Ahead of the Aug. 17 party convention to elect the next Democratic Party of Korea leadership, Kim Min-seok and Jung Chung-rae, who are competing for first place, traded barbs during a broadcast debate.
At the Democratic Party of Korea chair race TV debate hosted by KBC at 9 p.m. on the 10th, the two candidates clashed over qualifications related to semiconductor cluster policy and experience communicating with corporations.
First, after Jung mentioned core elements related to creating a semiconductor cluster—power, water, talent development, and living conditions—he said regarding water that "experts believe it should be used through recycling rather than by drawing in water," and asked Kim, "Do you have any ideas on how to utilize water?"
Kim replied, "You did well to hear a variety of ideas through seminars," adding, "I commend you for that." He continued, "I am not a water expert, but I have listened widely to related opinions," and said, "We will discuss this with the relevant ministries, the party, and the National Assembly to find the best course." However, he did not present a specific plan for water use.
After being on the defensive in the earlier question, Kim went on the offensive once he gained the initiative, directing his attack at Jung. He asked whether Jung had "ever handled actual economic policy or held discussions for a significant period with large corporations' owners," and asked, "Do you know which corporations decided on joint investments related to the U.S. policy supporting AI investment?"
Jung countered, saying, "Candidate Kim Min-seok seems to have a knack for belittling people," and stressed, "How many businesspeople do you think I met and spoke with during my tenure as party chair?"
He added, "I often met with chairs of large corporations and listened to complaints from many corporations through the Korea Federation of Small and Medium Enterprises," and countered, "We held regular roundtables every three months, and we always provided feedback on complaints within a week to 10 days."
Kim also continued his offensive, asserting that Jung had raised the so-called "Jeonbuk marginalization theory," claiming Jeonbuk was left out of the government's southwest semiconductor project by distinguishing it from Jeonnam and Gwangju. Jung countered, saying, "Candidate Kim Min-seok is labeling me."
He went on to say, "I have never said such a thing," and noted, "When I went to Gunsan Daeya Market, people in Gunsan were saying that," adding, "My point was that I would make sure that does not happen." He added, "Jeonbuk will see partner firms emerge, and it is not only the semiconductor plant that profits; I explained (to residents) that it would be enough to attract many partner firms and infrastructure mainly to Jeonju and Jeonbuk."
As the Democratic Party of Korea convention unfolds as a two-way race between Kim Min-seok and Jung Chung-rae, Kim holds a slight lead in the cumulative combined vote share. Kim's vote share excluding weighted scores for strategic regions is 46.01%, 1.48 percentage points higher than Jung's 44.53%. The Democratic Party plans to hold online voting for Honam dues-paying members from the 11th to the 14th.