On the 27th, Lee Jun-seok, candidate of the Reform Party, and Lee Jae-myung, candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, engaged in another verbal dispute over 'hotel economics.'
Candidate Lee Jun-seok criticized candidate Lee Jae-myung for questioning the source and ideological background of the 'Lucas critique' that he cited while explaining economic theories, demanding an apology before the public.
During the third TV debate among candidates for the 21st presidential election, candidate Lee Jun-seok asked, 'Do you know that the person you mentioned to defend hotel economics, Lee Jae-myung, was the editor of a German communist party's publication?' and criticized, 'It is inappropriate to introduce a communist philosopher as an economic theory to the public.'
He then asked, 'Does this candidate intend to apologize for the incorrect explanation?'
In response, candidate Lee Jae-myung argued, 'Do not apply a north-above frame to demonize me,' and noted, 'This example is merely a classical economic flow cited in a Bank of Korea booklet, and I have no interest in the critique's ideology.' He further stated, 'Distorting parts without seeing the overall context and exaggerating is not true debate.'
Candidate Lee Jun-seok pointed out, 'This candidate, while attempting to teach others during the debate, actually introduced a figure without knowing their background,' and added, 'With this attitude, the public cannot make a proper evaluation.' He proposed, 'To help the public understand better, I suggest an additional debate.'
Candidate Lee Jae-myung replied, 'I will think about it slowly,' avoiding direct answers. Since the presidential election is only a week away, this is interpreted as a refusal.