Social Conflict Resolution Debate, 'Chaos' Debate That Only Fuelled Conflicts

The second TV debate among presidential candidates, watched by the entire nation on the 23rd, has drawn criticism for significantly lowering the level of politics in South Korea.

"It was a debate lacking dignity," "the worst chaotic debate in history," "it was not a debate, but a hearing for Lee Jae-myung," "there was no social integration, only incitement of conflict," were amongst the evaluations that followed.

In the debate held under the theme of 'Overcoming Social Conflicts and Integration Plans,' concrete solutions for integration were hard to find.

Instead, a messy emotional fight and an unfortunate brawl unfolded among the candidates. The political reality, which shouted for social conflict resolution while being quick to undermine the opponent, was starkly revealed.

Disappointment spread among the public as the vision disappeared, leaving only a regressive political debate.

The arrogance belittling the opponent and the questions and answers that resembled a counterattack led viewers to frown, while some candidates focused solely on attacking their rivals, leaving policy verification in the background.

Unfocused 'Lee Jae-myung Hearing' under 2-to-1 Assault

Kim Mun-soo from the People Power Party and Lee Jun-seok from the Reform Party carried out an indiscriminate attack on Lee Jae-myung from the Democratic Party throughout the debate.

The two candidates, who saw a surge in their approval ratings following the first debate, attacked the candidate more vehemently in the second debate. This strategy seems aimed at expanding abstention votes from the moderate floating voters and consolidating the conservative base.

In contrast, Lee Jae-myung made occasional counterattacks but appeared somewhat flustered in the early stages of the debate due to the overwhelming assault. His unique 'cider remarks' were almost absent, with his focus leaning more on defense than on counteroffensive.

He did not hesitate to belittle his opponent. Candidate Kim Mun-soo accused him by saying, "Criminal, bulletproof Lee Jae-myung," while Lee Jun-seok loudly stated, "He's distorted. It's sophistry."

Debate Filled with Personal Attacks Instead of Policies

Candidate Kim Mun-soo revealed his 'fighting chicken' nature, which had developed since his labor movement days. Right from the start of the debate, he launched an operation to pour mud on Lee Jae-myung.

Kim focused not on substantial verification of policies and pledges but rather on exposing provocative past issues and legal risks related to Lee.

Moreover, he brought up past incidents, such as the time Lee was attacked with a weapon in Busan and was airlifted, making the debate reminiscent of a hearing for Lee Jae-myung rather than a political debate.

Kim Mun-soo sarcastically asked, "He says this is real South Korea, but wasn't everything before just fake South Korea? Is the one saying this a real virgin or a fake virgin? A real prosecutor or someone impersonating a prosecutor?"

Kim started with an attack on Lee Jae-myung and, in the end, blasted that if Lee became president, it would lead to a crisis for democracy, totalitarianism, and dictatorship.

Candidates' Exchanges and Clashes

Lee Jae-myung confronted Kim by asking about the relationship between Kim and Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon.

Lee launched an offensive by saying, "Did you not shed tears when Pastor Jeon went to prison?" and Kim retaliated, calling it "nonsense, a lie, and a recurrence of false facts."

When Lee mentioned that there is a video of him saying he had tears, Kim reacted, saying, "That falls under the crime of spreading falsehoods. If caught now, it's a recurrence, a repeated crime."

Lee Jun-seok continued to pour criticism toward Lee Jae-myung.

Addressing Lee Jae-myung, he stated, "In a world where a candidate who mocks citizens questioning his pseudo-hotel economic theory as fools dares to mention Roh Moo-hyun, I wonder where the true spirit of Roh Moo-hyun is. He demeaned himself as 'fool Roh Moo-hyun,' but he never despised the people as fools."

Lee Jun-seok also questioned Lee Jae-myung while accusing him of being pro-China. In response, Lee Jae-myung countered, saying, "You're young but old-fashioned," and "You make assumptions and distort the truth."

When Lee Jae-myung asked Lee Jun-seok about the possibility of unification with Kim Mun-soo, Lee Jun-seok replied, “I have stated several times that I am not interested in unification, without a single exception. It's what you fear inside your delusions."

Kwon Young-guk, the candidate from the Democratic Labor Party, pointed out that "Yoon Suk-yeol, who should be in prison, strolls the streets enjoying a documentary about conspiracy theories regarding the election, and Kim Mun-soo supports him, saying, 'Isn't it good to meet many people?' It is absurd and infuriating. In a world where division and injustice reign, how can we talk about integration?"

Kwon declared, "Yoon Suk-yeol must be arrested immediately," and added, "I will overturn inequality and discrimination to create a world where everyone can live as human beings."

After the debate, Lee Jae-myung commented, “I regret that there was more slander and defamation than policy debate."

Image source: Lee Jae-myung, Presidential Candidate of the Democratic Party / News1, News1, Lee Jun-seok, Presidential Candidate of the Reform Party / News1