Candidates Jung Cheong-rae and Park Chan-dae, running as representatives of the Democratic Party of Korea, raised their voices in unison on the 27th during the second TV debate, stating that the import of beef over 30 months old must be stopped.
Representative Jung Cheong-rae noted during the Democratic Party of Korea's candidate invitation debate held at KBS in Yeouido, Seoul, in the afternoon, that "the area that must be the bottom line in the (Korea-U.S. tariff negotiations) is the import of beef over 30 months old," adding, "This is extremely unfavorable to farmers and livestock producers, and I hope it is protected by the Lee Jae-myung government."
Currently, the import of U.S. beef is only permitted for cattle slaughtered at under 30 months of age. After the mad cow disease crisis in the early 2000s, a limit on the import age was established through an agreement between Korea and the U.S. in 2008. Since then, all seven instances of mad cow disease in the U.S. involved cattle over 30 months old.
Representative Park Chan-dae also stated, "The 30-month age limit touches on the public's sentiments related to mad cow disease," adding, "While I will conduct diplomatic negotiations for national interests, it is vital to embody the feelings of the sovereign people in the negotiations."
The two candidates issued strong messages regarding the relationship with the opposition, competing for clarity. In response to a question about who among the candidates for the People Power Party party leader would be the best fit, Representative Jung answered, "No one. Eradicating insurrection is a priority over collaboration," referring to the 2013 Unified Progressive Party incident. He said, "The Unified Progressive Party was dissolved on charges of insurrection conspiracy, and five members had their seats revoked." He added, "Compared to that, the People Power Party, to which Yoon Suk-yeol belongs, is 100 times, 1,000 times more serious and grave in terms of allegations," as he mentioned the dissolution of the People Power Party.
Representative Park also replied, "There will be absolutely no collaboration, compromise, or transaction with the insurrection forces." In his opening remarks, he stated, "I am the shield blocking insurrection, the sword opening the path of reform, Park Chan-dae," adding that he has proposed a special law to terminate insurrection and is fighting alongside the public against the expulsion resolution regarding the human shield defending the residence of former President Yoon Suk-yeol, the "Eulsa Five Disciples," and the request for investigation into Judge Ji Gwi-yeon.
The Democratic Party of Korea plans to hold its third TV debate on the 29th and will hold a convention to elect the next party leader at Kintex in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, on the 2nd of next month.