Na Kyung-won and Lee Jun-seok Clash Until the Final Debate: "Is Delusion an Ableist Remark?"

Na "Greed, rumors, and pork prices all harsh words"

Lee "Harsh words framed against junior politicians"

Na Kyung-won (from left), Joo Ho-young, Cho Kyung-tae, Lee Jun-seok, and Hong Moon-pyo, candidates challenging for the leadership of the People Power Party, are taking a commemorative photo before the start of a TV debate held on the 9th at KBS in Yeouido, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] The final TV debate among the People Power Party's leadership candidates continued to feature a verbal clash between candidates Na Kyung-won and Lee Jun-seok.

On the night of the 9th, with only party member ARS voting and general public opinion polls remaining, candidates exchanged arguments for 80 minutes during the KBS-hosted TV debate.

Candidate Na said, "There are many concerning aspects about the terms Candidate Lee uses in this party convention," adding, "Terms like 'jirashi,' 'greed,' and 'paying the price of beef' are very inappropriate expressions for someone who becomes party leader." She continued, "During Chairman Lee Hae-chan's tenure, there was a big controversy because people said there were more mentally disabled people than physically disabled people in politics," and pointed out, "If Candidate Lee's rhetoric is wrong, it could pose a significant risk."

In response, Candidate Lee said, "I deeply empathize with that part, and Candidate Na calling me delusional and accusing me of disparaging the disabled is actually an attempt to frame a junior politician with abusive language. Young people call that 'eokkka,' meaning forced criticism," he retorted.

When Candidate Na said, "You are speaking aggressively to me," Candidate Lee again asked, "Is calling someone delusional really a disparaging expression toward the disabled?" to which Candidate Na replied, "Is it appropriate for us, who are on the same side, to use such language?"

Candidate Lee also asked Candidate Na, "If you went out to the media and decided to brand a fellow candidate in the party convention with abusive language, you must have made up your mind," and questioned, "Can delusional be considered disparaging to the disabled?"

Candidate Na responded, "You keep focusing only on the word 'delusional,' but when I talk about the essence, Candidate Lee does not answer," adding, "I said words like 'greed,' 'jirashi,' and 'paying the price of beef' are abusive language. You speak carelessly, which has caused discomfort with Ahn Cheol-soo, the People Party leader."

When Candidate Lee asked why Candidate Na keeps bringing up the abusive language controversy, Candidate Na said, "The weight of the party leader's language is important."

Then, when a candidate said, "I won't mention the words used when you were the floor leader," Candidate Na said, "Having been a floor leader, I understand the importance of the weight of words. Constantly emphasizing the importance of senior members' experience relates to this. Please keep that in mind."

Candidate Lee then said, "While experiencing gender debates, many people have branded me as misogynistic, but I have never spoken misogynistic words," adding, "If 'delusional' is abusive language, I am frustrated about what words I should use."

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