Lee Jae-myung, Kim Dong-yeon, and Kim Kyung-soo's First TV Debate Today... Expected Clash Over 'Constitutional Amendment, Tax Increase, AI'

Presidential candidates from the Democratic Party, Lee Jae-myung, Kim Kyung-soo, and Kim Dong-yeon, will hold their first TV debate on the 18th.

The Democratic Party announced that the party's presidential primary candidates' debate will take place at 8:30 PM at MBC Sangam Studio. The three candidates plan to present their prepared pledges and visions across various fields such as politics, economy, diplomacy and security, and society during approximately 80 minutes of policy competition.

As the primary race intensifies, with each candidate proposing pledges such as economic revitalization through artificial intelligence (AI) investment and relocating the administrative capital to Sejong City, it is expected that debates related to these topics will be particularly prominent during the debate.

The camp of former Gyeongnam Governor Kim Kyung-soo said in a phone interview, "Since the relocation of the administrative capital to Sejong City was emphasized the most in terms of the national overall governance framework through five mega-city autonomous governments by region and diversification of growth axes outside Seoul, these issues will likely be treated as key agenda items in the debate."

Democratic Party presidential primary candidates former leader Lee Jae-myung (from left), former Gyeongnam Governor Kim Kyung-soo, and Gyeonggi Governor Kim Dong-yeon are taking a commemorative photo after signing the pledge at the Fair Election Practice Pledge Ceremony held at the National Assembly on the 16th. 2025.4.16 Photo by Kim Hyun-min

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While all three candidates agreed on relocating the administrative capital to Sejong City, there were some differences regarding the timing of the move. Former Governor Kim previously stated, "It is right to establish simultaneous offices in Seoul and Sejong as soon as possible and relocate the administrative capital." Former party leader Lee Jae-myung pledged to build the National Assembly Sejong Chamber and the Presidential Sejong Office within his term if elected.

Gyeonggi Governor Kim Dong-yeon differentiated his stance by saying, "The Presidential Office will move to Sejong immediately after the election so that work can begin, and naturally, the National Assembly will relocate as soon as possible," adding, "Judicial institutions such as the Supreme Court and the Supreme Prosecutors' Office will be relocated to Cheongju, Chungbuk."

Tensions are also expected regarding tax policy. Former leader Lee proposed as his first pledge a '100 trillion won investment in the AI industry,' suggesting tax benefits through a sovereign wealth fund. Meanwhile, former Governor Kim, who also pledged a 100 trillion won AI investment, mentioned a tax increase policy, stating, "We will raise the tax burden rate from 17% to over 22% to secure funding." The three candidates plan to minimize other schedules on the day and focus on preparing for the TV debate.

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