Yoon Seok-yeol "Hopes to Have One-on-One Debate with Lee Jae-myung... Will Participate in Four-Way Debate if Agreed" (Comprehensive)

Yoon: "Let's Have a One-on-One Debate Agreed with Lee Jae-myung First"
People Power Party to Skip 3-Person Debate on 31st

Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, is attending and speaking at the "What is the Direction of Digital Innovation for the Next President?" venture and ICT innovation strategy forum held on the 28th at Nurikum Square in Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, hosted by the Innovation Venture Organizations Council. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] The People Power Party has expressed willingness to hold a multi-candidate debate among four candidates on February 3 if Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, agrees to a one-on-one TV debate during the Lunar New Year holiday period.

Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party presidential candidate, told reporters on the 28th after attending a venture and ICT innovation strategy forum in Mapo-gu, Seoul, "Lee's side has repeatedly proposed a one-on-one debate since the end of last year, so my hope is to have a one-on-one debate," adding, "We will also hold a four-candidate debate as soon as it is agreed upon."

He explained, "Since it is difficult to hold the debate in a public broadcasting studio by court order, we suggest holding the debate in places like the National Assembly conference room, with the media fully open," and added, "The current four-candidate debate is held by invitation from the public broadcasting studio, so that will proceed as is, but we propose to first hold the agreed one-on-one debate."

Earlier, Seong Il-jong, a member of the People Power Party’s TV debate negotiation team, held a press conference at the central party office in Yeouido, Seoul, and stated, "Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, should accept a one-on-one debate between 7 PM and 9 PM on January 31," and "We propose holding a four-candidate debate hosted by the three major broadcasters on February 3."

The negotiation team added a proviso, "However, the one-on-one debate at 7 PM on January 31 takes priority." They explained, "Candidate Yoon has many questions he wants to ask Lee on behalf of the people. This proposal is made with serious consideration of serving the people during the COVID-19 situation."

They continued, "In the COVID-19 situation, debates are the best way to reach the people during the election campaign," and said, "Candidate Yoon proposes unlimited one-on-one debates and will also actively participate in the four-candidate debate."

Regarding the proposal to hold the four-candidate debate on February 3, Seong said, "This is what Candidate Yoon directly stated, and the request for unlimited one-on-one debates to Candidate Lee also reflects the candidate’s intention."

He firmly stated that if the one-on-one debate with the Democratic Party on the 31st is not agreed upon and the multi-candidate debate proceeds, the People Power Party will not participate in the debate.

Seong emphasized the importance of the one-on-one debate, saying, "Among the two parties’ candidates (Lee and Yoon), the national leader will emerge. Given all current data and conditions, it seems that the people want a one-on-one debate."

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