Lee's feline attacks meet better-prepared Saenuri candidate

By Jung Min-ho

Lee Jung-hee

Lee Jung-hee of the leftist minor Unified Progressive Party (UPP) started on a softer note in the second presidential TV debate Monday night; however, her target was better prepared.

Lee showed her true colors occasionally, making the debate look like “Catfight Part II.”

This time, however, Park Geun-hye of the ruling Saenuri Party didn’t stand and take her blows, sending jabs back at Lee and stopping her tirade in its tracks.

Following the first debate, Lee was lauded for upstaging Park and Moon Jae-in, while facing criticism for being a spoiler, thwarting any debate between the “real” candidates.

For instance, Lee attacked Park, asking whether she paid taxes on money she received from Gen. Chun Doo-hwan after he took power through a coup following the assassination of her father President Park Chung-hee.

Park dug her heels in, saying, “That issue was addressed during the first debate.”

The Saenuri Party candidate then asked Lee if she would continue in the presidential race, noting that she would have to repay 2.7 billion won in state subsidies if she withdrew.

Lee didn’t comment on this and refused to indicate whether she would throw her support behind Moon.

Lee’s criticisms were concentrated on the conservative candidate’s policies rather than her character in the 100-minute debate designed to discuss economic, labor and social welfare issues.

She also criticized Park for toning down her previous promises on chaebol reform such as restricting circular equity investment, pointing out that it allows them to expand their businesses without proper controls.

Park countered by saying that any drastic reform may upset the system at a time when the global economy is in trouble.

Lee said she would increase taxes on the chaebol, saying they enjoy “too many privileges” given by former administrations that colluded with them.

Park seemed more defensive against Lee, hammering on the liberal candidate’s criticism about history regarding her father.

The discussion separated Lee from the main opposition Democratic United Party (DUP) candidate Moon Jae-in, as they exchanged aggressively questions and answers over labor policies.