Democratic Party: "Yoon Obsessed with Dates, Talking Nonsense"... Indirect Reference to 'Shamanism Controversy' Amid TV Debate Cancellation

People Power Party's presidential candidate Yoon Seok-yeol is giving a greeting speech at the Jeju Election Countermeasures Committee Victory Resolution Rally held at Jeju Pacific Hotel in Jeju City on the afternoon of the 5th.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seoyoung Kwon] The Democratic Party of Korea indirectly referred to the so-called 'shamanism controversy' by pointing out that Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, showed an obsession with the date during the debate coordination process, saying, "There are all sorts of rumors circulating."

On the 6th, Cho Seung-rae, chief spokesperson of the Democratic Party's election campaign committee, stated in a briefing, "During the negotiation for the one-on-one debate with Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party's presidential candidate, the People Power Party agreed to hold the debate before the Lunar New Year holiday but stubbornly insisted on January 31, which is during the holiday, drawing criticism." Cho added, "It was very puzzling that the People Power Party seemed willing to endure such criticism as long as their preferred date was enforced."

Cho also explained, "In yesterday's practical meeting for the four-party debate invited by the Korea Journalists Association, they requested to change the already confirmed date of the 8th, citing Yoon's health and other reasons." He criticized, "They stubbornly refused the 8th, even if it meant taking responsibility and criticism for the cancellation of the four-party debate. It is so unusual and hard to believe that they themselves brought up the health issue of a presidential candidate, which is a political taboo."

Furthermore, Cho said, "Yoon was actively campaigning in Jeju at that time, so the People Power Party's attitude was very unreasonable," and pointed out, "If one is not curious about the reason for insisting on changing the date while publicly revealing the candidate's health issue, that would be the strange thing." He continued, "Yoon himself now needs to clearly resolve these questions that have become a matter of public interest," and urged, "Apologize for obsessing over the date and causing the presidential candidates' TV debate to be canceled again."

Earlier, during the practical coordination process for the debate, the People Power Party raised concerns about the bias of the host, the Korea Journalists Association, and the broadcaster JTBC, and reportedly requested a date change citing Yoon's health issues.

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