Lee Jae-myung Criticizes Kim Moon-soo as "Yoon Suk-yeol's Avatar"
Clashes Intensify Over Pardon and Martial Law Issues
In the final TV debate of the 21st presidential election, the term "avatar," targeting a specific candidate, resurfaced. Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party of Korea's presidential candidate, compared Kim Moon-soo, the People Power Party's candidate, to a "Yoon Suk-yeol avatar." He also took aim at Lee Jun-seok, the Reform New Party candidate, questioning, "Why were you so relaxed during the period of martial law?"
Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party of Korea (from left), Kwon Young-guk of the Democratic Labor Party, Kim Moon-soo of the People Power Party, and Lee Jun-seok of the Reform New Party presidential candidates pose before a political TV debate held at the MBC studio in Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul on May 27, 2025. Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group
During the 21st presidential election candidates' debate held at MBC in Mapo-gu, Seoul on May 27, Lee Jae-myung asked, "If Candidate Kim is elected, there are concerns that Yoon Suk-yeol, the kingmaker, and the ringleader of the coup will return. What are your thoughts on this?" Kim Moon-soo responded, "Isn't Candidate Lee Jae-myung himself the leader of corruption, irregularities, bribery, and crime?"
The two also clashed over the word "pardon." When Lee Jae-myung asked Kim Moon-soo, "Will you pardon former President Yoon Suk-yeol?" Kim replied, "It doesn't make sense to ask whether I would pardon someone whose trial has just begun; that's not a valid question." Instead, Kim countered, "If you become president, will you grant yourself a self-pardon for all five trials related to your own crimes?" Lee Jae-myung retorted, "That is theoretically impossible."
Lee Jun-seok and Lee Jae-myung exchanged heated words over the situation during the 12·3 martial law. Lee Jae-myung said, "There were citizens who rushed to the National Assembly in slippers from the supermarket, and even female lawmakers who couldn't put on makeup climbed over the wall. But Candidate Lee Jun-seok, it is hard to understand why you, after drinking, found out about the martial law, went home, took a shower, and delayed your arrival. Please explain." When Lee Jun-seok replied that it was "false information," Lee Jae-myung countered, "When there was an argument in front of the National Assembly, didn't someone say, 'Assemblyman, you have to climb over the wall,' and you responded, 'Shut up, man,' trying to stop them from speaking?"
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