Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party of Korea presidential candidate, and Kim Moon-soo, the People Power Party presidential candidate, engaged in a fierce debate on the 27th during the third TV debate regarding their relationship with former President Yoon Suk-yeol and the exercise of the power of pardon if elected.
During the debate held at 8 p.m. at the MBC studio in Mapo District, Seoul, the candidate criticized Kim, stating, "I see you as the very force of insurrection, a member, or at least a supporter of the insurgent forces," while discussing the campaign promises related to "political reform and constitutional amendments."
He continued, "You didn’t say a word about former President Yoon leaving the party or being expelled. Former President Yoon also mentioned, 'Help Kim get elected' when he left the party," adding, "Kim is Yoon Suk-yeol's avatar. If elected, the retired king, Yoon Suk-yeol, that is, the leader of the rebellion, will return. There are those who are worried about this."
Kim responded, saying, "That's completely unfounded," asserting, "Lee cannot escape the criticism that he is the chief of corruption, injustice, irregularities, and crime."
He further stated, "Everything is already presented in court, in the indictment or the judgment documents," and added, "What’s said about me is merely an assertion."
In response, Lee asked, "If you are elected president, will you pardon former President Yoon Suk-yeol if he is found guilty of insurrection in court?"
Kim replied, "The question of whether someone already on trial will be pardoned doesn’t even make sense and is not a valid question."
Kim then took a jab at Lee's judicial risks, asking, "If Lee becomes president, will he self-pardon for the five crimes he is currently being tried for?"
Lee responded, "It is theoretically impossible."