Kim Moon-soo of the People Power Party and Han Duck-soo, an independent candidate, met on the 7th for unification negotiations, but they failed to narrow their differences regarding the main actors of the negotiations, resulting in an unproductive meeting. Candidate Kim proposed a unification roadmap directly, but Candidate Han reiterated his stance that he would follow the method of unification determined by the party.
Candidate Kim met with reporters after having dinner with Candidate Han for about 75 minutes at a restaurant in Samcheong-dong, Jongno District, Seoul, and said, "There has been no significant progress. I find it quite unfortunate."
Candidate Kim noted, "Personally, the two of us have a good relationship," and said, "We shared concerns about what unfortunate events might occur if Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party of Korea comes to power. That concern is common."
However, there were clear differences in positions regarding the main players, timing, and methods of unification negotiations.
In particular, neither side backed down regarding the official channel for the unification negotiations.
Candidate Kim said, "I expressed my thoughts on the unification plan, but Candidate Han stated in the earlier press release that there is nothing to add or progress on, and he has firmly and repeatedly said that he would leave everything to the party and would do as the party wishes."
He also mentioned, "When I asked, 'Isn't there a need to meet again?' Candidate Han responded, 'Is there a need to meet?'"
Previously, Candidate Han stated in a press conference, "I have already entrusted all decisions regarding the unification method to the People Power Party," and said, "If unification does not occur, I will not register as a candidate for the presidential election." He set the deadline for unification negotiations for the 11th, the registration deadline, insisting that the main actors of the negotiations should be the People Power Party.
Conversely, Candidate Kim's side insists that the officially elected candidate should lead the unification negotiations and that the party should not intervene. Candidate Kim stated in an urgent statement the night before, "The party leadership should no longer interfere in the unification process and must immediately cease related activities. From this moment on, unification will be entirely led by the presidential candidate." He reportedly communicated to Candidate Han's side his stance to keep various options open for discussion, such as negotiations between candidates.
With the talks between the two candidates effectively collapsing, the key now lies in how Candidate Kim and the party will coordinate.
As of now, the conflict surrounding unification between Candidate Kim's side and the party leadership appears to have deepened. Kim Jae-won, Candidate Kim's chief secretary, claimed that prior to the dinner meeting, Kwon Young-se, the chair of the emergency response committee, demanded that Hwang Woo-yeo, the chair of the party's election management committee, conduct a procedure for selecting a single candidate through a candidate debate on the 8th and a public opinion poll on the 9th.
Candidate Kim also expressed discomfort, stating that the party leadership is attempting to lead the unification negotiations. He said, "Who brought out someone who has no intention of registering as a candidate? I find it truly unfortunate and regretful that someone has completely blocked the opportunity for the candidates to meet, converse, and draw closer together."
The People Power Party plans to continue discussions related to the presidential candidate unification at a lawmakers' meeting scheduled for 9 p.m. today. Despite Candidate Kim's demand for an "immediate halt" to discussions, the party conducted a survey of its members regarding whether to support unification. There are expectations that the party will present a unification roadmap to Candidate Kim's side based on the survey results. Candidate Kim's side has expressed discontent, citing a "failure to follow instructions."