Kim criticized Park, stating, "Last year, you said the integration was hasty and unlikely to succeed. Did you change your position only after President Lee Jae-myung suggested it?"
In response, Park argued, "You were the one who initially advocated for administrative integration. When the government and the Democratic Party shifted to a supportive stance, you completely reversed your position. It’s like walking away from the table because the side dishes are insufficient." He added, "My stance hasn’t changed; the conditions have changed. With the Lee Jae-myung administration expressing a willingness to transfer financial resources and authority, now is the golden time for integration."
The candidates also questioned each other on the feasibility and specifics of their campaign promises regarding the use of the Seonghwan Horse Racing Track, plans for areas affected by the closure of coal-fired power plants, and the power demands of AI data centers. However, as the debate progressed, the focus shifted from policy issues to personal histories and allegations against each candidate.
Kim brought up Park's involvement with the UN Habitat Korea Committee, stating, "Although the investigation concluded without charges after several years, there are still aspects that are hard to understand. You claim it was a politically motivated investigation by the Yoon Suk-yeol administration, but isn’t it true that a fellow party member, the National Assembly Secretary-General, canceled the corporate registration and referred the case for investigation?"
Park countered, asserting, "I bear no legal or moral responsibility. I have never received a single won in salary or even a credit card from that organization; in fact, I invested a lot of my own resources. I have endured significant pain and suffering over the past three years due to this issue, and now the People Power Party is bringing it up again while in power."
The candidates also clashed over the proposed special law for the dismissal of charges. Kim accused Park of supporting the law, suggesting that it raises suspicions that the president is trying to eliminate his own legal troubles during his term.
Park responded, "Before questioning the dismissal of charges, you should first address the issue of fabricated charges. If there were indeed fabricated charges by the prosecution, I maintain my belief that dismissing those charges is just."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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