Three candidates for the leadership of the Democratic Party of Korea engaged in a heated debate on various controversies surrounding the abolishment of supplementary investigative authority on July 29. The factional conflict between the pro-Lee Jae-myung and pro-Jung Cheong-rae camps was also highlighted.
During the MBC 100-Minute Debate, candidate Kim Min-seok stated, "If the relationship between the ruling party and the government is shaken, it can affect the country and President Lee Jae-myung can be destabilized. I will protect the party, the nation, and the people's livelihoods as a stable governance partner and a guarantee of electoral victory."
Candidate Jung Cheong-rae expressed his commitment to being a strong reformist leader, saying, "I will gather those who supported our party's four presidents together to make the Democratic Party true to its values." Candidate Song Young-gil shared his vision of the party as a ruling party that prioritizes the people's livelihoods amid falling stock prices and rising housing costs.
The candidates also displayed differing views on the proposed amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act, which includes the abolishment of supplementary investigative authority, recently passed by the National Assembly's Judiciary Committee. In response to Kim's question about whether the party had delayed the government's position on abolishing supplementary investigative authority, Jung pointedly asked, "Shouldn't requests be made to the party leader or the floor leader? Why was I bypassed?" Kim countered, "I have consistently advocated for the abolishment of supplementary investigative authority. I have never bypassed the party leader during the discussions. How could I bypass anyone in the discussions?"
When Song questioned why misunderstandings arose between the party and the government despite both candidates claiming to support the abolishment, Kim replied, "I see this as the essence of the ongoing conflict between the pro-Lee and pro-Jung factions. I have discussed the abolishment of supplementary investigative authority with the president and the government, yet Jung has continuously doubted my commitment to judicial reform."
The candidates also expressed differing opinions on factional politics, as tensions between the pro-Lee and pro-Jung factions within the Democratic Party have escalated. Kim remarked, "Jung has caused numerous conflicts recognized by the media over the past year. When writer Yoo Si-min insulted President Lee, he chose to remain silent." Jung retorted, "It is cruel to suggest that if someone criticizes, they are pro-Lee, and if they do not, they are not. Let's avoid such harsh judgments."
They also addressed recent controversies that arose during the campaign. Kim criticized the pro-Jung supporters for allegedly engaging in 'birthday coordinate targeting' to ensure the election of their preferred candidates, calling it "a blatant violation of party rules and old-fashioned politics." Jung countered that it was a voluntary action by party members, accusing Kim of wanting to select only those close to him for leadership positions, which he labeled as old-fashioned politics.
Additionally, there was an apology for a verbal misstep during the campaign. Jung asked, "Why did you call me a traitor and say I should be executed? Please refrain from using such harsh language," to which Song responded, "I didn't realize it was live and I apologize." The debate concluded with Kim emphasizing 'electoral victory,' Jung focusing on 'reform,' and Song highlighting the need to be 'a support for the people.'
* This article has been translated by AI.
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