“Where is Korean politics headed in 2025?” The ‘New Year Debate’ returns after four years. JTBC announced on the 26th that it will broadcast the ‘New Year Debate’ on January 2nd at 7:50 PM, marking its return to viewers since 2021.
The discussion topic is ‘New Year Special Grand Debate, Where is Korean Politics Headed in 2025.’ The production team stated, “We plan to hold a heated discussion on the political situation brought about by the 12/3 martial law.” The debate will examine the causes of the political events that led from illegal martial law to impeachment proceedings.
Additionally, it will analyze the past two and a half years of the Yoon Suk-yeol administration and cover topics such as the possibility of impeachment and an early presidential election, political reform, and prosecutorial reform.
Four participants will join the debate. Representative Jeong Seong-ho of the Democratic Party and former Chief of Staff to the President, Lee Cheol-hee, will participate. On the opposing side, Park Hyung-joon, the Mayor of Busan, and Lee Jun-seok, a member of the Reform New Party, will appear.
Representative Jeong Seong-ho is a five-term lawmaker, recognized as a close associate of Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung and regarded as a rational progressive figure. The remaining three debaters have been active members of JTBC’s current affairs talk show ‘Ssulzun.’
The production team stated, “Mayor Park Hyung-joon is noted for his rational analysis, former Chief Lee Cheol-hee is known for his critical perspective that crosses party lines, and Representative Lee Jun-seok will participate in the debate based on his experience standing at odds with President Yoon.”
Anchor Oh Dae-young will host the show. Oh has been the anchor of ‘Newsroom’ from 2021 to 2022 and is currently hosting his political talk show, ‘Oh Dae-young Live,’ since last May. Anchor Lee Su-jin will also participate in the ‘New Year Debate.’
Additionally, 70 audience members, including university students involved in debate clubs, will join to pose sharp questions in the studio. The ‘New Year Debate’ will air at 7:50 PM on January 2nd next year.
<Photo courtesy of JTBC>
