With the ruling party’s leadership, the comment team’s suspicions, the special prosecutor’s dispute over Chae Sang-byeong… policy debates increase (comprehensive)

Mutual slander decreased compared to the last broadcast debate
Special Prosecutor’s Law Demanded by Democratic Party, All Opposed
Roh, Won, Yoon: “Demanding a special prosecutor is the right thing to do when the investigation is insufficient”
Korea: “The situation has changed with the proposal of a third-party special prosecutor law”

Candidates for the People Power Party leadership, Na Kyung-won, Won Hee-ryong, and Yoon Sang-hyun, rekindled their attacks on candidate Han Dong-hoon in a televised debate on the 16th, regarding the Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act and the suspicions surrounding the comment team. However, there was less slander than in the previous televised debate, where the candidates exchanged extreme language as they debated various policies, such as non-consensual adultery and foreign voting rights. It seems that they were conscious of the party leadership and the National Election Commission’s warning against excessive matadors, and the violence that occurred among supporters at the previous Daejeon-Sejong-Chungcheong joint speech.

When Won asked Han about whether he would accept the Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act during the 3rd People Power Party Representative Debate hosted by Channel A that afternoon, Han responded that the special prosecutor act proposed by the Democratic Party should absolutely not be accepted and that he “actively supports the president’s exercise of his veto.” When Won asked him again about the third-party special prosecutor act proposed by Han, Han responded, “In this current situation, considering public sentiment, we should present an alternative to that extent and send a message to the people that we are not passive and running away from veterans’ affairs and security issues,” and “I think the tables have turned because I presented a new alternative.” When Won asked him, “Shouldn’t Han, who has nothing to hide, also accept the Han Dong-hoon Special Prosecutor Act?” Han retorted, “Won is riding on the Democratic Party’s far-fetched claims. Rather, it is Won’s attitude that is the problem.”

Candidates Na Kyung-won and Yoon Sang-hyun said, “After reviewing the investigation by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials, if (the results of the investigation) are insufficient, we will volunteer for a special investigation,” and said that it is not the time to present an alternative. Candidate Won, who asked a question to candidate Han, also emphasized, “Whether it is the Democratic Party’s plan or a third-party plan, if a special investigation begins, it could lead to an investigation targeting the president,” and “It should be blocked from the start.”

Regarding the suspicions about the comment team raised by former Supreme Council member Jang Ye-chan, there was a situation where candidates Won and Yoon attacked candidate Han. Candidate Won said it was similar to the ‘Drew King incident’, and candidate Yoon asked if it would be better to get a special prosecutor and counterattack if he was honest. Candidate Han responded that it was similar to the logic of Democratic Party member Yang Moon-seok, and pointed out that it was “reckless.” When asked if he planned to sue former Supreme Council member Jang, he responded, “Isn’t candidate Won not suing or reporting the many lies he told me?”

Candidate Na repeatedly asked Candidate Han about the possibility of resigning midway in order to run for president. Candidate Na stated in relation to this, “According to the party constitution and rules, the leader must resign in September of next year in order to run for president. Are you going to resign in September of next year?” Candidate Han avoided giving a direct answer, saying, “I’m telling you that I will take care of my own affairs,” and laughed and responded, “Aren’t you taking my becoming the party leader too much as a done deal?” On the other hand, Candidate Na, who has declared that he will not run for president, indicated his intention not to run when the moderator asked, “Even if you do not run for president, will you run for mayor of Seoul?” by saying, “The term of office for the party leader this time is two years, which includes the local elections. I have to do a good job as the party leader this time.”

Policy verification also in full swing… Discussion on non-consensual adultery, foreign voting rights, etc.

Compared to the previous televised debates that clashed with political strife, the candidates continued their policy debates in a calm atmosphere. First, candidate Han asked about the non-consensual adultery crime and foreigner voting rights, which candidates Na and Won each mentioned as past proponents. Candidate Han pointed out to candidate Na, who proposed the non-consensual adultery crime in September 2018, that “there is a side effect of shifting the burden of proof from the prosecutor to the accused, and it can create many innocent people.” When he was the Minister of Justice, candidate Han withdrew the consent bill for the non-consensual adultery crime from the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family data.

Candidate Na explained, “I proposed the bill because I thought it would be right to propose a non-consensual sexual assault law in cases of (sexual assault) by force in relation to the ‘Ahn Hee-jung incident’ (at the time).” However, Candidate Na responded, “Non-consensual sexual assault law can create additional victims, and it can be supplemented with things like the Jessica Act,” and “After thinking about it again, I think it would be right not to maintain the non-consensual sexual assault law.” However, Candidate Na countered in his leading debate, saying, “It’s a topic that men in their 20s are most interested in in the community,” and “If you’re a leader, it would be good to talk about a big-picture bill.”

I asked Won, “Most foreigners who currently have the right to vote through the bill you proposed and passed (when you were a member of the National Assembly) are Chinese,” and “How did you propose the bill yourself?” His argument was that Koreans do not have the right to vote in China, but Chinese people can vote in Korea, which goes against the principle of reciprocity. Won responded that it was not a bill proposed by a representative, saying, “Since you need to fill 10 seats in the National Assembly to propose a bill, it ends up being done by members of the same party, like a sharing economy.” He continued, “It was a bill created mainly with Koreans in Japan in mind, but as issues with Chinese people’s participation in local autonomy arose, I also think seriously about the problems you pointed out,” and agreed with the candidate who said, “In particular, reciprocity with China must be corrected.”

Regarding the argument that foreign workers should be allowed an exception to the legal minimum wage, which candidate Na argued, one candidate expressed partial agreement with the application of industry-specific and regional minimum wage distinctions, but opposed the content that could lead to discrimination against foreign workers. Candidate Han asked, “We are a country that has ratified the International Labor Organization (ILO) anti-discrimination convention. How are we going to overcome this?” and “Are you saying that we will discriminate against wages?” Candidate Na responded, “It can be (resolved) through a private contract, and withdrawing from the ILO convention is very complicated, but there is a way to review this.”

There was also a discussion about the legalization of same-sex marriage and the anti-discrimination law. Candidate Won asked Candidate Han about his opinion on the legalization of same-sex marriage, and Candidate Han responded, “However, incorporating any system into the family system as a legal system complicates various rights and obligations and affects existing relationships. It should not be legislated at this stage.” Candidate Won also He opposed same-sex marriage, saying, “It is a problem of our human order before the family system.”

Regarding the enactment of the anti-discrimination law, one candidate said, “Everyone agrees that a democratic country should prohibit discrimination,” but dismissed it, saying, “If you look at the detailed regulations, they recognize the excessive authority of the National Human Rights Commission, impose rights and obligations, and stipulate criminal punishment, so it should not be passed at this stage.” Candidate Won also said, “Prohibiting the freedom to criticize on the grounds that it is an act of discrimination fundamentally violates the freedom of expression, which is very basic to our liberal democracy, so I believe that this kind of law should never be passed.”

<ⓒ투자가를 위한 경제콘텐츠 플랫폼, 아시아경제(www.asiae.co.kr) 무단전재 배포금지>