Kim Moon-soo, the People Power Party presidential candidate, attacked during the last TV debate on the 27th, noting that associates of Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party of Korea presidential candidate, are under investigation for various corruption allegations, stating, "The upper water must be clear for the lower water to be clear." In response, Lee said it was "a completely unfounded one-sided claim," countering that a close associate of Kim had also received illegal political funds.
During the debate held at 8 p.m. on the day at the MBC studio in Mapo-gu, Seoul, in the debate segment concerning pledges about 'political reform and constitutional amendment,' Kim focused most of the time allocated to him on the allegations of corruption involving Lee Jae-myung and his associates.
He pointed out, "Lee Jae-myung is facing five trials and there has been a tragedy where many people around him have died. (Lee) has only served as the mayor of Seongnam and governor of Gyeonggi Province, yet this is the extent of it," adding, "How can someone like this become president and manage various national development projects and businesses?"
He continued, "(Lee) has made Gyeonggi Province and Seongnam City quite corrupt," adding, "The movie 'Asura' perfectly symbolizes Seongnam City." He even mentioned the contents of the will of Jeon Hyeong-soo, a former secretary to the Gyeonggi governor.
In response, Lee said, "It is a completely unfounded one-sided claim," asserting, "The prosecution is harshly conducting coercive investigations to create cases that do not exist, which led to the suffering of those people." He further challenged, "Present even a single concrete piece of evidence that I have committed corruption," stating, "I have never met with any supplier, nor have they treated me to a cup of coffee."
Kim mentioned the allegations regarding the misuse of corporate cards by Lee's spouse, Kim Hye-kyung, and the allegations of money sent to North Korea, stating, "The upper water must be clear for the lower water to be clear," emphasizing, "If someone like this becomes president, what will happen to the country?" Notably, he added that former Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yon had supported him, saying, "How much must this former prime minister support me for him to say that?"
In response, Lee said, "They are trying to smear me with a corruption image," noting, "A very close person in Kim's camp was punished for supposedly receiving illegal funds four or three times." He added, "Wasn't he spared punishment because he claimed he didn't know?" questioning, "According to Kim's assertion, shouldn't he naturally be held responsible based on joint liability? Why should I be held accountable for something I don't even know about?"
Kim stated, "If I had any problems, I would have been punished," before handing over the speaking rights to Lee Jun-seok, a candidate from the Reform Party, asking, "What do you think about this issue?"
Lee Jun-seok remarked, "In reality, there are many issues with Lee Jae-myung," and added, "Since Lee asked, 'If my associates have problems, does that mean I have issues too?' if problems arise among his associates, he will be hit with the same logic. It seems like a hasty remark."