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People Power Party (PPP) presidential primary contenders Kim Moon-soo (left) and Han Dong-hoon shake hands for a photo ahead of their one-on-one debate at Channel A’s open studio in the Dong-A Media Center in Seoul, on April 24. / Photo by National Assembly Press Corps

People Power Party (PPP) presidential primary contenders Kim Moon-soo and Han Dong-hoon sparred over the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk-yeol and the controversial martial law declaration of December 3 during a one-on-one televised debate on April 24.

During the debate, held at Channel A’s studio in Jongno-gu, Seoul, Kim, who held the questioning lead, urged Han to apologize directly to former President Yoon. “If you truly want to serve this country, you should first visit former President Yoon and apologize for having wronged him as a fellow human being,” Kim said. “Wouldn’t it be right to issue a sincere apology as a candidate—or even step down from your candidacy?”

Han responded by saying, “When Rep. Seo Young-kyo of the Democratic Party demanded an apology, not doing so was the right decision. There’s no need to apologize to Rep. Seo or the Democratic Party.” However, he added, “We should apologize to the people for the martial law incident. Wouldn’t you consider doing that here and now?”

Kim also criticized Han for allegedly betraying the former president, noting that Yoon had appointed him as justice minister and later as emergency party leader despite his lack of political experience. “You impeached someone who treated you like a cherished junior. Do you have a personal grudge against former President Yoon?”

Han rejected the premise. “I don’t see public service as a personal favor. I did my utmost in those roles,” he said. “If I become president, I will never demand that kind of loyalty from anyone I appoint.”

The exchange intensified when Kim blamed Han for playing the biggest role in Yoon’s downfall. “If anyone holds primary responsibility for the martial law, impeachment, and removal from office, it’s you,” Kim said. Han countered, “When a president goes astray, I will never stand by and flatter him. I tried to correct it—does that count as betrayal? Even if it had been my father declaring unlawful martial law, I would have stopped him.”

Kim then compared Han’s actions to those of opposition candidate Lee Jae-myung. “Lee once forcibly committed his brother to a psychiatric hospital for opposing him politically. How are you any different from him, calling the president’s actions a rebellion and impeaching him?”

Han sharply rebuked the comparison, saying, “That is an outrageous insult.”