Lee Nak-yeon Self-Quarantine Makes Live Broadcast Debate Virtually Impossible... Democratic Party Deep in Deliberation

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Wondara] The joint debate among the three candidates for the Democratic Party leader is expected to become impossible due to Representative Lee Nak-yeon's self-quarantine for the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). Initially, the Democratic Party had significantly revised its party convention operation policy from an 'in-gymnasium convention' to an 'online convention' in accordance with social distancing level 2, but it had announced that broadcasts and online debates would proceed as scheduled.

A staff member from Lee's office told Asia Economy on the 20th, "Since on-site staff are needed even for video connections, we are currently waiting for the party's election commission's judgment on whether it is possible." This means that participation in the MBC Baekbun Debate, originally scheduled to be held via video conference that night, has become uncertain.

A representative from Candidate Park's campaign, who had announced plans to appear on the broadcast that day via video connection from the National Assembly building, also said, "Nothing has been decided yet. We need to see the situation in the morning to make a decision." A representative from Candidate Kim's campaign said, "Discussions are still ongoing," adding, "We are preparing for the debate as planned."

Earlier, as social distancing was raised to level 2, the Democratic Party decided as a last resort to conduct joint speeches and debates online or via broadcast until the party convention. Jang Cheol-min, spokesperson for the Democratic Party Convention Preparation Committee, stated at a briefing the previous day, "The party convention will be held at the party headquarters with a minimum number of people instead of the gymnasium," and added, "There is almost no change to speeches and debates conducted via broadcast or online."

Within the Democratic Party, concerns have arisen that if even the broadcast of the joint debate, which attracts more attention than individual activities, becomes impossible, a disastrous turnout is inevitable. A Democratic Party convention official said, "It looks like it will be a convention that fails to attract unprecedented interest." The Democratic Party plans to hold an emergency full meeting of the Central Party Election Commission at 9 a.m. that day to discuss whether to hold the debate, the online joint speech, and the future schedule of the party convention.

Meanwhile, Representative Lee posted on his Facebook the previous day, "Although I tested negative, I received a call from the Yangcheon-gu Health Center under CBS jurisdiction this early evening stating that I need to self-quarantine for 14 days. The quarantine period is until noon on the 31st." He added, "I apologize for causing disruptions to the election schedule as a candidate for the party leader election at the party convention. However, I believe it is much more important to strictly follow quarantine guidelines now." He continued, "I will decide how to participate in future schedules after consulting with the party."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.