Independent presidential election preliminary candidate Han Duck-soo said on the 6th, "I have never thought that unification would fail."
Candidate Han, attending the Kwanhun Debate held in Seoul that day, responded to a question regarding unification with People Power Party's Kim Moon-soo by saying, "A failure of unification would be a great betrayal and treachery against the people."
He added, "I believe that unification will definitely take place within an appropriate timeframe," and "I think no politician or government worker can dare to escape our people's will."
Regarding the point that time favors Kim Moon-soo in terms of unification, candidate Han said, "I believe that candidate Kim Moon-soo will properly judge what is best for the country and the people, and I will support any method of unification."
When asked if there is a concern about whether synergy may arise from overlapping support bases with candidate Kim, he replied, "I think the support base will not necessarily be the same," adding, "From what I've seen, there are many more people who support me."
Earlier, the People Power Party formed a party election planning committee at the request of candidate Kim Moon-soo the previous night. In response to candidate Kim's conditions for proceeding with unification with candidate Han, which included ▲ formation of a campaign committee ▲ respect for party rights, the leadership accepted it.
In particular, the People Power Party plans to hold a general meeting of lawmakers that afternoon to discuss unification strategies. They also announced the convening of the 6th party congress between the 10th and 11th. This is interpreted as an attempt to pressure for an expedited unification to select the final candidate of the People Power Party.
When candidate Han was asked about his competitiveness compared to Democratic Party of Korea candidate Lee Jae-myung, who has gained experience over a long political career, he responded, "Candidate Lee has built a flawed foundation," and stated, "Most of the policies he wishes to pursue will not help the country." He continued, "I think he doesn’t know what real policies are," adding, "Hasn't it been changing constantly?"
He also commented on the 'constitutional amendment big tent,' saying, "I don't think it is to disadvantage any specific individual," and added, "We need to move towards a constitutional amendment alliance that includes everyone, which can effectively respond to international circumstances and establish domestic and foreign systems clearly." Regarding specific constitutional amendment proposals related to power structure, he stated, "I believe that there should be more in-depth discussions on all systems at a national level for about a year," and emphasized the need to achieve true liberal democracy and rule of law where the separation of powers works properly. He remarked, "One of the greatest enemies of liberal democracy is populism, and another is the thorough disregard for minorities disguised as an absolute majority."
In response to the question, "Do you think the Democratic Party, which holds a majority in the National Assembly, can create an amendment proposal?" candidate Han cited the passage of the Nursing Act, saying, "I think it is completely possible," and continued, "If we persuade and communicate sufficiently, as shown in several past successes, it won't be too grim."
Regarding the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk-yeol and the declaration of martial law, candidate Han stated, "I have not spoken since former President Yoon's impeachment," and noted, "I respect the ruling of the Constitutional Court." He continued, "I consistently opposed the martial law and express my boundless apology to the people for not being able to persuade former President Yoon to make a different decision." He added, "When the National Assembly requested the lifting of martial law, I immediately told the president that martial law should be lifted," stating that he read the motion for the declaration lifting martial law and struck the gavel three times with his fist to pass it.
He also criticized Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Park Ji-won for mentioning candidate Han's wife as a "shamanic expert," calling it "a blatant lie." He stated, "My wife is vehemently against my candidacy and still opposes it," and added, "I am very disappointed in Representative Park. I demand that he retract what he said."
Candidate Han referred to the income-led growth of the Moon Jae-in administration, saying, "It has become an issue by pushing for one side to be right," and commented, "If individuals who do not understand the economy continue to pursue ideological policies, the country will be ruined over time."
Regarding the use of the term ‘Gwangju Incident’ during his visit to the Constitutional Society on the 3rd, he said, "I think it was a regrettable remark," and added, "Regardless of the reasons, using such expressions is regrettable to the people and the citizens of Gwangju." He also mentioned, "The representative of a certain opposition party, who is now a candidate, also used the term Gwangju Incident in 2014," referring to Democratic Party of Korea candidate Lee Jae-myung's past use of the expression.