Kim Moon-soo and Han Dong-hoon, candidates for the People Power Party presidential primary, engaged in a heated exchange on the 30th by pointing out the flaws in each other's key policy pledges, including "allowing investments in virtual assets by the National Pension Service," "creating five mega cities," and "expanding the GTX nationwide."
Ahead of the final round, the third primary debate, organized by TV Chosun, did not have a set topic, but the two candidates focused on verifying each other's policies rather than launching negative attacks.
Candidate Han pointed out that the policy of allowing investments in virtual assets by the National Pension Service proposed by candidate Kim carries risks due to the high volatility of virtual assets.
He asked, “The National Pension Service should be managed conservatively, sustainability is also important, and excessive losses should be avoided. What do you think about the risks of allowing the National Pension Service to invest directly in virtual assets?”
Candidate Kim responded, “There is certainly a risk,” adding, “That is why we are implementing stabilization measures.” He also explained, “Our party's pledge is to institutionalize corporate and institutional investments in virtual assets, aiming for 3,500 corporate investors to participate within this year.”
In response, candidate Han rebutted, “The investments made by the National Pension Service are different.” He stated, “I understand allowing the physical exchange-traded funds for institutional investments, but we need to rethink the idea of allowing the National Pension Service to invest directly.”
Candidate Han also noted that many small business owners are concerned about candidate Kim's labor protection policy to expand the application of the Labor Standards Act to businesses with fewer than five employees. He continued, “I tell small business owners not to worry, as there will not be a drastic expansion of the application of the Labor Standards Act to businesses with fewer than five employees and we will proceed conservatively after conducting a fact-finding survey.” Candidate Kim responded, “We aim to do it gradually.”
Candidate Kim reiterated his previous point made during the "four-person debate" that candidate Han's pledge to create five mega cities within two years is unrealistic. He criticized, “Urban planning takes considerable time. If you don't take into account the time required, the pledge becomes a mere empty promise.”
Candidate Han replied, “When you (candidate Kim) were the governor of Gyeonggi Province, you tried to invest in a specific area, and that's what I intend to do. I’m proposing to reduce regulations, so I don’t understand why you say it’s unrealistic.”
He then countered by bringing up candidate Kim's pledge for nationwide expansion of the GTX, criticizing, “Is this a feasible plan for securing funding? The nationwide GTX expansion seems even less realistic.”