The debate is expected to revolve around the contentious issue of former President Yoon Suk-yeol's impeachment, with Hong and Kim, who opposed the measure, facing off against Ahn and Han, who supported it. Analysts anticipate fierce exchanges over responsibility for the declaration of martial law and the subsequent impeachment.
During previous one-on-one debates, tensions flared when Kim criticized Ahn for "impeaching a president from his own party," while Ahn retorted that Kim must "sincerely apologize to the public before crossing the river of impeachment and finding a path to victory."
Hong and Han similarly clashed, with Hong accusing Han of "providing a crucial catalyst for the martial law declaration," while Han countered that "flatterers like Hong who flanked the president bear responsibility for the martial law crisis."
The party will conduct voting among its delegates (50 percent) and public opinion polls (50 percent) on April 27-28, with results to be announced on April 29.
Any candidate securing more than 50 percent of votes will be confirmed as the party's presidential nominee.
If no candidate achieves a majority of 50 percent votes, the top two finishers will advance to a final round determined by party member votes and general public opinion surveys, each accounting for half the votes, the selection to be finalized by May 3.
The snap presidential election, set for June 3, comes due to the impeachment of disgraced former President Yoon Suk Yeol over his botched Dec. 3 declaration of martial law late last year.
reporter
Kim Dong-young
davekim0807@ajupress.com
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