Staying with the first televised debate for the upcoming election.
Four main candidates clashed over the housing market, national security, and other state
affairs.
But they did see eye to eye on one thing: the need to reform the national pension system.
Lee Kyung-eun brings the highlights from that session.
On stage for the first televised presidential debate on Thursday night were... Lee Jae-myung
of the ruling Democratic Party, Yoon Suk-yeol of the main opposition People Power Party,
Sim Sang-jung of the Justice Party, and Ahn Cheol-soo of the People's Party.
The first topic was the country's housing market.
But all four candidates laid out different solutions to cool down the overheated house
prices.
"A major housing supply boost will be the top priority."
"Easing mortgage regulations will come first."
"The first step should be to maintain this downward trend in terms of house prices."
. "With an increase in supply, more people will
be able to buy a house."
But things heated up over a controversial land development scandal in Daejang-dong.
The development project was co-run by Seongnam city,... but resulted in massive profits for
a small private company....
instead.
Yoon Suk-yeol slammed Lee Jae-myung for his responsibility, as he was the Seongnam city
mayor at the time.
"Isn't this the fault of the chief planner who did not put a cap on how much profit the
investors could make?"
"I retrieved all of the development profits.
Around 580 bil.
won (USD 484 mil.) was returned to the city's coffers.
In response to repeated attacks, Lee hit back,... with accusations of his own... for the former
Prosecutor-General.
"Have you thought about why you didn't go after the lending scandal?"
"He keeps talking about other things to dodge my questions."
But the Daejang-dong talk didn't stop there...
with the other two candidates having their say too.
"You must address yourself whether you are an accomplice of this land speculation scandal
or an ignorant mayor who was used."
"The massive profits actually belong to the residents of Seongnam city, thus must be returned
to them."
"It would not be wise to explain what's already been cleared by a government audit, an investigation,
as well as by the media."
The session became Lee versus the three others, all making joint attacks.
Candidates were also divided over diplomacy and national security.
Two candidates from the liberal bloc Lee Jae-myung and Sim Sang-jung addressed Yoon's recent
pledge to ramp up the country's deterrence against North Korea.
"THAAD targets high-altitude missiles, which don't have any relevance to the capital region.
Why would you mess up the economy by triggering a retaliation from China again by setting
this up?"
"Declaring a preemptive strike means starting a war.
If a military commander does that, it's defense populism.
But if a presidential candidate does that, it only amplifies a sense of fear."
"By the time we use a kill-chain preemptive strike, we would technically already be at
war.
It will only be initiated when a missile attack is detected.
It's different from making a first attack when there's no threat."
While Yoon defended his stance, the conservative bloc's candidate Ahn Cheol-soo took went on
the offensive towards Lee Jae-myung.
Ahn targeted Lee's support for three no's in the current administration's China policy
no to additional THAAD, no to a joint military alliance with the U.S. and Japan, and no to
the U.S.-led Missile Defense system.
"Those three no's are very problematic.
It's to a point where South Korea cannot exercise its sovereignty."
"A cautious approach is needed as South Korea cannot disregard its trade dependence on China.
Despite fiercely debating over different topics, the four candidates were eye to eye on one,
single topic a reform of the national pension system.
Ahn said the national pension is running out of funds and is increasing the tax burden
for the next generation.
"I propose all four of us issue a joint statement that declares that whoever gets elected will
push through with a national pension reform."
All candidates agreed on such a pledge, but it remains to be seen what detailed plans
will be put forward.
The four candidates are legally obliged to participate in at least three more debates...
which will be begin after candidacy registration on February 12th and 13th.
Lee Kyung-eun, Arirang News.