Jang Questions, "Is Embracing Cho Kyungtae True Unity?"
Kim Counters, "If We Cut Everyone Off, Who Will We Work With?"
Sit-in at Party Headquarters: "Only Natural" vs. "Merely Defensive"
Both Promise to "Reach Out First" to Jeong Cheongrae After Congratulatory Wreath
Kim Munsu, former Minister of Employment and Labor, and Assemblyman Jang Donghyuk, who advanced to the runoff for the People Power Party leadership, clashed over internal party issues such as their stance toward the pro-impeachment faction and responses to the special prosecutor’s investigation during the final televised debate held on August 23. As this was a 'match between anti-impeachment candidates,' both seemed focused on highlighting their differences from each other.
Candidates Kim Munsu and Jang Donghyuk, who advanced to the runoff in the People Power Party leadership election, are taking a commemorative photo at the broadcast debate held on the 23rd at Channel A Gwanghwamun Studio in Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News
Kim and Jang participated in the sixth televised debate for party leadership candidates, held at the Channel A studio in Jongno-gu, Seoul, that afternoon. Assemblyman Jang, who has consistently pledged a 'clear and strong fight against the ruling party,' pressed Kim, who emphasizes 'unity,' by asking whether embracing pro-impeachment lawmakers Cho Kyungtae and Ahn Cheolsoo truly constitutes unity.
Jang questioned Kim, saying, "You say we should embrace Assemblymen Cho and Ahn, but Assemblyman Cho is someone who says, 'We must hand over the list of 5 million party members,' and 'There are forces colluding in insurrection.' Is embracing someone like that genuine unity?" He continued, "Using the constitutional amendment blocking line as leverage and saying 'We must not lose our 107 seats' will ultimately lead to division within the party. If there are 10 to 20 lawmakers who do not follow the party line when it is set, what is the point of having 107 seats?"
In response, Kim said, "We should persuade and talk with Assemblyman Cho, not cut him off like removing a cancer cell. If we cut everyone off like that, who would we work with?" He added, "Aren’t the key leaders in the party, especially those who have run for party leader, valuable?"
When Jang pointed out that he had met with Assemblyman Ahn for lunch that day but failed to reach an agreement, Kim countered, "I had a constructive conversation with Assemblyman Ahn and we found common ground. It is problematic to say in a public debate that 'there were no results' based only on what was reported in the media."
Candidates Kim Munsu and Jang Donghyuk, who advanced to the final round of the People Power Party leadership election, are preparing for a debate at the Channel A Gwanghwamun studio in Seoul on the 23rd. Photo by Yonhap News
The two also presented differing views on how to respond to the special prosecutor’s raid on the party headquarters. Kim said, "I have been holding an overnight sit-in for 10 nights and 11 days to confront the special prosecutor who came to raid the People Power Party headquarters. Since I first started the sit-in, the special prosecutor has backed down and has not returned."
He then targeted Jang, saying, "When the special prosecutor comes unreasonably, it is only natural to protect the party headquarters where the party member list is kept. What kind of fight does Assemblyman Jang intend to wage?"
Jang rebutted, "Without legal grounds and logic, you cannot block a warrant by physical means alone. Politics is about persuading the public with words and informing them of what is wrong." He added, "Defending the headquarters is a defensive measure. In fact, offense is the best defense. Even if you block the first floor, there are multiple entrances to the building."
Kim responded, "The special prosecutor frequently conducts raids and comes to execute warrants. Does physically defending the headquarters have no meaning? Can you block them with logic alone?" He raised his voice, saying, "The problem is only talking. True resistance is not just about words but about joining forces and putting your whole body and energy into it."
Candidates Kim Munsu and Jang Donghyuk, who advanced to the runoff in the People Power Party leadership election, are taking a commemorative photo at the broadcast debate held on the 23rd at Channel A Gwanghwamun Studio in Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News
Both candidates also stated that, if elected party leader, they would "reach out first" to Democratic Party leader Jeong Cheongrae. Jeong, who has taken a hardline stance against the ruling party, sent a congratulatory wreath to the People Power Party convention the previous day, saying, "A handshake is done with people."
Kim commented, "Sending a wreath to the convention was a matter of courtesy. Observing proper etiquette is fundamental in politics." He continued, "While I cannot accept being called 'not a human being,' it is right to respond with courtesy to the gesture of sending a wreath."
Jang also said, "Unlike last time, the situation has changed. A Democratic Party figure attended this convention. I will take it as a sign that the two parties should cooperate." He added, "If the Democratic Party is willing to cooperate, I will also reach out first and make efforts to open the door for cooperation."
Both gave similar answers when asked whether the party Central Ethics Committee’s 'warning' to conservative YouTuber Jeon Hangil, a former Korean history lecturer, was too lenient. Jang said, "Disciplinary actions should be applied to everyone with the same standards and gravity. There were many others besides Jeon who disrupted or interfered with the atmosphere at the joint speech event. Disciplining only Jeon is not fair and is not at all lenient."
Kim also commented, "Rather than Jeon deliberately causing a disturbance, it seems he reacted emotionally to something a candidate said on site. I do not think a warning is a light punishment."
The People Power Party held its sixth national convention at Osco in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, the previous day and selected Kim and Jang as the runoff candidates. Since no candidate won a majority, the top two candidates will compete again in the runoff. Pro-impeachment candidates Ahn and Cho were eliminated.
The People Power Party will conduct a mobile and ARS vote among responsible party members and a public opinion poll on August 24-25 to determine the final winner. As in the main election, the runoff will reflect 80% of the results from responsible party member voting and 20% from the public opinion poll. The final result will be announced at the National Assembly Library on the morning of August 26.
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