Han Duck-soo, the acting prime minister who has served as an economic bureaucrat for over 30 years, is experienced in administration but is relatively a newcomer in the political arena.
Having served as prime minister twice, he cannot be said to lack political sensitivity, but the absence of a foundation strong enough to be called the 'Han Duck-soo line' in the political arena is considered a major weakness.
This raises interest in who would take on key roles in the camp if Han sets it up. Potential groups that can be called 'pro-Han Duck-soo' within the political arena include veteran members of the People Power Party urging Han to run and pro-revisionist figures from the Honam region. Attention is also drawn to Oh Se-hoon, the mayor of Seoul, and former Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Won Hee-ryong, who have been classified as potential candidates but opted not to run in the presidential election.
◇ Attention on the roles of Oh Se-hoon and Won Hee-ryong… concerns about restrictions on supporting independent candidates
According to the political arena on the 1st, Sun Young-taek, former chief of the prime minister's office and considered to be a close aide of Han, reportedly met with Oh Se-hoon and Won Hee-ryong recently to explore the possibility of their joining the camp.
Sun, who has worked closely with Han since 2022 at the prime minister's office, is seen as Han's close confidant. Observers speculate that Sun likely exerted significant influence during Han's decision-making process about running for president.
It is reported that Oh and Won have not given any clear answers regarding their potential participation in the camp after being approached by Sun.
Oh, while undecided about joining Han's camp, is said to have given advice on operational methods for the camp. The office space in Yeouido intended to be used as the camp's headquarters was originally designated for Oh's use, but after going through Na Kyung-won, it has come to be used by Han.
Won's potential joining of the camp is also noteworthy. There is a view among those close to him that he would play a key role if he joined the camp, but since announcing his decision not to run for the presidency, Won has not publicly commented on his evaluation of Han or indicated his intention to join the camp. Additionally, the possibility of veteran members of the People Power Party joining Han Duck-soo's camp is also of interest.
However, it is a challenging situation for both Won and Oh, as well as senior party members, to join Han Duck-soo's camp while maintaining their party affiliation. A People Power Party official noted, 'Joining the camp of an independent candidate while maintaining party affiliation could be considered a violation,' emphasizing that current lawmakers are understood to be prohibited from joining a candidate's camp if they belong to a different party.
Given the circumstances, individuals with ties to the People Power Party are reported to be supporting Han’s presidential preparations behind the scenes rather than engaging in public activities.
A People Power Party official stated, 'It is impossible for major figures to join Han Duck-soo's camp while Han Dong-hoon and Kim Moon-soo are competing for the final party nomination,' adding, 'If Han Duck-soo is endorsed as the unified candidate of the conservative bloc through a one-shot primary, many party members will likely join the election campaign committee.'
◇ Pro-Han Duck-soo supporters within the People Power Party include Yoon Sang-hyun, Sung Il-jong, Kweon Seong-dong, and Park Soo-young
Currently, Congressman Sung Il-jong and Congressman Yoon Sang-hyun are showing the most active support among senior lawmakers of the People Power Party. Congressman Sung declared his endorsement essentially on the 22nd of last month during a meeting with reporters at the National Assembly Communication Hall, stating, 'Han is the right person to end the chaos in South Korea and to establish a new order.'
Congressman Yoon also met directly with Han on the 8th of last month to suggest that he run for the People Power Party's presidential candidate. On the 28th, at a press conference for the '21st Presidential Election Conservative Unified Candidate Promotion Committee' held at the Korea Press Center, he hinted that he would play a role, stating, 'I will create a unified conservative candidate and win the war to protect the system.'
Kweon Seong-dong, the floor leader of the People Power Party, is also expected to play a role in Han's candidacy and possible unification. Kweon mentioned in a recent meeting with reporters regarding Han's candidacy and unification, 'I understand that a unification primary will be held to build a 'bigger house,' and if this process garners greater public interest and we build a bigger house, it will ultimately lay the foundation for election victory.'
Among the senior politicians, Congressman Park Soo-young, who was a leading figure advocating for the recruitment of Han Duck-soo into the party, is also categorized as part of the 'pro-Han Duck-soo' group. Park, who currently serves as the head of the policy planning team for Kim Moon-soo's camp, is expected to play a linking role between Han's side and the conservative presidential unification if Kim is finalized as the People Power Party candidate.
Senior politician Jeong Dae-cheol, who has served four terms from the Honam region, is a strong supporter of Han. On the 1st, Jeong appeared on KBS radio and said, 'For Han, being President requires a bit of luck, and it seems that luck is coming to you.' Jeong praised Han, stating that he is 'a person with the necessary abilities, possessing the abilities suited for this moment.'
Lee Nak-yon, former prime minister and current senior advisor of the New Future Democratic Party, is also mentioned as a likely candidate to join Han Duck-soo's camp. Jeong noted, 'I directly heard that if a big tent is set up outside, he would be willing to help.'
It is reported that former Saenuri Party leader Kim Moo-sung and former Bareunmirae Party leader Son Hak-kyu support Han Duck-soo over Lee Jae-myung, the current leader of the Democratic Party of Korea.
◇ For now, the camp will be centered on the prime minister's office
In a situation where current politicians find it difficult to quickly join Han Duck-soo's camp, the camp's operations are expected to be mainly carried out by personnel from the prime minister's office for the time being.
Along with Sun, key figures such as Kim Soo-hye, the public relations director, Park Kyung-eun, the chief of the political affairs department, Kim Cheol-hwi, the communication message secretary, and Shin Jung-in, the civil society secretary, are expected to join the camp.
Sun, a former lawyer, served as the policy communications director of the Central Election Campaign Committee of the People Power Party and a planning committee member of the Presidential Transition Committee during the last presidential election.
Kim Soo-hye, the public relations director, is a former reporter for Chosunilbo and has been in the media for over 20 years. She is expected to be responsible for message management and media responses.
Park Kyung-eun, the chief of the political affairs department, previously served as an administrative officer in the presidential office during the Lee Myung-bak administration. He has worked with Busan Mayor Park Hyung-jun for over 20 years and is expected to handle communication channels with the People Power Party within the camp.