People Party: "People Power Party Shifts Blame for Breakdown... No Agreement on Debate for the 11th"

"People Power Party, Unaware That Sohn Seok-hee Is No Longer in Office"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Hyun-joo] On the 6th, the People’s Party stated that "the People Power Party is shifting the responsibility for the breakdown of the debate negotiations" and clarified that the TV debate on the 11th was never agreed upon.

In a statement released that day, the People’s Party said, "We inquired whether the schedule could be changed due to the pre-scheduled Kwanhoon Debate, but when the Press Association, broadcasters, and other parties expressed difficulties, we immediately accepted the 8th," explaining the situation.

Earlier, Seong Il-jong, head of the People Power Party’s TV debate negotiation team, issued a statement saying, "Candidate Yoon Seok-yeol coordinated other schedules and decided to participate in the debate on the 11th." Seong explained, "During the practical negotiation process, Candidate Ahn Cheol-soo’s side from the People’s Party inquired whether the debate could be postponed by a day or two due to the Kwanhoon Debate scheduled on the 8th, and the People Power Party accepted the 10th. Later, during schedule coordination with other parties, since the opinion that the 11th was better was expressed, Candidate Yoon adjusted other schedules and decided to participate in the debate on the 11th."

The People’s Party immediately pushed back. In their statement, they said, "The People Power Party insisted on revisiting the previously discussed topics of real estate and foreign security for the topic selection and suddenly raised concerns about the bias of the Press Association, requesting that the Press Association withdraw," adding, "Later, they mentioned the bias of JTBC President Sohn Suk-hee, but the People Power Party negotiation team present at the talks was unaware that President Sohn was no longer in office."

They also stated, "Afterwards, the People Power Party mentioned the debate date as the 10th due to Candidate Yoon’s health and condition issues, and when this was not accepted, they left the negotiation," criticizing, "Despite these facts, misleadingly suggesting that the People’s Party requested the date change is a very serious problem."

The People’s Party said, "During the schedule coordination process, our opinions were never sought," and demanded, "We request an apology from the People Power Party negotiation team for shifting responsibility with absurd claims."

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