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yesterday

South Korea’s Conservative Party Faces Turmoil Over Unified Presidential Candidate

With the registration deadline looming, the People Power Party struggles to resolve internal divisions as Kim Moon-soo resists calls to merge his candidacy with Han Duck-soo.

Kim Moon-soo, presidential candidate for South Korea's conservative People Power Party, talks with former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo during a meeting to discuss unifying candidacy in Seoul, South Korea, May 8, 2025. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji/File Photo
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)

Overview

  • The People Power Party (PPP) remains divided over whether to replace its official nominee, Kim Moon-soo, with independent candidate Han Duck-soo, as the May 11 registration deadline approaches.
  • Kim Moon-soo has rejected the PPP leadership's push for a unified candidacy, accusing the party of undermining his legitimacy as the primary winner.
  • Han Duck-soo, who has gained momentum with 23% in national polls compared to Kim’s 12%, has stated he will not register without an agreement on unification.
  • The PPP conducted a two-day opinion poll, combining party member votes and public polling, to gauge support for a unified candidate, with results expected to influence next steps.
  • Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung continues to lead the race decisively with 43% support, benefiting from the conservative bloc’s internal discord.