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2d ago

South Korea’s Conservative Bloc Divided as Candidate Unification Talks Stall

With the registration deadline imminent, People Power Party faces internal strife over whether to back Kim Moon-soo or independent Han Duck-soo for June 3 snap election.

Kim Moon-soo (R), presidential candidate of the conservative People Power Party (PPP), walks out of a general meeting of PPP lawmakers at the National Assembly on May 9, 2025, after the PPP leadership pressures him to merge his candidacy with former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo. (Yonhap)
Kim Moon-soo, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, addresses a general meeting of party lawmakers at the National Assembly in Seoul on May 9, 2025. (Yonhap)
Kim Moon-soo (2nd from R), presidential candidate of the conservative People Power Party, speaks at his campaign office in Seoul on May 9, 2025, to announce his election pledges ahead of the June 3 presidential election. (Yonhap)
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Overview

  • The People Power Party (PPP) has failed to resolve internal disputes over unifying behind Kim Moon-soo, its official nominee, or independent candidate Han Duck-soo ahead of the May 11 registration deadline.
  • Kim Moon-soo, who secured the PPP nomination on May 3, has resisted party leadership's push to yield to Han, citing his legitimacy as the party's chosen candidate.
  • Han Duck-soo, who declared his independent bid on May 1, has stated he will not register unless a unified candidacy is agreed upon by May 11, complicating the PPP's strategy.
  • The PPP conducted a two-day opinion poll concluding May 9, combining public and party member input, to gauge support for Kim and Han, but no agreement has been reached so far.
  • Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung remains the front-runner with 43% support in the latest polls, while Han and Kim lag behind with 23% and 12% respectively.