Sharp Exchanges After Debate... Ruling Party: "Yoon's Attitude Is Overbearing, Prosecutor Is a Naeburaengi"

Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party, Sim Sang-jung of the Justice Party, Ahn Cheol-soo of the People’s Party, and Yoon Seok-youl of the People Power Party, presidential election candidates (from left), are posing for a commemorative photo before the start of the 2022 presidential candidate invitation debate hosted by the Korea Journalists Association and jointly organized by six broadcasting companies at the Maeil Business Newspaper Media Center in Jung-gu, Seoul, on the 11th. Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers Group

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Seoyoung] On the 11th, the second presidential candidate invitation TV debate was held, and the camps of Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, and Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party presidential candidate, continued a sharp exchange of criticism over the debate results.

The Democratic Party pointed out Yoon's attitude during the debate. On the 12th, Park Chandae, the chief spokesperson of the Democratic Party's presidential campaign committee, said in a statement, "Yoon showed a consistently high-handed and arrogant attitude throughout the presidential candidate TV debate," adding, "His demeanor, as if interrogating a suspect in an interrogation room, reminded one of a prosecutor's investigation techniques." He also added, "(Yoon) consistently engaged in negative campaigning by presenting false information against other candidates and repeatedly lied or feigned ignorance when questioned about himself."

Spokesperson Park criticized, "What was even more ridiculous was that when he was at a loss for words during policy questions, he even said that such questions should not be asked." He emphasized, "Yoon's coercive tone when questioning candidate Lee and his refusal to answer questions when he felt uncomfortable are inappropriate," adding, "It is unacceptable behavior as candidates should sincerely respond to questions on behalf of the people."

Park further stated, "His attitude shows he does not care about the people, making it the worst verbal misconduct in the history of presidential candidate TV debates," and "There has never been such an arrogant candidate among past presidential candidates." He pointed out, "Yoon revealed his true nature as an unqualified candidate who refuses uncomfortable questions with a high-handed attitude to hide his incompetence from the public."

On the 12th, Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party candidate, said in a speech in the Chungcheong region, "(Yoon) said that a five-year term of power would attack the prosecutor," and questioned, "How dare a mere prosecutor say such things to an elected power?"

Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party, Sim Sang-jung of the Justice Party, Ahn Cheol-soo of the People’s Party, and Yoon Seok-youl of the People Power Party, presidential candidates (from left), are rehearsing before the start of the 2022 presidential candidate invitation debate hosted by the Korea Journalists Association and jointly organized by six broadcasting companies at the Maeil Business Newspaper Media Center in Jung-gu, Seoul, on the 11th. Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers Group

In response, the People Power Party rebutted that candidate Lee made false excuses. On the same day, Won Il-hee, spokesperson for the People Power Party's presidential campaign headquarters, said, "In yesterday's debate, candidate Lee made a sophistry that it was praiseworthy that Doosan changed the hospital site it bought for 7.3 billion won at a low price into commercial land and funneled thousands of billions of won in profits to Doosan. Do the people really see it that way?" raising doubts.

Spokesperson Won said, "Seongnam City and Seongnam FC have not provided any data on the flow of money and performance bonuses," and questioned, "Are they hiding it because it is a bribe disguised as a performance bonus?" He continued, "The deputy prosecutor investigating this suspicious fund clashed with superiors who obstructed the investigation and eventually resigned," urging, "However, the investigation is not over yet. The final recipient and flow of the funds must be clearly revealed even now."

Also, Choi Ji-hyun, senior deputy spokesperson of the People Power Party's presidential campaign headquarters, strongly criticized, "The Democratic Party hastily produced false negative campaigns after Kim Hye-kyung's embezzlement of public funds and official vehicles was exposed and after being one-sidedly overwhelmed in the TV debate." Regarding the allegations of preferential treatment related to candidate Lee's Baek Hyung-dong retaining wall apartment, he said, "They remain silent on such major crimes and power-type corruption but end up making false negative campaigns," emphasizing, "The people are watching. They will hold accountable for such double standards."

In addition, the People Party and the Justice Party also raised critical voices toward candidates Lee and Yoon. Hong Kyung-hee, spokesperson for the People Party's central campaign committee, pointed out in a statement, "As the debates continue, fatigue seems to be building due to the old-fashioned behavior of the two major party candidates," while Shim Sang-jung, the Justice Party presidential candidate, said at the 3rd launch of the Bulgicha (Inequality·Climate Crisis·Discrimination) support group, "The election has become very chaotic, mired in allegations against candidates and their families," and described it as "a regressive election where principles, values, and the spirit of the times have all disappeared."

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