Gukhim TV Debate... Pro-Impeachment "Yoon Must Be Abandoned" vs Anti-Impeachment "Who Fights Better"

[Financial News] Five days before the People's Power Party's 8·22 National Convention, a TV debate was held on the 17th where party leader candidates clashed over issues such as former President Yoon Seok-yeol's martial law, impeachment, and special prosecutor's search and seizure. In particular, candidates for and against the 'severance with former President Yoon Seok-yeol' strongly confronted each other. Regarding the recent attempt by the Kim Geon-hee special prosecutor team to search and seize the People's Power Party's central office, they agreed it was "unjust," but engaged in fierce debates over "who is fighting better."
In the People's Power Party leader candidate debate held at KBS in Yeouido, Seoul on this day, when asked "what should be abandoned for the revival of the People's Power Party," the answers of the pro-impeachment and anti-impeachment candidates were clearly divided. Pro-impeachment candidates Ahn Cheol-soo and Cho Kyung-tae respectively pointed out 'former President Yoon' and 'martial law advocacy,' while Kim Moon-su and Jang Dong-hyuk agreed on 'division.'
First, pro-impeachment candidates believe that a definite severance from former President Yoon is necessary to recover the party's support rate, which has recently fallen to the 10% range, and to win next year's local elections. They also stated that minimal cooperation with the special prosecutor's investigation is necessary.
Candidate Ahn Cheol-soo emphasized, "The Constitutional Court unanimously ruled that martial law violated the constitution," adding, "Protecting this and maintaining the rule of law is the true path of conservatism." Regarding the special prosecutor's investigation, he pointed out, "Demanding the list of 5 million party members is not right," but also said, "We should quickly resolve the special prosecutor issue so that it does not affect next year's local elections. If there are criminal charges, they should be investigated."
Candidate Cho Kyung-tae criticized former President Yoon, saying, "He is a traitor who tried to destroy the People's Power Party and tarnish conservative values," and added, "The People's Power Party will survive only if we abandon former President Yoon." He mentioned that former President Yoon, during the past special prosecutor investigation targeting President Lee Jae-myung, said, "The one who refuses the special prosecutor is the criminal," and stated, "We should proceed with the three major special prosecutor investigations quickly so that there is no impact before the local elections."
Anti-impeachment candidates criticized the support for impeachment, which violated party policy, as "internal shooting." They competitively claimed they are "fighting properly" regarding blocking the special prosecutor's investigation.
Candidate Kim Moon-su emphasized his overnight protest at the central office for the fifth day, saying, "I will protect the party member list even at the cost of my life." Regarding the special prosecutor's investigation of former President Yoon, he pointed out, "Where is the human rights violation of handcuffing and ankle-bracing even during external medical treatment? This is not a civilized country but a barbaric one."
Candidate Jang Dong-hyuk emphasized, "Those who divided the party and are responsible for the presidential election defeat should take responsibility," and added, "We must unite the People's Power Party." He mentioned his recent one-man protest in front of the court and the special prosecutor's office, saying, "I am fighting in my own way and condemning the excessive investigation of the special prosecutor," and "I will take the lead in stopping the third-rate gangster politics power play of the Lee Jae-myung regime."
haeram@fnnews.com Lee Hae-ram Reporter