Supplementary Investigation Powers to 'Myung-Chung' Clash: Leadership Candidates Hold First TV Debate

[Anchor]

The first TV debate for the Democratic Party's leadership race has been held. The candidates engaged in a tense battle over issues such as the abolition of the prosecutors' supplementary investigation powers.

Reporter Park Jae-yeon has the details.

[Reporter]
At the first TV debate for the leadership candidates ahead of the August 17 Democratic Party National Convention,

Candidate Kim Min-seok presented himself as a stable state affairs partner for President Lee Jae-myung, Candidate Chung Cheong-rae emphasized strong reforms, and Candidate Song Young-gil highlighted the 2030 younger generation as they vied for party support.

Fierce clashes also broke out among the candidates.

Candidate Chung took issue with what he called a lukewarm commitment to reform, pointing out that when Candidate Kim served as prime minister in May, he neither proposed the full abolition of supplementary investigation powers to the party nor submitted a separate government bill. Candidate Kim refuted this, saying, "That is different from the facts."

[Chung Cheong-rae / Democratic Party Leadership Candidate : (If the Public Prosecution Office bill) had gone through as the original government draft, party members probably would have revolted. Also, you mentioned that Prime Minister Kim Min-seok requested this in May, but why did you bypass the party leader and floor leader?]

[Kim Min-seok / Democratic Party Leadership Candidate : Regarding the issue of supplementary investigation powers, I have personally maintained the principle of abolition all along, and when it was suggested to process the bill centered on abolishing supplementary investigation powers in May, I expressed the opinion that such a framework should be processed.]

On the other hand, Candidate Kim sharpened his tone over the so-called "Myung-Chung" clash and Candidate Chung's "no-comment" stance regarding critical remarks made by writer Rhyu Si-min against President Lee.

[Kim Min-seok / Democratic Party Leadership Candidate : Writer Rhyu Si-min referred to the president as the head of a mere group, which in fact insults the party, the state, and the president. Is a leadership or party leader who remains silent and says not a single word in such a situation really viable?]

[Chung Cheong-rae / Democratic Party Leadership Candidate : I hope we do not engage in stepping on the cross. I hope we do not do things like judging someone as pro-Lee if they curse at a certain person, or something else if they don't.]

Candidate Song emphasized that the 2030 generation must be able to make their voices heard within the Democratic Party.

[Song Young-gil / Democratic Party Leadership Candidate : I believe it is necessary to open our hearts to the 2030 generation and create a platform where they can decide and speak for themselves.]

Having concluded their first TV debate, the Democratic Party will begin its regional primary tour starting from the Chungcheong region the day after tomorrow (August 1), before selecting the final winner on August 17.

(Photo courtesy of MBC 100 Minute Debate)
(Video reporting: Shin Dong-hwan, Kim Yong-woo | Video editing: Wee Won-yang)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.