Corruption Battle in Daejeon, Will the 2nd TV Debate Become the Fiercest Battleground?

A Nail-Biting Lee-Yoon Showdown Expected... Mutual Spouse Controversy Also Draws Attention

[Asia Economy Reporter Baek Kyunghwan] On the evening of the 11th, two days before the presidential election candidate registration day, a fierce battle is set to unfold between the ruling and opposition presidential candidates. Although this is the first four-person TV debate held eight days after the initial one, the table is already heated due to the recent remarks by Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party's presidential candidate, about 'investigating deep-rooted evils.' Unlike the first debate, which was more of a cautious exchange, a fierce confrontation is expected as the ongoing two-horse race with Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party continues.

Earlier, the ruling and opposition parties agreed through working-level consultations to set the debate topics as '2030 Youth Policies' and 'Evaluation of COVID-19 Quarantine Measures and Damage Compensation.' This clearly reflects both parties' election strategies, viewing the 2030 generation as the largest swing voters (undecided voters) in this election. Ultimately, the debate will serve as a time to verify the effectiveness of the youth housing and job policies proposed by candidates Lee and Yoon, making it highly likely that youth voter sentiment will be significantly influenced.

Regarding COVID-19 damage compensation, all four candidates are currently offering cash support packages. During the debate, the candidates' promises on financial support and loss compensation are expected to become more concrete, and differentiation strategies on funding sources will likely directly impact voter sentiment.

Considering that time has been allocated for a free-topic leadership debate and common questions from the media, a more intense confrontation than the relatively quiet first debate is anticipated. Above all, following the first debate, a week-long love call from the two major parties to former People Power Party election committee chairman Kim Jong-in and People's Party candidate Ahn Cheol-soo has begun. From the ruling party's perspective, variables such as the appearance of former leader Lee Nak-yeon and the aftershock of Kim Hye-kyung's apology have emerged.

The debate is expected to turn into a virtual battleground over Yoon's remarks about 'investigating deep-rooted evils of the previous administration' if he comes to power. Since sharp exchanges have occurred between President Moon Jae-in, the opposition, and opposition candidates, Yoon is likely to face concentrated attacks during the free debate. However, since Yoon has already attempted to defuse the situation by stating, "In my dictionary, there is no such word as political revenge," some moderation in tone is expected.

The spousal controversy, which was avoided in the first debate, may appear for the first time in this debate. With the controversy over excessive protocol intensifying and Kim herself issuing a direct apology, coupled with additional allegations of stock manipulation involving Yoon's spouse Kim Geon-hee, it is expected that this issue will be addressed in the interest of the public's right to know and to clarify suspicions.

In political circles, attention is focused on the 'chemistry' among candidates, including Ahn Cheol-soo and Sim Sang-jung of the Justice Party. Since both Lee and Yoon have hinted at the possibility of unification with Ahn, the reactions of the two major party candidates to Ahn's policies and remarks are also considered key points to watch in this debate.

Especially given that the support rates for Lee and Yoon remain neck and neck, this TV debate is expected to be a turning point for undecided voters. According to a Korea Gallup poll conducted nationwide from the 8th to the 10th among 1,001 adults aged 18 and over, Yoon's support rate was 37%, slightly ahead of Lee's 36%. Ahn and Sim showed support rates of 13% and 3%, respectively.

Other polls released the previous day also showed little difference: NBS (Lee Jae-myung 35% · Yoon Seok-yeol 35%), KBS (Lee Jae-myung 34% · Yoon Seok-yeol 37.7%), Kantar Korea (Lee Jae-myung 31.3% · Yoon Seok-yeol 41.2%). According to a poll commissioned by Seoul Economy and conducted by Kantar Korea on the 8th and 9th, 23.1% of respondents said they might change their preferred candidate after the second TV debate.

Political commentator Lee Jong-hoon said, "Conflicts between President Moon and candidate Yoon, the Kim Hye-kyung issue, and questions related to Daejang-dong are inevitable in the free debate," adding, "Although voters may have already decided on their preferred candidates, the debate results could influence not only support rates but the entire presidential election." Professor Choi Chang-ryeol of Yongin University's Department of Liberal Arts also noted, "Rather than intense policy discussions, the main focus will likely be on deep-rooted evils investigations and the Kim Hye-kyung issue," warning that "political reform discourse might not receive much attention."

Currently, each candidate is dividing their schedule to prepare for the debate. Lee canceled his scheduled attendance at the K-Culture Mentoring Group launch ceremony at 2 p.m. that day to focus on debate preparation. Yoon, except for a visit to Catholic University in Jongno-gu, Seoul, to meet Cardinal Yeom Soo-jung for advice in the morning, is also concentrating on debate preparation. Ahn and Sim have minimized their schedules as well.

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