On June 3, voices criticizing the Democratic Party of Korea candidates' policy of "minimizing debates" in the races for Seoul, Gyeonggi, Incheon and other Seoul metropolitan area leadership posts are emerging inside and outside the opposition party.
People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok said in a post on social media on the 16th, "The Democratic Party candidates have all flopped down," adding, "They are refusing debates and have started bed soccer."
He added, "That ends with a come-from-behind theater goal."
Jang also argued, "Chong Won-o, the (Seoul mayor) candidate, has more than a few things he could get caught on; Choo Mi-ae, the (Gyeonggi governor) candidate, doesn't know Gyeonggi's affairs; and Park Chan-dae, the (Incheon mayor) candidate, is afraid of debates because Lee Jae-myung's crimes might be revealed again."
Democratic Party of Korea candidates, including Seoul mayoral candidate Chong Won-o; Gyeonggi governor candidate Choo Mi-ae; and Ha Jung-woo, the candidate in the Busan Buk-gap National Assembly by-election, are reportedly planning to take part in only one debate before the election. They intend to comply only with the legal debate requirement of "at least once" as stipulated by the Public Official Election Act. Considering that two to five debates were held in past local elections, voters say there are fewer opportunities to examine each candidate's pledges and capabilities.
People Power Party chief spokesperson Park Sung-hoon also issued a commentary the same day, saying, "Democratic Party candidates are blatantly promoting 'blind voting' among voters by completely blocking the public's right to know with their petty 'debate-avoidance bed soccer.'"
Han Dong-hoon, an independent candidate expected to face Ha Jung-woo in the Busan Buk-gap by-election, said in a Facebook post the same day, "I don't know why Ha Jung-woo, a political newcomer, is deploying a strategy of mystique," adding, "Is he Seo Taiji?"