Jeong Cheongrae and Park Chandae, lawmakers running for the Democratic Party leadership election on August 2, will face off in the second TV debate on July 27.
As they have shown differences in their positions regarding the voluntary resignation of Kang Sunwoo, the former Minister of Gender Equality and Family nominee, who was embroiled in allegations of staff abuse, there is growing interest in whether they will engage in heated debate over how to run the party for the success of the Lee Jaemyung administration.
However, since both candidates are pro-Lee Jaemyung and have emphasized party unity over negative campaigning, there is speculation that they will moderate their tone in this debate as well.
Jeong and Park are scheduled to attend the second debate for the Democratic Party leadership candidates, which will be broadcast on KBS 1TV from 8:10 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on this day, lasting about 50 minutes.
Previously, the Democratic Party had planned to hold the second leadership debate on July 23 on JTBC, but it was postponed to this weekend as the party decided to focus all efforts on flood recovery last week.
The main focus of the debate is on the level of rhetoric from both candidates. With election campaigning and regional primary tours minimized due to heavy rainfall, and a one-shot primary scheduled for the day of the August 2 convention, attention is heightened.
Since declaring their candidacies, both have consistently emphasized prosecutorial and media reform and ending internal strife, focusing on promoting their strengths rather than attacking each other. However, they have shown differences in their stances regarding Kang Sunwoo's voluntary resignation as Minister of Gender Equality and Family nominee.
Park, in particular, has stressed that he is the "Myeongsim" (the candidate with Lee Jaemyung's support), as he called for Kang's voluntary resignation 17 minutes before she announced her decision to step down.
In contrast, Jeong has defended Kang and, even after her resignation, stated that he "offers personal comfort to Kang Sunwoo as a human being," aiming to appeal to party members.
As both candidates have issued messages expressing concern about excessive competition among their supporters, it is widely expected that they will moderate their rhetoric. The previous day, both candidates appealed for unity among party members and supporters on social media, emphasizing the success of the Lee Jaemyung administration.
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