Lee "Must Overcome Rebellion Through Voting"... Kim "Must Prevent Bulletproof Dictatorship" [Final Presidential Candidate TV Debate]

Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, and Kim Moon-soo, the People Power Party presidential candidate, clashed over the 12·3 martial law. They particularly debated whether martial law should be considered a rebellion.

Candidate Lee said at the 3rd presidential candidate debate for the 21st presidential election held at the MBC Sangam Media Center Public Hall in Mapo-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 27th, "The important task is to overcome rebellion," asking candidate Kim, "Most of the People Power Party did not participate in lifting the martial law. Should it have been lifted or not?"

In response, candidate Kim said, "I am fundamentally against martial law and have repeatedly suffered due to martial law during the Yushin era in 1972 and during the 5th Republic, I was a target of the Samcheong Education," adding, "I am absolutely against it, and the lifting of martial law should be immediate."

There was also a debate over Kim's lack of apology regarding martial law in the National Assembly. Candidate Lee asked, "Do you have no intention to apologize as a cabinet member in the National Assembly? You were the only one who did not stand up when asked to apologize," questioning, "Did you have no intention to apologize?"

Regarding this, candidate Kim responded, "It is violence to shout and demand an apology from all cabinet members in a mob trial style centered on the Democratic Party," adding, "That should not be done."

There was also a debate on whether former President Yoon Seok-yeol's martial law constituted a rebellion. Candidate Lee criticized, "(Candidate Kim) insisted it was not an act of rebellion," adding, "It was neither a wartime emergency nor did it follow procedures. It did not notify the National Assembly and invaded it."

Candidate Kim defined Lee's criticism as verbal violence, emphasizing the strict difference between martial law and rebellion. Candidate Kim explained, "Candidate Lee Jae-myung should have said the martial law was wrong, but he called it a rebellion from the start," adding, "To equate martial law with rebellion and to call it a rebellion accomplice is verbal violence."

There was also a confrontation between candidates Lee Jae-myung and Lee Jun-seok over participation in the National Assembly resolution to lift martial law. Candidate Lee Jun-seok attempted to enter the National Assembly after martial law but was unable to attend the resolution due to police obstruction. Candidate Lee Jae-myung said, "On the day of lifting martial law, the quorum was met, implying that they were arguing outside the National Assembly," adding, "It is not understandable to delay by going home to shower after drinking."

In response, candidate Lee Jun-seok explained, "I was close to the (National Assembly), and the claim that I did not intend to enter is false," adding, "It is recorded (on video) that I tried to enter."

Each candidate also presented opinions on national integration measures. Candidate Lee Jae-myung proposed restoring communication, dialogue, and cooperation for national integration. Candidate Lee explained, "Overcoming polarization and creating politics that compromise and coexist is the president's greatest duty," adding, "I will restore communication, dialogue, and cooperation. I will talk to and acknowledge the opposition party."

Candidate Kim promised to eliminate division. Candidate Kim emphasized, "There is a division through screams of 'if you're not on my side, you'll be punished' and 'pro-Myung, anti-Myung' policies," adding, "I, Kim Moon-soo, am about national integration in life itself."

For national integration, candidate Lee Jun-seok appealed to break old vested interests and make new choices. Candidate Lee Jun-seok said, "Please elect a president who speaks the truth, not one who lies," adding, "Choose overwhelming novelty, not old vested interests."

Regarding the significance of the early presidential election, candidate Lee Jae-myung focused on overcoming rebellion. Candidate Lee said, "Bullets are strong, but weaker than voting," adding, "Please participate in this election to restore national sovereignty and overcome rebellion."

Candidate Kim defined the election as one to prevent a bulletproof dictatorship. Candidate Kim said, "There is a saying 'a thief takes the police baton and beats the police.' There are many dictatorships in the world, but they usually claim to be for the people. I have never heard of a bulletproof dictatorship to protect a criminal."

Candidate Lee Jun-seok criticized both candidate Lee Jae-myung and candidate Kim, stating that both parties are no different from Yoon Seok-yeol. Candidate Lee Jun-seok said, "This election is to push out both the irrational forces that defend martial law and the populist forces that tempt with anti-principles, and to restore principles and common sense," adding, "We cannot fill the place left by the red Yoon Seok-yeol with a blue Yoon Seok-yeol."
syj@fnnews.com Seo Young-jun, Kim Hak-jae, Lee Hae-ram reporters