Jeong Cheong-rae and Park Chan-dae "Invite Kim Jong-un to APEC... Presidential Decision on Cho Kuk's Pardon"

[Financial News] Jeong Cheong-rae and Park Chan-dae, members of the Democratic Party running for the next party leader, emphasized 'clarity' in the 3rd broadcast debate on the 29th. They particularly put 'reform' and 'end of civil war' at the forefront. Regarding the 'Liberation Day pardon theory' for former leader Cho Kuk of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party raised by some in the ruling party, they stated, "We must respect the president's judgment."
Representative Jeong, at the 3rd TV debate held at MBC in Mapo-gu, Seoul, responded to the question "Will you recommend a special pardon for former leader Cho to the president if you become the ruling party leader?" by saying, "A special pardon is a very sensitive issue and the president's exclusive authority," and added, "Although I previously supported former leader Cho from a comradely perspective, as a party leader who will hold a responsible and heavy position, it is not right to comment on the sensitive exclusive authority of the president." He continued, "Wouldn't President Lee Jae-myung carefully consider and judge well? I respect that judgment."
Representative Park also stated, "The right to pardon is the president's exclusive authority, and it is not appropriate to express a position in advance as a party leader candidate." He emphasized, "We must fully respect the position of the personnel authority and pardon authority, and we should restrain our opinions."
When the moderator asked whether North Korean Chairman Kim Jong-un should be invited to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit to be held in Gyeongju, Gyeongbuk in October, both candidates answered "Yes."
Representative Jeong said, "Inter-Korean relations should continue to meet and attempt dialogue to lower the 38th parallel in our hearts," and added, "It would be great if U.S. President Donald Trump could come, but if he can't make it to Gyeongju, a meeting at Panmunjom should be arranged." Representative Park also mentioned, "Whether Chairman Kim will come or not is not for us to question, but we should naturally invite him. Inter-Korean relations should be approached with patience and dialogue should be attempted," and added, "We should knock to the extent of questioning whether it is necessary to go this far. Korea should knock more actively to avoid being passed over in inter-Korean issues."
Regarding Korea-Japan relations, they commonly stated, "To normalize Korea-Japan relations, historical issues must be resolved first." Additionally, regarding prosecutorial, media, and judicial reforms, they emphasized that if the People Power Party opposes the bill, it will be passed through a ruling party-led vote.
Both candidates also stated that they basically agree with the introduction of stable coins but should complement the side effects.
cjk@fnnews.com Choi Jong-geun Reporter