if he becomes president." Kim continued, "The Democratic Party has also proposed a bill to increase the number of Constitutional Court justices to 30 or even 100. Not even an emperor would act this way," criticizing Lee sharply.
In response, Lee Jaemyung countered, "The countless indictments are a reflection of the reality of groundless, fabricated indictments by the prosecution regime, the Yoon Sukyeol administration."
Kim Moonsoo also raised the issue of the late Kim Moonki, former head of Development Division 1 at Seongnam Urban Development Corporation, saying, "Too many people around Candidate Lee have died, especially while under investigation." He added, "Shouldn't we prevent further sacrifices? Can he properly serve as president under these circumstances? Isn't it right for him to withdraw even now?"
Lee Jaemyung responded, "These are completely baseless unilateral claims," and questioned, "Isn't it because the prosecution conducted excessively coercive investigations to fabricate cases that those people suffered?"
The fierce debate continued over the Democratic Party's push for the impeachment of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and the proposal to increase the number of Supreme Court justices.
Kim Moonsoo criticized, "Is Candidate Lee an emperor? If we shake the rule of law and the separation of powers in Korea, can our country survive?" Lee Jaemyung replied, "I have never ordered a special prosecutor or impeachment, and I instructed that individual lawmakers' attempts to amend the law be put on hold because they could cause problems. I would appreciate it if people would not act as if I ordered everything."
Lee Junseok, the Reform New Party presidential candidate, also launched sharp attacks against Lee Jaemyung.
Regarding the suspicion of illegal remittance to North Korea involving Ssangbangwool, Lee Junseok stated, "Regardless of legal judgment, this could make Lee Jaemyung subject to U.S. sanctions. For this reason alone, it is clear that Lee Jaemyung would be at a disadvantage in diplomacy."
Lee Jaemyung responded, "The claim that I was involved in remittances to North Korea is completely groundless. I believe the truth will soon be revealed."
The issue of the alleged personal use of corporate credit cards was also raised. Lee Junseok asked, "You spent 27.91 million won on fruit. How can a person buy that much fruit with a corporate card?" Lee Jaemyung replied, "I never used the corporate card. The working-level department handled the fruit transactions, but I am being accused of having ordered or embezzled everything. That is exactly what a baseless indictment is."
Kim Moonsoo also faced intense criticism over his responsibility regarding the martial law situation.
Lee Jaemyung directly criticized Kim Moonsoo, saying, "He is himself a member and supporter of the rebellion forces, and an avatar of Yoon Sukyeol." Lee continued, "Kim Moonsoo recruited Jeong Hoyong, the main figure responsible for the Gwangju massacre and former Minister of National Defense, to his campaign committee, opposed the Chun Doohwan asset recovery law, and recently appointed Yoon Sanghyun, a key aide to former President Yoon Sukyeol, as co-chairman of the campaign. He did not say a word about former President Yoon's departure from the party."
Kim Moonsoo countered, "These claims are completely groundless, and Lee Jaemyung cannot escape criticism as the ringleader of corruption and irregularities."
Kim Moonsoo went on to say, "I have never committed rebellion, and whether it was rebellion or not should be determined by the court's decision. Mixing up martial law and rebellion to label someone as a sympathizer or accomplice in rebellion is verbal violence."
Lee Junseok was criticized for not attending the vote on the resolution to lift martial law on the day of the emergency martial law incident. Lee Jaemyung pointed out, "Lee Junseok was drinking in Gangnam on the day of martial law, went home to shower, and then returned. He also spent time arguing in front of the National Assembly."
Lee Junseok responded, "The claim that I intentionally avoided entering is clearly false."
The exchange between the two candidates became heated. When Lee Jaemyung said, "Didn't someone shout, 'Be quiet, man,' when someone tried to climb over the wall?" Lee Junseok retorted, "By then, the vote had already ended," raising his voice.
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