Han Duck-soo, an independent candidate for the 21st presidential election, said just before meeting with Kim Moon-soo, the People Power Party candidate, on the 7th, "If unification does not occur, I will not register as a candidate for the presidential election."
The candidate held an emergency press conference that day and said, "I have no intention at all to bother the people until just before the printing of the ballots (May 25)."
He added, "The political tug-of-war is fun only for those engaged, while the observing public suffers. It's not right. I will not do such a thing."
The National Election Commission announced that it will start printing the ballots for the 21st presidential election from the 25th.
These remarks by the candidate suggest the possibility that he would not prolong the unification process until the election's approach, indicating he could withdraw at any time.
The candidate emphasized, "I have no interest at all in the detailed conditions for unification (with Kim). Not at all," adding, "I will respond unconditionally. This is my principle."
He further stated, "Unification can be through public opinion polls or TV debates," asserting, "I will participate in any procedure conducted fairly and legally without any complaints, and I will fully accept the results."
<Full text of Han Duck-soo's statement as an independent presidential candidate>
Dear citizens, I have lived my whole life away from power. I never imagined I would run for president, nor have I ever wished for it.
Citizens, I have had other dreams and other callings.
I was born when our country was one of the world's poorest and became a youth when our national income barely reached $300.
In the South Korea where I was born and raised, there was not a single element of what exists here today. There was neither abundance nor freedom. Most of the land was farmland.
No one could imagine that our country would become one of the world's top 10 economic powers and that democracy would take the place of dictatorship. In my youth, I felt the same way. Hearing my supervisor say, "Soon, we will enter the $1,000 era," I worried that it might be a falsehood.
Citizens, however, we have achieved all of this. I have lived to see our country move forward. Every hurdle we overcame was a drama. Adding my small strength while watching this great drama of our people was my dream and calling.
South Korea has achieved what other countries could not. I believe that this strength came from two sources: the sweat and blood of each citizen and politics that considers the country as a whole, beyond factions.
Regarding how significant a role politics has played, it is embarrassing, but I have lived my life unaware. For the first time in the past three years without politics, I deeply felt its importance.
Regardless of the factions, I do not want to call the current Korean politics politics. Korean politics is not politics; it is violence, very low-quality violence. It is not just about one person's future.
It is gnawing away at the future of the entire nation. If we do not change this, we cannot move forward.
That is why I have decided to run for president. I promised constitutional amendments, resolutions of trade issues, and the accompaniment of the people. I have stated that we must now move forward. I emphasized that the economic miracle of South Korea should not stop here.
I promised that the next government would not be Han Duck-soo's government, but rather the government of everyone who agrees here, all of you.
If we can achieve this goal, it does not matter who becomes president. What matters is whether there is determination to sacrifice oneself and become a stepping stone to help our country break free from its current stagnation.
Unification, any method is fine. Public opinion polls are good, and TV debates are good. I will participate in any procedure conducted fairly and legally without any complaints, and I will fully accept the results.
I have already entrusted the People Power Party with all decisions regarding the unification method. Decide and execute right away. You do not need to consult me.
Political engineering changes. Goals do not change. Principles do not change. They do not change, which is what makes them goals and principles.
My goals and principles are simple and clear.
We must change politics to sustain us all. We must revitalize the economy by changing politics. If things continue as they are, our economy will collapse, trapped by politics.
To achieve this goal, unification among those who resonate with the goal is absolutely necessary.
I have no interest in the specific conditions for unification. Not at all. As for the unification process, the People Power Party should decide. I will respond. I will respond unconditionally. This is my principle.
I have no intention at all to bother the people until just before the printing of the ballots. The political tug-of-war only excites those engaged while the observing public suffers. It is not right. I will not do such a thing.
If unification does not occur, I will not register as a candidate for the presidential election. Thank you.