Former Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Moon-soo was elected as the People Power Party candidate for the 21st presidential election on the 3rd. However, he is facing another challenge before becoming the final candidate of the People Power Party, as he is in talks for unification with former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who declared an independent presidential candidacy the day before.
The People Power Party announced on this day at a convention held at KINTEX in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, that "Kim Moon-soo has been selected as the party's presidential candidate."
The final vote count, which was a combination of "party member voting" and "general public opinion polls" at 50% each, showed that candidate Kim Moon-soo received 56.53% of the votes, while candidate Han Dong-hoon received 43.47%.
Candidate Kim received 61.25% (246,519 votes) in the party member voting, significantly leading over candidate Han (38.75%, 155,961 votes) by more than 20 percentage points, and also received 51.81% in the public opinion polls, surpassing candidate Han (48.19%).
Candidate Kim, who has consistently led the approval ratings in the conservative camp since the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk-yeol, joined the People Power Party on the 9th of last month, declaring his candidacy for the presidential election and made it to the final candidate.
◇ Party member support, rallying as the 'anti-impeachment representative'
Kim's victory is analyzed as a reflection of the opinions of supporters who desire unification between the People Power Party candidate and the independent candidate Han Duck-soo. Throughout the primary process, Kim has shown the most proactive stance toward unification with Han.
It is also interpreted that the support from party lawmakers and members who opposed the impeachment motion against former President Yoon has consolidated around candidate Kim, the 'representative of the anti-impeachment faction.'
During his acceptance speech on this day, Kim stated, "I am grateful to be elected as the People Power Party's presidential candidate," and emphasized, "I have a heavy burden. Even if I may be shattered into pieces, I will definitely achieve victory."
He added, "To prevent the Lee Jae-myung forces from coming to power, I will build a strong alliance with any force," stating, "I will pursue this in a manner and procedure that the people and our party members can accept."
Candidate Han said, "I accept the decision of the party members and the citizens today," adding, "My journey ends here, but I ask candidate Kim Moon-soo to prevent South Korea from becoming a dangerous country. I will also support from behind."
◇ Unification with Han Duck-soo, a challenge for a big tent in the conservative camp
While the candidate for the People Power Party was determined on this day, the lineup for the early presidential election on June 3 is not yet finalized.
The situation is unfolding with multiple candidates: Lee Jae-myung from the Democratic Party of Korea, Kim Moon-soo from the People Power Party, Lee Jun-seok from the Reform Party, and Han Duck-soo as an independent candidate. How quickly candidate Kim can unify with candidate Han Duck-soo and gain momentum for the 'big tent in the conservative camp' to close the gap with candidate Lee Jae-myung will be crucial.
With becoming the presidential candidate, candidate Kim will have priority over party affairs. The essence is that starting from the day of being elected as the presidential candidate until the presidential election day on June 3, he will have all authority regarding party affairs for the efficient advancement of election work.
Candidate Kim pledged, "For our People Power Party to win the presidential election, we need a transformation and rebirth," stating, "I will innovate the party as quickly as possible. I will swiftly reorganize the party organization so that the candidate and the party can be one."