Ahn Cheol-soo and Geum Tae-seop Barely Agree on TV Debate... Keeping the Opposition Unity Hope Alive

Scheduled Debate on the 18th via Channel A
Conflicts Arise Over Organizers and Format of the Debate

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Ahn Cheol-soo, the People’s Party candidate for Seoul mayor, and Geum Tae-seop, an independent candidate, who had conflicts over holding a debate, have agreed to hold a TV debate on the 18th. With both sides, which had faced setbacks due to the debate issue, reaching an agreement, the previously precarious unification of third-party candidates has also been revitalized.

Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 15th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

On the 15th, representatives from Ahn’s and Geum’s camps held a working-level meeting and agreed to hold a TV debate. According to the agreement, both sides will conduct a unification debate through Channel A on the 18th.

The debate will proceed with 20 minutes of questions from a moderator agreed upon by the candidates in advance, followed by 20 minutes of candidate-led discussions. Then, there will be a 40-minute discussion on political and policy-related topics, concluding with closing remarks.

Previously, both sides had disagreements over the broadcasting station hosting the debate, the format, and the timing of the event. This led to a suspension of working-level talks and a crisis of deadlock. Initially, both sides had agreed to hold two TV debates, but due to setbacks in the working-level talks, the scheduled debate on that day was canceled. Both sides also engaged in emotional disputes, blaming each other for the breakdown of the talks.

Seoul mayoral candidate Geum Tae-seop visited Nodeul Disabled Night School in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 15th and held a meeting with the National Solidarity for the Disabled./Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

In particular, Ahn’s camp cited a voter interpretation by the Central Election Commission from 19 years ago regarding unification, stating that only one debate could be held and that caution was necessary. On the other hand, Geum’s camp said, “We were informed that the Election Commission issued a voter interpretation 20 years ago,” and added, “We can check with the Election Commission whether this old interpretation is still valid, and if it is, we can raise issues accordingly,” expressing differing views.

Meanwhile, an Election Commission official said that day, “(The voter interpretation related to the unification debate between Ahn and Geum) was guidance based on past precedents and not an official voter interpretation,” adding, “If there are inquiries regarding the debate, we will provide answers.”

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