South Korea s presidential candidates face off in fiery debate

SEOUL - South Korea’s presidential candidates faced off in a heated first TV debate on the evening of May 18, ahead of a snap election on June 3 to choose a successor to former president Yoon Suk Yeol who was impeached over his short-lived martial law declaration last December.

Lee Jae-myung, the main opposition Democratic Party’s candidate and the front runner in the race, has faced criticism from opponents as being too friendly to China, citing his comments that South Korea does not need to get involved in China-Taiwan disputes.

But Lee, who considers pragmatism as key to his foreign policy, said the country “should not go all-in” on its alliance with Washington, and that managing China and Russia relations was important, although security cooperation with the US and Japan is necessary.

He also advocated for more investment in artificial intelligence, protection for unionised workers, a 4½-day work week, and putting South Korea’s interests first in responding to US tariffs.

There was no need for Seoul to rush to reach a trade agreement with Washington, Lee said during the two-hour debate.

“I think we should prepare well for this situation delicately and competently,” he added, also arguing that South Korea needs to nurture high-tech and renewable energy industries to overcome low economic growth.

“We will focus on developing so-called sovereign AI so our people can at least use something like ChatGPT for free like an electronic calculator.”

Mr Kim Moon-soo, the candidate for the conservative People Power Party, vowed to create jobs and deregulate to foster businesses.

Political turmoil

Asia’s fourth-largest economy contracted in the first quarter as exports and consumption stalled, amid fears over the impact of Washington’s aggressive tariffs and political turmoil at home.

South Korea has begun trade talks with the US and is seeking a waiver