Kim Min-seok, Chung Chin-rae Clash Over 'Anti-Lee Jae-myung' vs. 'Traitor' Labels

The second TV debate for the Democratic Party leadership candidates was held on the afternoon of August 5th at the Korea Broadcasting System (KBS) studio in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, with candidates Song Young-gil, Chung Chin-rae, and Kim Min-seok in attendance. Ahead of the party convention, the debate served as a platform to highlight the candidates' tensions and policy differences, with fierce verbal sparring over party-government relations, allegations of Shincheonji's interference, and the issue of single-item leverage products.

Kim Min-seok opened fire early in the debate, criticizing Chung Chin-rae for 'self-serving politics.' Kim argued, "The unfounded criticism that the president lacks the will for prosecution reform, and the fact that [Chung] did not refute it even once, is precisely anti-Lee Jae-myung divisiveness," framing Chung as 'anti-Lee Jae-myung.'

In response, Chung Chin-rae brought up Kim Min-seok's departure from the party in 2002, questioning, "Wasn't your move to Chung Mong-joon a betrayal?" He also referenced Kim's past interview blaming the president for the defeat in the local elections four years prior, countering with the 'traitor' label.

The three candidates also clashed over Chung Chin-rae's announcement of 'election victory' after the June 3rd local elections. Subsequently, they continued their exchange with strong criticisms directed at each other regarding allegations of Shincheonji's interference in the primaries and the issue of single-item leverage products (products that generate profits or losses several times the fluctuations in the underlying asset's price).