Seoul: Four presidential candidates are set to engage in their second televised debate on Friday, focusing on social issues as the June 3 election approaches, now just 11 days away. As the campaign progresses beyond its halfway mark, Democratic Party (DP) candidate Lee Jae-myung maintains a lead in opinion polls. However, the gap between Lee and People Power Party (PPP) candidate Kim Moon-soo has slightly narrowed this week.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Lee Jun-seok of the minor New Reform Party (NRP) has achieved his first double-digit support in the polls. Despite this, Kim Moon-soo continues to urge the NRP candidate to consider merging their candidacies to strengthen their challenge against the DP's Lee. On Thursday, Lee Jun-seok announced that he would remain in the race until Election Day.
The debate, scheduled for 8 p.m. and hosted by the National Election Commission, will feature the three candidates along with Kwon Young-kook of the minor Democratic Labor Party. The discussion will cover various topics, including bridging social divisions, promoting national unity, as well as reforms in pension and health care, and addressing climate change.
Lee Jae-myung is expected to emphasize his vision of becoming a leader capable of overcoming ideological and regional divides, reflecting his commitment to social cohesion as a primary responsibility of the president. Meanwhile, Kim Moon-soo is likely to highlight his personal integrity by contrasting himself with Lee, who is currently involved in multiple legal controversies. Kim also plans to critique Lee's policy vision of a "basic society" as populist.
Lee Jun-seok of the NRP is anticipated to target the DP candidate by discussing controversies surrounding Lee Jae-myung, such as election law violations and alleged misuse of public funds. Additionally, the debate may see Kim and Lee Jun-seok spar over the potential merger of their candidacies.
The election will determine the successor to former President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was impeached over a failed martial law attempt in December.