Among the Democratic Party of Korea's preliminary candidates for Seoul mayor, candidates Chong Won-o, Chun Hyun-hee, Kim Hyeong-nam and Kim Young-bae said broadcaster Kim Ou-joon should apologize in connection with the "prosecution withdrawal transaction rumor." Candidate Park Ju-min said, "Judgment could differ depending on whether Kim Ou-joon knew that fact or not," and held up a "triangle."
The Democratic Party's preliminary candidates for Seoul mayor appeared on the second joint debate of the party's preliminary primary for Seoul mayor, broadcast live on JTBC's "Lee Ga-hyeok Live" and the party's official YouTube channel "Deli Minju" on the 20th.
The host asked, "The Democratic Party reported journalist Jang In-soo over the prosecution withdrawal transaction rumor. Does Kim Ou-joon also need to apologize?" It was a segment where the preliminary candidates answered with "O" or "X." Here, candidates Chong Won-o, Chun Hyun-hee, Kim Hyeong-nam and Kim Young-bae held up "O," and only candidate Park Ju-min held up a "triangle."
Candidate Chong said, "The prosecution withdrawal transaction rumor is a sweeping denial of President Lee Jae-myung's life," adding, "It insults the president's life, and in that respect it is utterly unacceptable."
Candidate Chun also said, "Minister of Justice Jung Sung-ho said there was absolutely no such fact, and the president I know and the Ministry of Justice have no reason to do such a thing," adding, "When it came up on the program, I think it was only natural as the host to stop it."
Candidate Kim Hyeong-nam also said, "When raising any rumor, there needs to be sufficient responsibility," and candidate Kim Young-bae said, "Led by the Democratic Party, last year we passed a law requiring companies to be held accountable when the media spread fake news," adding, "In that regard, it is clear that the media outlet where Kim Ou-joon works should apologize."
By contrast, candidate Park said, "I have repeatedly said that something like the prosecution withdrawal transaction rumor is absolutely untrue," adding, "We must raise strong objections to such remarks, and additional steps are needed." However, Park said, "I think the judgment could differ depending on whether Kim Ou-joon knew that fact or not," adding, "The party needs to move in an integrative direction."