First Debate Among Ruling Party Leadership Candidates... Hong Young-pyo and Woo Won-shik's Joint Attack, Song Young-gil's Counterattack: "If You Two Had Done Well, Would We Have Suffered a Crushing Defeat?"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jinyoung] On the 19th, Hong Youngpyo, Song Younggil, and Woo Wonshik, members of the Democratic Party running for party leader (in order of ballot number), clashed over measures to recover from the April 7 by-election defeat and party reform plans during a debate hosted by Gwangju MBC. The candidates engaged in a fierce battle of wills, pointing out flaws in each other's past statements and proposed policies without any concessions.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

◆ Hong Youngpyo and Woo Wonshik Launch Joint Attack on Song Younggil

Hong and Woo targeted Song with a joint offensive. Hong said, “Since the by-election, there have been many discussions about the party’s direction. You said you would change everything except the party name. Does that mean you might take a different path from the Moon Jae-in Blue House?” Song responded, “That’s an excessive leap,” adding, “We will pursue all reforms while considering whether the Democratic Party can properly support President Moon Jae-in’s principles.”

Hong then referred to Song’s past remarks, saying, “During the 2007 presidential election, when President Roh Moo-hyun’s approval ratings dropped, Song even claimed that candidate Lee Myung-bak was the ‘second Roh Moo-hyun,’ and ultimately, we lost the election.” Song replied, “That was part of a private conversation I had with former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min after former President Roh’s term ended, and it has been distorted and exaggerated. Even when some party members defected to former lawmaker Chung Mong-joon due to candidate unification at the time, I consistently stayed by and supported former President Roh,” he emphasized.

Woo probed the weaknesses of Song’s flagship pledge, the ‘Anyone Can Have a Home’ project. Woo said, “Talking about unverified personal brands or immature policies can cause national damage or undermine trust in government policies. There are law firm documents surfacing about victims of this project. People trusted Song and joined, but problems arose. What do you think about this?” Song countered, “It is inappropriate to present unverified internet rumors in an official debate,” adding, “Raising questions without verification is a premature issue.”

[Image source=Yonhap News]

◆ Song Younggil’s Counterattack: “If You Two Had Done Well as Floor Leaders, Would the Democratic Party Have Suffered Such a Defeat?”

The joint attack continued. Woo brought up Song’s past remarks about reconsidering the resumption of construction on Shin Hanul Nuclear Power Plant Units 3 and 4, saying, “You overturned what the people had deliberated and decided alone. Has your position changed at all?” Song replied, “I supported the denuclearization policy and talked about finding alternatives. That issue has been settled.”

Woo said, “You also publicly criticized the expansion of public sector jobs, one of Moon Jae-in’s key pledges in the 2017 presidential election.” Song responded, “If you want to attack me, please read all related articles first. I have already explained everything. At the time, I mistook it for a policy proposal from a research institute, not a pledge.”

Regarding Woo’s criticism that “there are many concerns about whether you can lead a smooth party-government relationship,” Song retorted, “If you two had done well as floor leaders, would our party have suffered such a crushing defeat? There are things to reflect on.”

[Image source=Yonhap News]

◆ Three Candidates, Three Different Reform Plans

Regarding the analysis of the causes of the by-election defeat and party reform plans, the three candidates presented different views. Hong said, “I will stop the talk about pro-Moon or anti-Moon factions within the party,” emphasizing, “We will carry out prosecutorial reform and media reform, which the people have demanded, without interruption,” focusing on completing reform legislation. Woo said, “I will make a direct breakthrough with people’s livelihood,” stressing, “We will apply retroactive compensation for small and medium-sized business owners affected by COVID-19 and establish a comprehensive real estate policy organization within the party to coordinate party-government policies,” putting weight on livelihood legislation. Song said, “I have walked a path without belonging to any faction,” emphasizing, “I will support the success of the Moon Jae-in administration through competent reforms and create a one-team by managing a fair presidential election.”

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