Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, said on the 27th in response to criticism that "democracy has been lost within the party" that "the Democratic Party has changed to a member-centered democratic party unlike any in history" and that "it has become the most powerful ruling party."

Lee Jun-seok, candidate for the Reform Party (above), and Lee Jae-myung, candidate for the Democratic Party, engage in another heated debate over 'hotel economics' during a discussion on the 27th. /Courtesy of News1

During the TV debate on the 'political field' held at the MBC studio in Mapo-gu, Seoul, at 8 p.m. that day, Lee Jun-seok, the presidential candidate of the Reform Party, pointed out to Lee Jae-myung that "looking at the Democratic Party, democracy has been lost within the party" and said, "When this candidate was convicted, the Democratic Party's constitution that states that party officials shall be suspended from duty upon indictment was deleted."

In response, Lee Jae-myung stated, "The Democratic Party has transformed into a member-centered democratic party unlike any in history, and has become a strong and capable party," adding, "It has achieved the greatest opposition victory in South Korean political history and has become the most powerful ruling party."

He then retorted, "Rather than talking about other parties, talk about the Reform Party," and added, "Didn't you take coercive measures against former Reform Party leader Her Eun-a? Also, wasn't former lawmaker Kim Yong-nam a part of the Reform Party?"

Lee Jae-myung also pointed out to Lee Jun-seok, "I understand that you have been accused of corruption regarding the use of party funds," and said, "I hope you will consider that as well."

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