Ukraine war creates pitfalls for South Korea presidential hopefuls

Ruling party's Lee backtracks on Zelenskyy blame; opposition tie-up talks collapse

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South Korean presidential candidates Lee Jae-myung, left, of the Democratic Party, and Yoon Suk-yeol of the main opposition People Power Party engage in a debate in mid-February. © AP

KIM JAEWON, Nikkei staff writer

SEOUL -- The war in Ukraine has roiled South Korea's presidential race, forcing one top candidate to walk back his reaction and fueling fresh debate over defense on the peninsula.

Lee Jae-myung of the ruling Democratic Party has faced a backlash after he said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's inexperience contributed to Moscow's decision to invade.

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