2026 Chungnam Governor Race: Park Soo-hyun Challenges Yang Seung-jo on Controversial Allegations

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Park Soo-hyun and Yang Seung-jo, both vying in the Democratic Party primary for governor of South Chungcheong Province (Chungnam), showed visible discomfort during the televised debate.

On the afternoon of the 2nd at Daejeon MBC, Democratic Party primary candidates Park Soo-hyun, Na So-yeol, and Yang Seung-jo participated in the debate.

When given the floor, Park directed a pointed line of questioning at Yang.

Park had previously said he would use the debate to respond to Yang’s questions about why Yang withdrew from the 2018 Chungnam governor race and about the investigation involving the Korea Committee of UN-Habitat.

Park said that, regarding his midrace withdrawal, Yang seemed to expect him to address allegations of an extramarital affair that surfaced at the time. He noted, however, that the prosecution’s decision had already addressed those claims. He added that UN-Habitat had undergone a police investigation over alleged fundraising violations, but the case was dismissed with no charges.

Park also said he had publicly explained these matters several times, yet Yang’s campaign issued a statement condemning him and calling it a “Yoon Suk Yeol–style failure to communicate.” He asked whether Yang still regarded these matters as unresolved suspicions.

That morning, Park filed complaints with the police against two members of Yang’s campaign and reported one person to the election commission.

Yang responded by saying he had not intended to prompt that line of questioning and apologized if anyone in his office had used the phrase “Yoon Suk Yeol–style failure to communicate,” calling such language excessive.

Park countered that it was demeaning to have to resolve these personal issues during time reserved for policy debate. He asked rhetorically how unfair it would seem if he demanded Yang explain past sexual-assault allegations or a photo associated with the Unification Church.

Yang said he would avoid negative campaigning and that he had already addressed the relevant statements. He added that the sexual-assault allegations inflicted significant personal and political damage, but that police had never summoned him for questioning. He was unable to finish his remarks before time ran out.

In his closing statement, Park said he apologized if the example he used while describing his grievances had offended Yang.