A week ahead of the June 3 presidential election, the last TV debate held on the 27th saw Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party of Korea candidate, and Lee Jun-seok, the Reform Party candidate, clash over the controversy surrounding Lee Jae-myung's misuse of corporate credit cards. During the debate, Lee Jun-seok remarked to Lee Jae-myung, 'If you consumed fruits worth 28 million won, that would be 2.8 tons. Are you raising an elephant at home?' To which Lee Jae-myung retorted, 'I have neither used it (the corporate card) nor have I seen anyone use it. It's nonsense.'

Lee Jun-seok, candidate of the Reform Party (above), and Lee Jae-myung, candidate of the Democratic Party, engage in a debate over the 'Hotel Economics' on the 27th. /Courtesy of News1

During the power dynamics debate on the topic of 'politics' held at the MBC studio in Mapo District, Seoul, at 8 p.m. that day, the controversy surrounding Lee Jae-myung's misuse of corporate credit cards became a focal point.

Lee Jun-seok pointed out, 'Looking at the prosecution documents regarding the allegations of misuse of corporate credit cards against Lee Jae-myung, there was an interesting point. It states that from 2019 to 2021, about 27.91 million won worth of fruits were purchased using the corporate card, which, based on a standard of 10,000 won per kilogram, means that if 28 million won worth of fruits were consumed over two years, that would be 2.8 tons.' He continued, 'Are you raising an elephant at home? How did you pay for so much fruit using the corporate card?'

In response, Lee Jae-myung stated, 'So, this is what I call a nonsensical claim. I have neither used it nor have I seen anyone use it.' He added, 'It is said that there was a transaction of fruits conducted by the operational department, but how would I know about that? They charged me with embezzlement and given orders, but that is precisely a nonsensical indictment. There is not a single piece of evidence.'

Lee Jun-seok continued, 'Doesn't Lee Jae-myung show any willingness to go to trial? If this is a fabricated indictment, doesn't it mean he is confident in his innocence?' Lee Jae-myung responded, 'With so many indictments, it would take two years to hold a trial every day. The prosecution and the state have recklessly engaged in political oppression. Just because you have been indicted, that doesn't mean you are guilty or a suspect; that's just a method the People Power Party often employs, so please refrain from that.'

Lee Jun-seok criticized Lee Jae-myung, saying, 'Isn't he just avoiding the statement about not wanting to face trial?'