Lee Jae-myung "Proposes One-on-One Meeting," Yoon Seok-yeol "Will Consider It Once" (Summary)

Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party presidential candidate (left), and Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate

[Asia Economy reporters Hyunju Lee and Chae-eun Koo] Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, proposed a one-on-one meeting with Yoon Seok-youl, the People Power Party presidential candidate, to which Yoon responded that he would first try to understand the intention. Meanwhile, in the first public opinion poll released after the presidential race between the two parties was confirmed, Yoon was shown to be significantly ahead of Lee.

On the morning of the 8th, during the Democratic Party Central Election Committee's opening remarks, Lee proposed the meeting, saying, "Even if we exclude areas of competition and debate, I hope we can quickly reach agreements on areas where consensus is possible and realize them in the regular National Assembly session." He added, "I also propose holding a policy debate forum about once a week where we can frequently compare and debate our philosophies, values, visions, policies, capabilities, and achievements."

Regarding this, Yoon, after visiting the Korea Constitutional Association, told reporters, "I don't exactly know what (a one-on-one meeting) means, and I heard about it briefly during my schedule, but I will think about it," and avoided giving a direct answer, saying, "I don't know the specific details well." The People Power Party side said, "We are open to the meeting itself," but remain suspicious, calling it a 'political show.' Earlier, Kim Ki-hyun, the floor leader of the People Power Party, said in a briefing on current issues, "We are always open to meeting," but added, "However, it should be a meeting that leads to some concrete results."

Meanwhile, in the presidential candidate preference poll released that morning, Yoon received 43.0%, significantly surpassing Lee, who received 31.2%, beyond the margin of error. Following were Ahn Cheol-soo, the People’s Party presidential candidate (4.7%), Sim Sang-jung, the Justice Party presidential candidate (3.7%), and Kim Dong-yeon, the preparatory committee chairman of the New Wave Party (1.4%) (Survey conducted by the Korean Social Opinion Institute (TSOI) from the 5th to 6th, targeting 1,009 people, using mobile phone virtual numbers (safe numbers) for wireless automated response, with a sampling error of ±3.1 percentage points at a 95% confidence level, and a response rate of 7.7%).

Coincidentally, the first weekday schedule after the completion of the ruling and opposition candidates was ‘winning the religious community’s favor’ for both candidates. Yoon visited Far East Broadcasting Company in Mapo-gu, Seoul at 7 a.m. that day to meet Pastor Kim Jang-hwan and had breakfast together. Lee also visited the Jogye Order and the Korea Christian Federation, marking his first visit to religious leaders since being selected as the Democratic Party presidential candidate.

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