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Conservative Candidates in South Korea Explore Merger Ahead of Snap Election

Kim Moon-soo and Han Duck-soo discuss unifying campaigns to challenge liberal frontrunner Lee Jae-myung in June 3 presidential race.

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The People Power Party's (PPP) presidential candidate Kim Moon-soo (R) shakes hands with former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo as they attend a Buddha's Birthday ceremony at Jogye Temple in central Seoul on May 5, 2025. (Yonhap)
Former labor minister Kim Moon-soo, right, celebrates next to ex-party chief Han Dong-hoon after winning the final race to choose South Korea’s conservative People Power Party’s candidate for the upcoming presidential election, during a national convention of the party in Goyang on Saturday, May 3, 2025. (Anthony Wallace/AFP/Getty Images/TNS)

Overview

  • Kim Moon-soo, recently nominated as the People Power Party's presidential candidate, and independent candidate Han Duck-soo are in talks to unify their campaigns.
  • Han proposed an in-person meeting with Kim during a brief exchange at a Buddha's Birthday ceremony on May 5, with further discussions expected soon.
  • The People Power Party has established an internal body to negotiate merger terms and plans to hold an emergency meeting to finalize strategies before the May 11 registration deadline.
  • Recent polls show liberal candidate Lee Jae-myung maintaining a significant lead in multi-candidate scenarios, driving urgency for a conservative alliance.
  • Both candidates aim to consolidate conservative support to counter Lee, whose campaign faces potential challenges from a court-ordered retrial on election law charges.