Lee has no reason to refuse a TV debate

In response to the proposal by the governing People Power Party (PPP)’s interim leader Han Dong-hoon to have a TV debate with Democratic Party (DP) leader Lee Jae-myung ahead of the April 10 parliamentary elections, Lee stressed the need for his meeting with President Yoon Suk Yeol first. In response, PPP leader Han once again pressed Lee to have a TV debate with him anytime, anywhere.

The two different reactions have their bases. Smooth-spoken Han wants to push Lee over his deepening judicial risks, and privatization of the DP — as clearly seen in the party’s tumultuous nomination process — throughout the debate since the voters’ support for the PPP has soared. But Lee wants to frame the election as a venue to punish the Yoon administration. So, if Lee accepts the debate with Han, the focus of the election will shift to a contest between the two.

To voters, a TV debate is a must. With only 35 days left before the election, they are sick and tired of all the news about the two major parties’ puzzling nominations of their candidates for the election. The two party leaders must have a heated debate over what they will do over the next four years if they become a majority.

Moreover, the PPP and the DP are two mainstream parties competing in the election. Han and Lee must have a TV debate to let the public know about their stances. Lee said, “In this election, media outlets are colluding to spread fake news.” If so, he can tell the truth in the debate.

If the TV debate is held, PPP leader Han can ask Lee if he really used his corporate card as Seongnam mayor and Gyeonggi governor for personal purposes and if he was aware of the suspicious remittance of $8 million to North Korea in return for favors. Han says he has plenty of questions. In turn, Lee can ask questions about the first lady’s mysterious acceptance of a luxury handbag from a pastor and about the alleged vertical relationship between the presidential office and the PPP.

Voters desperately want to listen to the two leaders’ plans to enact laws, their solutions to resolve the ongoing medical crisis, and their strategy to reform the labor, pension and education sectors if their party becomes the majority.

People desperately want to know their answers to those questions, but they cannot. So it would be best if they join a TV debate to clear all of the questions. If necessary, heads of minor parties, including the New Reform Party led by Lee Jun-seok, the former PPP leader, can participate in the debate. We hope for a productive TV debate soon.