Presidential Election TV Debate: Kim Moon-soo and Lee Jae-myung Engage in 'Personal Attack' Duel

Kim Moon-soo, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, on the 23rd brought up the controversy surrounding Lee Jae-myung's verbal abuse towards his sister-in-law, stating, "How can he unite the country when he can't even manage his own family?" In response, Lee mentioned the controversy regarding Kim's misconduct towards firefighters, asserting, "You must not abuse your power."

During the social issue TV debate held that afternoon at the KBS studio in Yeouido, Seoul, Kim criticized Lee heavily, saying, "People are very concerned about someone who has destroyed the most basic human principles wanting to become president."

He pointed out, "He is the most corrupt person as a public official; from Daejang-dong to Baekhyeon-dong, using corporate cards and wearing bulletproof vests while completely enacting bulletproof legislation in the National Assembly."

Controversy Over Sister-in-Law's Abuse and Firefighter Misconduct

Kim challenged Lee regarding his family relations, claiming, "To become a leader and unify the people, wouldn't one need to be unified from their own household?"

He recounted, "I met his older brother because he kept insisting on seeing me, and when I wanted to send him to a mental hospital, we met."

He continued, "Didn't he try to forcibly commit his brother to a mental hospital when he was the mayor of Seongnam, leading to the argument with his sister-in-law?" He asked, "How can he educate the public and become a leader when he can't even manage his own family?"

In response, Lee stated, "The biggest factor hindering the unity of our society is the insurrection that destroyed our social community's highest norm—constitutional order."

He argued, "If we do not clarify the truth and hold accountable for the attempts to disregard the Constitution, violate human rights, and establish long-term rule or military rule, such events will continue to recur."

Apologies and Counterattack: The Debate Turns into a Mud-Slinging Match

Regarding the sister-in-law abuse controversy, Lee apologized, saying, "The issue regarding my brother's verbal abuse toward my mother became an issue, and I acknowledge my shortcomings and apologize." However, he quickly added, "But Kim has no right to speak on this matter; this is a private matter within my family, and if we talk about it, hasn't he also engaged in misconduct?"

Lee remarked, "What does it matter if I call a firefighter and say, 'I’m Kim Moon-soo'?" He criticized, "You must not abuse your power."

To this, Kim responded, "Lee Jae-myung won a seat in Ulsan Buk-gu through a joint nomination with the Progress Party; isn’t Lee Seok-ki a successor of the Justice Party? That is insurrection."

Kwon Yeong-guk, the Democratic Labor Party candidate, criticized both sides collectively, stating, "Indeed, the mud-slinging has begun," and particularly questioned Kim, "Are you now saying that the allegations of election fraud raised by Yoon Seok-yeol are justified?" To which Kim replied, "That is not a matter for me to answer; it is Yoon's claim regarding election fraud. I have never raised such issues myself."

Image source: Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party (from left), Kim Moon-soo of the People Power Party, Lee Jun-seok of the Reform Party, and Kwon Yeong-guk of the Democratic Labor Party posed for a commemorative photo before the second candidates debate for the 21st presidential election organized by the Central Election Broadcasting Debate Commission on May 23, 2025, at the KBS headquarters studio in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. News1, On May 23, 2025, before the candidates debate for the 21st presidential election organized by the Central Election Broadcasting Debate Commission, Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party, Kim Moon-soo of the People Power Party, Kwon Yeong-guk of the Democratic Labor Party, and Lee Jun-seok of the Reform Party posed for a commemorative photo at the KBS studio in Yeouido, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. News1, Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party (from left), Kim Moon-soo of the People Power Party, Lee Jun-seok of the Reform Party, and Kwon Yeong-guk of the Democratic Labor Party prepared for the second candidates debate for the 21st presidential election organized by the Central Election Broadcasting Debate Commission on May 23, 2025, at the KBS headquarters studio in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. News1.