Tensions Rise Among People Power Party Candidates Over Debate... Will 'Jidobu Passing' Continue?

Seobyungsoo "No Penalty for Missing Debate"
Joonseok Lee "Should Also Give Chance to Promote Policies to Mackerel and Anchovy"

Presidential candidate Yoon Seok-yeol is seen greeting Lee Jun-seok, the party leader, Kim Ki-hyun, the floor leader, and other supreme council members at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the morning of the 2nd. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] As the policy debate for the party's presidential primary candidates, promoted by the People Power Party's Presidential Primary Preparation Committee (PPPPC), faces divided opinions among the party's presidential contenders and controversy over the PPPPC's overreach, tensions between the party leadership and the candidates are intensifying.

The PPPPC held a meeting on the 10th and decided to hold two policy debates for the party's primary candidates on the 18th and 25th. The first debate will cover economic issues such as income-led growth, job creation, and real estate, while the second will focus on social issues including diplomacy, security, unification, and judicial reform.

Seobyeong-su, head of the PPPPC, told reporters at the National Assembly, "There will be no penalties for those who do not attend," adding, "We are urging attendance even before the official registration of party primary candidates."

However, Jang Je-won, chief of the comprehensive situation room for the Yoon Seok-yeol campaign, told reporters, "I will listen to the principles and criteria for selecting attendees and the topics to be discussed," thus withholding participation.

The Choi Jae-hyung campaign stated, "If it is an official event hosted by the party, attendance is inevitable," but inside the campaign, there are reactions like, "I have to go buy soccer shoes now, so what if they suddenly ask me to play in a soccer match?" It is reported that the PPPPC initially planned to hold the first debate on the 12th but postponed it to the 18th due to opposition from the campaigns.

Former Jeju Governor Won Hee-ryong posted on his social media on the 11th, "Yesterday, I stated that Lee Jun-seok should focus on his original duties and that the PPPPC should not overreach, but the PPPPC immediately unilaterally announced the primary schedule and methods," criticizing, "Their arbitrariness crossed the line."

This appears to be a response to Lee Jun-seok's criticism of former Governor Won on the 10th regarding the PPPPC's overreach, when Lee asked, "Will you act as both candidate and referee?"

Representative Lee Jun-seok and Supreme Council Member Kim Jae-won (from left). / Photo by Yonhap News

Meanwhile, on the 6th, Representative Jeong Jin-seok, classified as pro-Yoon (pro-Yoon Seok-yeol), likened former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol, who leads in approval ratings, to a dolphin, and other candidates to mackerel and anchovies, saying, "Anchovies, mackerel, and dolphins have different growth conditions and must absorb nutrients where they can grow well."

On the 11th, Lee Jun-seok wrote, "It's not about suppressing the dolphin, but giving mackerel and anchovies a fair chance to present their policies and views to the public and party members," adding, "I hope there are bright and positive wild boars and meerkats around the candidates, not hyenas that incite power lust."

In response, Representative Jeong quoted former U.S. President Barack Obama, saying, "True real-world democracy is not about pushing others down but lifting them up to gain strength," and targeted Lee Jun-seok by saying, "That's really pitiful."

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