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3w ago

Acting President Han Duck-soo Declines to Join South Korea’s Presidential Primary

The People Power Party finalizes its candidate registration process as it prioritizes defeating Democratic Party frontrunner Lee Jae-myung.

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Kweon Seong-dong (C), floor leader of the People Power Party, speaks during a party meeting at the National Assembly in Seoul on April 15, 2025. (Yonhap)
Han Dong-hoon, former leader of the People Power Party, speaks during an interview with Yonhap News Agency at his campaign office in Seoul on April 14, 2025. Han has joined the party's nomination race for the June 3 presidential election to pick former President Yoon Suk Yeol's successor. (Yonhap)
(From left) Lee Jae-myung, the former leader of the liberal Democratic Party (DP), Gyeonggi Gov. Kim Dong-yeon and former South Gyeongsang Gov. Kim Kyoung-soo are seen in this composite photo provided by the election camp of each candidate on April 15, 2025. They registered to compete in the DP's primary for the June 3 presidential election. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

Overview

  • Acting President Han Duck-soo has officially confirmed he will not participate in the People Power Party’s presidential primary, ending speculation about his candidacy.
  • The People Power Party has closed candidate registration and is preparing to narrow its field of contenders through an open primary process allowing unaffiliated voters to participate.
  • Key PPP candidates have framed their campaigns around opposing Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung, focusing on his legal challenges and perceived governance risks.
  • Internal divisions persist within the PPP, with debates over its handling of former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment and its broader governance strategy.
  • The Democratic Party’s closed primary rules have sparked criticism, with some arguing broader voter inclusion is necessary to ensure democratic legitimacy.